Substance addiction, also known as a substance use disorder, is a chronic condition. Its chronic nature means that addiction has lasting and persistent effects, and therefore requires ongoing care. Without continuing care, those in recovery are at a higher chance of relapse. Relapse means that a person returns to substance abuse after an attempt to […]

Bipolar disorder is a common mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, concentration, and ability to carry out daily tasks. For example, a person with bipolar disorder may experience periods of high energy or elevated mood, followed by extreme lows and feelings of hopelessness. This condition can be intense, and the […]

About one-third of high school students use illicit drugs by the time they graduate, and more than half drink alcohol by the end of their senior year. This data comes from the most recent Monitoring the Future Survey, which is conducted annually to measure the prevalence of drug use among high school students. These statistics […]

According to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), recovery is a process in which people aim to improve their health and well-being, live autonomously, and, ultimately, reach their fullest potential. In the realm of addiction, recovery is the process of overcoming a substance use disorder and establishing a productive life without the blanket of drugs […]

Depression is among the most common mental health issues in adolescents and young adults today. According to the latest 2023 report from Mental Health America (MHA), about 16.5 percent of youth have suffered from at least one major depressive episode in the past year. More than 2.7 million teens (between the ages of 12 to […]

It’s no secret that the past few years have been trying—and even that is an understatement. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing gun violence, unsettling political events, and painful racial inequities in view, it’s no wonder America’s collective mental health has suffered. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly one in four adults sought […]

Substance addiction can affect anyone, of any age, background, or socioeconomic status. It does not discriminate. Today, substance addiction affects more than 20 million Americans over the age of 12. However, every person experiences addiction differently. Individual experiences will depend on factors like their mental health, life circumstances, and drug(s) of choice. Similarly—how long they […]

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, most commonly known as ADHD, is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions in children and adolescents. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), roughly six million young people have been diagnosed with ADHD in the United States. More than half of these individuals (3.3 million) are teenagers, between the […]

Parenting a teenager can be challenging at times. As teens experience surges of hormones, pressures from friends, changes in their bodies, and identity struggles, their behaviors can become rash and their emotions hard to control. They may (and often) “pull away” from their parents in efforts to establish more independence in their day-to-day lives. All […]

It is normal for children to experience fear and worry as they grow up. For example, children might feel afraid when they are away from their parents, or worried about fitting in with their peers. Adolescents are no exception. Teenagers can be worried about going to a new school, afraid of making friends, or anxious […]