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As media is becoming more and more invasive, individuals see and hear messages within popular culture that promote drinking and drugs. As individuals receive these messages, they may feel that excessive amounts of drinking or abusing drugs is “normal” or “not too dangerous”. Especially for younger people who may not understand the consequences of partaking in these dangerous activities, peer pressure and the need to seem “cool” may make these messages more influential. Here are several examples of how popular culture plays a part in the addiction crisis:

Many people prefer not to be alone at times, and will call on friends for support. Likewise, most people find being criticized or judged and ridiculed to be an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience they’d rather avoid. For people with dependent personality disorder, however, they grow extreme in their need to be around someone all the time, while someone with avoidant personality disorder will withdraw from society entirely as their fear of being seen as inadequate takes over. According to the American Psychiatric Association, a personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts overtime. Two of these types of personality disorders are classified as dependent and avoidant. Each of these disorders has their own unique causes, characteristics, and treatment methods.

Oftentimes, individuals may feel or have been told that they exhibit signs of either a mental illness or addiction, but do not know where to begin. Discovering a mental illness or uncovering an addiction is best when consulted with a healthcare professional for official diagnosis. Here are several effective ways to determine if someone may need professional help:

The negative symptoms of a mental illness can be overwhelming. Sometimes people are diagnosed at an early age, but oftentimes people discover that they have a mental illness as they get older. As one enters recovery, treatment is individualized and focused on what that person needs to better cope with the symptoms of their mental illness. There are different options for recovery regarding length of treatment, depending on the needs of the individual. Here is a few (but not exhaustive)

Almost everyone has that person in their life that seems overly dramatic. A friend who is known as a “drama queen”, a partner who seems to over-react at a small inconvenience, etc. While over-reacting is quite common, how does one know whether their friend suffers from histrionic personality disorder? Histrionic personality disorder is characterized as constant attention-seeking, emotional overreaction, and suggestibility (easily influenced by others). A person who suffers from this condition tends to over-dramatize situations, and can develop depression as their relationships may suffer. Here are several symptoms to look out for:

There are many reasons why a person may fall into addiction – biology, genetics, environmental factors, trauma, and more. Mental health is another worthy cause to consider – many individuals do not realize that they suffer from a mental illness and choose to self-medicate through drugs or alcohol. Conversely, some individuals may fall into addiction and then symptoms of mental illness emerge later. Suffering from an addiction or mental illness does not mean that the person has failed or cannot recover. Many people do not know the resources available for discovering the status of their mental health and thankfully there are several tools that one can utilize to learn more about what they may be going through. Identifying the characteristics of a mental illness may help someone discover similar symptoms that they are experiencing. By exploring some of the symptoms to mental illness, one can become more active towards their well-being and can take steps to overcome their addiction. Here are a few underlying mental health concerns that may provide insight into addiction:

Millions of people suffer from both a mental illness and an addiction, and there are so many resources to assist an individual in recovery. From therapists to treatment programs, anyone can get the help that they need. Recovery is a courageous, beneficial step to living a healthy, balanced life and can increase a person’s overall happiness and well-being. Suffering from a mental illness and an addiction is called having a co-occurring or dual disorder. This is best treated through integrated care, such as therapy and medical treatment, and there are many excellent programs that health facilities provide to assist individuals who suffer from this. Having a co-occurring disorder does not mean that the person has “too much wrong with them” or that there are no resources out there. Co-occurring disorders are quite common because many individuals do not realize that they suffer from a mental illness and therefore try to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to relieve the negative symptoms they are experiencing. Integrated dual disorder treatment (IDDT) is a common evidence-based form of treatment that focuses on both mental health and substance abuse treatment, typically in the same facility and with the same healthcare team. Research has shown that this form of treatment has been effective in working with individuals who suffer from co-occurring disorders. This form of treatment helps reduce relapse, hospitalization, arrest, duplication of services, and more by providing comprehensive care to the individual. By utilizing IDDT, a person will experience increased continuity of care, increased quality of life outcomes, stable housing, and independent living, which will help the person manage their co-occurring disorders while receiving optimal care. There are several core components of IDDT. Here is a small, but not exhaustive, list of some of the amazing components of this form of treatment:

For people who have decided to take the courageous path towards recovery, goals are an incredible component of treatment and serve as milestones towards successful change. By setting realistic goals, a person can be well on their way to a healthier life without putting too much pressure on themselves. Here are just a few examples and suggestions to ensure those goals are feasible: Unrealistic: “I will have a full-time job established by the end of this week.” Realistic: “I will continue to apply to at least 3 jobs a day, and I will strive towards obtaining a part-time job, at the least, within six weeks.” By deciding on a specific number of jobs to apply to each day, the person can easily keep track of where they are at. By opening the person’s perspective to part time jobs, they are also giving themselves enough room to breathe and subtly transition into the lifestyle that they want, without placing too much stress on themselves. Plus, by the person being open to a part-time job as well, they are opening their window of opportunity even more. Unrealistic: “I will not feel so down anymore.” Realistic: “Anytime that I am feeling sad or upset, I will do 2 things: 1) write down my thoughts in a journal, and 2) do something for self-care, whether it be talking to a friend, watching a funny movie, or taking a hot, relaxing shower.” By determining a plan of action for what a person will do if they are feeling depressed, that person has more specific steps they can take towards their well-being. The person can easily write their specific goal and hang it up or put it somewhere they will easily be able to find so that if they experience this, they have an excellent reminder of what to do. Suggestions:

There are several types of treatment and prevention models that are used in healthcare facilities. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a counseling approach designed to assist individuals with their uncertainty around treatment and stopping their use of drugs. In motivational enhancement therapy, the aim is to spark internal motivation for change, rather than having someone walk directly through specific steps to recover. Individuals often understand the negative impact that their addiction has on their health, family life, or social functioning, but does not feel very motivated to change their habits. This type of therapy is person-centered, and allows the individual to work with a caring therapist who will help them see things more objectively. Here are a few components of motivational enhancement therapy:

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is more than a body image issue. It is normal to feel a little conscientious about the way you look whether you wish you had a smaller nose, a tighter stomach, or have smooth, wavy locks. We may think about these things sometimes or when special occasions come up. People with BDD, on the other hand, think of real or imaginary flaws for hours daily, causing severe emotional distress. Distracting thoughts can leave those with BDD missing work or school, avoiding social situations, and isolating themselves because they are ashamed of letting their flaws go noticed. This can involve spending thousands of dollars in plastic surgeries and still never being satisfied with the results. BDD is not to be taken lightly as this disorder can ruin your health and your social life.

For anyone who has experienced depression, the symptoms can be debilitating. Having a lack of enjoyment in activities, isolation, and feeling hopeless are just a few characteristics of depression and can make a person feel defeated. Luckily, there are so many successful tools that can be used to assist with the devastating effects of depression, with acupuncture being one of them. Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves a doctor placing small needles into the body to alleviate pain. Acupuncture is ideally supposed to help balance the energy pathways throughout the body – a process that has been known to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. This technique is said to increase function and evoke the body’s natural healing responses through physiological systems. Acupuncture could be a wonderful way for a person with depression to relieve some of their stress and pain. Here is what one can expect after scheduling an appointment for acupuncture:

Recovery is a remarkable, transformative journey for anyone to embark on. Those who have recently began their journey of recovery or are considering their path towards recovery may wonder if they will ever be fully recovered from their addiction. Addictions can be managed successfully through therapy and rehabilitation. Recovery means something different for everyone, and it is up to the person to discover what recovery means to them. However, there are several resources available to assist individuals in recovering from an addiction. The two main types of recovery programs are: