People begin abusing substances for a wide variety of reasons, many involving trauma or unexpected stress. Experiencing an injury can upset your life in several ways, leading to difficulties in your work and at home. Additionally, an injury adds the challenge of severe pain to your circumstances, while also providing you with access to extremely…
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Alcohol is both blatantly and subtly presented as a solution for stress and anxiety in our culture. Watch any television show or movie and you are likely to see a character struggling over some inner turmoil or relationship issue with a drink in their hand. A more concrete example might be found in your workplace,…
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The data regarding meditation is everywhere you look these days. Decades of research have proven that meditating a little bit each day can have profound effects on your mental and physical health. Meditation decreases stress, improves focus, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, boosts the immune system, helps manage pain, and even reduces cravings for…
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For those with an addiction to alcohol, quitting drinking can be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their life. While there is a vast array of benefits that come with quitting, it can be challenging to envision a sober future in the early days of recovery. For this reason, many people choose…
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The practice of mindfulness and meditation has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Mindfulness techniques have been shown to have a wide array of physical and mental health benefits, in addition to the spiritual connection many people experience while utilizing this ancient wisdom. One of the most powerful and immediate benefits…
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An anxiety or panic attack can be a frightening and surreal experience, and the exact symptoms tend to vary between individuals, and even between episodes. One of the most common but most difficult to explain symptoms of a panic attack is depersonalization, also sometimes referred to as derealization. While the experience is slightly different for…
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Life requires us to find ways to cope with unpleasant feelings and circumstances, and managing stress is no exception. During active addiction, you likely turned to substance abuse anytime you found yourself becoming stressed or overwhelmed. Unfortunately, using substances to ignore your responsibilities or ease anxiety always backfires, and substance abuse ultimately contributes to stress…
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For most people, even a small amount of sleep loss can have a huge impact on their mood and ability to focus throughout the day. Some people, however, are subjected to more significant sleep deprivation, whether it be due to the demands of their job or a health condition like insomnia. Sleep deprivation can present…
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If you have ever looked into therapy for yourself or someone you love, you have likely come across the term cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. CBT is a common psychotherapy technique that is used to treat a wide array of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Even those who have not…
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Depression is a major risk factor for addiction and relapse. One study found that among people with major depressive disorder, 16.5 percent developed alcohol use disorders and 18 percent developed drug use disorders at some point in their lives — significantly higher than average. If you’re recovering from a substance use disorder, managing co-occurring depression…
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Substance use disorders (SUDs) to drugs or alcohol do not discriminate. No matter what age, sex, income level, or geographic location, SUDs are a pervasive issue in our society. However, the more research conducted that examines addictions to drugs or alcohol, the more we may understand who is most at risk of developing a SUD.…
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Depression is a mental illness that is commonly associated with overwhelming sadness and an inability to experience joy. While these symptoms may be true for some people, many people with depression experience far more subtle symptoms that may be difficult to recognize as signs of a mental illness. Overcoming depression often requires professional mental health…
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In the mental health world, the term “trauma” is used to describe any experience that creates emotional or mental distress to the extent that it becomes difficult to function in some or all facets of life. We are currently in the midst of a profound cultural shift that is beginning to acknowledge the many-layered effects…
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For first responders, compassion is simply a part of the job. Individuals drawn to careers such as firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and emergency medical personnel are usually seeking a way to be of service to their community, and tend to find satisfaction in helping others. While this kind of work can be incredibly rewarding, it…
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The terms “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” are often used interchangeably, but in reality, these are two different events that may mean different things for your mental health. Both anxiety and panic are responses of the sympathetic nervous system to a perceived threat, and are often described as the flight-or-fight response. While there are many…
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Addiction is a physical disease, but it also involves many complex psychological factors. These factors are a large part of the reason addiction is so hard to overcome, and psychological work is usually necessary to achieve lasting recovery. During and after treatment for addiction, individuals with substance use disorders need to identify emotional and physical…
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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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