How Do You Feel Your Emotions?
At over six years sober, I’ve found that one of the most challenging—and rewarding—parts of recovery is learning to sit with feelings sober. So many of us with addictions get used to numbing or distorting our feelings. During active addiction, we used drugs or alcohol to do this, but even in sobriety we can rely […]
Kid Cudi
The rapper Kid Cudi is candid about his struggles with anxiety and depression. He first opened up about his mental health in 2016, when he wrote a letter to his fans saying he was attending treatment for anxiety and depression. In this letter, he said, “My anxiety and depression have ruled my life for as […]
What are the Links Between Depression and Alcohol Use?
Alcohol use disorder and depression often co-occur. People who are struggling with symptoms of depression may use alcohol to self-medicate. Then, chronic alcohol use can cause or exacerbate symptoms of depression. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, meaning it slows your system down and reduces stimulation. It interacts with—and throws off the balance of—various […]
What are Reputable Sources About Addiction and Mental Health?
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or mental health disorders, you probably want to learn more about these topics. Doing so can help you figure out the next steps for yourself, or better support your friend or family member. There is so much content available online, but not all of it […]
Finding Comfort in Recovery
While it is important to go out of your comfort zone in recovery, it’s also helpful to find a sense of comfort. This doesn’t mean complacency—it means figuring out what makes you feel most supported, safe, and secure. Support Systems When you feel a basic sense of safety and comfort in recovery, it can give […]
National Stress Awareness Day
Today is National Stress Awareness Day. As we approach another winter in COVID and the holidays, stress levels might be high. This day is a reminder of the ways stress impacts us physically, mentally, and emotionally—and what we can do to reduce it. When we’re stressed, we often feel powerless. We can’t control whether lots […]
Jada Pinkett Smith’s Show Red Table Talk Helps Break Stigma About Addiction and Mental Health
Jada Pinkett Smith’s show Red Table Talk—which she hosts along with her mom Adrienne Banfield-Norris and daughter Willow Smith—continually works to destigmatize mental health and addiction. Pinkett Smith and Banfield-Norris are both in recovery themselves and have been candid about their struggles. Red Table Talk looks at complicated topics in a nuanced way that we […]
Amatus Health’s Avi Burstein featured in Authority Magazine
Amatus Health’s Avi Burstein was featured in Authority Magazine. He sat down with them for their “Heroes of the Addiction Crisis” series. Burstein is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland and the VP of Clinical Services. He talks about how he wants to make a difference when it comes to addiction. “I wish someone […]
World Suicide Prevention Day
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. There is still a stigma about suicide that days like today aim to end. This is important, because stigma keeps people in cycles of shame and can prevent them from seeking help for suicidal thoughts. Suicide Statistics According to the CDC, in 2019, suicide was the second-leading cause of […]
The Differences Between Hyperfixation and Addiction
Have you ever become so immersed in something that hours and hours pass without you realizing it? Perhaps it was binge-watching an entire season of a TV show in one weekend. Maybe it was playing a video game from dusk till dawn and realizing it’s time to dress for work or putting music on a […]