INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A person who has overcome a drug addiction will need structure in his life. You can be a big part of making that happen. A welcoming attitude might be exactly what the person needs. Every person has a need to feel a sense of belonging, and you can foster that for the person. Encourage and suggest the potential freedoms of new, healthier lifestyles. Invite the person to go with you on new adventures. Be mindful not to pursue those things that might increase the urge to partake in drugs. The goal is to help the person not feel alone and to assure him that he can reach out to you and others when needed. He is going to be nervous, afraid and uncertain of his ability to stay sober. Make it clear that you are genuinely concerned for the person and want him to be successful. It is important that he attend therapy or support group meetings. These are likely to be a requirement of any rehabilitation program. Help the person be accountable to his program. Ask him if there is anything you can do to help him stay committed to attending. Don't let him slack off. Offer to attend meetings with him if you both are comfortable with the idea. Always celebrate accomplishments. If a person is sober for one day or 1000 days, each day deserves a celebration. Drug addiction is a chronic disease, therefore it can be managed, but not cured. Relapses will most likely happen, and everyone involved should not consider a relapse a failure. However, treatment will be needed following each relapse. Once you go through the process of helping a person with an addiction, you will have the know-how and information necessary to help. Psychologists and psychiatrists are available in your local area and can be located through the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association. You can also find a substance abuse counselor using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) website. Be there for the person (text, call, see him, do fun activities, play sports, hang out, and support the person's hobbies and interests). Help the person conquer the temptation to use drugs if a particularly difficult situation presents itself. Remain positive in your interactions with the person; but be direct and honest and serious when necessary. He needs to know that there will be people to support him on the road to recovery, and that includes you.

SUMMARY: Accept the person back into your life. Ask the person about his progress. Be resourceful if the person needs your help in the future. Be a positive influence.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Alcohol adds empty calories and it also lowers your inhibitions, so you end up eating more than you normally would. Limit yourself to no more than 1 drink per day if you're a woman or 2 drinks per day if you're a man. One alcoholic drink is 12floz (350mL) of beer, 5floz (150mL) of wine, or 1.5floz (44mL) of spirits. whenever you're thirsty. Staying well-hydrated will help you to prevent confusing thirst with hunger, which may cause you to overeat or eat when you're not actually hungry. Instead, drink water throughout the day and any time you get sweaty to keep yourself hydrated. Try carrying a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go and refill it any time it gets low. Being well-rested can help you to make better decisions about the foods you eat and have the energy to stick with your exercise routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each day to maintain a regular schedule. Some other things you can do to promote better sleep include: Turning off electronic devices 30 minutes before you go to bed Avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and evening Keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet Using your bedroom for sleep only and not working, eating, or paying bills in bed Being overwhelmed by your life or by your desire to lose weight quickly can make you feel stressed. Stress causes some people to eat more than they normally would and this can lead to weight gain. Set aside at least 15 minutes every day to relax. Try using a relaxation technique, such as: Yoga Meditation Progressive muscle relaxation Deep breathing

SUMMARY: Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages. Drink water Sleep for 7 to 9 hours every night. Incorporate relaxation techniques to avoid stress eating.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Although the exact shade of wood's color varies from species to species, expect your wood to grow darker as it dries. When you first split the wood, note how bright it is on the inside. Wait for the relatively white wood to fade into a yellow or grayish color before burning. When you first split your wood, hold a piece up to your nose and breathe in deep. Familiarize yourself with the smell of its sap. Then, when you're ready to burn wood, select a test piece from your pile. Split it open and take a whiff. If you still detect sap, place it back in the pile for further drying. If most or all of the bark has fallen off on its own, consider the wood safe for burning. If not, slice the bark off with a knife. Inspect the wood immediately underneath. Allow any pieces that appear greenish more time to dry before using. When you first split the wood, note how heavy each piece feels. Expect the same piece to weigh considerably less once it loses its water weight. To double-check that it is has dried, knock two pieces together. If they sound hollow, consider them dried. If you are still unsure, assemble a few pieces for a test fire. If either the kindling or the larger pieces refuse to catch fire, give them more time to dry, since they are obviously still too wet. If they do catch, listen for hissing, which indicates the presence of water.

SUMMARY:
Inspect the color. Smell for sap. Test the bark. Judge by density. Build a fire.