This little thing called ‘mid-year burnout’ is wreaking havoc on people across the United States. Five to six months into the year, around the end of summer, comes this feeling that most people don’t anticipate. After writing down all those goals for the year, with an assessment during summer, it may become clear, few, if…
Stigma is a word that seems to trail around behind the word ‘addiction’ everywhere it goes. It is hard not to put the two together, because it has to do with shame. It is not something people want for themselves or their loved ones, but stigma seems to be everywhere addiction goes. Opioids are another…
Alcohol use disorder is a challenge for many Americans. Going to rehab is the start of a long journey the people with addiction travel. With medical needs and co-occurring mental health conditions, there are typically some things that have to be done after rehab to support a person’s recovery. Instead of returning home, they may…
Therapy is a helpful way to work through triggers that may be harmful in recovery. When they come on stronger than ever, it is good to have some strategies to deal with them effectively. It starts with outlining how to navigate them when they hit and what to do if they are too strong to…
Everyone has, at some point or another, taken bad advice. Maybe they took their own or someone else’s, but they took advice that did not add value to their lives. A little thing called ‘optimism bias’ gives people a sense of hopefulness things will work out, even when things don’t look so good. When people…
With sobriety and recovery, there is no one journey. Everyone will experience something different while they travel the path to healing from addiction. Some people feel confident while others lack self-esteem and struggle to pull themselves up. There are some ways to begin restoring lost confidence in recovery. Try thinking about these three things to…
When people look for help with substance abuse addiction, it might appear that detox and rehab are the way to go. Substance abuse is complicated, so there is no one solution. Family members often want to help but are not sure what to say or do in support of their journey to healing. If a…
Society is about positive psychology and culture these days. While it seems like a good idea to stay positive, think positive, and achieve results that are positive, that is not the only way to live. It may not even be the best advice for people in recovery. There are some really, truly, hard days, and…
Antidepressant therapy is a great way to find support for people who struggle with depressive symptoms and need extra help navigating life effectively. Medication is often used for the treatment of depression, along with other substance use disorders, so it becomes a somewhat complex issue. Weight gain can be one unfortunate side effect of treating…
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is like many mental illnesses people live with every day. It has its challenges, including complications at work, in relationships, and health. Relationships can be difficult for people with BPD, especially romantic partnerships or marriages. With mental illness, there are many complex circumstances but there is also fear of abandonment and…