substance use

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…

Life during addiction can feel a bit like a train wreck. You’re moving along just fine, enjoying life’s splendid views, when suddenly everything goes off the rails. Addiction can wreck relationships, leave your finances in ruin, and deteriorate your health. Luckily, it’s always possible to turn things around. Addiction recovery is all about putting those…

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…

This girl was like every other person. She was getting used to her new job, interacting, and working like a maniac because she was taking work too seriously. Then one day something started to happen―during her commute home she began crying unexpectedly. For two weeks straight that happened to her, she did not tell anyone....

When the COVID pandemic first began, like so many others worldwide I assumed that the worst would be over in a couple of months. In the beginning, I actually flourished, practicing good self-care by keeping in touch with friends and family through phone calls, emails and FaceTime. I also kept up faithfully with regular Zoom...

Everyone has experienced loss in their lifetime, whether it is a family member, special love, friend, coworker, neighbor, or pet. Loss is hard. It colors your world. Loss is defined as “the process of losing someone”. It is a process as you cope with the void left behind. Everyone heals in their own ways. Sometimes...

Jerome Hughes was on the winning Titans high school football team living his dream. Coming from the inner city of Alexandria, Virginia in the time of desegregation, Jerome found it difficult to navigate the world around him. He dreamed of being a pro-football player so he could be a role model for other young African…