Sarah Silverman Movingly Portrays Addiction in I Smile Back
The comedian and actress Sarah Silverman is best known for witty and innovative comedy unafraid to tackle social taboos head-on, saying ironically offensive things with a sweet, soft voice and expression. That fearlessness is still on display with her more serious role in the movie I Smile Back. In this film her character Laney struggles […]
The Link between Inflammation and Depression
Levels of inflammation in the body are known to cause numerous health problems and physical illnesses, but recent research indicates that depression can be strongly linked to inflammation as well. According to a study by researchers from Emory University, high inflammation levels are associated with communication problems between two parts of the brain and a […]
EMDR Therapy for PTSD and Addiction
Trauma and addiction are linked for many people. Substance abuse is often a way for people to numb the pain of a hard past and ignore feelings that otherwise feel like too much to deal with. That is why there is so much more to the recovery journey then simply the act of quitting your […]
Dealing With Trauma When You’re In Recovery
The source of trauma can be anything from surviving an accident, military combat, witnessing a violent crime, or experiencing abuse as a child. Trauma can be one of the biggest hurdles to face during recovery, where everyday feels like an emotional roller coaster and memories from the past refuse to leave you. Someone who has […]
Re-Igniting Creativity Silenced By Mental Illness and Addiction
Many deeply talented, creative, and unconventional people capable of creating moving art have also had deep struggles with addiction and mental illness. Many talent artists and musicians have found their lives cut short or their voices silenced by drowning in addiction and mental illness. Other people may feel reluctant to seek treatment, viewing their dysfunctions […]
How Connecting With Nature Can Benefit Mental Health In Recovery
One of the most powerful tools for enhancing one’s recovery and general mental health is making time to connect with nature. This can be done in a variety of ways and integrated into almost any type of lifestyle. Simply spending as little as 20 minutes a day connecting with nature in some way will make […]
The Integrated Treatment Approach for Dual Diagnosis
Issues of mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand for many individuals that struggle to self-medicate when their symptoms become difficult to handle. People with both a mental illness and an addiction are considered to be dual diagnosis because they have two disorders that must both be treated professionally. Unfortunately, many patients […]
How Anorexia and Addiction are Linked in the Brain
People with eating disorders often simultaneously suffer from issues of addiction, engaging in substance abuse alongside their restrictive or abnormal eating habits. Recent studies have proven that people with eating disorders like anorexia may have addictive tendencies due to the way their habits engage a certain part of the brain. People with anorexia develop certain […]
Depression and Isolation
Depression is a common mental illness characterized by a prolonged and pervasive feeling of sadness and struggles to keep interested in anything. Feelings of joy may feel overwhelmed by anxiety or tiredness, and even the normal actions of your day feel like they take tremendous levels of motivation and energy. Often, people with severe depression […]
Dealing With Negative Thought Patterns In Recovery
Why the way you think during recovery is so important. We should never underestimate the power of our thoughts because they have the ability to shape our lives, for better or worse. The way you think will determine your whole outlook on life, so that if thoughts are overwhelmingly negative you’ll tend to perceive things […]