Author Archives: Alta Loma

Loss of College Sports Can Cause Athletes to Turn to Campus Party Life

college athlete

College sports are a big part of the lives of many students, none more so than the athletes themselves. The beginning of a new school year means a busy time for college athletes. Training, working out, and playing their chosen sport occupies a lot of time during the college year.  Drugs and Alcohol as an […]

Can Hand Sanitizer Cause A Hangover?

hand sanitizer

With the COVID-19 pandemic on the rise, many people have been careful about washing their hands, whether it is with soap or hand sanitizer. A recent study in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism says that inhaling alcohol fumes from hand sanitizer can cause alcohol to reach the bloodstream. One man experienced the symptoms of a […]

Starting a Gratitude Journal Rewires Your Thoughts

writing journal

It’s easy to dismiss the idea of using a gratitude journal as part of recovery. If you’re not familiar with one, it may sound like an exercise in faking happiness. This kind of journal does not negate any negative feelings. Instead, it teaches you to count the positives that happen as you work on your […]

How Did DJ and Podcast Host Matt Pinfield Recover From Addiction During Quarantine?

covid depression

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected a lot of people who are struggling with addiction, cutting them off from the support that is so vital to their recovery. DJ, MTV VJ, and podcast host of “In a Lonely Place,” Matt Pinfield was one of countless individuals whose addiction recovery was further complicated by the pandemic. With […]

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 […]