Addiction is a family disease. “The havoc active addiction creates in families and relationships stresses everyone in these ‘systems’—parents, children, siblings, spouses, partners, close friends, etc.,” wrote Dan Mager, MSW, on Psychology Today in 2016. “Active addiction destabilizes the home environment, disrupts family life and muddling relationships, and often compromises finances, as well as mental, […]
Category Archives: Blog
30
Dec
Dec
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a powerfully transformative, evidence-based model of psychotherapy, based on the idea that the mind is naturally multiple. This multifaceted mind is considered normal and not pathological. “Our inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole,” explains the IFS […]
07
Dec
Dec
Some controversy remains around intimacy disorders as sex addiction has yet to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which American clinicians use to diagnose mental health conditions. Its latest update in 2013, the DSM-5, did not list sex addiction as a specific psychiatric diagnosis. This may change in the next […]
27
Jul
Jul
Battling addiction is painful and can trigger feelings of helplessness. Active addiction can make you feel powerless because it takes away your ability to make sound decisions. The journey to reclaiming power over your life can be a difficult one but, with the proper tools and guidance, you can recover and take control over your […]
25
Jul
Jul
On July 8, 2017, critically acclaimed actor and playwright, Nelsan Ellis, passed away at the Woodhull Medical Center in New York. He was best known for his award-winning role as Lafayette Reynolds in the hit HBO show, True Blood. He went on to star in films like The Soloist, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, and Get […]
23
Jul
Jul
Approximately 16 million adults in the United States used prescription stimulants in the past year. Drugs such as Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta are generally used for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy. These medications stimulate the brain and central nervous system to give you a temporary boost of energy and increase alertness. When used […]
19
Jul
Jul
Journaling is a very effective way to express your thoughts while keeping them private. It allows you to discuss difficult things, track your progress, reflect, and hold yourself accountable. Your journal is a safe space for you to be as candid as possible without worrying about being judged. It is a great way to relieve […]
17
Jul
Jul
Feelings of guilt and shame are common for those in the throes of addiction. There will be countless times throughout your recovery where you will reflect on your past and, if you do not know how to manage the feelings of guilt that come with that, that reflection can lead to a world of self-doubt, […]
15
Jul
Jul
Substance abuse intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer services for people who are suffering from drug and alcohol addiction but do not require medically supervised detoxification or 24-hr supervision. IOPs share some similarities with residential treatment programs, but the structures of the two are vastly different. IOPs allow you to continue direct services while adjusting to […]
11
Jul
Jul
As of 2019, nearly 500,000 people have died from an overdose involving prescription or illicit opioids. HBO explores this opioid epidemic in their latest documentary, The Crime of the Century. The opioid crisis has taken a toll on communities all across the United States, from major urban cities to small-town America. Tragically, the number […]