Mental Illness | Co-Occurring Disorders
Resources for Parents of Children with Substance Use and Mental Disorders
Resources for parents of children with substance use and other mental disorders can be a huge help. Providing resources from a scientific, brain centered approach is even better. Why? Because substance use and other mental disorders change brain health and function. The brain is the organ that controls everything a person thinks, feels, says and…
Read More4 Things to Support Brain Health and Function for Recovery
Are you in recovery from from substance use / mental health / behavioral disorders? Are you trying to heal from the chronic stress-related impacts of secondhand drinking? All four of these conditions negatively affect the health and function of the brain. And it is our brain that controls everything we think, feel, say and do. There…
Read MoreDied by Suicide – Language Matters
It is died by suicide. Not committed suicide. This distinction matters, and it personally matters to me. I had a relative who died by suicide. “The phrase ‘committed suicide’” …ignores the fact that suicide is often the consequence of an unaddressed illness (like depression, trauma or another mental health issue). It should be regarded in…
Read MoreWhen Brain Development Views Risk With Reason
When brain development views risk with reason was in the news in 2021 – thanks to Simone Biles. Her withdrawal from the women’s Olympic gymnastics team final to take care of her mental health was met with huge support by some and huge condemnation by others. I find the condemnation reactions absurd. I mean seriously,…
Read MoreCo-occurring Disorders Require Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment
Co-occurring disorders require co-occurring disorders treatment. So what are they? Co-occurring disorders means having a substance use and two or more other mental health disorders (aka mental illnesses) at the same time. (Substance Use Disorders are commonly referred to as alcoholism, addiction or drug or alcohol abuse.) A person with anxiety, depression and alcoholism (aka…
Read MoreEarly Trauma Can Change a Child’s Brain
Early trauma can change a child’s brain. These brain changes can alter the physical and emotional health of that child across their lifetime. Seriously. And why might readers of BreakingTheCycles.com be interested in this topic? Because trauma – also referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – is often at the root of alcohol and…
Read MoreKey Information About Alcoholism
How many times has your loved one promised to stop or cut down their drinking only to relapse – again? How many times have they looked you straight in the eye and said, “No,” when you ask if they’ve been drinking? How many times have they driven, ruined a family gathering or hurt your feelings deeply…
Read MoreHonor Veterans Support Their Mental Health
One of the most important ways we can honor our veterans this Veterans Day is to support their mental health. And I mean SUPPORT as in doing the same kinds of things we do to SUPPORT a person’s physical health. We don’t question or shame or expect speedy results when a person seeks help and…
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