Category Archives: Mental Health

Do People with Social Anxiety Disorder Fear the Dinner Table?

Do People with Social Anxiety Disorder Fear the Dinner Table?

Mealtimes can be anxiety-provoking for practically anyone. There are many social eating situations over which people sometimes experience anxiety. Many people anxiously anticipate meals with coworkers, clients, a wedding rehearsal dinner or an attractive coworker’s birthday bash. But for people with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and related eating disorders, dinners with others can be both […]

Bi-Polar Disorder and Addiction – What You Need To Know

Bi-Polar Disorder and Addiction - What You Need To Know

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.” Imbalanced chemicals in the brain, genetics, and trauma can cause bipolar disorder. Those who suffer from a mental health […]

How are Marijuana and Anxiety Related?

How are Marijuana and Anxiety Related?

No one enjoys the feelings produced by a state of anxiety, and for some anxiety suffers those feelings can become excruciating. It is tempting to seek out substances that, when ingested, will provide the anxiety relief we so desperately want. Because marijuana is has become popularly accepted as a natural remedy for many ailments, some […]

Staying Sober After A Death of a Loved One 

Staying Sober After A Death of a Loved One 

It doesn’t matter your socio-economic background, race or religion – losing a loved one is a painful human experience. Dealing with all of the grief surrounding death is brutal and for those in addiction recovery, grief can trigger a major relapse. Grief-related sadness, anger, and pain can cloud our ability to think clearly, and those […]

How Does Alcohol Make Anxiety Worse?

How Does Alcohol Make Anxiety Worse?

It’s easy to understand why people turn to drinking as a prescription for anxiety relief. When ingested, alcohol has a sedative effect on the drinker and causes the release of dopamine, a natural feel-good chemical produced in the body and brain. The resulting sense of wellbeing a drink or two brings us can indeed reduce […]

Why Hope Is So Critical for Post-Traumatic Growth in Recovery

Why Hope Is So Critical for Post-Traumatic Growth in Recovery

For many people in addiction recovery, trauma is an underlying commonality. For many of us, traumatic experiences – whether they be from an assault, an accident or a natural disaster – can have such a significant impact on our mental, physical and spiritual health that we rely on substances to numb the pain. Once in […]

Can Addiction Cause Paranoia?

Can Addiction Cause Paranoia?

Many substances can cause changes in perception and behavior, and those that cause paranoia are said to cause “substance induced psychosis”. When this occurs, both delusions and paranoia may take place; Mental Health America (MHA) defines paranoia as, “…Intense anxious or fearful feelings and thoughts often related to persecution, threat or conspiracy.” A person with […]

Negative Emotions and Their Link to Substance Abuse: What You Need to Know

Negative Emotions and Their Link to Substance Abuse: What You Need to Know

Pain. Anger. Sadness. These are just a few of the negative emotions that we all experience from time to time – but when times get hard, it feels almost unbearable – and that’s when many of us find ourselves reaching for alcohol or illicit drugs to numb the discomfort. It all happens so quickly, and […]

Does Having a Mental Disorder Mean I’m “Crazy”?

Does Having a Mental Disorder Mean I’m “Crazy”?

We’ve all heard the names that plague the realm of mental illness. “Crazy”, “psycho”, “weird”, “nuts” – it’s unfortunate, but our society has had a difficult time accepting the various mental illnesses that can occur and the symptoms that people deal with on a daily basis. Mental illness is an incredibly serious topic that deserves […]

What Is It Like to Have a Flashback?

What Is It Like to Have a Flashback?

You’re walking through the grocery store, not paying attention to much else besides the list that’s in your hand. Your browsing through the aisle, trying to find a specific ingredient for a recipe that you planned to make – and then suddenly you were overcome with feelings of panic. Your mind starts racing, and for […]