It’s likely not too surprising that years of substance abuse can take a nutritional toll on the body. That’s because both alcohol and drugs can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which threaten physical and mental health, damage vital organs and the nervous system, and compromise the immune system. For instance, research shows that alcoholics can…
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You know that exercise is good for you – and it’s also a great recovery tool. Among the many health benefits, working out can improve heart health, increase concentration, remove toxins from the body, ease anxiety, and reduce substance cravings. Here are a few more of the many ways that a good sweat session can…
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U.S. Olympic swimmer Allison Schmitt, 26, is making waves when it comes to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. This week, the Olympian, who finished second in the women’s 4X100m freestyle relay, spoke candidly about her own struggles with depression and how therapy and the support of her friends, family, and coach have helped her…
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It’s likely not too shocking that trauma and addiction are intertwined. In fact, trauma has been linked with drug abuse as well as with overeating, compulsive sexual behavior, and other types of addiction. And the connection is most profound among the female population: As many as 80 percent of women seeking treatment for drug abuse…
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Just as we now know that alcoholism is not just a “man’s disease,” we also know that eating disorders and poor body image aren’t just “women’s problems.” At least one million men suffer from eating disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health. A study in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that nearly 18 percent of adolescent…
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Learning to control your anger is an important step in your lasting recovery. While we all get angry, feeling anger too strongly or displaying it frequently and aggressively can be harmful to your health. It can place extreme physical strain on your body and, if you’re not careful, it can become a harmful habit that’s…
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Most of us have overstuffed ourselves at one point in time — whether after a particularly stressful day at work or during a calorie-laden holiday feast. For the 3.5 percent of American women and 2 percent of American men with binge-eating disorder, or BED, this type of overeating becomes frequent — leading to recurrent binges and…
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Succulent strawberries may seem like the perfect summertime treat – these berries are loaded with vitamin C (which is known to be helpful in the detoxification process of withdrawal) and they’ll surely satisfy any sweet craving! Unfortunately, however, they’ve also just reached the number-one spot on the “Dirty Dozen,” or rankings released by the Environmental…
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Teens and young adults face many challenges as they work to find their unique place in the world, especially while they struggle with substance misuse or a dual diagnosis like depression or anxiety. The Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine says pet therapy programs can…
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Food should do more than just taste good. Choosing a diet rich in amino acids gives your body the nourishment it needs to repair damage caused by drug or alcohol abuse. Think of proper nutrition as a key part of your recovery toolbox: working in tandem with counseling and other treatments to help you begin…
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