Health is all-encompassing. While many people define health by physical traits, like body strength, nutrition, and sleeping patterns, there is much more than what meets the eye. Mental health and behavioral health – how a person thinks, feels, and acts – are also key components to their overall well-being. However, mental health and behavioral health […]

When a person uses drugs, a chemical reaction takes place within the brain. Depending on the drug, a user may experience a surge of dopamine (the “happy” hormone), which causes an intense wave of euphoria. Or, the drugs imitate the brain’s natural neurotransmitters and change the way a user’s body processes information. This can lead […]

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a category of healthcare that applies research findings and scientific evidence to the care of patients. It enables clinicians to make informed, evidence-based decisions for treatment, which in turn leads to better patient outcomes and a higher quality of care.   For those treating or even struggling with drug addiction, evidence-based treatment […]

When a person is struggling with substance abuse and an inability to stop using drugs, despite the harmful consequences, inpatient addiction treatment is usually recommended. Inpatient treatment provides people with a safe and supportive place to heal while they recover from drug addiction. Inpatient addiction treatment is synonymous with residential drug treatment, meaning that clients […]

Teenagers are often impulsive, acting on emotions and inclinations without thinking the consequences through. As a result, teens can get into dangerous situations, make poor decisions, and occasionally have trouble learning from their actions. Teenagers can also be moody, insecure, and eager to fit in with their peers. However, there is a biological explanation for […]

There is an ongoing rise in teenage mental health problems. While the COVID-19 pandemic has played a causal role in recent trends, mental health issues have been steadily increasing for years.   Between 2009 and 2019, the number of teenagers facing persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness increased 40 percent, according to historical data from the […]

Adolescents are experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis. According to the newest data from the Center of Disease Control (CDC), more than 1 in every 3 high school students experienced poor mental health during the recent pandemic. Nearly half of students felt persistently sad or hopeless, while about two-thirds of these teenagers had difficulty completing […]

Adolescence is a time of critical development, both emotionally and physically. At this time, teenagers begin to establish their own identities and seek more independence in their everyday lives. Their behaviors might involve distancing themselves from parents, acting out, or rebelling against the rules, in order to assert themselves as self-sufficient and in-control. While behaviors […]

Parents often consider alternative schools for teens who have not been successful in the traditional school environment. These teenagers may need extra attention, support, guidance, and monitoring in their learning journeys—and, unfortunately, not all public schools can meet their needs. If you are a parent of a teenager who seems “troubled” in their current school, […]

If someone you know has overdosed on drugs, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Even if the person wakes up, medical intervention may still be necessary. Do not wait to take action. If you have already reported an emergency, keep reading for recommendations on what to do while you wait. When an overdose happens, it […]