Addiction & Substance Use
Kiss me, I’m Sober!
Why do we drink on St. Patrick’s Day? Saint Patrick was born in the fifth century in Roman Britain. When he was 16 he was captured and brought to Ireland, where he was enslaved for six year. Eventually, he escaped back to Britain, where he became a priest and years later, he went back to Ireland and brought Christianity to the region with him. He passed away on March 17th , 461, and Voila!, the date became St. Patrick’s Day. Legend says that Saint Patrick liked to have a drink from time to time- but funnily enough, that’s not the reason people drink on this holiday. Instead, it’s because the celebration falls in the middle of Lent, a 40-day period when Christians focus on charity, fasting, and prayer. Lent’s restrictions are suspended for St. Patrick’s Day, so people have historically eaten (and drank) to their heart’s content to celebrate the holiday.
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Practicing Gratitude in Recovery
With Thanksgiving this month, I wanted to focus on what it means to be grateful, to have an “attitude of gratitude”, and how that can help us in our recovery- whether from drugs, alcohol, or from mental health issues. Being grateful for where you are in this very moment means stopping right where you are and saying thank you; it means recognizing the good things in your life instead of focusing on the negative. Read more on how and why gratitude can help you in recovery.
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26 Outstanding Books about Addiction and Healing
Addiction – It’s not a dirty word. Let’s talk about it. Let’s learn about it. Let’s de-stigmatize it. Let’s understand and empathize with the person who struggles with it. Let’s put a face to it so that when we see it, we do not see just an issue but a whole person that was created…
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If Not You Mom, Then Who?
When a child, adolescent, or young adult is struggling with an addiction or a mental health issue, parents usually feel the need to jump in and fix the problem. While addiction is a family sickness, it seems that mothers are the most impacted by their son or daughter’s substance abuse or untreated mental health. Let’s look at how being compassionate can not only help you but also your child.
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7 Wellness Books To Transform Your Health
Wellness and nutrition should be a balanced approach that focuses on what feels good to your body and what is good for your health. Being in charge of your health and well-being not only benefits you physically but mentally too. If you are struggling to break some of your eating habits or are wanting to…
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Shame, Guilt, & Your Mental Health
Do you know the difference between embarrassment, humiliation, guilt, and shame and the lasting damage they could create? Learn how to shift your attitude and actions toward combating shame and guilt.
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Your Diagnosis: A Letter From A Counselor
As a counselor, I get a wide variety of people that need to talk through situational stress, relationship problems, grief and loss, patterns of behavior, trauma and all that comes with it. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to take the opportunity to share three things to keep in mind if you…
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6 Myths About Addiction
Many people don’t understand addiction and substance abuse or dependency. They think those who struggle with addiction must lack moral substance or willpower. In reality, breaking the cycle of addiction takes far more than an iron will or even a desire to quit. Addictive substances and behaviors quite literally alter the chemistry of the brain…
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Eating Disorder Awareness Month
February is National Eating Disorder Awareness and Screening Month, and it’s our mission to provide education, awareness, and empowerment to the 30 million Americans suffering from an eating disorder along with their loved ones. Eating disorders (EDs) are complicated and often misunderstood illnesses that impact people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It helps to…
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