Practicing self-compassion does not come easily. Addicts and people in recovery experience self-loathing and negative feelings towards themselves. Guilt, shame, and feeling like a failure or disappointment are persistent thoughts in the mind of an addict. Abusing drugs and alcohol becomes a means to cope with and manage these feelings, as well as any pain […]
Author Archives: Alta Loma
07
May
May
The inhalation of nicotine has been around since the 1920s. It wasn’t until 2003, however, that vaping came to the United States. Now, vaping has become an epidemic among teenagers and is also used by many adults. What is Vaping? Vaping devices are e-cigarettes and e-vaporizers that resemble a pen or flash drive. They […]
06
May
May
Addiction and mental health issues can be painfully disempowering, and lead us to fall silent regarding our needs, wants, and wishes. It can lead us to believe that we are deserving of any disrespect, judgment, or insults we receive. It can cause us to not speak up for ourselves and to not stand up for […]
06
May
May
Watching loved ones derail or ruin their lives due to addiction is painful. Addiction can be confusing, but knowing what addicts wish you knew can help them feel supported and help them get they need. Addiction is a complex disease Addiction grabs hold of a person and changes who they are. It is not […]
05
May
May
A lot of medications used to treat pain and ADHD are habit-forming and have the potential for substance abuse. How can discomfort due to injuries and pain be managed without increasing the risk of relapsing? Pain management and care is the most common reason people seek medical attention. For people in recovery, the risk of […]
05
May
May
Mothers feel an immense need to protect and help their children. Watching your son or daughter disappear and spiral downwards due to mental health issues and substance abuse is an incredibly painful experience. You may feel overwhelmed by guilt, anger, and complete helplessness. Observed behaviors: Personality: Changes in your child’s personality are one of […]
04
May
May
Teens are at a higher risk for developing an addiction to drugs and alcohol due to brain development. The adolescent brain is still under construction and won’t be complete until about twenty-five years of age. Consequently, teens are more likely to have problems with substance abuse and addiction than older adults because of their lack […]
04
May
May
Life in recovery is often liberating, joyous, and brings much-needed peace. But in addition to these positive and affirming feelings, many others may come with it. When considering past behavior, actions, and time wasted, there may be self-loathing or humiliation. But these feelings of self-resentment are a trap, and work must be done to alleviate […]
03
May
May
Many of us have heard that spiritual healing is an integral part of recovery. But getting started can feel so daunting. Do we need another person to guide us? What if we haven’t practiced any “spiritual stuff”‘ before? How do we know if we are doing it the “right” way? How do we even begin […]
30
Apr
Apr
Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease, which is characterized by drug-seeking behaviors. These compulsive behaviors continue to persist despite dangerous consequences. Furthermore, addiction leads to permanent changes within the brain. Addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a mental illness and a multifaceted brain disorder. Substance Use Disorders Impact Everyone SUDs may be […]
