The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) population are more likely to use alcohol and drugs. They also have a higher rate of substance abuse, and a higher risk of heavy drinking later in life. The CDC states that gay and bisexual men […]
Author Archives: Alta Loma
16
Oct
Oct
What Makes a Great Mental Health Mentor? Being a mental health mentor requires the ability to understand a variety of mental illnesses and knowing the best course of treatment for them. By knowing what it takes to be the best mental health mentor to someone, you can help people who are dealing with mental health […]
14
Oct
Oct
Many drug and alcohol addiction groups recommend that people wait a year before dating after sobriety. One of the main reasons cited for this is the risk that the joy associated with dating or beginning a relationship can feel like a “high,” acting as a replacement for a previous drink or drug of choice. Another […]
Addiction, Mental Health
How One Artist Used His Work to Convey His Personal Experience With Addiction
14
Oct
Oct
Art is a great way to communicate experiences and feelings that are difficult to explain with words. Artist Lucas Joel Mcauley became homeless and alienated from family and friends due to co-occurring mental health issues and opioid addiction. Once he entered rehabilitation his painting became an essential part of his recovery and continues to aid […]
13
Oct
Oct
Theater and mental illness may sound like an odd combination, but the marriage of the two has long been an effective way to allow audience members to process and normalize mental health issues. Theater has been a leader in showcasing fascinating characters who struggle with, and even celebrate, their mental health challenges. Live theatre offers […]
13
Oct
Oct
Alcohol abuse can be an easy killer for those who have heart problems. The American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2020 Scientific Sessions says that 72% of hospitalized patients under the age of 54 who had abnormal heart rhythms were more likely to die from alcohol abuse before they were discharged. If you are suffering […]
12
Oct
Oct
Kanye West captured the world’s attention with his rap music and tabloid-worthy private life. These days, however, he is more likely to make headlines because of his ongoing mental health issues. West received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which has resulted in sometimes combative and erratic behavior that is regularly reported on in the press. […]
11
Oct
Oct
The isolation, despair and economic hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic may be causing the opioid epidemic to grow worse. According to Barbara Andraka-Christou, assistant professor of health management and informatics at the University of Central Florida, says that overdoses have already gone up in the first half of the year. In Andraka-Christou’s new book […]
10
Oct
Oct
Television and film often engage in portraying characters who exemplify negative stereotypes about schizophrenia. Too often, their presence is limited to people with frequent, often violent, outbursts. These fictionalized schizophrenics are shown as either living in or in need of institutionalization in psychiatric hospitals. They are to be feared or pitied, which is a gross […]
10
Oct
Oct
One of the least mentioned effects of the coronavirus pandemic is the impact it is having on people in recovery. Fear or exposure to COVID-19, the need for social distancing and regulations around safe interactions have made it difficult for those in outpatient programs or who attend recovery meetings to access the support they need […]
