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Whether you’re about to enter treatment for a mental illness or addiction, many, if not all, aspects of your life will change. Don’t be frightened by this – change is what treatment is for, after all. You may have struggled in the past and those struggles were negatively impacting your daily life. Treatment is supposed to help you change the way you dealt with your struggles – most often through medication, support groups, therapy, and more. Over time, your perspective towards your challenges and yourself will likely change, as will your perception towards others. Eventually you will begin to evaluate your social life and determine who supports and benefits your journey to recovery, and who does not. This is an important process, because the people whom we spend our time with says a lot about who we are and what we stand for. First, how do we, as people in recovery, change our identity over time while in recovery? In 2015, researchers from Australia and the UK completed a study titled, “Social Identities as Pathways into and out of Addiction” and found that those with addiction change their perceived identities from a “substance abuser” identity to a “recovery” identity. Some participants felt a loss of valued identities when their addiction began, but were later able to renew those identities after treatment. Participants who felt socially isolated before treatment were able to develop new, aspirational identities involving roles in study, work, or family. This shows that the way we view ourselves before treatment is often different from the way we view ourselves afterwards. It would make sense, then, that our social circle reflects and/or honors the identities that we hold of ourselves. The U.S. News confirms that “many relationships formed prior to rehabilitation can be considered toxic” – these may have included a person that sold drugs or even “friends” that abused substances with a person before they entered treatment. These friendships were likely based on convenience – without buying/selling the drugs or using substances, these connections likely wouldn’t exist. Once you’ve formed a newer, healthier identity for yourself, you will want to re-evaluate your friend circle, and some may not “make the cut”. This is normal and even safe – after all, you want to be surrounded by people who uplift and support all the challenging work you are doing in recovery. You deserve that much; you’ve earned it. Form a support team that admires you for the work you’re doing towards living a happier, healthier life.

Many of us have become familiar with the causes of mental disorders – genetics, environmental factors, traumatic events, substance abuse problems and individual tendencies are a few of the most common ways to develop a mental disorder. Time Magazine has recently uncovered a rather unexpected, but understandable, concern for developing psychosis: mountain climbing. If you love adventure and plan to go hiking this spring, be weary of just how high you go. At an altitude of 27,000 feet, Jeremy Windsor was climbing Mt. Everest in 2008, and he began to experience some strange things. As stated on Time Magazine’s website, a man named Jimmy was providing Jeremy with words of encouragement and would then disappear amongst the snow. Also known as “third-man factor”, these hallucinations are found in high-altitude Alpine settings, and can quickly become dangerous if it causes a trekker to go off-route or engage in risky behaviors due to the hallucinations. Research is unclear exactly what leads to the development of psychosis during these higher altitudes; some believe it’s faith or religious-based, some believe it’s caused by biochemical reactions, yet others believe it to be “misfiring brain activity”. The discussion surrounding “third-man factor” hasn’t just been in relation to high altitudes, however. Stories exhibiting this have been shown in contexts such as war or terrorist attacks – this hallucination has been said to provide added comfort, guidance, and strength to a person in times of significant stress or life-threatening circumstances, according to the National Public Radio. Schizophrenia is often associated with delusions and hallucinations, but with “third-man factor”, the hallucinations disappear once the person has reached a lower altitude. Additionally, the psychosis experienced with mountain hiking and other extreme events have proven to aid, or provide support, to the person undergoing extreme stress – individuals with schizophrenia may become paranoid or may hallucinate that induce more stress and anxiety. Seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing hallucinations in your daily life and you have not been diagnosed. For mental disorders such as schizophrenia, there are medications that can help you better manage daily life.

Recovery is a critical time to ground yourself and develop tools towards reaching your goals. Many people in recovery look towards others whom have been successful in recovery to propel them on their journey. They may look at a leader that guides their group sessions, or they may connect with an alumnus of a treatment program they are attending to gain tips and information related to their success. Support is crucial during recovery; previous research has shown that support from friends and family has been consistently found to predict positive outcomes for a person’s recovery. Finding a role model is a wonderful way to build your support system and further strengthen your recovery goals and determination. Role models can provide us with:

As stated by Jessi Lepine, a woman with bipolar disorder who was pregnant and shared her story on the International Bipolar Foundation’s official website, “Before I was pregnant someone said to me that I shouldn’t have kids because I have bipolar [disorder]. This person said I might not be a good mom because I could possibly go manic or depressed at some point. This person said I would not be able to handle the hormones, stress and lack of sleep and might hurt my baby if I had a manic or depressive episode post-partum. What this person said was an obvious example of the stigma people with mental illness face in every aspect of their lives. I am a believer that people who have bipolar [disorder] can do anything a mentally well person can do with the right meds, right support and dedication to a wellness plan that is tailored to their needs. Don’t let anyone tell you not to follow your dreams of having a family just because you have a mental illness!” If you have (or believe you may have) bipolar disorder (BPD) and are expecting, there are many steps that you can take to ensure a successful pregnancy and family life. First, if you haven’t already, obtain a diagnosis from a licensed physician. This will help you understand what your risks and needs are to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Oftentimes, psychotherapy and medication are discussed to help you understand your disorder and get a firm grasp on starting a family. Be prepared to educate yourself on the risks involved with having BPD while being pregnant; Tommy’s, a UK-based organization that provides pregnancy information, states that individuals with BPD are more likely to relapse during pregnancy and may be at higher risk for post-partum psychosis. However, although these risks are present, this doesn’t mean there aren’t steps for precaution. Keep your doctor informed about the medication you are prescribed and do not discontinue the medication unless your doctor tells you to. If you recognize any concerning symptoms or feelings, contact your doctor right away for help. Mental illness does not have to prevent you from creating a family, but educating yourself and following your wellness plan are critical for the mental and physical health of both yourself and your baby.

With today’s technology, we have access to practically any information we seek, right at our fingertips. We can easily access bank statements, make purchases, communicate with others across the world, and complete work any time we are connected. There is a plethora of benefits this yields – convenience, a variety of sources, instant gratification, security and more. While technology can benefit our lives in many ways, it can also hinder it. Applications such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have taken over our phone use, as most of us spend our time updating statuses, posting pictures, connecting with friends, and viewing others’ accounts. Many of us don’t even realize the extend to our use, and social media addiction is more rampant than you think. In fact, BBC claims that we are spending, on average, at least 2 hours of every day using platforms such as Facebook. The Huffington Post has noted 5 types of digital age addiction:

The opioid crisis is taking over, with approximately 90 Americans dying each day from opioid overdose. This number is staggering; many are abusing their prescription medications, but many are also abusing medications they found/retrieved from a family member, friend, etc. The cost is too high for us and our loved ones to abuse and overdose on these medications, which is why it’s incredibly important for us to dispose of them properly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has noted several effective ways to do this:

This is an excerpt from a person’s story with depression while traveling, as posted on Sheswanderful.com: “…And believe me, I thought about how lucky I was to be there every minute. But I had plenty of down moments, too. I felt guilty about not enjoying the ‘landmark’ experiences like the Top of the Rock observation deck and absolutely loving the quirky, non-iconic ones. I worried frequently that I wasn’t enjoying myself enough in proportion to the amount of money that I was spending on the trip. And I felt ashamed to share these feelings with my family and my boyfriend back home…” More than 15 million Americans have major depressive disorder each year, all of whom are likely experiencing feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, apathy, loss of interest, lack of concentration, weight gain, and much more. Many people with depression try to self-medicate through drinking and drugs. However, there is a common belief that travel can help cure symptoms of depression – the beautiful scenery and sense of adventure is thought to help the person appreciate what is around them and recognize the beauty that is life. As romantic as this sounds, it’s not always the case. Your reasons for traveling should be very clear. If you’re wanting to travel so that you can run away from your problems, they will still be there when you come back. If you’re going because you believe it will cure your depression, you will be disappointed to find that it’s still there. Depression is something that you must work on every day – it’s not something that you can run away from. When traveling is done impulsively and for the wrong reasons, it can have devastating effects. If you’re considering traveling, ask yourself what your true motivations are. Why do you want to leave? Understand all the preparation and uncertainties that can arrive with traveling. Will you be able to effectively handle these instances on your own? If your reasons are to run away from your depression, perhaps you should make a trip to a treatment center instead – it could help you develop the tools you need to live happier and healthier.

As someone stated on The Guardian when sharing their story of addiction and sobriety, “Ten years ago I wrote, ‘I can’t believe I’m writing this but being controlled by alcohol is so awful that even giving up drinking forever still feels better.’ Still is, still does.” For many people all over the world, and especially in the UK, “Dry January” was a month to kick off the New Year with sobriety and healthy habits. Some people considered it a way to drink less, while others consider it a way to begin detoxing from NYE celebrations. Fox News claims that taking a month of sobriety won’t necessary “undo” damage from excessive alcohol drinking in the past, nor should it be an excuse to drink excessively any other time of the year. Whether you participated in “Dry January” or not, why not make a commitment to sobriety each day? There are many benefits that sobriety can provide you with:

Marijuana has become legal in several states for medical purposes, and states like California have taken the side of recreational use as well. This change in policy surrounding the topic of marijuana has many implications, both socially and economically. There is much debate over when and where recreational use of marijuana should take place – is it responsible for someone to be smoking while in their car, or driving? Questions of intoxication come into effect as the government tries to determine the most effective way of ensuring safety on the road. Popular societal opinion is that alcohol is much more dangerous than marijuana when it comes to driving. However, the effects of being high don’t go unnoticed – currently police in various states can only test for marijuana by taking them to the police station and administering a blood test, because there is currently no breathalyzer tool that can be used. The Washington Post states that policemen are gauging the intensity of marijuana in a person’s system by judging a legal standard – 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. This can still present issues, however. Unlike alcohol, marijuana can be consumed in a variety of ways, each effecting the body differently. Users can consume marijuana through drinks, candies, cookies, or by smoking it, and each affects a person’s body differently. New research is showing that if a person consumes marijuana in edible form, they may not show up as intoxicated by legal standards. Researcher Ryan Vandrey from John Hopkins University conducted a study where participants consumed marijuana brownies of varying strength that matched the THC levels that would classify someone as intoxicated. Over several days, blood tests were conducted and although the brownies caused a decrease in attentiveness, physical coordination and ability to concentrate, only 11% of participants had blood levels above the level of intoxication. This means that 89% of them would have been classified by law enforcement as unimpaired. Does this mean that eating forms of marijuana is safer than smoking it? When it comes to driving, possibly, but the results aren’t conclusive yet. More research is being conducted regarding the amount of marijuana and type of consumption that could impair someone’s driving. However, it is always safer to drive sober.

There are many different forms of treatment available, and both patients and therapists can work together to determine the best method, depending on the individual’s needs and learning style. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) has proven to be very effective for individuals who are resistant to the idea of engaging in treatment and stopping substance use. The stages of change are directly related to MET due to the very nature of why it is needed; individuals who need someone to help them develop their own realizations and personal motivations for seeking help are encouraged to utilize this form of treatment, along with others such as cognitive behavioral therapy. There are 5 stages of change:

As young woman explained her story on The Guardian: “Not every sad story has a tragic ending. Looking at the statistics, you might think I should be dead. My sad story includes a beginning that was riddled with family dysfunction including domestic violence, neglect, sexual abuse and exploitation. This traumatic upbringing was followed by drug abuse and forced prostitution. And yet here I am today, a sober, emancipated, successful and happy woman.” Whether you’ve gone through traumatic events, a mental illness, or substance abuse, recovery can be challenging. We may feel sorry for ourselves – if we could go back in time, maybe we could do something different. We may ponder the reality of our current situation and feel upset by how we got here. However, moving past those feelings and entering a state of strength, hope, growth, endurance, and determination is what can propel us to the place we really want to be. The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence explains the stages of healing that we experience after traumatic events have occurred:

With McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, KFC and more, fast food is becoming easier to obtain than ever before. Dollar menus capture our attention by pleasing to the more frugal aspect of ourselves, and tasty sandwiches and French fries lend themselves to our stomachs freely on a long drive home from work or after a stressful day. Eating these processed foods may seem harmless on occasion or even a few times a week, but the damage may be bigger than you realize. The American Psychological Association has highlighted several studies that have shown that eating fast food, sugar, and soft drinks can contribute to depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a host of other psychological problems. The documentary “Supersize Me” provides an extreme depiction of how fast food can affect someone’s mental and physical health; Morgan Spurlock consumes McDonald’s 3 times per day for 30 days and experiences weight gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, massive headaches, low energy and severe depression. What makes these foods so damaging to our holistic health? Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and appetite, mediates our moods, and inhibits pain, is produced in our gastrointestinal tract. Our gastrointestinal tract is lined with a hundred million nerve cells, which explains why the food we place in our bodies impacts our sleep, eating, mood, and pain. Processed foods are high in unhealthy fats that are often hydrogenated, turning them into trans fats. When you typically consume food from fast food restaurants, the high fructose corn syrup and sugar serve as “empty calories” that have devastating effects on metabolism. Studies have shown that individuals who take probiotics, the bacteria that is good for your health, experience improved anxiety, perceptions of stress, and overall mental outlook. Speak with your doctor regarding the best diet for your health and what vitamins you can take to increase your chances of mood, sleep, and eating stabilization. Become more mindful of what you are eating and how it makes you feel. Doing this may help you to lead a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.