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…
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of anguish for many Americans. Lockdowns and social distancing can make people feel isolated and lonely, increasing stress and anxiety. More than 460,000 Americans have now died from the disease. As we reported previously on this blog, the number of people reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression…
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…
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on American’s’ mental health. According to a recent Boston University study, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in adults in the US increased more than three-fold in the spring during the COVID-19 pandemic as compared with before the pandemic. The study found 27.8 percent of US adults had…
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…
“Until recently, it was generally assumed that if we wanted something, it was because we liked it. But science is now questioning that idea – and pointing the way to a possible cure for addiction,” wrote the BBC’s David Edmonds. Edmonds describes experiments that confirm that craving or wanting is largely driven by the…
Self-care is an important recovery tool. Engaging in self-care is an appropriate and healthy way to bolster physical and psychological well-being. During the dark winter months which include the stressful holiday season, uncomfortable feelings or situations can easily threaten emotional stability and potentially trigger relapse. Self-care has been defined as providing adequate attention to…
Addiction is often referred to as a family disease. It affects not only individuals who are misusing drugs and/or alcohol but also their families. Family dynamics are often significantly compromised and in need of healing. During the stressful holiday season, uncomfortable feelings or situations can easily arise. Confrontations between family members about substance misuse may…
American railroad companies transport hundreds of millions of passengers and millions of carloads of freight each year. It’s a strenuous task for their employees. “The rail business is an industry full of tired, stressed workers. It is an epidemic,” warned former railroad worker, Georgetta Gregory on the NTSB Safety Compass in 2016. Her job…
It’s not always easy to distinguish between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders. They often co-exist and can exacerbate each other. Symptoms such as trouble concentrating, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, and restlessness may overlap. One of the tricky things about the different conditions is that stimulants used to treat ADHD can exacerbate anxiety. D’Agati, Curatolo,…
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