Grief is an emotion that occurs after loss, especially the loss of a loved one. Symptoms of grief may be denial, shock, guilt, or anger. The trauma experienced from a loss of this kind can be all-consuming and debilitating, causing some individuals to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope or develop other mental health…
Addiction is a chronic disease and a chemical dependency. When someone who struggles with drug or alcohol addiction begins the journey to recovery, one of the first steps is to begin primary treatment. This is followed by detox and rehabilitation. Primary treatment programs typically take place over a period of four to six weeks, although…
Millions of people suffer from drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. While abuse and addiction may look the same, they are different and usually call for different treatment approaches. Substance abuse and addiction treatment generally fall into two categories: inpatient and outpatient. Inpatient rehab involves intensive, 24-hour supervised treatment in a residential setting. Outpatient rehab…
Many people choose to get high for the same reasons that they drink alcohol. Using marijuana to get high might help you feel short-term relief from symptoms of mental health issues like anxiety or depression. You might have stress at work or home, and you smoke weed to cope. Or, on the weekends, you might…
April has been observed as Stress Awareness Month since 1992. This nationwide, collaborative effort aims to increase public awareness about the causes and effects of stress, which is considered by most in the healthcare field to be an epidemic in the United States. Stress is generally defined as any factor that causes physical, emotional, or…
Detoxification is the process of eliminating a substance from your body. Drug and alcohol detox is the first step on the road to recovery. Anyone who has been physically and psychologically dependent upon a drug will need to cleanse themselves of the drug in order to heal. A detox program offers support and medical care…
Inpatient treatment is a specifically tailored program where individuals in recovery receive the necessary care to overcome addiction. In an inpatient program, the individual resides at the hospital or treatment center for the duration of treatment. The length of time required depends on the person, the severity of the addiction, their physician’s decisions, and the…
At Westwind Recovery®, we offer virtual reality meditation as a tool that you can use on your road to recovery. What do meditation and virtual reality have in common? Both offer a way to rid the mind of current thoughts and to help you learn more about yourself. This cutting-edge therapy can help those in…
Many people associate addiction treatment with residential rehab. In this setting, clients spend thirty to ninety days living in a treatment center where they will eat, sleep, and participate in group and individual therapy. However, there are several other models of treatment. Outpatient addiction treatment is a good option for those who have completed an…
Those in the LGBTQ community can face unique challenges when it comes to overcoming addiction issues. Whether these include conflicts with family, isolation from peers, or past traumatic experiences, members of this community would benefit from targeted therapy during treatment. In addition, if an individual is struggling with both addiction and mental health issues, their…