Category: Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

Along with the physical health impacts of COVID-19, there have also been psychological impacts related to the pandemic. Tele-mental health services are feasible and appropriate to support individuals, families, and essential workers during this time. Psychological symptoms can be observed in our society as we see anxiety driven panic buying...

The Washington Post posted an article on the Coronavirus pandemic’s impact on our mental health as it shared that America is on the verge of another health crisis of mental health: depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide.  This article was relatable, as a licensed clinical social worker who...

Since starting a career in the substance abuse field, I’ve had the chance to work with many clients who have experienced a relapse. I’ve also helped them discover factors that have influenced their relapse. Since Covid-19 began, individuals in recovery and those who have achieved sobriety are facing two challenges...

Many forms of mental health that affect individuals––depression being one of them. When we hear the word depression, we may often think of someone who is just sad, upset, or having a hard time dealing with emotions and feelings. It sounds like something with a simple solution, right?  While depression...

Something you will hear going to 12-step meetings is “relapse is part of recovery”. In my opinion it doesn’t have to be. However, if you do relapse it’s OK. What is important is that it’s a short relapse, get back to a meeting or into treatment. It is easy to...

With all the uncertainty that’s going on, I have been reading a lot about how we are all in the same boat, which in my opinion is not the case at all. We are in the same storm but not the same boat. My boat can be floating and someone...

There has never been a more uncertain and unsettling time than the one we continue to experience on a daily basis. No one could predict we would be experiencing a global pandemic resulting in self-quarantine. During this time, people have experienced and continue to experience unanticipated situations such as job...

Addiction negatively impacts all relationships the individual has whether it may be family relationships, friendships or intimate relationships. When an individual is deep in their addiction they not only are trying to survive day to day in order to avoid becoming sick from withdrawal but also continue to engage in...

Crisis occurs for any number of reasons. Sometimes it is a natural disaster, major loss in the family, loss of job or financial status. Sometimes it is a global pandemic, which results in widespread social isolation. If we are lucky, we have family to be isolated with, even if it...

COVID-19 and lockdown has been especially tough for people in recovery from addiction because addiction leads to and flourishes in isolation. As alcohol and other drugs use can overtake a person’s life, their social life and contact with others then begins to narrow. Thus, substance use becomes the main focus...