substance abuse

For decades, people have smoked cigars and cigarettes to relieve stress believing that nicotine can help them focus and combat anxiety. When you smoke, the muscles become relaxed at the expense of your appetite. Psychologically, anger and apprehension are lessened. This is what most people think anyway. Unfortunately, that is a pervasive yet flawed misconception….

Oftentimes in our lives, we find ourselves in situations where we feel, either consciously or subconsciously, trapped. Whether it’s growing up in a dysfunctional household or going to school to pursue a career for the approval of loved ones, it can be difficult to maintain positivity when there doesn’t seem to be an escape. Sometimes…

Addiction is a far-reaching epidemic and impacts the lives of millions of people. According to the most recent data, 19.7 million Americans battled substance abuse in 2017. Based on recurring reports in the media, that trend continues to climb, particularly because of widespread opiate abuse. Unfortunately, a substance abuse disorder impacts not only the individual…

Finding your WHY I recently facilitated an anxiety support group and shared a video. It featured motivational speakers, albeit talking loudly, trying to inspire people to fight through the pain we all have to find their WHY-their reason for staying focused and pushing through toward their end goal. I gave the example before showing the...

Depression isn’t just a word. It’s something that can consume your life. It feels like an invisible entity on your shoulder that tells you everything wrong with you. It knows your weaknesses and it knows how to exploit them. Depression feels like a black hole and the harder it pulls, the harder it is to…

I heard a phrase the other day. I wasn’t paying attention so I do not recall where I heard it, but the phrase struck me. The person speaking said the group of people they were referencing were “too busy surviving to dream”. For some reason, the term really resonated with me. It made me think…

Have you ever heard someone say “I’m so OCD” because they like their surroundings to be neat and tidy? Have you ever said this yourself? If so, I have a shocking personal fact to tell you. I have OCD and I’m not bothered when my room gets messy. How could this be? While it’s true…

Hello! I hope you are doing well through these unprecedented times. Ever since COVID-19 hit our world, the number of people struggling with substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and mental health issues has spiked. The truth is these issues can impact any of us, especially during the holiday season. Labeling yourself as a person with depression,…

I am dedicating this holiday season to volunteering. I don’t know how successful I am going to be but I’m desperate to inject a little life into my holiday season. With COVID-19 shutting down any chance I have of going out and about, I am working hard to figure out how to volunteer for the...

Recently, I celebrated my second anniversary with depression. I know it sounds absurd. Depression isn’t some occasion to praise but trust me, it is. In this blog, I will tell you how and why. So tighten your seat belts we are going on a roller coaster ride of past and present emotions.:) Since my childhood,...