That time of year is upon us in Iowa: the winter blues, that bout of seasonal depression, sad in overdrive, winter depression, the low-temperature lonelies, angry-winter-bird mood, frozen heart syndrome: these are all real and pretend names for seasonal affective
The postpartum period is the same for all women in the world, whether or not they suffer from substance use disorder (SUD). When a woman gives birth, the first 40 days up to the first year following that birth make
There is significant evidence to demonstrate that our childhood experiences stay with us—for good or for ill—throughout our lives. When those experiences are traumatic, they can increase the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder later in life. Those traumatic
Are you angry and frustrated all the time? Have your behavior and poor choices made others angry with you? Anger is a state of feeling frustrated, irritated, or enraged after experiencing negative internal or external triggers. While anger is a
If your loved one suffers from a substance use disorder, you know how hard it can be to try to care for them. All too often, loved ones of those who have an addiction get overwhelmed by worry, frustration, and
As the holiday season continues its march through the next month, it can bring with it excitement and energy. If you’re in addiction recovery, you might find that the break in routine and the extra time with family is a
As we approach the season of gift-buying and giving, the financial burden can feel a little overwhelming depending on the size of your family and friend group and their expectations. Even though it’s fun to exchange gifts, gift-giving can easily
Effective Sober Coping Strategies in Recovery Coping with stressful circumstances is a psychological and emotional skill. If you are in addiction recovery, you’re aware that using substances was your way of coping with environmental, emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. Now
When people enter addiction recovery, they often come face to face with feelings and memories they were using substances to avoid. And because addiction is a disease in which the substance/s hijack the brain, people in active addiction can find
Some fifteen years ago, when I was in middle school, I remember how alarmingly popular it was to “cut.” Cutting was the practice, usually carried out by girls, of making small, superficial but certainly painful cuts on the wrists, arms,
Can You Believe in God and Be Addicted to Drugs? One of the saddest consequences of drug addiction is isolation. When people realize that recreational drug use or dependence on painkillers is getting the best of them, they withdraw from
Do you suspect your teenager is depressed or has a drug addiction? Parents of teenagers may have difficulty discerning whether their children’s mood swings are part of the normal turmoil of adolescence or a sign of something more serious. According to the
