Monthly Archives: September 2020

What Role Does Insomnia Play in Substance Use Disorders?

What Role Does Insomnia Play in Substance Use Disorders?

Insomnia and substance use disorders (SUD) are often co-existing conditions. A person suffering from chronic insomnia is 5-10 times more likely to develop a SUD than somebody with normal sleep patterns. Insomnia, a disorder that prevents sleep, is often caused by stress. Acute insomnia is short-term and often occurs before a major stress-causing event like […]

Assuming New Responsibilities After Rehab

Assuming New Responsibilities After Rehab

As you acclimate to life outside of your rehabilitation center, you will adopt new responsibilities in your life: walking the dog, cleaning your home, and caring for your body are some of the potential duties that you will assume after graduating from a residential treatment program. You are now in control of your schedule and, […]

How Can I Focus on My Needs When My Parent Develops Alcohol Use Disorder?

How Can I Focus on My Needs When My Parent Develops Alcohol Use Disorder?

When a parent develops an addiction to alcohol, shifts in mood and behaviors altered by the addictive substance can inflict unintentional trauma on each member of the family and the familial unit. If your parent exhibits signs of alcohol reliance, such as irritability, memory loss, drinking constantly, drinking alone, and ranking drinking above other activities, […]

The Treatment Option That’s Right for You

The Treatment Option That's Right for You

Everybody is different and each of us require different methods of treatment to solve our mental, emotional, and health problems. There are a variety of early treatment options for individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) ranging in duration, cost, residency options, and treatment philosophy. Before you consult a mental health professional for advice, you […]

Residential Treatment: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Residential Treatment: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Professional treatment is the most effective strategy for combating substance use disorder. A 2006 study reveals that 62% of individuals who sought professional assistance for a SUD were succeeding in recovery three years after treatment, whereas only 43% of those who did not seek professional help saw progress in recovery. Nearly 57% of those who […]

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is a lifelong process that requires you to address and eradicate unhealthy behaviors developed during an extended period of substance abuse. The journey to recovery is not always smooth or comfortable, especially during your first months of sobriety. You will have to face the underlying causes of your SUD […]

When Is It Time to Take a Mental Health Day?

When Is It Time to Take a Mental Health Day?

Our professional and social obligations keep us busy every hour of every day, and the constant stress of satisfying the needs of others without catering to your own needs takes a toll on mental health. Irritability, difficulty focusing, resentment toward others, sleeplessness, and loss of interest in work and social activities are all indicators that […]

Shake Up Your Self-Care Routine

Shake Up Your Self-Care Routine

Simple acts of self-care like preparing your favorite healthy meal or taking a few minutes to meditate may seem insignificant, but those little acts go a long way! Caring for your mind and body is important in recovery. The work you do in therapy is difficult, and you may find yourself feeling exhausted and, after […]

What Role Does the Political Climate Play in Substance Reliance?

What Role Does the Political Climate Play in Substance Reliance?

According to a June 2020 study conducted by the American Psychological Association, approximately 83% of Americans find the future of the nation to be a significant source of stress. Today’s political climate is tense, and the entire country is susceptible to mounting anxiety caused by constant exposure to local, national, and global politics. How Does […]

Explaining Addiction to Children

Explaining Addiction to Children

Children may not always understand the principles of substance use disorder (SUD), but they will realize when a parent is absent from their lives. Toddlers and young children may not be equipped to handle conversations involving addiction, even when substance abuse is presented as a disease equatable to a bad cold or other physical illness. […]