Updated November 21, 2022 "Trauma," as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the ... Read More
Search Results for: anxiety
What Factors Influence Your Risk of Relapse
Achieving sobriety after years of battling drug and alcohol addiction is far from easy. There's more to recovery than getting past withdrawal. It also involves learning new coping mechanisms, making significant lifestyle changes, and having a comprehensive relapse prevention plan. Substance use disorder is ... Read More
No More Shame: Jeff M.
What possesses a 16-year-old kid to join the fire service in Orangeburg, South Carolina? “I wanted to help people and was drawn to the lights, sirens, and equipment,” Jeff M. said, in an interview for our No More Shame series. He also wanted to know “what people were running away from—to go into the burning building ... Read More
How to Navigate a Parent’s Alcohol or Drug Problem
Living with alcoholic parents can be challenging. Due to their substance abuse problems, they may display abnormal behaviors, struggle to maintain a job or fail to meet your emotional and physical needs. Without help, you risk developing your own addiction or mental health issues that can last into ... Read More
How to Be an Overdose Awareness Advocate
Drug-related deaths are on the rise in the United States and have become a significant threat to public health in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 107,000 people died from overdose in 2021. This number includes accidental deaths as well as suicidal overdose deaths, and ... Read More
The Long Mental Health Arc of National Tragedies
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after someone witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. For example, a veteran who served in a combat zone may experience flashbacks due to their military experience. PTSD also develops after mass disasters, which are situations involving a critical number of victims. In ... Read More
Social Media and Teen Mental Health: Thoughts from an Expert
In June 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General called on Congress to require health warning labels on social media platforms. Dr. Vivek Murthy said the mental health stakes would be high for teens (ages 13-17) if the government did not act quickly to protect these young consumers. And there was precedent for such warning ... Read More
Stress Reduction Made Simpler: A Checklist
Everyone gets stressed out sometimes. It's an unavoidable part of life. But prolonged periods of stress are unhealthy for your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Luckily, stress isn't permanent, and there are actions you can take to lower and control your stress levels. Wondering how to destress? You've come ... Read More