Prescription opioid addiction is slashing and burning its way across the American landscape. Since the late 1990s, the rate of narcotic painkiller addiction (and overdose) has soared, and addiction treatment centers are now overflowing with men and women dependent on drugs like OxyContin, fentanyl, Vicodin and Percocet. The arrival of the 21st century has also …
The Relation Between Opioid Addiction and the Middle Class Read More »
Just as developing strength and agility is crucial for physical fitness, the same is true for emotional fitness. In our culture, the strength part of the psychological equation is well understood, given that it’s often equated with having good coping skills and emotional resilience. But the perks of having emotional agility are not as widely …
Cultivating Emotional Agility: Six Small Changes That Will Help You Thrive Read More »
A number of scientific studies have revealed the complex workings of our brain’s motivation and reward center and how neurotransmitters, often referred to as the brain’s “feel-good chemicals,” are released when we desire something or experience pleasure. Our brains produce numerous natural neurotransmitters that play critical roles in our health and how we feel. The …
Addiction and Dopamine Neurotransmitters: How Addiction Works Read More »
Relapse is more the rule than the exception in addiction recovery. In fact, relapse is considered a component of addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which says, “Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.” Instead of viewing relapse as …
As we welcome in a new decade of promise and possibility, the Promises Behavioral Health marketing team has decided to toss out the old meaning of New Year’s Resolutions and focus on a one word theme to live and work towards this year. This one word promise will be accomplished through thoughtful actions and by …
Dermatillomania, also known as skin picking disorder (SPD), is a serious problem in which an individual picks at their skin to the extent that it causes wounds. Many people don’t have an awareness of this condition but 2% to 3% of the population actually struggles with it. If you struggle with compulsive skin picking, you …
Compulsive Skin Picking – What Is Dermatillomania? Read More »
Sometimes mental health acronyms can seem like a bowl of alphabet soup. OCD and ADHD. BPD and PTSD. It can be difficult to keep them all straight. Many mental health disorders have long, complicated names that are much easier to refer to once shortened, but this can cause difficulties for those who aren’t sure exactly …
Anger disorders can lead to aggressive, angry or violent behavior. While anger is a normal human emotion that happens to everyone sooner or later, it can sometimes get completely out of control. If the frequency and severity of angry episodes you are having make you feel like you have lost control of your life, you …
First responders frequently suffer a traumatic injury. Whether from a single event or the cumulative impact of several events over time, most first responders don’t realize or recognize the impact. How should first responders cope with trauma? A necessary approach to their life-saving work is: Do first, feel later. When drawing a weapon, running into …
Everyone overeats at some point. It could be an extra helping at dinner or sampling every dessert at a wedding or eating for comfort after a tough day. Others set a New Year’s resolution to lose weight but they start, stop and never really let a new eating program take hold. All of these behaviors …