In today’s society, “self-help” is frequently advertised as a preferential, fulfilling form of self-improvement. Budgeting the family budget without the assistance of a financial advisor would be considered economical self-help while exercising and healthy eating would be physical self-help, and so on. While these practices are commendable, there are areas where these DIY methods should…
Benzodiazepines and opioids can be harmful and potentially fatal on their own; however, combining these two substances should be avoided at all costs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 16 percent of overdose deaths involving opioids also involved benzodiazepines in 2016. It is important to understand the chemical makeup of these two substances…
What is 12- Step Therapy? A common and traditional therapeutic method, 12-step therapy typically addresses substance abuse and dependency. This therapy is organized into 12 steps that confront the cognitive process in which individuals decide to continue use. Within this model, it is taught that addiction is a decision made by an individual’s entire essence,…
What is Motivational Interview Therapy? Motivational interviewing is a therapeutic method that assists clients in channeling the motivation they need in order to change their behavior. This form of therapy practices functionality and compassion as it acknowledges the difficulty in making life changes. In motivational interviewing, the therapist is accepting and patient while providing clarity…
What is Nature Immersion Therapy? Nature Immersion Therapy, or Nature Therapy, has grown increasingly common within treatment centers in the past few years. This therapeutic approach stems from ecopsychology, a type of psychology that nurtures an individual’s connection to the earth. Nature Immersion Therapy is typically comprised of various techniques and methods that involve an…
What Is Tianeptine? A new drug has recently been making headlines due to the ongoing battle surrounding its legality. The drug in question is Tianeptine, commonly sold under the name Tianna. First synthesized in the 1960s by the French Society of Medical Research, Tianeptine was established as an atypical antidepressant and anxiety medication. Although legal…
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy? Dialectical Behavior Therapy, otherwise known as DBT, is a form of psychotherapy rooted in Cognitive science. Initially used to treat severe borderline personality disorder, DBT is currently used to treat high-risk individuals involved in forms of self-harm such as suicidal ideation or substance abuse. This therapy works to dismantle negative…
What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a therapeutic method that focuses on shifting behavioral patterns and thought processes. CBT is used in treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance use disorders due to the mental component they all share. Traditional, psychoanalytic forms of therapy are mainly used to diagnose individuals,…
What is SMART Therapy? SMART Recovery was founded in 1992 and stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. This nonprofit organization promotes abstinence and hosts support meetings similar to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, however, SMART is a self-proclaimed alternative to such twelve-step programs. A unique facet of SMART is the belief that addiction is a…
History of Kratom Clinically known as mitragyna speciosa, kratom is derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. The plant produces both opioid and stimulant substances that have been used in holistic medicine since the 1800s. Traditionally, the leaves are chewed to relieve musculoskeletal pain and increase energy, whereas different extracts from the leaves…