coping with stress

Most people who have a mental health and/or substance use disorder can be effectively treated— including those with disorders that are very disabling such as schizophrenia. The future is even more promising as we better understand mental illness and develop [...]

Beata Klimek is remarkable: a woman willing to tell her story with unflinching candour, name included. A mother of two, comfortable sharing the details of her serious alcohol abuse, her recovery, and her life in the aftermath. Read her story [...]

Prevention: Pervasive, consistent messages to young people about drugs and alcohol can be an effective tool. Effective prevention requires that the same messages about alcohol, drugs, and tobacco be delivered by multiple messengers-schools, parents, peers, and the community-repeatedly throughout childhood [...]

Acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms Symptoms may vary depending on the individual. There may be mild or severe symptoms, and some may need close inpatient, or medical supervision. Serious withdrawal symptoms include: Delirium tremens The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome Seizures Depression Electrolyte disturbances [...]

Familes are often the primary support for people who have substance use and/or mental health problems. Families are likely to experience significant physical, emotional, social and spiritual stress. Although there are a growing number of interventions designed to help and [...]

If someone you love is sick, it can be scary. When they are sick with a mental disorder it can be especially scary. It can be hard to see someone you love in pain and it’s confusing when someone you [...]

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? It is a way of talking about: how you think about yourself, the world and other people how what you do affects your thoughts and feelings. CBT can help you to change how you [...]

Many times people have questions about Enabling. It is important to understand that enabling doesn’t actually come from the person who is doing the enabling. In actuality it is a learned behavior that is being taught or trained by a [...]

To understand the disease of addiction it is important to understand the underlying causes of it, how it develops, what are the symptoms & the behaviors that accompany it. Many of us feel confused when dealing with substance abuse issues. [...]

Understanding Alcohols Damaging Effects on the Brain While alcohol has a wide range of pharmacological effects on the body, the brain is a primary target. However, the molecular mechanisms by which alcohol alters neuronal activity in the brain are poorly understood. [...]

1. Alcoholism affects the entire family. Living with a non-recovering alcoholic in the family can contribute to stress for all members of the family. Each member may be affected differently. Not all alcoholic families experience or react to this stress [...]

Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever experiencing negative consequences or addiction. For many others, substance use can cause problems at work, home, school, and in relationships, leaving you feeling isolated, helpless, or ashamed. If [...]