Blog
Is Addiction a Disease?
Addiction is a complex disease that affects millions of people across the world. It can be difficult to understand how something that seems like a choice can actually be a mental health disorder that can consume a person's life. The importance of recognizing addiction...
Pregnancy and Alcohol Consumption
Pregnancy is both a beautiful and challenging time for both parents. In a culture where people drink alcohol to take the edge off, it can be hard to accept that alcohol is harmful during pregnancy. Fortunately, there are other techniques to help you unwind that can...
How Does Age Affect Addiction?
Addiction to prescription medications is a growing problem, particularly among older adults. With the increased use of medications to treat complex medical and psychological conditions, older adults are more exposed to addictive substances and behaviors than ever...
Understanding Underage Drinking
Navigating underage drinking takes trust and teamwork between teens and their parents. As parents learn to trust their teens' ability to manage themselves, it can be helpful to establish strong boundaries and guidelines around alcohol. When you work with your teen and...
How Can I Develop Self-Compassion?
Many people struggle with feeling compassion for themselves. Feelings of guilt, failure, and shame can often make us feel like we're worthless. These feelings can be magnified in times of active addiction or recovery. In these times, we may feel like we've let...
The Impact of Nature Therapy on Addiction Recovery
There are many different approaches to addiction treatment and recovery, such as nature therapy. Nature therapy is a great way to get outdoors and feel connected to the earth and yourself. Through nature therapy, you can promote mindfulness and well-being. At West...
How Does My Diet Affect My Recovery?
Every doctor and science teacher has probably told you about the importance of a balanced diet. The foods you eat contain nutrients that fuel your body and allow you to perform daily tasks. By receiving the correct balance of nutrients through different foods, your...
What Are Eating Disorders?
Having a healthy body image is the best prevention for eating disorders, but that's not always an easy ask. For some individuals, reaching the ideal body image can prove to become a major detriment to their health. This article will discuss what eating disorders are,...
Am I Enabling My Loved One?
With addiction, there are many blurred lines. When a loved one is struggling with addiction or substance use disorder (SUD), it can often be hard to find the line between supporting them and enabling them. It pains us to see someone we love struggling, and we want to...
The Relationship Between Drinking Water and Mental Wellness
Maintaining a healthy state of mind can be difficult when you don't have the right tools. It can also feel impossible when you overthink all the things that you would have to do. Keeping up with your mental health isn't as hard as you would think. It can be as simple...