Music and Mental Health
In an online group I’m in about sobriety, someone said listening to music is part of their recovery. I started learning drums after I got
A Conversation With Thomas McCarry of Zero Overdose
I spoke over Zoom with Thomas McCarry of Zero Overdose, an organization he cofounded that offers psychoeducation about overdose prevention to providers and communities. We
What is the History of Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment?
It’s important to treat addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously. People with mental health disorders may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, but those substances tend
What is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change throughout the lifetime. The brain can continue to change into old age in response to your experiences, creating
Can You Be Addicted if You’re High-Functioning?
You may have heard of “high-functioning” addiction. This is when someone with an active substance use disorder appears as though they have it all together.
Staying Sober Through Hard Times
Chronically using substances tends to make our lives more stressful—and us less able to handle stress. The longer time you spend in recovery, the more
Replacing Substance Use
In active addiction, our brains are so used to getting massive amounts of dopamine that it reduces dopamine receptors. This neurotransmitter is involved in anticipating
How to Select a Treatment Facility
Introduction to Treatment Facilities If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, selecting the right treatment facility can make
Addiction as Self-Soothing
Sometimes when we haven’t been taught healthy methods for coping with pain, we use drugs or alcohol to self-soothe. As Liz, who I interviewed for
How Recovery Changes Over Time
Over time when you’re sober, some things about recovery stay the same—and many things change. It continues to be full of surprises, rewards, and challenges.