Recognizing the Rut: Escaping the Throes of a Depressive Episode
For those of us that suffer from depression or depressive episodes, recognizing when they are starting to affect our day-to-day lives in tangible ways can help us overcome them. If we start to notice that our living spaces are becoming dirtier or that we are ignoring our hygiene routines, calling out of work more often, […]
How to Normalize Mental Health Through Education
Mental health, once a taboo subject, has only been talked about openly for the past few decades. Mental health advocates and educators are working together to normalize mental health by sharing the facts about the importance of treatment. Throughout this process, we have gained a lot of knowledge about how mental health education has fought […]
The Truth About Climate Grief and Mental Health
The effects of climate change can be seen from coast to coast, but what is climate grief and how is it affecting your client’s mental health? Although climate grief is only in the early ages of studying, we can still learn from the information that’s available and what it says about the future of mental […]
Dealing With Grief Anniversaries
Loss is a devastating experience that can take a long time to heal from. What many people forget is that even if they feel healed now, they might not have the coping strategies needed to deal with reminders of their loss. Let’s take a closer look at grief, its close relationship with addiction, and how […]
The Real Harm of Toxic Positivity
Just look on the bright side, right? While some positivity can be good, too much positivity can ignore the healing that needs to be done. In recovery, your clients will not only need to understand the harms of ignoring negativity, but also how they can better support those who are in crisis (including themselves). Learning […]
Why Mental Health Is a Top Priority in Recovery
Years of substance use affect your body in more ways than you can imagine. But the side effects are not just limited to your physical health – they extend to your mental health as well. Physically, addiction to alcohol or drugs can have a negative impact on your heart, liver, kidneys, mouth, liver, throat, and […]
Don’t Fight It, Face It!
We often find people trying hard to end the bad habits of addiction with great frustration, anger, and a sense of hopelessness. This is especially true after many years of habitual substance use and the negative mental health effects that come with it. A person can easily find themselves trapped in a mentally traumatic situation […]
It All Begins With “Forgiving Yourself” First
History of addiction to alcohol or any other substance can have a long-lasting impact on a person’s recovery as well as their post-recovery life. Incidences of family/social conflict, rude/unacceptable behavior while under the influence, domestic violence, etc. can easily convert into a lifetime of shame and guilt. However, it is up to you as an […]
How to Overcome Chaos and Be Present
Life can be chaotic and messy. Life in recovery is no tidier. You’ll have a daily schedule to keep up with. You have groups to attend and therapists to talk to. Things can get quite busy. Sometimes a day or a week flies by without you even realizing it. Learning how to rise above this […]
Outside Issues: Healthy Relationships
Companionship, deep bonds, and the trust offered by family and friends can help us pull through life’s various challenges. This is especially true for those who seek recovery from addiction. Many of us would not have made progress if it wasn’t for the support of our loved ones. Even when you are in the middle […]