A woman hangs her head as she tries to fight the 4 lies people with addictions tell themselves

How Psychological Trauma Relates To Depression and Suicide

How Psychological Trauma Relates To Depression and Suicide When trauma, depression, and/or anxiety occur simultaneously, the results can be devastating. What is psychological trauma? Psychological trauma is an injury from a life-threatening or fearful experience that alters one’s perception. This injury causes changes in the brain and can impair cognitive functioning. Psychological trauma can include…

The Link Between Anxiety and Addiction

The Link Between Anxiety and Addiction Anxiety contains a wide range of symptoms and conditions, and it affects millions of people across the world. When confronting anxiety in tandem with addiction, it is important to grasp the full scope of anxiety and how it’s linked to substance abuse.   For most people, the concept of…

Alcohol and Mental Health Effects

Alcohol and the Brain It is well-known that excessive consumption of alcohol has an adverse impact on the liver, heart and digestive system. It is important to note, the effects of alcohol on the brain are also serious. It can result in structural damage, cognitive deficits and changes in mental health status. Alcohol blocks chemical…

Understanding the Enabling of Addictive Behavior

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as “a treatable, chronic medical disease,” explaining that “people with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.”   Many addiction professionals regard the loss of control over substance use as an important aspect of the disease. While many people…

Trauma Informed Leadership

By Jaime W. Vinck, MC, LPC, NCC Chief Executive Officer CPF Recovery Ways   Since early 2020 we have been in the midst of a triple pandemic; COVID19, mental health, and social/racial injustice. Last March when the depth and magnitude of COVID 19 was still unknown, (and from where we are today quite unimaginable), I…

Comprehensive and Individualized Addiction Treatment for Improved Outcomes

Addiction is a complex biopsychosocial disorder frequently driven by co-occurring mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Severe substance use disorder (SUD) often requires clinical treatment for an extended period to include different levels of care to support sobriety. At Recovery Ways, an individualized treatment plan for a new patient starts with intensive…