Substance use and mental health issues go hand in hand. In fact, between 40 and 60% of Americans who suffer from addiction have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Experts agree that treating co-occurring conditions in a coordinated plan is far more successful than treating one and then the other or providing simultaneous but uncoordinated treatment.…
About seven out of 10 people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes. No one is unaffected by trauma and some experience severe emotional and psychological fallout. It is estimated that about 12 million Americans have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, trauma-induced mental health challenges, including PTSD, are treatable. Unfortunately, it often…
Addiction does not always fit into neat categories. In fact, most people who suffer from a substance use disorder regularly take more than one substance. Polysubstance abuse refers to the misuse of two or more substances taken in combination. There are several underlying risk factors for polysubstance abuse, but one of them is the presence…
Depression affects millions of Americans every year – children, adolescents, and adults at all stages of life. The disease of depression can wreak havoc in the lives of sufferers and their families and, when left untreated, can have severe consequences. How do you know if you or someone you know is experiencing depression? Learning about…
Anxiety is something everyone experiences at least once in their life. It is the mind’s natural response to a situation that is stressful. Most people, however, find the anxiety disappearing once they get through the situation, or even when they understand the situation better. With other people, anxiety is a daily problem, and it doesn’t…
When addiction strikes during adolescence, the risks of severe or long-term health consequences increase. Many teens in the United States self-report binge drinking and drug use. Furthermore, most adolescents with substance use disorders also meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder. These co-occurring disorders make it essential to seek mental health intervention by professionals who…
Those who struggle with social anxiety disorder feel uncomfortable in large crowds or with people they don’t know. As a result, holiday celebrations become sources of frustration and anxiety. Office parties may spark fear, and even something as simple as meeting friends at a local restaurant may cause unusual levels of distress. In its simplest…
Online learning is more stressful for some families than it is for others. And when teenagers are the ones learning online, problems often become more frightening than they would otherwise. Teens are notoriously social creatures, and when they must learn from home, they may feel lonely or cut-off from the rest of the world. For…
Do you worry that your loved one may experiment with self-medication? Generally, this is the act of taking a chemical substance or prescription medication without a doctor’s direct order. If you’ve ever taken a friend’s tranquilizer to calm yourself before a big meeting, you’ve self-medicated. Likewise, if you’ve ever watched a friend try to drink…
Many doctors prescribe benzos to address addiction and other mental health conditions. In addition, those going through alcohol withdrawal may use the medication to help ease symptoms. COVID-19 has caused an increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for anxiety. In the meantime, the supply chain has been interrupted, and it is becoming more…