After a rough day, sometimes it feels good to talk about your frustrations with someone else. Venting is a term that can be used to describe the release of difficult feelings by talking about them to another person. Whether this is beneficial or not can depend on several factors. At Cottonwood in Tucson, Arizona, we...Read More

Controlled stimulants (amphetamines) have been prescribed for ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) since the early 1970s. However, in past decades ADHD diagnoses were not nearly as common as they are in the 2020s. As detection, diagnosis, and awareness have increased, so have the number of prescriptions for potentially addictive ADHD meds. Many mental health professionals are...Read More

Americans are more focused on mental health than ever. We’re in a strange time in this country’s history, both culturally and emotionally. The Internet has us more connected than ever, yet many of us feel increasingly isolated.  If you think people seem angrier and more confrontational than they were just 10 years ago or so,...Read More

An anxiety disorder can have a tremendous impact on your quality of life. Most people who have ever experienced serious social anxiety, PTSD, or panic attacks struggle to understand just how drastically these conditions can affect everyday life. However regular use of a controlled substance like benzodiazepines often comes with a host of other concerns. ...Read More

Most experts agree that the most effective regimen will include a combination of approaches if you’re trying to improve your mental health. These may include mental health treatment that includes, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy — but wellness practices like meditation are also proven to deliver results.  In this article, Cottonwood Tucson explores the mental health benefits...Read More

Mental health specialists long suspected there were links between trauma and addiction. Just as traumatic experiences have an impact on other avenues of mental health, addiction can arise as a response to trauma symptoms.  In this article, Cottonwood Tucson examines the connections between trauma and addiction and how trauma-informed substance use disorder treatment is making...Read More

Looking after your own mental health is one of the most important forms of self-care. Many of us pay great attention to diet, skincare, and physical fitness — but may fail to invest in our mental health. It’s not always immediately apparent if your mental health isn’t ideal. The truth is that it is far...Read More

Although summer heat is nothing to mess with (especially in Tucson—whew!), there still seems to be a lazy, hazy quality to the time between the holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day. So how can you make the most of them?   The Joy of Exploration We all feel it sometimes: the grind of daily living....Read More

The freedom to express your thoughts and emotions doesn’t mean you have to do it out loud. There’s tremendous value to creating a journaling routine to explore different feelings and release what no longer serves you. And there’s a wonderful art to making the process work best for your style and purpose. Journaling—That’s a Diary,...Read More

People often say, “I just can’t do meditation!” because they believe if they can’t sit cross-legged on a poofy cushion for hours on end, “they’re not doing it right.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Whether you’re a long-time practitioner or someone eager to expand your options, there are many ways to improve your...Read More