Bamboo Health

Supporting Your Loved One with a Substance Use Disorder During the Holiday Season

During the holidays, families come together to share meals and make new memories that can last a lifetime. However, for those with a substance use disorder (SUD), this can be both a blessing and a challenge. Supporting a loved one with SUDs may mean changing up the routine to help everyone feel included. Individuals with SUDs will do their best to meet holiday traditions, but friends and family can do their part to be accommodating as well.

Why the Holidays Sometimes Trigger Substance Use Disorders

Between shopping, planning, and traveling, there is typically a lot going on during this time of year. For those with SUDs, walking past the wine rack might be even more difficult than usual. However, by focusing on healthy coping mechanisms, your loved one with substance abuse disorders can get through the holidays with their sanity and sobriety intact. Stress is amplified by reminders of loneliness, family conflict, and financial trouble for those with addiction.

How to Support a Loved One with SUDs During the Holidays

You can help your loved one with SUD stay true to their recovery during the holidays and beyond. Here are some simple tips for doing that.

Don’t Build Parties Around Alcohol

Put the alcohol away, or better yet, don’t buy it at all if you have a loved one with SUD. Watching others drink makes family gatherings and social events awkward and difficult for those with SUDs. Even if they have been in recovery for a long time, they can stumble and relapse during or after a holiday party with alcohol or illicit substances.

Tune into Behaviors

If you attend a holiday event with a friend who has SUDs, keep an eye on them to determine whether they feel comfortable or overwhelmed. You can do this without policing them. Support them with your presence and hold off on grabbing an alcoholic beverage to celebrate the holidays. Most importantly, don’t challenge or put them on the defensive, which may trigger anxiety or relapse.

Suggest an Early Evening

Before leaving for the event, discuss an early exit strategy. As parties drag on, inhibitions may wear down, and your loved one may feel the pressure of their SUD more. Attending for an hour or so and then leaving can alleviate the pressure to stay sober while everyone else is having a drink for the holidays. Prepare to serve as the designated driver. If all goes well, you and your loved one will both be in great condition to drive home. However, it’s better to cover your bases.

Plan Productive and Sober Activities

Healthy activities promote physical and mental well-being — gift your loved one with yoga classes or a gym membership. Skiing and hiking make great holiday activities that boost your endorphins without triggering a relapse in those with SUDs. In any case, staying active is one of the best ways you can support your loved one in recovery.

Help Is Always Available for Substance Use Disorders

When it comes to supporting your loved one with a SUD, keep it simple and don’t forget to enjoy the holidays yourself. By staying relaxed and showing you care, you already provide more support than you know. Keep your loved ones plugged into Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which often sponsor special events during the holidays. If necessary, recommend family therapy focused on dealing with substance use disorders during the holidays.

Education and awareness can prevent triggering events and help everyone enjoy the most beautiful time of the year. Additionally, reaching out your hand to a loved one with SUD reminds them that they are not alone. That may be the best gift you can give them this year. If someone you love is exhibiting the signs of a substance abuse disorder, it’s time to reach out for help. Using the Addiction Treatment Needs Assessment on the Treatment Connection website, you can determine what type of treatment you or your loved one most likely needs.

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG POST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material (collectively, “Information”) contained on this blog post are for informational purposes only. None of the Information is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog post.

Reflecting on World Suicide Prevention Day

World Suicide Prevention Day is Saturday, September 10. Each September, the globe gathers to raise awareness on suicide prevention and honor those who were taken too soon by suicide.

Sponsored by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), this initiative aims to build an effective forum with collaboration among global partners and promoting evidence-based action to reduce suicide rates.

The tragic effects of suicide impact everyone around the world – no matter where you live. Here are some key statistics showing the global magnitude of suicide:

Each year, more than 700,000 lives are lost around the world due to suicide.
Over one in every 100 deaths were caused by suicide.
Suicide is the fourth-leading cause of death globally among individuals ages 15-29.
The global suicide rate is twice as high among men than women.
The U.S. ranks 23rd among countries with the highest suicide rates.
A previous suicide attempt is the biggest risk factor for suicide deaths.

Many citizens of the world experience adverse situations such as violence, abuse, loss, disaster, discrimination, isolation and more. These difficult and trying situations can increase instances of behavioral health disorders and in turn, are associated with suicidal behaviors.

Over the past few decades, the state of mental health across the globe has hit a significant point in history. The number of suicide deaths have risen by 20,000 over the past 30 years around the world.

With each nation suffering from rates of suicide, many countries are advocating for improved access to critical mental healthcare. The U.S. took a significant stride in preventing suicide in July 2022 by launching 988, the easy-to-dial three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. With the rollout of the new number, the U.S. started on a path to streamline critical care for those in crisis and decrease instances of suicide.

Although we must raise awareness all year long to make a change, World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance for everyone around the world to come together to save lives. This year, the theme for World Suicide Prevention Day is “Creating Hope Through Action”.

“By encouraging understanding, reaching in, and sharing experiences, we want to give people the confidence to take action. To prevent suicide requires us to become a beacon of light to those in pain. You can be the light.”

The IASP encourages all to be compassionate, supporting, and understanding to individuals who have experienced the pain of suicidal thoughts and losing a loved one to suicide. By coming together to listen and share, we can all make a difference and spark change.

If someone you love is experiencing thoughts of suicide, your support could truly save their life. Follow these five action steps to communicate with someone who may be suicidal to help them get the care they need and prevent suicide:

Ask – Be transparent and ask your loved one if they have thoughts of suicide. Have a direct dialogue can help your loved one open about their emotional pain. Carefully listen to their answers and ask thoughtful follow-up questions.
Be there – Calling or physically being with your loved one can greatly show your support. Following through with promises of being there for your loved one can improve your connection with them and prevent them from feeling isolated.
Keep them safe –As difficult as it is to ask questions about your loved one’s suicidal thoughts, it can help keep them as safe as possible. Create a proactive plan to reduce access to lethal means to ensure they are out of immediate danger. Always call 911 if there is an imminent threat to their well-being.
Help them connect – Establishing a safety plan and finding crisis care for a suicidal person is critical. Connect your loved one with resources such as the 988 Lifeline or other mental health professionals to help them get the support they need.
Follow up – After you have the initial conversation and create an immediate safety plan, follow up with your loved one to see if they are well. A phone call, text, letter, or in-person visit with your loved one will remind them they are loved and cared for.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to get connected to crisis care immediately. You do not have to fight this alone.

By giving vital support to those who need it, we can truly make a change and prevent suicide worldwide. During this World Suicide Prevention Day, you can do your part by destigmatizing mental health issues and raising awareness for suicide prevention. With your help, the world could save millions of lives.

If you or a loved one are seeking mental health or substance use disorder treatment, we can help. Use our free Treatment Connection assessment tool to find state-vetted behavioral health treatment in your area.

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG POST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material (collectively, “Information”) contained on this blog post are for informational purposes only. None of the Information is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog post.

Recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day

Wednesday, August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. This initiative was created to remember the lives taken from overdoses, support those grieving the loss of their loved ones, and educate the public to prevent overdoses.

Millions of Americans each year struggle with mental illness and substance use disorder. During the past few years, the behavioral health crisis in the U.S. has hit an all-time high.

Some vital statistics showing the devastating impact of drug overdoses in the U.S. include:

Overdoses are the leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S.
About 105,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2021.
Opioids are a factor in 72% of overdose deaths in the U.S.
About one million people have died from drug overdoses since 1999.
Men are more than twice as likely as women to die from drug overdose, but women are dying from drug overdoses at a slightly faster annual rate.
Unfortunately, these numbers continue to increase. In 2020, the drug-induced mortality rate increased by 30%, marking staggering increases across all populations.

There are many factors contributing to the rise in overdose-related deaths. Lack of access to behavioral health care and the stigma around mental health and substance use disorder can be major roadblocks for people in need of care.

We have lost far too many lives from drug overdoses already. How can we, as a society, change the course? How can we end the drug epidemic in the U.S. and save the lives of millions?

On International Overdose Awareness Day, we can do our part in rewriting the script. We can honor those whose lives were cut short due to overdoses by knowing what to do in the event of an overdose and supporting our loved ones when they are struggling.

One of the main initiatives for International Overdose Awareness Day is to educate the public on what to do in the event of a drug overdose. Preparing yourself for the worst may end up saving someone’s life.

Here are the steps you should take if you believe someone is overdosing.

1. Know the signs

Recognizing the signs of an overdose could save their life. Some common signs include:

– Limp body
– Cold, clammy skin
– Discolored lips and nails
– Loss of consciousness or falling asleep
– Slow, weak, or no breathing
– Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
– Choking or gurgling

2. Call 911

If an individual is showing any signs of an overdose, call 911 immediately. Don’t leave the person alone and stay by their side the entire time until help arrives.

3. Administer naloxone

Naloxone is a medicine that can reverse the symptoms of an overdose from heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids and usually comes in a nasal spray. If you have naloxone on hand, administer it to the individual.

You should carry naloxone if you or someone you know are:

– At an increased risk of opioid overdose, especially those with opioid use disorder (OUD)
– Taking high-dose opioid medications prescribed by a doctor
– Have both opioid and benzodiazepines prescriptions or use illicit substances like heroin or fentanyl

It is important to note that you cannot use naloxone on yourself. If you experience an overdose, be sure to let someone know nearby that you are carrying naloxone on you.

If you suspect your loved one is suffering from substance use disorder, you can play a part in helping them get the help they need. Start the conversation by:

1. Finding a private setting with limited distractions
2. Asking them how they are feeling and explain your concerns
3. Acknowledging their feelings and listen without judgment
4. Providing reassurance by offering to help them locate and connect to treatment services
5. Continuing to reach out to them after to show you are always there to listen

Helping your family and friends get critical behavioral health treatment when they need it can play a part in improving the overall state of mental health in our country. Your love and support can truly change their lives.

If you or a loved one are in need of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services, visit Treatment Connection to take our assessment and find a state-vetted treatment provider near you.

DISCLAIMER: THIS BLOG POST DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material (collectively, “Information”) contained on this blog post are for informational purposes only. None of the Information is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog post.

How Exercise Impacts Your Mental Health

We have all heard time and time again how important it is for us to exercise. We all know that exercising has countless benefits for our physical health such as losing weight, lowering risk of infection, improving circulation, and many more.

While exercising can greatly support our physical well-being, it can also support our mental health. In recent years, the state of behavioral health in the U.S. has hit an all-time low. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found about 1 in 6 adults will experience depression at some time in their lives, affecting 16 million American adults every year.

As we work to destigmatize mental health and improve access to behavioral health care, researchers are studying the brain and factors that may contribute to depression. Neuroscientists have discovered that the hippocampus of the brain, the area that regulates mood and emotion, is generally smaller in individuals with depression.

Exercise has been found to have a profound effect on our mental health, and even supports nerve cell growth in this area of the brain to relieve symptoms of depression.

In addition, when you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are chemicals that are released when the body experiences pain or stress. As endorphins are released, they can ease feelings of depression and improve your overall mood. Many equate the release of endorphins to taking a dose of morphine and it is often referred to as a “runner’s high.”

You don’t have to run a marathon to feel the release of endorphins and reduce levels of stress, though. A recent meta-analysis looking at 15 studies with 190,000 participants found adults who did 1.25 hours of brisk walking each week had an 18% lower chance of experiencing depression compared to individuals who did not exercise. Increasing the activity to an equivalent of 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week resulted in a 25% lower chance of experiencing depression.

Physical activity can also help improve your self-esteem. Achieving milestones while exercising can give you a major confidence boost and lift your spirits. For example, you may feel stronger and more powerful after you finished a difficult hike, dance class, or long walk. Hitting these milestones and feeling proud of your accomplishments can have a profound impact on your mental health.

Individuals with depression and anxiety can also have some trouble getting enough sleep – about 75% of individuals with depression have trouble falling or staying asleep. Lack of sleep can impact your productivity throughout the day and can even worsen your mood.

Thankfully, exercising can help with that. Physical activity can help regulate your circadian rhythm, which helps our body recognize tiredness and alertness. This can help your body establish a routine to get enough sleep at night and improve your energy levels and overall mood.

There are plenty of physical activities you can work into your daily life to get your body moving and help ease feelings of stress, depression, and/or anxiety. Some types of exercise you can add to your routine include:

Hiking
Dancing
Biking
Swimming
Weightlifting
Yoga or Pilates
Walking your dog

You should always enjoy the type of exercise you are doing. Try a couple of different types of physical activity to see which you enjoy the most. Having fun is important – and an easy way to put a smile on your face.

It is important to note that exercise is not recommended as a cure for depression and anxiety. Experts suggest integrating physical activity into your daily routine to support your existing treatment plan.

“For some people it works as well as antidepressants, although exercise alone isn’t enough for someone with severe depression,”

–Dr. Michael Craig Miller, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School

Always consult with your doctor or care team when determining the best course of action to treat your anxiety or depression. Exercise can be a great outlet for you to relieve stress and build self-confidence to help you live a long, happy, healthy life.

Visit Treatment Connection to find a state-vetted mental health or substance use disorder treatment provider near you.

How to Identify and Deal with the Main Stressors in Your Life

In this day and age, we all lead incredibly busy lives. Trying to balance your job, family, friends, pets, home, health, hobbies, and other responsibilities can become overwhelming.

As if life wasn’t already stressful enough, the COVID-19 pandemic brought on even more mental health challenges due to social isolation and changes in routine. According to the 2021 Global Emotions Report, the world was more stressed-out than it was any time in the past 15 years.

The 2020 Stress in America™ Report from the American Psychological Association (APA) found nearly 78% adults said the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant source of stress in their lives, and 67% of adults said they experienced increased stress levels during the pandemic.

The report also found a variety of societal issues caused a large percentage of Americans a significant amount of stress:

The future of the U.S. – 77%
Health care – 66%
Mass shootings – 62%
Climate change/global warming – 55%
Suicide rates – 51%
Immigration – 47%
Widespread sexual harassment/assault reports in the news – 47%
Opioid/heroin epidemic – 45%

Personal issues that an individual deals with every day can also add a great deal of stress to life. About 90% of Americans are stressed about their finances, and about 80% stress over their jobs.

Stress can have a great impact on not only your mental health, but your physical health as well. When you’re feeling especially stressed, you may notice you feel fatigued, or even snap at those around you without meaning to. An accumulation of stress can take a major toll on your mind and body.

Mental and physical signs of stress include:

Anxiety
Irritability
Depression
Panic attacks
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
Headaches
Dizziness
High blood pressure
Chest pain or high heart rate
Tense muscles
Digestive problems

These symptoms are not ideal and can impede your daily responsibilities and overall happiness. In some situations, stress can also lead to substance use, eating disorders, smoking, gambling, and other issues.

Some days it may seem impossible to eliminate what is making you stressed and to find a way to relax. Thankfully, there are strategies you can adopt to reframe what is making you feel stressed.

The first step in alleviating stressors in your life is to identify them. Becoming more mindful to what triggers your stress can help you find the root of the problem. Do you get anxious when thinking about your finances? Is your job so demanding that you’re losing sleep and feel irritable? If so, they may be the main stressors in your life.

According to the University of Minnesota, one of the best ways to deal with stressors is to adjust your attitude. When dealing with stress, we can become very negative, which can be detrimental to effectively dealing with stressful situations. By reframing your mindset and viewing stressors as challenges and not threats, you can cope with stress in a more effective way.

“You can’t get rid of [unhealthy] stress altogether, that would be great if you could, but you can learn to manage it effectively,”
–Angela Ficken, psychotherapist

Follow these steps to adjust your attitude when dealing with stressful situations:

When you feel stressed, remind yourself you have the resources to tackle this situation’s challenge.
Conversely, accept that there are some things you can’t change – don’t stress about things you can’t control.
Avoid being angry or combative and voice your assertive beliefs, opinions, and/or feelings.
When tackling a large task, divide responsibilities into smaller tasks to avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Create your schedule wisely and allow time for interruptions or change.
Research ways to eliminate stress such as therapy, yoga, walking, or writing in a journal.

Resetting how you view stressful situations can help you deal with them in a more effective way, helping you feel more at-ease when problem solving. Over time, identifying your stressors and mindfully reframing or eliminating them can have a better impact on your mental and physical well-being.

If you are searching for mental health or substance use disorder treatment, we can help. Visit Treatment Connection to find a treatment provider in your area.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Substance Use

When discussing treatment approaches for substance use disorders (SUDs), therapy is a common option. Therapy is often used in conjunction with pharmacotherapy (medication). Many people do not realize there are many different types of therapy that can help individuals recovering from an SUD.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the more common types of therapy used to help those overcoming substance misuse. Since its creation in the 1960s, the American Psychology Association (APA) says CBT has been found to be effective in treating several behavioral health disorders such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, mental illness, and SUDs related to alcohol and drugs.

CBT’s main strategy is to change negative thought patterns to influence behavior. By changing the way an individual thinks, they can overcome thoughts of substance use and, in turn, adopt a healthier way of coping.

The APA says CBT was developed on several principal ideas, which include:

Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.
Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.
People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives.

A study reviewing 30 other academic studies found that CBT combined with pharmacotherapy had an increased benefit for patients struggling with alcohol, cocaine, and opioid use compared to usual clinical management or non-specialized counseling. However, the study found CBT did not perform better than another specific type of therapy. The analysis of these 30 studies supported the idea that CBT and pharmacotherapy can be considered one of the best practices in SUD treatment.

So, how do you change the negative thought patterns that influence your behavior? That’s where a cognitive behavioral therapist comes in. A CBT specialist can help you become more aware of the consequences of your negative thoughts and actions that influence a SUD. The goal of becoming more aware of your mind is to adopt healthier coping mechanisms that break the detrimental cycle of substance use.

American Addiction Centers says you can expect your cognitive behavioral therapist to educate you on your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment. During your CBT session, you will voice your negative thoughts, behavior, and stressors. Your therapist will then challenge these beliefs and integrate healthy, positive coping skills.

Some common skills learned in CBT include:

Distracting yourself from negative thoughts with productive activities such as drawing, cleaning, exercising, etc.
Learning how to navigate situations that hinder your recovery such as declining a drink at a party
Adopting healthier, more effective strategies to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression
Building a sense of self-confidence and self-respect
Using effective problem-solving strategies
Recognizing and conquering triggers that may contribute to relapse

Because CBT is personalized to cater an individual’s needs, coping mechanisms and skills learned to prevent relapse can vary.

Recovery may seem like an uphill battle, but with the right tools, you can overcome an SUD. By conquering negative thoughts and replacing them with healthy behaviors, CBT can reprogram your mind to help you live a happier, healthier life.

Not sure where to start? We can help. To find SUD treatment near you, visit the Treatment Connection website today.

Substance Use Disorder In Indigenous Communities

Indigenous communities are at high risk of substance use disorder due to a variety of reasons. The outreach to indigenous populations is often poor in quality, and many indigenous youths do not get exposure to the available substance use disorder treatment. Many indigenous communities are denied the basic technology that others rely on heavily for information and education. Thus, substance use disorder in indigenous communities is often not addressed adequately. This leads many to begin misusing substances at a young age, and without any guidance about how to avoid or recover from drug or alcohol misuse, many develop an addiction. Developing drug and alcohol intervention programs for indigenous communities would improve the overall health and wellness of not just those struggling with dependency but all of those who care for and interact with them.

Alcohol Misuse Leading to Other Substance Misuse

Indigenous communities see a higher prevalence of alcohol misuse among teens when compared to communities of Caucasian youth in the United States. Indigenous communities show alcohol misuse among teenage boys grades 9-12 at 49% and girls the same age at 35.7%. For non-indigenous communities, the rate of alcohol misuse was 38.6% for males and 21.9% for females. Regarding marijuana misuse, the rates for indigenous communities were higher than those in non-Indigenous communities at comparable rates. Early alcohol misuse can lead to several issues, including:

Turning to more powerful drugs because of a lack of understanding
Difficulty in early adulthood trying to work or go to school
Poor interpersonal relationships because of the addiction
Trouble recognizing the issues of addiction because of limited education and resources

Early intervention is essential to a positive outcome when it comes to teenagers and substance use disorder. Indigenous populations must develop a more comprehensive strategy to address inequities in the delivery of valuable resources. For populations at risk of substance use disorder, we need to provide substance use disorder treatment that is accessible.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Addiction

Although indigenous communities struggle with addiction treatment resources, there are opportunities for treatment once you identify an addiction exists. A lack of understanding plays a big role in addiction throughout the indigenous community, and many become addicted to substances because of this. In areas of substantial poverty, the use of substances grows. Indigenous communities experience poverty at higher levels than others, and it’s important to deal with these inequalities to begin dealing with systemic substance use disorder. Studies have shown that when substance use disorder programs are designed alongside indigenous groups there are significant benefits.

The Addiction Treatment Process

Addiction treatment begins with time in a detox facility. For people addicted to alcohol, detox is an important component of recovery. Detox allows you to go through the withdrawal process with the right support in place. If you are an indigenous community member, you can still find substance use disorder treatment in the United States. To locate treatment, you can:

Contact area detox facilities to see what is available
Look for a national helpline to find substance use disorder treatment
Speak to your doctor about finding substance use disorder treatment
Do your research online to find the right program

Once you complete detox, you can move on to a short-term rehab program for addiction. After you determine that you need help for an addiction, look into finding a program that is right for you. Heal your life when you take control of your addiction.

Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment Today

Substance use disorder in indigenous communities continues to spread, so it’s important to reach out for help when you need it. Even though indigenous populations are at a greater risk of substance use disorder due to a lack of resources, poverty, and education, there is support available. When you know that you have a problem with addiction but aren’t sure what to do, calling for help is a good first step. You can find the support you need with the Treatment Connection website.

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