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In 2017, a young woman’s story was published via the U.S. News; at 11 years old, she had her first blackout as she was partying with her cousin. She explained, “I thought it was really insane…it’s like the brain suffers a mechanical failure. The problem with all this is that it’s funny in some ways and horrible in others.  Drinking too much and too fast can cause blackouts, and they’re incredibly common – especially in a culture that supports excessive drinking. If blackouts are occurring frequently in a person’s life, this could be a sign that they’re battling alcoholism – but in many cases, individuals don’t even know this because it’s considered quite a “normal” experience. Healthline, a website that publishes information related to a variety of health conditions, notes that as a person’s blood alcohol level increases, the rate and length of a person’s memory loss will also increase. The ”day after” or the “morning after” are often situations filled with humiliating details, but the after-math effects are serious; along with not remembering what a person is doing while experiencing a blackout, they may also have: impaired vision, impaired judgment, difficulty standing, walking and more. For those who understand the severe impact of alcoholism, recovery is about understanding not only the harmful effects that these behaviors can cause to our body and to those around us, but also understanding the mechanisms for how alcohol directly affects the brain.

Methamphetamine (also known as meth) is an incredibly scary drug to consider if you’re loved one is struggling with an addiction. Approximately 1.2 million people report using meth each year, and while meth use has seen a decrease over the years, it’s still a major topic of concern. One of the most challenging situations we could ever experience is to discover that our sibling, friend, coworker, spouse or other family member has been dabbling in substance abuse – and illict drugs like methamphetamine can bring about terrifying thoughts and fears for our loved one’s safety. If your loved one has decided to seek treatment, it’s important to note that there is still hope for them to recover. It will be a long road – but it’s worth it.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) gets the brunt end of many jokes, as people tend to throw the term “narcissistic” around way too easily. Individuals who simply appear vain or self-conceited may be considered to have NPD by the general public, by there are specific diagnostic criteria that need to be met in order for a person to genuinely have this disorder. In fact, everyone has narcissism – if we didn’t, we wouldn’t have enough confidence in ourselves to pursue jobs and other opportunities. Even with the bad reputation that often surrounds NPD, the truth is that those with this disorder deserve more support – because just like any other mental illness, people with NPD have underlying concerns that need to be respectfully addressed. Medical News Today recently explained that NPD is a dramatic personality disorder; those who are diagnosed with this tend to have a preoccupation with success and power, as well as an excessive sense of superiority. On the outside looking in, it may seem as though people with NPD have all the self-love in the world – but in reality, there’s often an underlying blanket of insecurity and lack of self-esteem. Earlier this year, writer Katie Heaney shared the story of a man with NPD whom she interviewed via The Cut, a website that publishes information and stories related to style, self, culture and power. The man explained: “People judge narcissists’ actions, and they have no clue whether it’s narcissism or not…people get almost everything wrong about narcissism because they confuse it with psychopathy.” Those with NPD tend to not realize that they’re defending themselves in ways that harm others; in fact, most people with NPD only want to feel genuinely worthy. If you or a loved one are struggling with signs of NPD, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. Holistic care can provide many options for treatment, and with a team of people there for support, recovery is possible.

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.