Every September, the US recognizes the power and availability of treatment of substance use and mental health issues through National Recovery Month. September is therefore also a wonderful time to raise awareness and understanding surrounding these issues. This month-long homage to the journey of recovery has taken place for over three decades, and it’s something…
For anyone who has struggled with alcohol use, the way out may seem too far or too difficult to navigate. That’s why it’s crucial to seek the right help when you’re ready to change your relationship with drinking alcohol. Alcohol use disorder has been classified as a biological, brain-based disease, which can make it especially…
Many users of marijuana don’t see it as a problem. But marijuana use can quickly transform from a recreational pastime to a dependency that’s difficult to shake, especially among teens and young adults, but we are seeing it more frequently in older adults as well. Recognizing that your relationship with any substance, whether it’s alcohol…
It isn’t always easy to know when recreational enjoyment of alcohol transforms from a harmless social activity into something more disruptive to your daily life. We all seek ways to cope with triggers that induce stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health and mood disorders. But during difficult times, comforts that we rely on to…
Already the most commonly used drug in the US, marijuana conjures a myriad of images in popular culture, ranging from flower children holding hands to couch potatoes watching television until 4 a.m. Whatever its truth is for the individual, it is here to stay and each person needs to understand how marijuana affects their brain…
So many people suffer from anxiety in the modern world that it’s almost more surprising to hear when someone is not anxious about an upcoming event or relationship or conflict in his or her life than to hear a long list of anxiety-related feelings. Although anxiety is a widespread condition, it’s not always crippling. Many…
A substance induced mood disorder affects a person’s physical, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing. However, identifying the exact causes can be difficult. Many people live with the symptoms of severe mental health disorders, but are unable or unwilling to seek help. Some think that they can just get over these symptoms, or cannot see how their…
Comorbidity describes when a person suffers from two chronic illnesses at the same time. A common incidence is when an individual is dealing with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. This is a dangerous cycle, no matter the severity or substance. Getting professional addiction and mental health treatment…
With the abundance of treatment options and mental health professionals, each promising different approaches and better results, finding the right care for you or a loved one can be an added stressor in an already challenging situation. One of the first, and biggest, decisions you’ll need to make as you begin your addiction treatment search…