Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Approximately 38% of people with substance abuse disorder have a concurrent mental health disorder. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to have a co-occurring substance abuse disorder than individuals with other anxiety, mood or psychotic disorders. Therefore, it’s important to understand the link between bipolar disorder and addiction. How are Bipolar Disorder and Addiction […]
The Relationship Between Depression and Substance Abuse
When two or more mental illnesses occur together, it’s known as a dual diagnosis. It’s not uncommon for people with substance use disorder to be diagnosed with depression, and vice versa. Substance use disorder can worsen symptoms of depression, and signs of depression can make a substance use disorder worse. Getting out of the cycle […]
Alcohol and Aging: Does Drinking Alcohol Make You Look Older
Does alcohol age you? If you struggle with alcohol abuse, it’s not just the hangover making you feel achy and look haggard. You could be suffering from the aging effects of alcohol. Alcohol impacts your health on many levels, and the effects of alcohol on skin and aging can make you feel less than your […]
Codependency in Recovery
Building healthy relationships and getting support from others is essential during recovery. However, people who are trying to get clean often struggle with codependent relationships. Codependency recovery programs allow people with addiction histories and their loved ones to establish balanced, constructive relationships. What Is Codependency? At first glance, codependency can look like a loving, helpful […]
5 Long-Term Effects of Benzodiazepine Abuse
Benzodiazepines are sedatives that are often prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. They’re often effective in the short term. These medications can help you relax, reduce the number of overwhelming thoughts so that you can get through the day, improve sleep issues and soothe your nerves when you feel panicky. But dependence on benzodiazepines is an […]
5 Physical Symptoms of Depression
Depression Affects Recovery Depression is a condition where low levels of the feel-good chemical serotonin can lead to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness. Understanding the physical symptoms of depression can help you or a family member see the signs early. While there are many manifestations of this condition, it is often a contributing factor in […]
How Weather Affects Your Mood
Is the weather affecting your mood? Everyone is familiar with the way the weather can influence wellbeing. This can vary from person to person depending on preference and associations. For example, one person might feel happier on sunny days because they love to go the beach, while another may enjoy the nostalgia of snow during […]
What is Emotional Sobriety and How Do You Practice It?
Physical sobriety means that you abstain from alcohol and drugs. While that’s essential for recovery, emotional sobriety is also important. Emotional sobriety involves being able to regulate your feelings so that you can cope with all aspects of life without returning to drugs. What Is Emotional Sobriety? Many people are confused after they complete a […]
The Importance of Honesty in Recovery
You’ve probably heard the saying “You can’t help somebody unless they want to help themselves.” But someone with an addiction won’t see a reason to help themselves if they don’t believe that they have a problem. To be successful in addiction recovery, you must be honest with yourself. Being honest with others will also allow […]
6 Benefits of EMDR Therapy for Addiction Treatment
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, also known as EMDR therapy, is a powerful method for treating trauma. It involves activating sensory inputs on the right and left side of the body while the patient recalls a traumatic memory. The sensory activity might include buzzing a paddle that the patient holds in each hand or […]
