For many men, addiction is not about pleasure.It is about escape. Alcohol, pornography, gambling, and other compulsive behaviors often function as tools to regulate discomfort. Stress, anxiety, shame, loneliness, boredom, or emotional pain build internally until escape feels necessary. Recovery requires learning a skill most men were never taught: emotional regulation. What Emotional Regulation Actually […]
Tag Archives: Mental Health
05
Jan
Jan
Early sobriety can feel surprisingly good. Many men experience a burst of energy, optimism, and confidence in the weeks following sobriety. Sleep improves. Relationships feel lighter. Anxiety may decrease. Motivation returns. This phase is often referred to as the “pink cloud.” While this experience can be encouraging, it can also be misleading. When misunderstood, the […]
Addiction, Mental Health, Recovery, Sex Addiction
Why Men Struggle to Ask for Help: Barriers to Treatment for Process Addictions
09
Dec
Dec
Most men are not taught how to ask for help. They are taught how to perform, endure, and keep moving. They hide their fear. They white knuckle their pain. They solve problems on their own. These expectations place enormous pressure on men who are quietly spiraling in sex addiction, gambling addiction, or other process addictions. […]
11
Sep
Sep
Suppose you are one of 35 million adults (14.3%) who suffer from a mental health disorder or 8.5 million adults (24%) affected by a substance use disorder. In that case, you understand the complexities of these disorders. Both coping with and understanding the scope of an illness can be daunting and, even, exhausting. However, self-help […]
27
Aug
Aug
In the course of your daily life, it is normal to experience one or more demands that place mental, physical, and emotional pressure on you. Stress is how the brain responds to danger, obstacles, or demands, and the circumstances that lead to stress are many and varied. Stress is common and impacts each person differently. […]
05
Aug
Aug
Many middle-aged adults find themselves with responsibilities for not only their children but their elderly parents as well. This can be extremely stressful, especially for someone that is working towards their own professional or academic goals. While most are preparing their own children for adulthood and looking forward to having more time for themselves, many […]
01
Aug
Aug
Affirmations are short, powerful statements that help you overcome your negative thoughts, manifest goals, and empower yourself. Using affirmative language builds confidence and motivates you to maintain your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Here are 25 affirmations for individuals that are battling addiction: My life is free of drugs and alcohol and I am stronger […]
09
Jul
Jul
Prescription depressants are substances that are typically used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and insomnia. They depress the normal function of the central nervous system and often induce sleep. They come in pill, tablet, capsules, and liquid form. Examples of depressants include alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, marijuana, and inhalants. If taken correctly, they can increase […]
05
Jul
Jul
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that people develop after they have experienced or been exposed to a life-threatening situation, serious injuries, or are exposed to violence. People develop PTSD from many things including combat, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, abuse, and health problems. PTSD can develop at any age and […]
07
Jun
Jun
The grass rustles between your toes, which extend past the picnic blanket you placed out on the lawn. You lean back onto your shoulders as you rest the weight of your upper body on your hands which are firmly planted in the ground. As the music notes flow past your ears, you notice your head […]