Addiction Blog. Insight and Advice from our expert team.

Deciding to stop drinking is a significant decision, and making it through a whole month of sobriety is a milestone worth celebrating. Still, you may feel daunted by the idea of a life without alcohol if you have relied on drinking as your primary coping mechanism. This uncertainty can lead to anxiety that may prevent you from asking for help. Instead of letting fear hold you back, learn more about what to expect in your first month without alcohol.   Overcoming Withdrawal Medically managed detox is the first step in getting sober because it will free your brain and body …

Men and Suicide September 10, 2022 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide remains a persistent and tragic problem in the United States. There are approximately 45,000 suicides each year. Nearly 80% of all U.S. suicides are men, making suicide the 8th leading cause of death for American men and boys.  Research shows that men are less likely to seek help when they have persistent feelings of depression or suicidal ideation. Men are prone to suicide after major negative life events. Men in rural communities are more likely to die of a suicide attempt, often due to access to firearms.  According …

Though everyone healing from a substance use disorder wants to remain free from the debilitating effects of drugs and alcohol, some people forget about the emotional component of living a satisfying, productive substance-free life. This National Wellness Month, how can you improve your emotional well-being in early recovery? 1. Face Your Feelings Unfortunately, many young boys grow up internalizing the idea that “real men” should keep their true emotions bottled up inside, which means they never learn healthy ways to work through complex feelings like grief and shame. Substance abuse may seem like a convenient way to smooth over difficulties …

An overdose occurs if someone takes more of a drug than they should, significantly impairing their bodily functions. It’s possible to overdose on any drug, including prescription, over-the-counter, legal, and illegal. In observation of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, what should you know about drug overdose prevention and treatment? What Happens When Someone Overdoses? During an overdose, essential brain and body functions start shutting down in response to the overwhelming amount of drugs present. A drug overdose is a medical emergency that requires immediate professional attention because it can cause death or irreversible brain damage.  An overdose’s severity …

Among other severe effects on your brain and body, memory loss is one issue associated with trauma. While some trauma survivors get stuck in a cycle of reliving the same events with flashbacks and nightmares, other people suppress their awareness as a form of self-preservation. Understanding Trauma-Related Memory Loss Your mind is capable of extraordinary feats, including shielding you from the reality of painful and traumatic memories. If you’ve gone through a frightening or life-threatening experience, the idea of reliving it can be unpleasant. As a result, your brain may lock that memory away with a form of memory loss …

The World Health Organization recently defined a new diagnosis for complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental health experts have now summarized the symptoms and issued updated guidelines for clinical assessment and treatment. What Is CPTSD? PTSD is one of the best-known trauma responses. People affected by this disorder suffer overwhelming physical and mental symptoms. But mental health professionals have known for decades that some trauma victims or survivors exhibit a broader array of psychological changes, now officially recognized as CPTSD. Some CPTSD symptoms, such as emotional dysregulation, mimic the characteristics of personality disorders. To receive an accurate diagnosis of CPTSD, talk to …

Though you may hear words like “tolerance,” “addiction,” and “dependence” used interchangeably, they mean different things medically. Learn how a high drug tolerance develops and whether you should be concerned if you have one. What Is a Drug Tolerance? Drug tolerance happens when a prescription or recreational drug becomes less effective over time. If you take drugs like OxyContin or Valium for an extended period, your brain will adapt to having the medication in your system, and you will need to increase your dosage to experience the same effects you did before.  People who rely on prescription medications to manage …

Your career is an integral part of your self-esteem, but toxic working environments frequently lead to burnout and chronic stress. Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD can make it more challenging for you to do your job, especially if your employer is not supportive or willing to accommodate you. Work-Related Barriers to Mental Health Many mental health risk factors could be present in your workplace. For example, you may have the skills to complete your tasks, but struggle to do so amid all the distractions and stressors of a traditional office environment. Or, perhaps you are uncomfortable telling …

Sometimes, it can be challenging to determine what constitutes “normal” behavior and what thoughts and actions are out of the ordinary. For instance, if you are always fatigued and unmotivated, does that mean you are depressed, or could you be dealing with another issue like work burnout? In general, you might have a mental disorder if symptoms are interfering with your relationships, quality of life, and daily ability to function. Here’s what you need to know. How to Get Diagnosed With a Mental Disorder Though there’s no standard medical test for accurately diagnosing mental health concerns, the DSM-5-TR is a …