The term “toxic masculinity” is thrown around a lot these days. It may sometimes seem like a phrase used to equate masculinity with poison. While masculinity itself is not negative, hypermasculinity is a cultural issue that harms men just as much as it does women. Researchers continue to uncover the many connections between hypermasculinity and…
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Making your way through the cycle of addiction eventually leads to confronting the realities of your alcohol and/or substance use. For many, the act of getting high or drunk may feel like a thoughtless impulse — but upon examining that urge, a lot of well-hidden truths can be realized. Usually, the drive to drink or…
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One of the unintended side effects of modern society is the widespread reach of media communication. While this communication is neither inherently “good” or “bad,” our constant exposure to predetermined topics within the news cycle can cause additional anxiety, stress, and depression. It’s even worse for first responders on the front lines, who aren’t just…
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Recovering from alcohol and/or substance use disorder presents many emotional and physical hurdles that one must rise above in order to lead a healthy lifestyle — the first of which for many is detoxing. Detoxification is essential to eliminating the presence of alcohol and/or substances from the body. It marks the first step within the…
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Making it through a full year of recovery can be a testament to one’s willpower and dedication. Still, there will be times when addiction challenges even the most seasoned alumni. Stressful situations at work or at home can fuel anxiety and trigger the desire to self-medicate with alcohol and/or substances. First responders who have graduated…
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The first few months of sobriety can lead those in recovery to feel a swell of optimism for their future — and rightfully so, as taking those first steps represents vast emotional growth. To the newborn recovery program alumni, using alcohol and/or substances may feel like a thing of the past. Seasoned individuals dealing with…
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Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time. Most people are familiar with the psychological effects of anxiety such as constant worry, nervousness, and fear. However, many people who are living with anxiety are entirely unaware of the ways in which anxiety disorder may be affecting their physical health. Some physical symptoms of anxiety can be…
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It seems that technology is providing an answer to just about everything these days. Still, you may find yourself wondering if technology sometimes complicates the situation rather than simplifying it. Many people use apps and online resources to manage their recovery from addiction and improve their mental health, while others prefer the old-fashioned approach. Even…
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Loving and living with someone with an addiction can be emotionally exhausting, and at times it can feel like you have nothing left to give. However, if your spouse has decided to seek out treatment for their addiction, it is important that you find ways to support them in their journey if you wish to…
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Much of what people think they know about addiction comes from images and stereotypes perpetuated by the stigma surrounding substance abuse. Part of this stigma assumes that addiction appears a certain way, and that people with addictions are easily recognizable. This is far from the truth in many cases, especially in people with an addiction…
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Owning sobriety in this moment does not guarantee anything about the future. The constant struggle to work through urges of temptation shows how expectations differ radically from reality. One minute we may feel as though we have locked our addictions in check, only to be utterly side-swept in the throes of relapse in the next…
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First responders shoulder the burden of helping others in times of desperation and crisis. They fill a vital role in society, knowing full well the psychological toll developed in the line of work. To pursue a career as a first responder is to knowingly welcome traumatic experiences into one’s daily routine. Increased exposure to traumatic…
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Addiction fatigues the human body, debilitating—among other systems—the digestive system. An addicted individual’s gut health frequently experiences stress in unique ways, particularly for first responders, who’s work hours might alter their regular meal routine. Alcohol use presents significant obstacles for the digestive recovery of users who have successfully detoxed. Furthermore, individuals in recovery may be…
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The work of first responders like police officers, firefighters, and EMTs is both demanding and rewarding. These individuals may have been drawn to their career out of a desire to be of service and practice compassion, but over time the constant exposure to pain, violence, and loss can take a toll on the human psyche.…
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While everyone with addiction is living through different circumstances, there is a common thread in the excuses for avoiding addiction treatment. These justifications only harm the addicted individual and those they love by putting off care that could dramatically improve the lives of everyone involved. Understanding many of these common phrases and identifying them in…
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