Author Archives: Alta Loma

What Is Neuroticism?

|Neuroticism

We hear the term “neuroticism” used all the time, especially between friends, loved ones, and when discussing other people. What exactly does it mean? Why is it used so much, and is it being used correctly? Neuroticism is characterized by an individual’s tendency to experience negative emotions, particularly in response to stress. People who are […]

When the One You Love Doesn’t Want to Acknowledge a Mental Illness

When the One You Love Doesn’t Want to Acknowledge a Mental Illness|Acknowledge Mental Illness

There are some instances when our loved one’s symptoms are extremely noticeable and we can clearly see that they’re battling with a mental illness, but they may be in complete denial. Stigma and the fear of stigma are often what holds people back from facing the truth about dealing with a mental illness. If your […]

How Can Forgiveness Prevent Relapse?

forgiveness

Relapse is considered a very taboo subject for those in addiction recovery, often because nobody wants to associate themselves with that feeling of “going back,” “failing” or even the sense of “being weak.” Despite what you may have heard about relapse, it is a common occurrence for many of us in recovery. It can be […]

Combining Alcoholism and Abuse: A Dangerous Concoction

Combining Alcoholism and Abuse: A Dangerous Concoction|

There’s no denying the fact that alcohol has become a normal part of American culture. It’s used in celebrations, after-work ventures, relaxation on the weekends, and more. Drinking is often seen as a pretty common activity for millions of people across the nation. While there may be no harm in casual drinking, it becomes riskier […]

Addiction Recovery: What Struggles Do Men Face in Treatment?

Struggle

Several studies have noted that men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit substances. Despite the growing number of people who classify as having substance use disorders (SUDs), there are many people who still do not seek treatment because they’re unaware that they need help. In many instances, men are […]

A Look Into Schizophrenia

A Look Into Schizophrenia|Schizophrenia

Millions of people across the United States have schizophrenia, yet millions more still do not understand the in-depth nuances that occur with this disorder. Movies depict schizophrenia as solely experiencing paranoia and potentially acting out violence, yet those with this disorder are more likely to hurt themselves than others. Another unknown fact about this disorder […]

What it’s Like to Rediscover Yourself in Treatment

What it’s Like to Rediscover Yourself in Treatment|rediscover

A part of addiction recovery that often goes unspoken is the fact that we change as people. We learn more about who we are, we reinvent ourselves, and we create a life that’s more fitting to what we want. In many cases, this involves a change in social networks. The people we used to abuse […]

Disclosing a Mental Illness to a Loved One

Disclosing a Mental Illness to a Loved One||

It’s always nerve-wracking to tell a loved one that you have a mental illness, and that could be for many logical reasons: you be afraid that they’ll be upset; you may not have the kind of relationship where you can discuss mental health with them; you may feel your loved ones are already stressed with […]

How Do Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms Form?

How Do Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms Form?|Coping

In everyday life, we’re faced with countless stressors that might weigh heavily on our hearts, give us headaches, or make us curl up in a ball of anxiety. If we don’t have the right support system and ways of managing these stressors, that’s when we may find that we’re caught in a trap of unhealthy […]

When Addiction Destroys Your Relationship

Relationships and addiction

No matter how long you’ve been with your significant other, it’s hard to say whether or not your relationship will be safe when tested with some of the most difficult circumstances of life, including addiction. In the beginning, you may have noticed that you or your partner were dabbling with substances bit by bit, but […]