Emotional ups and downs are a normal part of life. Your feelings will shift as you react to each situation throughout your day. But for some people, negative moods last much longer. They also feel fewer positive moments overall and might be a sign of depression. Here we’ll review the ups and downs of depression …
Addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) can completely take over someone’s life. Even to the point where things seem hopeless, and the promise of change feels worlds away. The deterioration may occur slowly, but addiction is an absolute beast, especially when combined with any other coexisting mental health issues. Deep in the throes of active …
Where a person lives influences a lot in their life. This includes access to substances and outpatient recovery services. So if you need treatment, what can this mean for you? You face environmental risk factors for addiction every day. Your neighborhood, social group and even the state you live in affects you. And when …
How Does Your Home Influence Your Addiction and Recovery? Read More »
You tap your fingers against the empty bottle, sweat pooling at the base of your back. The things you see and know are in stark contrast to what you want to know. The bottle you hold contains nothing. It is dry, consumed. It shouldn’t be, not when you know full well the seal was broken …
Often at the root of our urge to smoke, we will find anxious ruminations simmering just under the surface. It may be the weariness from a long week, the stress of planning for an upcoming trip or move or the fears that plague you as you try to fall asleep that has you reaching for …
When You Feel the Urge to Smoke, Try Mindfulness Instead Read More »
Am I an addict or am I a person with an addiction? Words are powerful, and no one appreciates being labeled. Substance use disorders and the stigma of addiction has long undermined the self-esteem of recovering people. People in recovery can be especially vulnerable when it comes to their identity and sense of self-worth. …
Whether you are supporting someone who is in recovery or you’re urging someone with an addiction to seek help, what we know is that how we talk about addiction matters. Choosing our words with intention can mean the difference between our loved ones reaching out for the support they need or falling further into the …
Often, as the New Year rolls around, the practice of creating recovery resolutions offers a time to think about what to leave behind as you seek change in the coming year or seek to reaffirm your recovery resolutions. This year it’s time for a reset. To honor the year we just had, let’s do things …
The human brain has a natural tendency to focus on negativity. It’s so second nature to us that there’s even a name for it, negativity bias. It can affect everything from our anxiety levels to our relationships. Negative thought patterns are not helpful or hopeful for anyone. Still, for someone in recovery, it may leave …
Many of us are unaware of how our thoughts impact how we feel and how we behave. Many people also do not know that we can cultivate more control over our minds and thoughts, which can support our health and well-being. When we allow our minds to run wild, it will, especially for those in …
Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT) & Substance Use Disorder Treatment Read More »