Problem: Article: Do your visits with your long distance girlfriend feel fun and interesting, or like an obligation? If you are not looking forward to future visits with your girlfriend, this is a major sign that the relationship may not be working. If making plans to see each other feels like a chore, then a long distance relationship may not be the best. Sometimes relationships do not work out because your values and goals are not compatible with the other person's values and goals. It's okay to have some differences, but major differences like different religious beliefs, life goals, or other important things may interfere with a harmonious relationship. If you find that you are often fighting because you value different things, then this might be a sign that the relationship will not work out. For example, if you value time with family and friends more than money and professional success, then this could be a problem if your girlfriend is really focused on her career right now. Or, if one of you wants kids and the other one does not, then this could cause serious problems down the road. Try making a list of values, beliefs, and goals that you have in common with your girlfriend, and a separate list of values, beliefs, and goals that you do not have in common. If the list of things you do not have in common is longer than the list of things you do have in common, then this may be a reason to break it off. If you're finding yourself interested in someone else, then consider if this long distance relationship is working. Long distance relationships can require a bit more commitment, so be aware of whether this type of relationship is right for you. You may feel torn if she was your high school sweetheart, and now you're finding new love interests in college. Avoid cheating on your girlfriend as an "out" from the relationship. If you find yourself thinking more about someone else than your girlfriend, talk with your girlfriend first. Avoid hurting your girlfriend's feelings further by lying or covering up about what's bothering you. Sometimes your life gets in the way of love. If you've been dating your girlfriend for a few months, and now are back to your different lives in different cities, the passion and desire to continue this relationship may have changed. You may find after dating long distance for a few months that you and your girlfriend are actually headed in very different directions. Maybe the support she needs is different from what you can offer. For example, let's say you were dating for the summer, and now that school has started again you're in different cities, at different schools, and have different commitments to work or activities. You may feel less connected to your girlfriend now that you have some distance and are back to focusing on your studies and spending time with friends. Do you feel like you're communicating less and less with your girlfriend? Do you feel like scheduling calls and frequent weekend trips is just too much? It may be time to talk with your girlfriend about this. A long distance relationship, after only knowing your girlfriend for a few months, is likely to be very difficult. Be mindful that if you've been dating your girlfriend for a year or more, then you need to assess if it is the long distance part that is the difficulty, the relationship itself, or both.
Summary: Assess if you look forward to seeing your girlfriend next. Compare your values with her values. Figure out if the relationship is holding you back. Evaluate if your lives are heading in very different directions. Identify if the long-distance routine is getting too difficult.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You should receive a W-2 form if you are employed and your employer withholds taxes from your paycheck. You may also receive a 1099 form. These information notices are sent for a variety of reasons, such as if you were paid for services provided as an independent contractor, you received interest or dividends, you received government payments (such as unemployment compensation), or you received withdrawals from a retirement account. You should receive your financial forms by early February at the latest. If you haven't received them, follow up with your employer or those who hired you as a freelancer. You can take the standard deduction or itemize for deductible expenses. For the 2019 tax year, the standard deduction will be $12,200 for those filing as single or married filing separately or $24,400 for married filing jointly. The standard deduction is required unless you have more than the allowed standard deduction amount in itemized deductions. Allowable deductions may include home mortgage interest, state and local income taxes or sales tax (but not both), charitable contributions, unreimbursed medical expenses, and real estate and personal property taxes. Since many free sites require that you have an income below a certain amount, you should roughly calculate your AGI before logging online. Simply subtract your standard or itemized deductions from your total income. This will give you a rough estimate of your AGI. If you can tell from simply estimating your AGI that preparing your taxes overwhelms you, an alternative is to hire an accountant in your area. They will calculate your taxes for you, lifting a weight off your shoulders. Accountants can also file your taxes online, thus getting you a refund faster. The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax preparation for those with incomes below $55,000. The program is also available to those over 60, people with disabilities, and those with limited English. You can find a VITA program near you by calling 1-800-906-9887 or by using the online VITA Locator tool (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers).

SUMMARY: Gather your financial documents. List your deductions. Calculate your adjusted gross income (AGI). Hire an accountant if you need help.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: The best plan for addiction management and rehabilitation may vary according to the substance on which your loved one is dependent. Focus on information from sites with a medical or scientific orientation. Look for trustworthy sites such as government or university information. There is a lot of information on the web, but not everything you read about drug addiction is true or realistic. Learning about the characteristics of your loved one's drug addiction can help you understand what to expect. It can also provide guidance on how to best address the situation. NIDA's DrugPubs Research Dissemination Center provides resources on drugs, drug abuse, and treatment. Addiction is a complex and widespread problem. It can have both physical and mental dimensions. Understanding the complexity can help you cope with the situation. It is tempting to think that drug users just have poor morals or lack of willpower. But, there are underlying biological processes that make drug addiction very difficult to overcome. Drug abuse and addiction is a widespread problem. In 2009, about 23.5 million people over the age of 12 needed treatment for addiction. Only 11.6% of this number actually received the treatment they needed. Mental health professionals use a variety of methods to help people overcome addictions. Some of these include: Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of therapy identifies triggers, and thoughts or behaviors which contribute to use. Therapists can teach strategies to change behaviors. They can help increase self-control, stop drug use, and deal with other issues that may occur. Contingency management. This is a behavioral approach that helps the client monitor their behavior. This helps them to slowly change the behavior with the use of positive rewards. Motivational enhancement therapy. This approach helps clients identify why they want help. It helps them see why they might be ambivalent toward treatment and stopping drug use. Family therapy. This approach involves the person's immediate family. It focuses on communication practices that can help or hinder someone's recovery. Groups like Al-Anon, Ala-Teen and Nar-Anon which offer 12 Step programs for the families and friends of people who struggle with alcoholism and addiction. These groups offer support for dealing with the person struggling with addiction. Talking with people in similar situations can help you understand addiction and recovery. These programs also help you to recover from the emotional effects of a relationship with an addicted person. They can also help you heal from guilt and past hardships with your loved one who is addicted. It is important to find support for yourself as you try to help your loved one. The Al-Anon webpage has search tool to help you find a meeting near you.
Summary:
Search online for information about your loved one's form of addiction. Recognize the complexity of addiction. Learn about treatments. Find an organization that can provide support.