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Losing a loved one at any age can be devastating. Grief and loss is a part of the human experience; with every beginning comes an end. The 5 stages of grief and loss, proposed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in 1969, have become quite universal: 1) denial and isolation, 2) anger, 3) bargaining, 4) depression, and 5) acceptance. These stages may ebb and flow, and a person may move on to one stage and may then take a few steps back on difficult days. Self-medication is defined as the use of substances in order to cope with any physical or psychological ailments. Someone may abuse substances as a way to cope with unwanted feelings, such as depression, anger, shame, guilt, etc. A 2015 study titled “Dulling the Edges” sought to address this phenomenon by conducting semi-structured interviews on 35 men aged 19 to 25 years old, and 22 men aged 26 to 35 years old. These male participants identified as grieving the accidental death of a male friend; the researchers wanted to focus on ways participants used alcohol in the grieving process. The study identified three themes amongst the participants: Using Alcohol to Dull the Pain – One participant described using alcohol to ease the pain of losing a friend who had such a positive influence on his life. Another participant expressed the pressure of what “being a man” means by staying strong and stoic amidst grief and getting through it one one’s own; several people mentioned that with limited coping mechanisms for dealing with strong emotions, alcohol seemed to be the only option. Using Alcohol to Purge Sadness – Several participants mentioned the fact that being drunk would allow them to express their sadness without fear of being judged because the alcohol influenced their behavior. As a vehicle for free expression, alcohol was used to “let loose feelings of despair and sadness”. Troubled Drinking – Many participants noted that while alcohol helped them all to connect in the face of their friend’s death, their drinking eventually became problematic. Heavy drinking became a normal activity for many, as one or two drinks no longer seemed to make them feel better. There are other ways of coping with the death of a loved one. Surround yourself with those you love. Allow yourself to feel the pain and hurt. Seek out therapy. If you’ve developed a drinking problem, speak to someone from a reputable treatment center today. Recovery is possible.

In 2015, poet Sue Wallingford wrote a poem titled, “Life Goes On”. She wrote it as a form of art therapy, in remembrance of her addiction, as she was in recovery. Here is a small excerpt from her poem: “Your power to make me feel stronger slipped away gradually, almost Without notice. But in your wake you left your mark of betrayal and heartache. You tried to take everything away. But life goes on you see, New generations are on the horizon, And we’ll be ok.” Recovery means leaving behind destructive patterns of the past. It means growing, changing, and transforming into a better version of yourself; a version that places health, self-care, vitality and life fulfillment at the top of the priority list. Of course, necessary changes take lots of time and dedication. As humans, we’re not always excited about these steps because, well, it’s change – and change can be quite devastating. If you’re at a moment in your journey to recovery where you’re really missing aspects of your addiction, it’s okay to mourn this loss. Doing so can help you move on and embrace this journey that’s for the better. A 2017 study published by The American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry emphasized that addiction has many overlapping qualities to falling in love; both entail arousal, euphoria, and increasing preoccupation with the person or drug. When these have progressed into more serious stages, “leaving” the person or drug can lead to a sense of loss, dysphoria, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and more. Additionally, as with falling in love, addiction can involve social attachment, as many people who abuse substances due so around others. Recovery essentially involves not only quitting the object of your addiction but cutting out those in your life whom you have used with as well. Allow yourself to genuinely feel the pain of letting your past go. Utilize your tools from therapy and acknowledge the pain it’s caused you in life. Once you’ve allowed yourself to grieve you can begin focusing on building a social support network in your treatment program; over time, you will develop a new social circle, new ways of living – and you will be much happier and healthier.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has identified drug overdose as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, with 20,101 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers and 12,990 overdose deaths related to heroin use in 2015. People all over the United States have been attempting to find alternative, holistic solutions to chronic pain due to the epidemic. Acupuncture is considered a form of complementary medicine used to alleviate pain and to treat various mental, physical, and emotional conditions – as such, it is becoming a more popular tool for both those who want to avoid taking opioids and for those detoxing from them. Many people detoxing from opioids are turning to holistic treatment methods such as acupuncture to assist them in their recovery. A 2016 study published in the Eastern Asian Archives of Psychiatry found that acupuncture accelerates a person’s endorphins and encephalin productions in addition to up-regulating the dynorphin level, suppressing withdrawal at the spinal level. Overall, it was found that acupuncture could assist in depressive and anxiety-related withdrawal symptoms. In general, acupuncture has been known to treat musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain, as well as issues such as nausea, migraines, insomnia, and more. For those seeking a route other than opioid medication for their pain, acupuncture shows promising results; this treatment method has been shown to increase the levels of various chemicals in the body, such as epinephrine, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. An increase in these levels is what contributes to the pain and stress relief that many people report. Although many people are advocating for these benefits, research is still being conducted on the efficacy of this method for the prevention and treatment of opioid addiction. If you are in a reputable treatment program for addiction, however, acupuncture could be an excellent therapy method to complement your treatment regime. If you’re currently struggling with opioid addiction, make the decision to seek help today. By participating in a treatment program, you can develop tools towards living a happier, healthier life.

Willie Nelson once said, “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” There’s no question that mental health recovery can be a scary journey – after all, it involves change, growth, and transformation – all of which most of us are nearly terrified of. However, our perception is what guides us through life, and having a positive perception of your recovery can give you the motivation that you need to succeed. When it comes to mental health, a reputable treatment program can provide you with essential tools to help you better manage your symptoms. While you’re working hard in your program by attending individual and group therapy sessions and activities, you want to ensure you’re taking major strides on your own as well. Positive psychology is a great foundation to motivate, inspire, and uplift your spirits during this time of change. As explained by a 2014 study published in the Eastern Asian Archives of Psychiatry, positive psychology is an umbrella term used to describe positive emotions and aspects of being such as creativity, optimism, resiliency, empathy, compassion, humor, life satisfaction, and more. How can you incorporate positive psychology into your recovery? The following are a few excellent exercises:

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is often characterized by a sense of grandiosity, lack of empathy, and a need for admiration. It is estimated that nearly 1 in 16 Americans has NPD at some point in their lives, leading many people to believe that their opinions and interests should taken precedence over others’. Those with NPD may have a tough time forming close relationships because of their exaggerated sense of self-importance. As noted in a review of NPD published by EBSCO Information Services, there are two subtypes of NPD: overt and covert. Those with overt NPD display entitlement, denial of weakness and exploitive behavior, whereas those with covert NPD display hypersensitivity to insult, feelings of shame, helplessness or inadequacy, and social withdrawal. There is no known cure for NPD, but it is possible for those with the disorder to seek treatment and develop tools to better relate to others in a more positive way. Treatment may include medication, but should first and foremost involve psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy”. It may take quite some time for those with NPD to find breakthrough in therapy because it is focused more on their personality traits, but those who are willing to learn more about their disorder and how they come to view themselves and the world, as well as how these perceptions dominate their behaviors are likely to see improvement. The following are likely going to be some key focal points of therapy:

There are several types of bipolar disorder (BPD), but symptoms most often involve extreme mood swings, with manic and/or depressive phases. Both may last weeks or months, with manic phases including symptoms of high energy, racing thoughts, reduced need for sleep, impulsive actions and loss of touch with reality – some describe this as feeling like a “god” or “on top of the world”. Depressive phases typically consist of feeling sad or hopeless, significant weight loss, feelings of worthlessness, insomnia or getting too much sleep, decreased ability to think or concentrate, and more. According to a 2013 study published in Current Psychiatry Reports, an estimate of up to 45% people with BPD also have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). A 2015 study titled “Bipolar Disorder Comorbid with Alcohol Use Disorder: Focus on Neurocognitive Correlates” denotes that both BPD and addictions such as alcoholism share common mechanisms: high impulsivity, executive dysfunction, increased likelihood of sensitivity to stressors, and more. There are several reasons why an alcohol disorder may take place alongside BPD:

As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana use can lead to the development of marijuana use disorder; research estimates that 30% of people who use marijuana have some degree of this disorder. Furthermore, individuals who use marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop marijuana use disorder when they get older. As such, marijuana use disorder is classified as a dependency to marijuana; although many people believe a person cannot become dependent or addicted to the drug, it is possible. A 2014 study conducted by researchers from Harvard University Medical School found that marijuana abusers show lower positive and higher negative emotionality scores along with greater stress and irritability, which is related to the fact that more marijuana use can lower a person’s sensitivity to rewards that would typically cause pleasure. When marijuana is consumed, an influx of “feel good” chemicals in the brain, otherwise known as dopamine, are released. The brain becomes used to this influx so when it is taken away because the person is no longer using the drug, the brain experiences less pleasure – giving an individual more negative emotion reactivity. These physiological reactions are like other addictions, as the brain becomes used to an increase in dopamine production from the drug itself.

They both sound similar – codependency and dependent personality disorder (DPD) – but are they the same? What level of dependency constitutes as having a mental disorder versus an unhealthy view of relationships? Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed or are concerned about a loved one, there are some distinct differences between the two. Both can be very distressing and there are ways to treat each – but DPD is classified as a mental disorder whereas codependency is not. The following is a brief breakdown of what each means:

Individualized treatment has become more widespread than ever before, as researchers have found that each person’s unique history, experiences, and background contribute to their needs in recovery. Whether you’re attending treatment for a mental illness or addiction, your family dynamic can provide a lot of information to your healthcare team. When a therapist asks you questions regarding your family, this gives them insight into how you were raised and what problems you may have endured when you were younger. Most of us carry the weight of these issues far into adulthood, affecting our mental health and potentially factoring in as a cause of our substance abuse. Family systems theory was coined by American psychiatrist Dr. Murray Bowen and is based on the idea that a person is always connected to their relationships; they cannot be looked at individually without exploring the dynamic of their relationships and how they fit into a larger, complex system that serves as an emotional unit. According to Dr. Bowen, changes of behavior in one family member are likely to have an influence on everyone else in the family. The theory further suggests that as boundaries of a family system tend to change, roles within the family must change to maintain the family’s stability. If a family refuses to change their pattern of behavior, dysfunction may occur. Family doesn’t always mean “mother” or “father” – family is often made up of traditional families such as couples, single parents, adoptive families, foster relationships, grandparents raising children and stepfamilies, extended families such as grandparents, uncles, cousins, etc., and elected families such as godparents, friends, etc. The way in which you relate and communicate with these various systems says a lot about you and how you experience life. From this, a treatment center can explore what your needs are and what type of treatment would be best for you. Family systems are a major informant of what you need for treatment, but this is not the only factor. Your mental health and substance use history, genetics, biology, abuse history, personality, behavioral patterns and more can provide a lot of information as well.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the United States spends a total of $740 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity, and healthcare for all kinds of substance abuse. The opioid epidemic has sparked a national debate on prescription abuse; the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have outlined the dangers of prescription medication overdose and how the U.S has seen a major increase of morbidity rates related to prescription abuse. If you’ve been prescribed medication, it’s important to follow the directions exactly as they say; taking more than or for longer than recommended by your doctor could yield dangerous health consequences. The National Safety Council reports 60 people as dying from opioid prescriptions each day, equating to approximately 22,000 people each year. Furthermore, 70% of people who abuse prescriptions have reported obtaining them from friends or relatives – making you a key source for those close to you to abuse medication. Prescription drugs are becoming abused more than any other drug – what is fueling this epidemic? A variety of misconceptions have led more and more people to abuse prescription drugs, including beliefs that:

Goal-setting has been used in a variety of instances as an effective way of monitoring progress. People with mental illness often have trouble meeting their goals, as serious mental illnesses can involve symptoms that can be challenging to overcome. With the right treatment program, a person can develop tools to help them better manage their symptoms while strengthening their grasp on recovery. Personal goal-setting is an excellent way to identify specific milestones that you want to surpass. A 2017 study published in the journal Issues in Mental Health Nursing involved the assessment of 27 individuals who were invited to set goals they wish to have achieved by the end of a week-long Recovery Camp dedicated to those with serious mental illness. The researchers identified four collective goal-setting themes from participants: Connectedness – many people in recovery soon discover that they are not alone. Goals for recovery may involve reaching out to others for support, speaking with someone from group therapy or a group activity, or participating and interacting in more recovery-related activities. Developing Healthy Habits – this could include eating more nutritiously, practicing better self-care, thinking more positively, treating oneself with more kindness on bad days, getting better sleep, exercising more, etc. Challenging Oneself – in order to boost your progress in recovery, you could set goals to challenge yourself; examples of this may include partaking in an activity or doing something that’s good for you that you wouldn’t have tried before, practicing forgiveness of yourself and/or others, being assertive and telling others the truth even if it’s challenging, and more. Recovery – goals that are recovery-based may involve meeting with a therapist once a week and reviewing progress, making the decision to speak up more in group therapy, practicing the tools you’ve learned in therapy once a day, etc. Goals can serve as excellent reminders of how far you’ve come, where you’re at, and where you’d like to be in the future. You can track your goals by taking notes, writing them down on a calendar, keeping a diary, creating a progress chart, planning out the steps, selecting a timeframe, and more. Share your thoughts with your therapist so that you have another person to help keep you accountable.

Approximately 1.5 million people are diagnosed with schizophrenia each year; schizophrenia is a long-term mental disorder experienced with symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, difficulty with thinking and concentration, lack of motivation, and more. Onset of this disorder can be hard to tell, but signs often including a sudden change of friends, a drop-in school grades, sleeping problems, and irritability. There is much stigma that surrounds mental illness, but unfortunately those with schizophrenia receive much stereotyping due to media and societal misunderstanding. As a 2015 study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology confirmed, realistic opinions regarding schizophrenia and other mental disorders is associated with lower prejudicial attitudes and social rejection.