Alumni

When April Sonier was only 16, she had to have her gallbladder removed. The year was 2006. That’s also when she began using the prescription painkiller Vicodin. “It was my first surgery ever, and I didn’t realize it was going to be that painful,” she said in a recent interview. “Vicodin helped me feel better, and ... Read More

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in America. This mood disorder can cause one to go through long bouts of grief, low energy, sadness, and isolation. In the past half-century, there has been great improvement in the research and treatment of depression and mental health. The hardest part ... Read More

Before we dive into the direct connection between mental health and perfectionism, I have a confession to make. I am unequivocally a perfectionist. Maybe it’s the thrill of chasing an unattainable outcome, or perhaps it dives deeper into my psyche and taps into the part of me that feels perfection is the only ... Read More

The impacts of mental health effect over 48.3 million Americans in a single year. This startling number pales in comparison to the over 60% of these Americans who never receive treatment for their mental health conditions. While the availability of evidence-based treatment continues to increase, there continue to be ... Read More

Tal started drinking at the age of 12. At 13, she began using drugs. Cocaine was her drug of choice, but sedatives were also easy to acquire. Even SSRIs, a class of drugs often prescribed for anxiety and depression, could give her a high when she took them at higher doses. What Triggered Addiction to Drugs and ... Read More

The last few years of my sobriety have been anxiety-ridden, to say the least. From leaving an abusive relationship, moving to Palm Beach County, surviving a global pandemic, single motherhood, all the way to preparing my heart and my household for my son to start middle school this fall. These seemingly "normal" ebbs ... Read More

I often tell people early on and new to recovery that they are entering warfare with their minds. The disease of addiction and alcoholism centers within the mind -- only the most powerful thing in the world if you ask me. No big deal. So, what does untreated addiction look like in the mind? What is 'untreated ... Read More

Many people work toward a delicate balance between opening up and keeping their personal life private. This month, Alumni Director Molly Mammen responds to questions from alumni regarding opening up to others about their addiction or mental health treatment experiences. Read on to see her suggestions about transparency ... Read More