Maybe you've seen the A&E show Beyond Scared Straight, which dramatizes the practice of taking youth with behavioral issues and giving them a taste of how the path they're on can lead to prison life. The problem with sensational views of this type of treatment is that this and similar depictions never show you ... Read More
Learning Center
FHE Health is dedicated to educating the American public—especially individuals, families, and communities—about mental health and substance abuse topics. In our Learning Center, you'll find articles on alcoholism, substance abuse, behavioral and mental health, and other treatment-related issues. Our articles are written both for the person in need of treatment as well as loved ones seeking more information. We also provide information for those who have gone through treatment and are building a new life in recovery.
“Attack Therapy”: Does Scared Straight Work?
Mental Health Stigma in the Armed Forces
In 1944, General George S. Patton delivered a now-famous speech to the United States Third Army, a formation of largely inexperienced soldiers who were preparing for combat duty. In the speech, Patton said, "Each man must think not only of himself, but think of his buddy fighting alongside him. We don't want yellow ... Read More
Medical Marijuana for Pain – Fact vs Fiction
Chronic pain is a prevalent condition in the United States. A 2016 study estimated that nearly 66 million adults in the United States suffer from this condition. That's 20.4% of the population. So it's no wonder that opioid addiction has become a national emergency. At the same time, the use of medical marijuana for ... Read More
Can Suboxone Make Me Fail a Drug Test?
While it has been lauded as somewhat of a medication wonder for opioid and heroin addiction, Suboxone is also an addictive narcotic and must be taken only under close medical supervision. This reality can raise concerns if you're about to take an employer or prospective employer's drug test and are taking Suboxone. You ... Read More
Sex, Drugs … and Conducting – Remembering Leonard Bernstein
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time." Leonard Bernstein People who knew Leonard Bernstein in life remember him as a cross between a lion and a firefly. He electrified the atmosphere of every room he stepped into, and concert halls packed to capacity welcomed him for ... Read More
How Self-Esteem Can Affect Mental Health
Self-deprecation is the ability to find humor in your own shortcomings. An example of self-deprecation would be an overweight person joking they exercise, by claiming they "walk four miles every day: one mile to McDonalds, another mile to Friendly's and two miles home." Another example would be someone joking about ... Read More
Rate Your Open-Mindedness About Mental Health With This 5-Minute Quiz
Mental illness has long held a stigma. Far too many people believe that mental illness isn't as legitimate or real as physical illness, even though science has proved time and time again that this isn't the case. Over the last decade, the medical community, celebrities and even music, movies and TV shows have made an ... Read More
The Short List of Drugs Ozzy Osbourne Didn’t Use
"I left a 20 sack of coke in the forest behind my house as a peace offering with the bats and when I went back to hunt for dinner, the bag was gone but the bloody wankers left a pile of bat droppings in my dime bag. That was when I decided that those ***** were not worth my apology. So I brought the dime bag of coke ... Read More