Bipolar disorder (BPD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are two common occurrences when it comes to dual diagnosis. Many people with BPD self-medicate with alcohol or other substances in order to help them cope with difficult emotions or urges; conversely, alcoholism can worsen a person’s symptoms when in a manic or depressive episode for BPD. […]
There are many reasons why individuals decide to leave their treatment program. Perhaps you’re contemplating leaving your own, or maybe your loved one is thinking about leaving. No matter the situation, there are many factors that can go into a person’s decision to leave. What’s most unfortunate is leaving when a person truly needs help […]
Have you ever spent a considerable amount of time pondering past events, thinking about what you could have changed, what happened as a result of the event, how you felt after the event and more? Rumination is defined on Very Well Mind as, “An unhealthy compulsion to repeatedly think about past events and mull them over.” […]
Whether we recognize it or not, the music we hear has a significant impact on our societal views. Previous research has shown that music helps children ignite many areas of the brain for learning and development, but music, music lyrics, and music videos can also have a negative impact on the socialization of children. For […]
Dual diagnosis is defined as having two conditions as once – for example, having a mental illness and a substance use disorder is considered dual diagnosis, also known as comorbidity or a co-occurring disorder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use estimated that 7.9 million people […]
Note: If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters. The world mourned when it was discovered that actor and comedian Robin Williams lost his life to suicide in August of 2014. The actor made a huge, positive impact on the world with his amazing performances in […]
As humans, there is always more than meets the eye. If you’re currently in recovery (or seeking to be) from an addiction, consider the fact that despite your addiction, you have a past, present, and future. You’ve had hopes and dreams, thoughts, upsetting events, goals achieved, and factors that have influenced you throughout your life. […]
Opioid abuse, dependency, and overdose has risen to astronomical levels in the United States over the past decade. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has listed several effective medications that can be used to treat opioid addiction, including: methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, and a combination of both buprenorphine and naltrexone. If you are currently in […]
Substances like alcohol can have significant effects on the brain and body, and much of a person’s restoration in recovery depends on specific components of their addiction, such as: Type of substance used Length of the addiction Dose amount and frequency Individual health and medical history For many, abstinence is a huge part of addiction […]
Mental illnesses can affect us at any age, and may be brought on by a variety of factors: genetics, personality, environmental cues, substance abuse, and more. While anyone at any age can experience mental illness, there are certain periods of our lives that we may notice warning signs more prominently than other times. A 2017 […]
