“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).” The anniversary of a traumatic event can evoke feelings of despair and make us relive the experience, bringing back symptoms of post-traumatic […]
01
Jun
Jun
“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).” Addiction is isolating and for those who suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as PTSD or depression, the feelings of […]
29
May
May
It’s very hard to understand what addiction is like if you have never struggled with it yourself. It’s normal to be concerned about a friend or family member who seems to be out of control. It might be extremely frustrating or stressful to watch their self-destructive behavior and wonder why they can’t just get it […]
25
May
May
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan are typically prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, muscle tension, and seizures. Benzos are mainly intended for short-term, occasional use. If you use benzos daily, you can develop a dependence in a matter of weeks. Every time you up your dosage to feel the effects, you make […]
20
May
May
Returning home after treatment is a tricky time for both the person in recovery and the family. Everyone wants things to go well but no one is really sure what will happen next. Your loved one may have been away for months and although you have probably been in contact, living under the same roof […]
17
May
May
It’s hard to know how to react when a friend tells you they are battling mental illness. Or worse yet, when a friend’s life is falling apart and you don’t know why. Obviously, you want to help, but it’s not always clear how you can help or whether it’s your place to get involved. If […]
15
May
May
It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of exercise in recovery. It produces endorphins and helps balance your neurotransmitters, which improves your mood. It strengthens your prefrontal cortex, which improves your self-control. It strengthens your cardiovascular system, helping to heal the damage done by alcohol and other substances. Regular exercise is one of the best things […]
15
May
May
Breakups can be stressful under the best of circumstances and they can be especially trying when you’re recovering from addiction. Not only are they fraught with conflict and feelings of rejection, but there may be practical complications involving child custody and property, which only add to the stress. This is one reason experts typically advise […]
11
May
May
It’s pretty common to start drinking a lot more coffee after quitting drugs or alcohol. Studies have shown that people in 12-step programs drink considerably more coffee than the average person. For the most part, this isn’t a big deal. Research now indicates that coffee may protect against heart failure, liver disease, liver cancer, and […]
10
May
May
Social media connects in ways that were never possible before but it also has some pretty significant drawbacks if you let it control your behavior. Social media platforms intentionally make their products as addictive as possible, which can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression. At least two studies have found that Facebook, instead […]