Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is most commonly associated with veterans who return from war, but this disorder also affects children, adolescents, women and men who have experienced a traumatic event. The DSM-5 defines PTSD as a traumatic event that has occurred directly to the victim, is witnessed by the victim, or has occurred to a […]

Addiction’s a disease of the brain. It’s chronic, often requiring a lifetime of treatment to manage, and relapses are common. For some, calling it a disease can sound like a cliché or a way to dodge responsibility, especially if living with an addict in the family has caused frustration and fear — but it’s the […]

The holidays are a stressful time for many. With all the preparation leading up to family gatherings, it is common for people to struggle with anxiety or depression. For a teenager going into or continuing behavioral health treatment, the stress of the holidays can be intensified. The teenager may feel put on the spot with […]

The abuse of prescription drugs by teens has skyrocketed recently. Every day in the U.S., 2,500 teens ages 12 to 17 abuse a prescription pain reliever for the first time. Users may be given the medications by family members or friends, but one of the most common sources is the family medicine cabinet. Parents who […]

“I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself,” wrote Franz Kafka in his short story, “The Metamorphosis.” Similar to the character in this story, many teens struggle with mental illness and are denied the proper care they need; proverbially leaving them […]

Parents with mental health and/or addiction problems may have difficulty maintaining a safe and nurturing environment or providing for their children’s needs. Substance use and mental health disorders are both recognized as risk factors for child abuse and neglect, and involvement in the child welfare system. Some states have established child protection laws that address […]

For teenagers today, there is an exponentially higher need to succeed. As high school class sizes continue to increase, the competition to get accepted into a well-respected college and enter a stable career rises as well. This pervasive pressure weighs adolescents down and can significantly influence the developing brain. If left unaddressed, chronic stress can […]

There is a wide array of stimuli that can negatively affect an adolescent’s mental state at the end of the year. Especially for those recovering from substance abuse or addiction, these detrimental ingredients can boil up during the winter months and eventually erupt at times of celebration. To ensure a happy holiday and reduce the […]

Billy assumed that his friends only wanted to talk to him, to complain about him “being whipped,” ever since he began seeing Jessica; how he has spent less time with his friends and more time with her. However, his friends were more concerned with his increased drinking habits and substance abuse at parties. Billy’s friends […]

The old adage, wounds heal and scars fade, rings true for people of all ages dealing with physical or mental pain. Teenagers may be spry and full of youth but are not immune to pain. Teens who never receive proper treatment for substance abuse or mental health issues, may continue an endless cycle of pain, […]