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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.

Vicodin is a prescription narcotic that involves a semi-synthetic opioid, called hydrocodone. Vicodin is considered one of the most addictive painkillers, and tends to be used for high levels of pain that occur after an injury or surgery, for example. As a tablet or in liquid form, vicodin can bring about symptoms of drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation and more – and while it can help reduce those feelings of discomfort that come with pain, it can also lead to dangerous risk levels for addiction. In many cases, it’s because patients begin taking more than prescribed – but for others, the quest for vicodin comes in taking someone else’s medication. The Truth, a movement that has been working for several years to combat addiction, published the story of a young girl who battled Vicodin addiction after having knee surgery from playing soccer. When her Vicodin prescription ran out, she would take drastic measures – even going as far as to hurt herself – to be given more medication. If you or a loved one are taking Vicodin, it’s important to recognize some of the warning signs that could lead to addiction, so that help can be sought sooner rather than later.

The movies tend to depict alcoholism in a sad, grim light – but in many cases, ourselves and our loved ones fall into unhealthy patterns of behavior without even realizing it. Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the world, and unfortunately, alcohol can appear to be a “quick fix” to masking uncomfortable symptoms when it appears there is no other way out. While most of us depict depression as simply being sad, there’s much more beneath the surface. On the outside looking in, depression may not even be noticeable; we may continue to attend work-related events, thrive in our social lives, or appear fine at home.  You’ll know if you’re experiencing sincere depression if you have:

The term ‘supervised detox’ sounds a bit terrifying, but what exactly does it mean? We know that for many people in addiction recovery, they undergo severe circumstances in which they can’t face alone. Quality treatment is about providing optimal mental, physical and spiritual care so that clients can feel safe and secure while healing; a publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explained that supervised detox may prevent, “…potentially life threatening complications that may appear if the patient was left untreated”. Far too often, those who struggle with addiction attempt to heal at home – and this can be incredibly dangerous, specifically as the mind and body require steady decreases in substance doses to help detoxify a person without sending their body into shock. With supervised detox, a qualified healthcare team is there to support a person 24/7 – which not only ensures that they’re on the right path towards healing, but also ensures their safety as well. As the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) emphasizes, however, supervised detox won’t work as a one-step form of treatment. Those seeking recovery undergo supervised detox as a first step towards health and wellness – from there, it’s time to work towards recovery. Long-term abstinence is best achieved when a person has a “clean slate” – in other words, has gone through detox and is able to start making daily choices that benefit their mental, physical and spiritual wellness. At Avalon Malibu, there are a variety of recovery-related activities that can propel a person’s success in recovery, such as through individual and group therapy, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, art therapy and more. Supervised detox may last a few days, and while it may seem a bit frightening, it’s much less frightening than the prospect of losing your life – or your loved one – to unsafe detoxification practices. Don’t wait any longer to begin the path towards healing. There is an entire team here ready to help you overcome addiction and onto your journey in recovery.

Addiction takes such a heavy toll on the mind, body and spirit. Substances wreak havoc on our immune system – we lose sleep, we miss out on essential vitamins and nutrients that support healthy functioning, and more – and this all can lead to painful symptoms that appear throughout the body as well.

Earlier this year, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Insitute (NIH) explained that sleep is a core function of the human body – and without it, we may experience mental and physical health issues, injuries, loss of producitivity on the job, and greater risk of death. When substances are actively involved in our lives, our sleeping patterns may shift and become less stable because alcohol and other drugs can change the structure of our brain. This means that in active addiction, we’re likely receiving a lot less sleep than what is truly needed – and in recovery, sleep becomes more important than ever before because our mind, body and spirit need that resting period to rejuvenate. There are two basic types of sleeping movement that we all go through: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM. The first is the stage that we’re in when we’re dreaming – and the latter describes a phase in which we’re experiencing deep sleep or slow wave movements. The Fix, a website that regularly publishes information related to addiction and recovery, explains that sleep disturbances are quite normal for those in early recovery. In fact, other studies have shown that those in addiction recovery are more likely to also have a sleeping disorder – and it will take some time to restore this process, but our daily habits can have a significant influence on our progress. Therapist Austin Brown stated, “I think at the most basic level, the stuff that keeps us up at night early in the recovery process is the same fears, anxiety, trauma and regret we used over...It isn’t until we begin settling some of those outstanding emotional balances through recovery work and therapy that we’re able to find general peace.” As you can see, sleep and addiction recovery go hand-in-hand; it’s important that we work hard to restore the mind, body and spirit so that we can also achieve sleep that will help us rejuvenate.

It’s been estimated that around 20.4% of Americans (50 million people) struggle with chronic pain each year. Disease is often the underlying cause of chronic pain, but other instances may be from genetics, injury and accident, etc. If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain for quite some time, you may have found that you’ve tried everything to help ease the discomfort – sleeping medication, opioids, alcohol and other drugs may only numb the pain for so long, but it doesn’t address the long-term implications associated with it. Relaxation techniques have been proven to be useful alternatives against medicine, and can help you treat the core of chronic pain through mind, body and spirit. Erica Jacques, a board-certified occupational therapist, explained to Very Well Mind, a website that publishes information related to psychological conditions, several ways to address chronic pain at its core:

Social drinking is a mainstream activity in the United States, and it’s an expected activity whether you’re celebrating, gathering, eating, having a meeting or mourning. Alcohol has become a staple at any get-together, making it much easier to build a dependence to alcohol even in the subtlest of ways. If you’re not careful, however, you could get much more than a fun evening with friends – the line becomes much blurrier when social drinking develops into dependency – and that’s when alcoholism is at high risk. The University of Rochester Medical Center highlights the fact that alcohol disrupts mental and motor skills; by reducing inhibitions, lessening tension and inviting greater ease in social situations, it can become even more challenging to take a night off of drinking – especially when it seems to be so “normal”. There are many signs that a person should watch out for that signal problem drinking, however:

There are many types of approaches that can be taken to addiction recovery – and it all depends on what works best for the client. Holistic, comprehensive treatment is about assessing an individual’s needs and getting an understanding of who they are, including their medical history, their family history, major life stressors, mental health report and more. Put simply, recovery should consider a person’s mental, physical and spiritual wellness – and in some cases, didactic group therapy could be an excellent addition to a person’s program.

Trauma is an unfortunately common experience for many people throughout the world, and a high rate of those in addiction recovery have struggled in the past with trauma as well. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common disorder that develops for those who’ve gone through traumatic events such as accidents, natural disasters, combat, assault and more – and all too often, symptoms like flashbacks, insomnia, anxiety and depression can make it incredibly difficult to enjoy life. Substance abuse tends to take place when a person tries to “drown out” those painful thoughts and feelings – only to realize that the pain remains there, it’s just hidden. Writing therapy can help a person heal by taking the pain that’s on the inside and putting it to paper. Dr. Matthew Tull, an associate professor and director of anxiety disorders research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, explained in 2018 that journaling can foster post-traumatic growth, which is defined as, “…the positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event.” Writer’s Digest suggests that traumatic experiences can fuel one’s writing by taking that pain, anger, distress and/or sadness and putting it outwardly towards a writing project. If you’re ready to spark healing from trauma, consider taking on any (or all) of these 5 writing prompts: