The roots of trauma run deep. On the surface, you may think you’re handling everything just fine, but if there’s unresolved or unaddressed trauma, it’s crucial to recognize how it affects your entire being—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In addition, researchers acknowledge that substance abuse is often both a symptom of prior trauma and a...Read More

Collective Differences No matter how hard we try to make all aspects of life equal, there are clear differences between those who identify as male and those who identify as female–not just individual differences but collective ones, based on some biological factors but mostly on societal perceptions. These differences are notable in many areas, including...Read More

Food addiction is a genuine concern for many people, and like many process addictions, this compulsive condition is representative of more serious issues that need to be addressed. Highs and Cravings Individuals who struggle with food addiction often eat to excess and crave foods high in artificial sweeteners, fat, salt, sugar, or a combination of...Read More

Breaking the Mold While advertising campaigns and the media often portray the holiday season in the same merry ways every year, sometimes people in recovery feel there are more complications than joys during this time. They might find it challenging to talk with relatives about where they are in sobriety, or struggle with a sense...Read More

A Connection Many people who experience anxiety are also challenged by substance abuse. Additionally, researchers have reason to believe that anxiety—and other mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—contribute to the reasons why someone may become addicted to alcohol or drugs. It’s critical for healthcare providers, rehabilitation professionals, loved ones,...Read More

Video games date back to the 1950s. A British professor created a simple tic-tac-toe computerized game as part of his dissertation in 1952. To demonstrate the abilities of the latest analog computer and oscilloscope screen, a researcher in New York designed a tennis game in 1958. A few years later, a professor at MIT invented...Read More

Feeling lonely can happen any time of year, but it’s often more apparent during the holiday season. Loneliness is a valid emotion, and it’s fine to acknowledge it. It’s also a feeling you can change with a certain level of acceptance and helpful actions. Alone Vs. Lonely First, it’s important to understand the difference between...Read More

Once Misunderstood–Now Recommended At one time, meditation was misunderstood, and few people considered it a viable option for improved health. Now, scientific studies confirm that various forms of meditation provide benefits that, while still unique to each individual, are quantifiable enough to be part of a recommended wellness plan. People in recovery from substance abuse,...Read More

You Want to Help When someone you love is in pain, it’s a natural impulse to want to help in any way you can. If you feel you’ve contributed to this misery in some form, the urge to absolve yourself and take away feelings of guilt or shame—even if you’re really not part of the...Read More

Americans love to shop. In 2018, overall retail spending in the United States exceeded $3.6 trillion. Retail e-commerce purchases in America totaled $517.36 billion—more than any other country. In addition, more people use smartphones to shop rather than laptops/desktops than ever before because of convenience—46 percent of online shopping orders are placed with phones.* There’s...Read More