As the vibrant colors of autumn paint the landscape of Flagstaff, many residents find themselves facing a common challenge: seasonal depression. This mood disorder, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), typically arises as daylight hours diminish and it can significantly impact mental well-being. Here are some effective strategies to combat this condition and embrace the beauty of fall. 1. Light Therapy One of the most effective treatments for SAD is light therapy. Specialized light … [Read more...] about Seven Tips to Help Combat Seasonal Depression
Addiction Recovery
Knowing the Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol addiction is the second most common addiction in the United States, with tobacco being the only more commonly used addictive substance. Alcohol is prevalent in many parts of popular culture and social life, so it is not surprising that many people struggle with alcohol abuse. The abuse of alcohol is a serious condition, as the person struggling becomes dependent on it to get through everyday life, and as the issue becomes more serious, the side effects get worse. Serious side effects … [Read more...] about Knowing the Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Fight Addiction by Building a Support Network
Everyone’s journey to sobriety is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving sobriety; however, everyone will tell you that a strong support network is a crucial key to success. Addiction pulls people away from the friends and family who love them most, while they surround themselves with people who live similarly harmful lifestyles. An essential step in recovery is finding a group of people who will help keep you on the right path. Here are a few tips to help you establish a … [Read more...] about Fight Addiction by Building a Support Network
Helping Parents Talk About Addiction with Their Teens
Children becoming teenagers increases worry exponentially. Your child’s teenage years are formative growth years while simultaneously being the years where bad habits become traits and consequences for mistakes become serious. It is also the period when substance use and abuse become a relevant discussion topic. Substance use is a topic parents should discuss with their teenagers because it is a topic that can affect or has affected their lives. Every teenager knows that drugs and alcohol … [Read more...] about Helping Parents Talk About Addiction with Their Teens
Destigmatizing Relapse and Addiction
Substance abuse is the cause of thousands of deaths every year, affecting the lives of the people suffering through addiction and their loved ones. Treatment experts deal with these facts every single day. Treatment for substance use has come a long way, with a variety of options to help people achieve sobriety. However, these treatments don’t reach enough people who deal with substance abuse issues. One of the reasons for this is the stigma around addiction and relapse that still exists. We … [Read more...] about Destigmatizing Relapse and Addiction
Finding Your True Self Through Recovery
Growing up in a small town in Indiana, Jay Zody never felt like he truly fit in. Coming from a hardworking family, Zody lived the life of a typical midwestern boy, playing sports and making good grades, until he fell in with the wrong crowd in his late teens. What once was a good life took a drastic turn as Zody began using drugs after high school. His drug use resulted in him dropping out of college, losing most of his friends, and his family turning their back on him. Luckily Zody’s story is … [Read more...] about Finding Your True Self Through Recovery
Why Relapse Doesn’t Mean You Failed in Recovery
For many people working on their sobriety, relapse is part of the process. At the time of a relapse, it will feel like a failure, but it doesn’t have to be. Many people who experience a relapse will come back and maintain continuous sobriety for months and years to come. Like everything else that goes into recovery, it is about having the right tools to overcome setbacks. Change Your Mindset About Relapse Addiction relies on guilt, self-loathing and shame to keep a grip on your life. … [Read more...] about Why Relapse Doesn’t Mean You Failed in Recovery
Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
The mere fact that relapse is more common than uncommon sheds light on how difficult it truly is to break addiction. No one enters rehabilitation with the intention to fail; rather, they enter a treatment program hoping in their heart they can stop using for good. The problem with this approach is addiction doesn’t happen in the heart. It happens in the brain. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic, underlying, largely genetic brain disease, making … [Read more...] about Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
