You've probably heard the expression about the apple falling from the tree. The idea is that most of us are going to resemble our parents in some capacity. While it's true that we inherit much--good and bad--from our parents, it is also true that we are not them. We are not responsible for their mistakes, and we do not ... Read More
“I Feel Like My Xanax is Doing More Harm Than Good”
The title here is a statement recently posted to a Facebook group. The current state of the opioid crisis shows that the original poster is far from the only person experiencing this problem. Different Bodies, Different Minds Before we continue, let's jump to the most important part first. If you are on a ... Read More
What’s in a Name?
In mythology, knowing someone's real name will often give the hero power over that person. We see this reflected in stories like Rumpelstiltskin and even modern stories like Deadpool. In some cultures, people have their common name but they also have secret names which are said to be their true name--this they only ... Read More
Xanax Is Useful…To An Extent
People live with different forms of mental illness every day and some of them require medications in order for them to be able to manage them successfully. Different mental illnesses can be caused by various chemical imbalances in a person’s brain and these medications are used to stabilize these chemical imbalances. ... Read More
Don’t Let the House Win!
Let's take a second and look at two common expressions which explain with great accuracy the condition and problematic goal of gambling. "The Deck is Stacked" The entire paradigm of gambling is a racket designed to create an addiction. As with any addictive substance, of course there are some people who escape an ... Read More
What To Do When You Relapse
You've started with the best of intentions, you've gone through recovery, and then it happens. A bad day, a breakup, a trigger, or just falling back on old habits, and suddenly you're using again. Why does this happen and what can you do about it? Slips and Relapses A slip is a short-term return to previous behavior. ... Read More
Finding Your Triggers
Do you have an addictive trigger? It's something that makes you want to use drugs even though you're sober. Most people in substance use recovery have more than one trigger. Understanding what they are, how to recognize the signs and how to stop them from leading you down a relapse path is essential to your long-term ... Read More
Separating Fact From Fiction
The struggle with addiction, depression, and other sometimes invisible illnesses is largely a struggle with hope. The part of our brain that believes we can get better is struggling with the part of our brain that is afraid to. Unfortunately, there are many predators out there who are in a hurry to profit from our ... Read More