High or dry? Staying sober for New Year's Eve

Whether in recovery or not interested for other reasons, the holidays often mean an excess of booze and drugs.

GUEST COMMENTARY: You can recover from mental illness, substance abuse

All around us in Northwest Indiana, people are in recovery from mental illness and substance abuse disorders. These individuals contribute to our businesses, connect with their families and give back to the community. But if we want more people to join them on the path to recovery, then we n…

Judge: Keeping woman in jail will be good for her

VALPARAISO | A 21-year-old Portage woman, who pleaded guilty in 2009 to causing the death of her friend while driving drunk, is back behind bars after being accused for a third time since October of violating her probation.

Change in federal crack cocaine sentences affects local cases

GARY | Henry Edwards is hoping to see his son come home from prison soon.

Prescription drugs still threat to youths

VALPARAISO | Some of the most prevalent drugs being abused by the region's young people aren't found on the streets of a big city -- they're found in the medicine cabinets of suburban homes.

Statistics show heroin use on the rise in Lake County

When a 21-year-old Dyer man and an 18-year-old Schererville woman died within three days early this spring and police suspected their deaths were linked to heroin, it showed the community the drug is not isolated to urban areas.

Schererville native tells his story of addiction, recovery

Chicago police kicked in the door of a Chinatown restaurant bathroom and found a nearly dead Ricky Montez on the floor. The Schererville-raised Montez, who once walked the halls of Lake Central High School in a letterman jacket stitched with patches lauding his athletic achievements, had overdosed.

Food addiction and drug addiction: brain activity shows similarities, study finds

A new study from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity suggests that a chocolate milkshake and a line of cocaine might not be so different.

Below radar: Cuts in substance abuse programs have huge ripple effect

As the state continues to flounder amid billions in debt and late payments to creditors, the suffering is being passed to the those struggling with substance abuse issues.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Adults are setting pro-alcohol examples for youths

The report on drug use in Porter County released earlier this fall detailed the extensive use of alcohol and drugs among youths in Porter County. According to the study, 22.5 percent of eighth-graders and 45.4 percent of 12th graders report drinking alcohol monthly, and 15 percent of eighth-…

Hooked on art, recovery

Their art studio is a leased office in a Chesterton industrial park. Their easels, conference tables draped in white plastic sheets. Frontline Foundations' Art Recovery Program, a faith-based substance abuse treatment, has elevated dollar-stretching to high art.