Expert Columns

Drugs of abuse that cause mind-altering experiences, whether a “high” or change in mood or perception of reality, upset the brain’s normal neurochemical balance. The synthetic drug Ecstasy (also known as MDMA) is no exception. Users typically experience an extreme elevation in mood, thanks to the drug’s stimulant and ... Read More

For many people in early recovery, the Big Book and its 12 Steps are essential to getting and staying sober. The Big Book acts much like a textbook with “directions on how to stay clean and sober.” That is how FHE Health Director of Patient Experience Art Jacob put it in a recent interview—and he would know. Jacob ... Read More

Anyone who has ever experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of a terrifying event knows what it is like to wonder whether life will ever return to “normal.” The mental, emotional and physical symptoms can be so debilitating that coping with the ordinary tasks of daily life can seem ... Read More

Retirement can be a challenging transition for many people, especially for those who draw a great deal of purpose and identity from their work. First responders often fall into this category. Most of them choose careers as police officers, firefighters or EMS professionals, because they want to help people and serve ... Read More

When a person is diagnosed with a potentially severe and/or terminal illness, both they and their family may wonder if they can still live a normal life. The same is true with bipolar disorder, which millions of people live with. (At least seven million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the condition, ... Read More

Experts often refer to addiction as a “family disease,” but what might that mean for someone with a family history of addiction? Are they doomed to inherit the disease just because it runs in the family? And what does the term “family disease” mean, anyway? These are high-stakes questions for the millions of ... Read More

Many things have changed in the U.S. since March 2020, when the first documented cases of coronavirus emerged. Two trends in particular may be directly related to rising rates of addiction and mental illness in this country: a dramatic increase in online sales of alcohol and what experts have referred to as the “second ... Read More

Life after rehab is both a critical and vulnerable time in recovery. Rates of drug and alcohol relapse are highest in the first year after detox but drop significantly after one year of sobriety. That makes a plan of aftercare imperative for anyone leaving rehab. A good aftercare plan should contain key recovery ... Read More