Author Archives: Alta Loma

What to Look Out for If Addiction Runs in Your Family

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The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) finds that genetic makeup can account for half of the risk of developing a substance addiction. A genetic predisposition coupled with an unhealthy environment such as a high-stress workspace may greatly increase your chances of developing a substance addiction. If a parent or relative struggles with addiction, it’s […]

How Can I Explain Addiction to Younger Children?

How Can I Explain Addiction to Younger Children?

Addressing mature topics with younger children can be daunting, but when a parent, sibling, or close relation struggles with substance addiction, the need to explain addiction may present itself. Explaining addiction to a young child may seem impossible, but providing them with the information and support they need in the early stages of life creates […]

Mental Health Benefits of Video Journaling

Mental Health Benefits of Video Journaling

Journaling is a popular practice among individuals recovering from substance addiction, but the activity isn’t for everyone. Taking pen to paper can be tedious, and even typing becomes a chore when you have a lot to say. In the time of high-definition phone cameras and free media editing software or apps, it’s time to explore […]

Signs You May Be a Functioning Alcoholic

Signs You May Be a Functioning Alcoholic

It’s no secret that alcoholism is a problem. For one thing, it increases violent tendencies, risky sexual behaviors, and drunk driving. The list, however, does not end there. Alcoholism can also lead to a plethora of health problems and even death. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “excessive drinking” can lead […]

How Can You Deal with Family Burnout?

How Can You Deal with Family Burnout?

With schools being closed and millions of Americans unemployed, families are forced to spend a lot of time together. With the current rise in cases and delayed re-opening, families will have to stay together longer than expected. Do what you can to alleviate family burnout and avoid strained relationships during the pandemic and beyond. How […]

Benefits of Emotional Support Pets for Addicts

Benefits of Emotional Support Pets for Addicts

Emotional support pets offer support and companionship to those suffering from a psychological disorder. 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. How can emotional support pets benefit addicts? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, substance use disorders and […]

How Can Healthcare Workers Redesign Their Surroundings for Their Mental Health?

By redesigning your hospital’s surroundings

Frontline workers are dealing with many stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be anything from contracting the virus to concerns for their families or grief over watching their patients die. By redesigning your hospital’s surroundings, you can feel more comfortable at work and ease your anxiety and depression. How Can the Breakroom Be […]

An Effective Tool in Substance Addiction Recovery: Art Therapy

Art therapy offers an active form of treatment that engages both mind and body. The practice works well with talk therapy, 12-step programs, and other traditional treatment options for individuals overcoming addiction, allowing participants to approach healing creatively. Art therapy has proven to be beneficial for individuals coping with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, substance addiction, […]

How Does Your Personality as a Baby Affect Your Mental Health When You Grow Up?

How Does Your Personality as a Baby Affect Your Mental Health When You Grow Up?

You may think that the person you were as a baby is entirely different from who you are as an adult. The truth is that the anxiety you may have had as a baby can catch up with you later. A recent study published in the journal, “Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Science” proved […]

Sexual Violence and Substance Use Disorder

Sexual Violence and Substance Use Disorder

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually abused every 73 seconds, and 54% of survivors are between the ages of 18 and 34. Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other mental health disorders caused by sexual violence can lead to panic attacks, self-harm, and substance abuse. Survivors of sexual […]