Signs of Xanax Overdose
If an anxiety or panic disorder interferes with your quality of life, your doctor may prescribe you Xanax to manage your symptoms. Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which have a sedative effect. Unfortunately, these prescription drugs also carry a high potential for abuse and accidental overdose, even […]
Drug-Induced Psychosis
Psychosis is a mental health symptom that causes a break from reality. Because it alters the way your brain processes information, this condition can induce hallucinations or make you believe unrealistic things. While psychotic episodes are characteristic of illnesses like schizophrenia, extreme stress and trauma can also trigger psychosis, and so can substance abuse. How […]
Goals for the New Year
Setting New Year’s resolutions is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. However, while anyone can create goals, the challenge lies in sticking to them. If you don’t set specific, realistically attainable resolutions, you could be positioning yourself for discouragement a few weeks or months from now. Healthy New Year’s resolutions are especially vital […]
Grief and Loss: Dealing With Sadness in Addiction Recovery
At any stage of your sobriety journey, practicing healthy coping strategies is a must for staying on track with your goals and preventing a relapse. The complexities of grief and loss can be challenging, whether you’ve been sober for a few months or several years. These emotions may be especially painful during the holiday season, […]
The Dangers of Recreational Drug Use
For thousands of years, humans have used drugs like hallucinogens, alcohol and marijuana to achieve altered states of consciousness. Even today, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports an increase in illicit drug use, with more than 23 million Americans experimenting with recreational drugs every year. While you may assume it’s safe to use drugs […]
Holiday Events in Long Beach
Long Beach is a vibrant community all year long, but the holiday season brings opportunities to create new memories while enjoying the company of caring friends and family. After the COVID-19 pandemic caused so many people to cancel or curtail their holiday plans in 2020, many of us are looking forward to participating in beloved […]
Polysubstance Abuse
Addiction is a complicated, chronic illness involving various components, including heredity, environment and the presence of co-occurring mental health disorders. If these factors combine to heighten your risk of developing a substance use disorder, you should also be concerned about the potential for polysubstance abuse. While most people understand the dangers of drugs like opioids […]
Are There Different Types of Depression?
Depression is an illness that can take multiple forms. If you have depression, your symptoms can also wax and wane over time and occur alongside other mental health conditions such as anxiety. While everyone feels down in the dumps sometimes, depression is a lingering, intense sadness that can take the joy out of life and […]
Celebrating World Mental Health Day
This Sunday, Oct. 10, is World Mental Health Day – an observation of worldwide mental health issues and their effect on people’s overall well-being. Despite the prevalence of disorders like anxiety and depression, we still have a long way to go to fight the stigma associated with these illnesses and educate people about available treatments. […]