Not everyone with a drug or alcohol addiction did poorly during the pandemic. Some people in recovery fared better. That is the conclusion of psychiatrist Anna Lembke author of Dopamine Nation, in an interview with NPR’s Terry Gross in August 2021. When asked how the pandemic had affected various addictions, Lembke ... Read More
Kristina Robb-Dover
Kristina Robb-Dover
Kristina Robb-Dover is an Atlanta-based writer, editor, and author of two books with publishing houses. She has degrees from Yale College and Princeton Theological Seminary.
How to Help Someone Having a Panic Attack
Panic attacks come on quickly and without warning. Someone may be out with a friend when suddenly, they begin to shake, experience shortness of breath or have difficulty communicating. Panic attacks are very distressing for the person experiencing them, but they can also be upsetting for those watching. Knowing how ... Read More
The Mental Health Effects of Working the Night Shift
As many as 15 million Americans work a night shift— either permanently or on a rotating shift. According to the American Psychological Association, that's a concern because it forces people to fight against their own natural circadian clocks each day, leaving them vulnerable to mental health disturbances and other ... Read More
The New Relationship Science of Chemical Romance
Mike and Amy had been together for several years, and while both had used MDMA and marijuana recreationally at one point in their lives, they had abstained from drugs as life's responsibilities became more pressing. When both transitioned to working from home, tensions grew, and maintaining a healthy, satisfying ... Read More
Night Owl or Early Bird? The Mental Health Significance
When it comes to sleep, we each have our particular preferences. We might insist on a certain side of the bed. We might require total darkness or a certain thread count for sheets. In some beds, cats and dogs are welcome; in others, not so much. Our preferences also impact when we go to sleep and how long we sleep. ... Read More
Dean and Oscar: The Inspirational Story of a Man and His Dog
The “First Responder Paws Therapy Dog Award” is now in its second year and accepting applications, so we wanted to update you on the original therapy dog team that made it all possible: veteran firefighter Dean Moreno and his yellow lab Oscar. The pair has been supporting first responders and their community of ... Read More
Tough Love, Boundaries, and the Challenge of Loving an Addict
“Tough love” has become a catchphrase in the recovery community. It can have various connotations but in its broader sense is a way to answer the question of how to love someone with addiction while exercising healthy boundaries. Naturally, this can be very challenging. As it is, knowing how to love anyone can be ... Read More
Signs of Burnout and Unhealthy Coping Habits to Watch for
“Burnout” is an increasingly familiar phenomenon lately. The term has come to describe the experience of record numbers of Americans, whose work lives became unsustainable or overwhelming during the COVID pandemic. Burnout is largely “an occupational phenomenon,” according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO's) ... Read More
