How Athletes are Affected by Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Adolescents and young adults who play high school and college sports face unique stressors that can leave them vulnerable to developing substance use and mental health disorders. In this interview, Dominique Jones shares ways that parents, coaches and professionals can support young athletes who are struggling or at risk. Dominique is a primary mental health therapist at High Focus Centers in Sandy Springs, Georgia. A Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, she earned her master’s degree from Clayton State University. Which behavioral health issues are most commonly seen in athletes? There are particular stressors that come along with playing a sport and [...]
The Top Signs Your Teen Needs a Partial Hospitalization Program
Your teenager might require a partial hospitalization program if they begin exhibiting certain signs, such as if they completed a residential treatment plan; are being discharged from an inpatient program; are struggling to develop or maintain daily responsibilities; or have relapsed multiple times.
Partial Hospitalization Program: What it is, Who it’s For, Why it’s Used
A partial hospitalization program is a structured treatment program for individuals struggling with a mental health disorder, substance use disorder or dual diagnosis.
Are LGBTQ+ Individuals More Prone to Substance Use?
Social stigmas, discrimination and harrassment put LGBTQ+ people at a greater risk of addiction and other mental health issues than heterosexual and cisgender individuals.
How to Spot A Heroin Addiction in Your Loved One
You can spot heroin use in your loved one by the presence of needle marks, financial issues, secretive behavior, symptoms of withdrawal and more.
Family Support in Recovery
Studies show that family support as a component of intervention contributes to a higher rate of success in recovery from substance use. Here’s how to help your loved one.
Here’s Why You Need Social Support in Addiction Recovery
Your intro to peer groups that encourage social support in addiction recovery, like Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, SOS and more.
The Meaning of Co-Occurring Disorders
Learn about co-occurring disorders meaning, and the effect that mental illness and substance abuse can have on an individual.
Common Mental Health Disorders that Co-Occur with Eating Disorders
Some people experience the symptoms of an eating disorder and other mental health disorders at the same time. For example, you might have the lack of energy and sadness common with depression while also severely restricting your food intake. So which mental health disorder should you be diagnosed with - depression or an eating disorder? In many cases, you’ll actually be diagnosed with both. These two conditions are called co-occurring disorders since they happen at the same time. How Common Are Co-Occurring Disorders? Co-occurring mental health and eating disorders are more common than you might think. According to a 2015 [...]
Teletherapy and Online Substance Abuse Treatment: What You Need to Know
Teletherapy combines the use of technology with therapy to deliver treatment through video conferencing and web-based tools. In today’s world, it’s increasingly important to provide accessible, safe, and effective treatment options to patients. For this reason, teletherapy is becoming a more common option for patients seeking addiction treatment. It allows a person to receive effective treatment often without requiring them to leave the comfort of their home. It can be easy to think of teletherapy as only being useful for mental health treatment; however, teletherapy is also just as effective for substance abuse counseling and treatment. If you or someone [...]
Understanding the Link Between Mental Illness and Substance Use
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) estimates that over half of adults in the United States who experience a substance use disorder have a co-occurring mental illness. Dealing with mental illness isn’t easy, but it’s even more difficult when you have a substance use disorder. Research shows that there is a connection between substance use and mental health disorders. When mental health disorders go untreated, substance abuse issues get worse, and vice versa. To get on the path to recovery, treatment for both disorders is needed. Which Comes First: Mental Illness or Substance Use? In many cases, those suffering [...]
How Recovery Skills Training Maximizes Substance Use Treatment
Substance use treatment at High Focus Centers is comprehensive, involving multiple avenues of help from qualified professionals, from group therapy to psychiatric care. Together, they improve your quality of life. However, success also relies on you doing your part to reach recovery, and your part is to acquire recovery skills that will support your treatment plan and prevent relapse after initial treatment. They may seem minor, but they form the foundation of drug-free life, reducing your risk of returning to unhealthy life choices. What Are Recovery Skills? Essentially, these are tools that aid in achieving and sustaining recovery. Common skills [...]
