a group of people talk about the dangers of untreated depression

The Dangers of Untreated Depression

Depression is a serious mental and emotional health issue that is often considered a co-occurring disorder alongside addiction. When our depression is left untreated and unaddressed, there can be a wide range of dangerous effects. Untreated depression can increase our chances of turning to addictions, or worsen them if we’re already addicted. Depression can make… Continue Reading The Dangers of Untreated Depression

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a woman meditates as she thinks of ways mindfulness can help you beat depression

5 Ways Mindfulness Can Help You Beat Depression

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. About 16 million American adults have had at least one depressive episode and the rate of depression appears to be increasing. The increasing rate of depression is partly due to greater awareness and more people seeking help, but it may also be due in part to greater… Continue Reading 5 Ways Mindfulness Can Help You Beat Depression

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two friends discus how to cope with relapse triggers

6 Ways to Cope with Relapse Triggers

Relapse rates are difficult to measure reliably, but one frequently cited study estimates that between 40 and 60 percent of people will experience a relapse. The number is much higher for some substances. People who have quit drinking, for example, have about a 90 percent chance of having at least one relapse, partly because alcohol… Continue Reading 6 Ways to Cope with Relapse Triggers

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a doctor explains to her patient about how to create a relapse prevention plan

Self-Medicating to Escape our Pain  

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, PLEASE get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). When we struggle with addictions, we are often driven to our addictive substances and behaviors because we’re using them to self-medicate to try and escape our inner pain. We come to realize… Continue Reading Self-Medicating to Escape our Pain  

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a woman uses meditation as one of her coping skills for addiction recovery

How Can Mindfulness Help Me in My Recovery?

Mindfulness is the practice of becoming conscious in everything we do, in our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, habits and patterns. When we become more mindful of how we are operating mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, we start to figure out what we need to change in order to be successful in our recovery. Meditation is one… Continue Reading How Can Mindfulness Help Me in My Recovery?

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a woman meditates and wonders how can i find inner peace

How Can I Find Inner Peace?

Living with addiction means we’re often struggling with inner turmoil, tumultuous interpersonal relationships, challenging circumstances, stress, anxiety and depression. At the root of our pain is a lack of inner peace. We don’t feel grounded, centered, stable or secure. We don’t feel at peace with ourselves, our lives, our relationships. Attaining inner peace doesn’t mean… Continue Reading How Can I Find Inner Peace?

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