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We’ve heard this term a lot growing up, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what a “gateway drug” is. Throughout our high school years is typically when we talk about this term, but did you know that adults can deal with gateway drugs, too? Cambridge dictionary defines a gateway drug as, “A drug whose use may make it more likely that someone uses other, more dangerous drugs.” Despite the fact that this term is associated mostly with younger populations, the opioid epidemic has shown loads of gateway drug access for individuals moving from prescription medications to drugs like heroin, which is now at an all time high with over 948,000 reporting using it. Cases like these show us that illicit drug use can make its way into a person’s life even a person would never have originally contemplated it. In fact, a government study that assessed substance rates from 2002 to 2012 found that heroin initiation was 19 times higher for those who’d previously reported nonmedical pain reliever use than those who didn’t; how do instances like these arise? Well, it’s due to a few reasons, such as:

Marijuana addiction is often debated because of the belief that marijuana doesn’t cause physical dependency. While researchers are still exploring this topic, it’s been proven that a person can become psychologically dependent on marijuana – yet because it’s not as easily seen, it’s often easy to deny. If you believe your loved one may be struggling with marijuana dependency, consider the following signs:

The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) explains that holistic health is an approach to life. It emphasizes the connection of the mind, body and spirit – and with this approach, we’re all responsible for maintaining our own levels of wellbeing. Holistic practices in addiction recovery are used to help restore the balance of a person, and they’ve become increasingly popular as Western societies have begun realizing just how much of an impact these practices can have on a person’s wellness. Susan Walter, MBA and current president of AHHA, explained that holistic health is based on several truths:

There is so much pain that we experience throughout our lives, yet many of us aren’t equipped with the right tools to appropriately work through the thoughts and emotions that have dug their way deep inside of us. We spend months, sometimes years, searching for something that will ease the discomfort that we’re feeling; we abuse substances like drugs or alcohol to cover up on the outside what we’re feeling on the inside – and while it seems to work temporarily, the reality is that it’s never a long term solution. If you’re ready to dive into some creative, holistic approaches to healing in addiction recovery, you’ll find that music therapy is worth looking into.

For many years, there has been much debate over the benefits of 12-Step programs – but as more programs have been developed, there are now other options to compare to as well. Recovery is different for everyone, and it truly all depends on one’s personal approach. Holistic healing is about the mind, body and spirit – and taking the path that suits the individual is key. If you’re at the beginning of your recovery journey, it’s worth considering some of the benefits – and differences – to each type of program, so that you can make an informed decision before moving forward with either one.

We spend so much time as a society talking about the negatives that come with psychological conditions – but despite the grief they can cause us from time to time, there are some positives that we can focus on, too. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is marked by characteristics of obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (urges); in many cases, OCD can hold a person back in their relationships, work and other pursuits. However, there are some positives that we can find with OCD, and these positives may help us gain a sense of reclaiming over our story.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of treatment for addiction recovery; with various approaches to recovery, numerous studies have shown time and time again that CBT can help individuals replace old, negative thoughts patterns with newer, more productive ones. If you’re currently in the beginning stages of recovery, it’s important to note that substance abuse often serves as a “solution” to the pain that we’re experiencing – but by developing healthier coping mechanisms, such as through CBT, we become better equipped to deal with challenging life circumstances.

Nearly 70% of Americans have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives, and 20% have gone on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When this condition develops, daily life becomes much more difficult to manage. Nightmares can make it difficult to sleep at night, and stress and anxiety become a “normal” way of functioning. Relationships are much more difficult to manage, and flashbacks can suddenly bring out anxiety and panic attacks. The journey to healing from PTSD is a long one, but thankfully there are many strategies that can be used to help a person heal and restore. Last year, Dr. Matthew Tull, a professor and director of anxiety disorders research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, told Very Well Mind, a website that publishes relevant information on a variety of psychological conditions, that expressive writing can improve physical and psychological health for those struggling with PTSD. He explained that journaling can reduce body tension as well as restore focus – something that many people with PTSD tend to struggle with. He suggested a number of writing prompts, such as:

Whether you experienced a car accident, an attack or some other painful event, there’s no doubt that injuries take a long time to heal. The psychological wounds left over from traumatic incidents can take a long time, and the physical component of healing can be a treacherous journey. When we experience an injury, we discover that we’re no longer able to do some of the things we used to – and, in many cases, the pain and discomfort can weigh heavily on us. For many Americans, the road to healing from injury is a long, challenging one – especially when certain medications are involved. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published the story of a young woman named Brenda, who went through a car accident on her way to the grocery store. After seeing many doctors and nurses for the injury, she was given prescription medication for pain relief – but after long, she began taking more than she originally intended, and that’s when addiction began to sink in. “She felt lonely and isolated, and was suffering. Everything else took a backseat in her life, including her friends and family. Brenda became addicted to heroin, a point that she never thought she would reach.” The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that while greater screening procedures are in place to help stop people from abusing medications, it still continues to take a heavy toll on people around the world. What originally begins as a opportunity for healing eventually transcends into a need for relief – and, over time, it becomes easier to transition to greater drug use. The longer addiction is active, the greater damage that can occur to a person’s mind, body and spirit; once help is sought, the path towards rejuvenation can take place. If you or a loved one have begun abusing prescription medications, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. The sooner you seek help, the better.

Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States. Used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, nearly 44 million prescriptions of Xanax are written each year; this drug is used to suppress neurotransmitters in the body that release fear – and by eliminating some of the physiological symptoms that people tend to experience (such as sweaty palms, racing thoughts, hyperventilation and more), a person is likely to be more relaxed. Despite the benefits of using Xanax, it’s still incredibly addictive. By understanding more of the underlying mechanisms of this drug, we can hopefully begin taking additional precautionary measures so that we don’t become addicted – or, at the very least, so that we can seek help immediately if warning signs arise. Dr. Elizabeth Hartney, a psychologist, professor and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University in Canada, explained to Very Well Mind earlier this year that Xanax is a benzodiazepine, which means that when taken as prescribed, this medication can assist with anxiety and sleep – and many people do find relief from it. Over time, however, it can become easy to abuse the medication and take it in higher doses or for a longer period of time – and this potential for abuse is what can lead to severe addiction. Last year, The Guardian published the story of a young man in the UK who fell into selling drugs, but unintentionally became addicted to Xanax. He explained, “I gradually withdrew from the drugs and felt ill for a few weeks. I felt depressed and physically sick. I managed to get through it and most people I know have managed to. But it is very easy to relapse and that’s happened a few times.” The chemicals in Xanax boost a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA), which is what brings about those euphoric sensations. If not taken carefully, however, the risks for addiction are high.

As the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains, personality disorders represent, “…an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture.” The symptoms associated with personality disorders can cause a lot of distress in daily life – especially with social situations or interpersonal communication. On the surface, personality disorders may seem quite similar to one another. There are underlying differences, however, that should be taken into consideration – because there are varying needs that should be addressed in treatment. Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) is a Cluster C personality disorder and isn’t as commonly diagnosed. A 2018 study published in the journal Psychology Research and Behavior Management explained that in many cases, APD is considered a more severe version of social anxiety disorder (SAD). There are distinct symptoms of AVPD that differ from SAD, however:

There are a multitude of ways that addiction affects us – and even in recovery, we still need time for our mind, body and spirit to heal. There are number of reasons why individuals struggle with anxiety in addiction recovery – and concerns like panic attacks often arise either out of having a mental illness, such as panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a related condition, or because of their personal recovery process as a whole. If you believe you’ve been struggling with panic attacks, it’s important to know that you’re not alone – it is estimated that around 1-2% of the population experiences this, and, while that may not seem like a lot, it accounts for millions of people in the United States alone.