Tag Archive

It’s possible. Many have done so. Celebrity-status doesn’t exempt an individual from the struggle of substance misuse. Some may even argue that the film and TV industry opens the door to such struggles due to the pressure and demands made by the career choice. Regardless, addiction to drugs (illicit or prescription) and/or alcohol is a […]

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This is an opportunity to raise awareness about a problem that is consistently facing people in the United States, as there are over 100 suicides per day. As the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) suggests, even though it’s an important issue that we face all year-round, this particular […]

Substance misuse, or a substance use disorder, is what happens when an individual uses drugs and/or alcohol recurrently and it causes clinical impairment such as failure to meet responsibilities, health problems, and disability. And when on the path to recovery, oftentimes, triggers and relapse are part of the process. A trigger is a catalyst that […]

Stigma occurs when an individual views another individual (or even themselves) in a negative way for the sole reason of having a mental health condition. Some describe this experience as a feeling of judgement or shame from someone else. Stigma encourages a life of secrecy, blaming, and isolation, which creates obstacles for an individual struggling […]

Judging, shaming, and stigmatizing individuals are proven to be ineffective approaches for healthy, productive, and lasting change. Instead, they serve as proverbial weapons that tear at the core of an already-fragile human condition—a condition that strives to be valued, to matter, and to be loved. Pregnant women are no exception. A woman battling substance misuse […]

Between Juneteenth and LGBTQ+ Pride, June has become a home to raising awareness about the experiences of two marginalized groups: Black Americans and those within the LGBTQ+ community. One group celebrates their freedom from slavery and the other celebrates their freedom to feel proud of who they are. Despite the fanfare and advocacy, there are […]

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and it’s observed as a federal holiday on June 19th.  Although the upcoming holiday marks the emancipation of the involuntary institution, racial disparities, injustices, and systemic racism still exist. Along with these obstacles come mental health issues. Progress takes time—a collective effort, a paradigm shift. […]

Post-traumatic stress disorder, widely known as “PTSD,” happens after an individual has experienced some sort of trauma. This may be defined as an event that is perilous or jolting  that the individual experiences for themselves or one that they see. People may experience this condition differently and shouldn’t look at it as a sign of […]

Military Service Members: Addictions & Co-Occurring Disorders We are constantly looking for protection from outside threats. It may be in the form of a password/face ID on our cell phones, an alarm system on our homes, or if on a broader scale, protection for our country comes in the form of our United States military. […]

Laughter can be an elixir that temporarily lightens heavy hearts, and oftentimes, can bring people together. The human condition often seems tasked with the plight to continually feel good, be happy, or be whatever it is that is seen as favorable. But when it comes to drug or alcohol misuse or even mental health conditions […]