Whether it is deciding to break open the gifted bourbon from a grateful client, sipping Aunt Sue’s holiday eggnog all evening on Christmas eve, or having more than a few cocktails at the never-ending string of holiday parties, we know that this season of comfort and joy may find us going a little heavier on the “comfort,” which can be especially troubling for those with a substance use disorder.

The holidays certainly offer plenty of occasions to use alcohol in a celebratory fashion. However, multiple studies have shown that levels of unhealthy drinking habits skyrocket during the holiday season. This can take the form of justifications such as, “It’s fine! I always have a few glasses of wine when we decorate,” to “It doesn’t really count. It’s the holidays!” Regardless of the rationale used, even those who are moderate drinkers throughout the year can be found giving themselves permission to consume more alcohol during this time of year than what is usual for them at other times.

Substance Use During The Holidays Statistics

According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season. Increased stress levels can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. The reasons attributed to this behavior were lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings to name a few.

Interestingly, a separate survey reported that that the average American drinks 27% more during the holiday season as compared to the rest of the year. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States notes that a quarter of the $49-billion-a-year distilled spirits industry’s profits come from the month between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

On an even more serious note, New Year’s Day is the deadliest day for alcohol-related crashes, with 58% of crashes being alcohol-related according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They also report drunk driving-related deaths spike 116% above the baseline average, making it the most dangerous holiday of the year for drunk driving. Other causes of alcohol-related deaths during the holidays include alcohol poisoning and incidents at home such as falls, domestic violence, or accidental deaths due to firearms.

Given these surveys, statistics, and behaviors, the question then becomes: why? Why during the season that promotes so much romanticized idealism, magical folklore, and messages of peace and goodwill do we report experiencing so much stress and anxiety? Perhaps the following categories reported by individuals experiencing holiday stress can provide some insight.

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Comparative Thinking/Unrealistic Expectations

The perception of the “perfect holiday” looms large in the minds of those who find themselves responsible for pulling together all the festivities. The pressure, whether self-imposed or imposed by others, is to have “the best holiday ever” with no hiccups or let downs. When reality doesn’t meet our expectations, it is inevitably a disappointment waiting to happen. Comparative thinking is a fast track to depressive thinking, and resentments are fuel for our entitlement to indulge ourselves in any number of behaviors.

Holiday Events

The increase in entertaining, social obligations, and the demands on our time during the holidays almost goes without saying. Friends, family, co-workers, and everyone in between may have parties, dinners, or events they’d like for you to attend, all of which may present the opportunity to be surrounded by triggers.

The likelihood that we can attend every event is unrealistic. What’s worse is choosing whom you’re willing to disappoint can be stressful and produces a lot of anxiety. The logistical challenge of an overly committed calendar creates opportunities for conflict as well as a level of tension that can drive many to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.

Stressful Family Dynamics

Most everyone is familiar with the common saying, “you can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.” Family dynamics can certainly be a recipe for triggers, over-drinking, and relapses. For many, the anticipation of encountering certain situations can cause panic even weeks before the actual events. Ruminating on old wounds and unreconciled trauma can be a source of pain that justifies self-medicating in the minds of those who experience it. Holidays often force us to engage in family situations we can keep at bay during other times of the year.

Busy Schedules

Many people report feeling “over-committed” during the holidays. Living into the demands of our schedules is exhausting physically as well as emotionally. Without proper time to decompress we will most often return to our medications of choice. An overly-filled calendar leaves no time for self-care or the practices that go along with a healthy recovery or daily life.

Traveling

The mere thought of airports during holiday season can cause even the most well-tempered individuals to experience panic and frustration. The anxiety of catching flights, rescheduling cancelled flights, and long layovers in airports can create stressful scenarios where drinking can become more than just a pastime in the airport lounges.

Holiday Shopping/Overspending

Finding the perfect gift, staying within the agreed budget for spending, and the general atmosphere in most retail establishments during this season can be daunting. Watching the credit card balance go up daily can also create a sense of angst and overwhelm. Financial pain is often in the top reasons for relapses and is what many in treatment cite as a motivator for continuing to self-medicate. Creating healthy spending limits not only helps our finances, but also minimizes opportunities to feel triggered by the stress of overwhelming credit card debt.

Alcohol Related Family Traditions

Many families have holiday traditions that lean heavily on alcohol consumption. Nana’s sangria, Uncle Bob’s spiked cider, or simply the obligatory cocktails before a big dinner can create the perception that partaking is a part of belonging and connecting. This subtle sense of expectation to join in can derail our recovery if we buy into it.

Grief/Nostalgia

The first years without certain loved ones we have lost is beyond disheartening, and is something many people are unable to comprehend. Grief and looking back at years past where there were more people around the table, the family was a bit larger, and the laughter a little louder can be a very difficult adjustment to navigate. Grief and disappointment can give way to despair which can certainly open the door to drugs or alcohol.

Isolation

The reality that some people have very few, if any, loved ones to share holidays with can be a silent pain that they are reluctant to share. For those people, isolation is an alienating pain that often has no empathetic witness. Isolation is very often the catalyst for over-drinking and self-medicating. Being alone in our pain is never going to produce a best outcome.

Don’t Let The Holidays Ruin Your Sobriety

These reported scenarios can explain why a season that proclaims comfort and joy on one hand can result in anxiety, frustration, and a desire to escape on the other. What we may refer to as the holiday blues is often the hangover of a combination of these experiences coming together to create the perfect emotional whirlwind. Without support, boundaries, and an intentional game plan to help us navigate these realities, we can be very susceptible to overmedicating or a relapse with consequences that live far beyond the holiday blues.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drugs or alcohol, don’t wait until the holidays are over to get help. If you’re ready to take the first step, contact a treatment provider today to get started.

The post Why Does Drug And Alcohol Use Spike During the Holidays? appeared first on Addiction Center.

While the holidays can be a magical time for many of us, for those in recovery (especially early recovery) they can be a source of anxiety, fears of relapse, and a time of feeling even more conspicuous than usual. While our families and friends continue to enjoy the usual parties and traditional libations of the season, many of us in our first holiday season of sobriety can find ourselves feeling isolated, alienated, and overwhelmed by the fear of potential triggers and temptations.

So, how can we adopt a more empowering mindset in what can be some of the most challenging weeks of the year while still allowing ourselves to enjoy the true essence of the season and successfully emerge with our sobriety intact? Here are some mindful strategies and practices to consider to remain engaged in our traditions without succumbing to triggers, temptations, and traps that no longer serve us.

Express Gratitude

Most people who have participated in any type of formal recovery program are familiar with the concept of a gratitude list. For those that may not be familiar, a gratitude list is exactly what it sounds like: a list of all the things you feel grateful for. Many addiction recovery programs incorporate a gratitude list into their treatment regimens, typically in the early days of recovery. Creating a list of things you’re grateful for can be extremely helpful in maintaining sobriety and motivation throughout treatment.

While gratitude lists can be effective tools to help keep the momentum of treatment moving, meditating from a place of true gratitude, however, changes the brain and the way the brain functions. When done properly, anxiety diminishes, the focus of our thinking changes, and best of all, we can look at the life we’ve been given in a way that recognizes its worth.

Practicing gratitude is not an exercise in the denial of difficult circumstances in our lives, nor is it the practice of taking inventory of our material possessions. Instead, it is simply remembering that there is value in everything, that life itself is a gift, and that the humility it requires to express thanks makes us more “right-sized” in our perceptions of ourselves. Gratitude is the cornerstone of serenity which is often scarce this time of year.

Confront Resentments

Nothing can lead us to entitlement faster than resentments. This time of year, there are countless opportunities to harbor, nurture, and rehearse them in our minds. Everything from the extra obligations we take on to the lack of appreciation we may experience for all our efforts to create the perfect holiday backdrop for our loved ones can take center stage.

Take time to take inventory of all your resentments. Name them, list them, and acknowledge them. Then; surrender them. They have the potential to convince us that we deserve whatever we want in the moment regardless of the outcomes. Nothing says “relapse” like holiday entitlement.

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Confront Unrealistic Expectations

Everyone has a wish list for the holidays, but far too often that list becomes a set of expectations rather than wants. When we live in a state of expectation, we will almost always be disappointed. Not only do our expectations serve to rob us of the joy of the moment, but they also have a way of getting transmitted to those around us. Expectations set the stage for our feelings of entitlement.

Anticipation, on the other hand, is living with a loose grip and being willing to accept the gift that is the moment at hand. Expectations demand; while anticipation waits in wonder. During the holiday season, remember to regularly take stock of what unmet expectations could be robbing you of your holiday joy. Accepting life on life’s terms requires living with the loose grip of anticipation rather than the tight fist of expectation.

Navigating Social Gatherings

It is important, especially in early sobriety, to never feel trapped at any holiday social gatherings, especially since there are likely to be temptations or triggers that need to be averted. Having an exit strategy for these events is imperative. Driving ourselves to a party or being sure we can access a car service should we carpool is an important detail to keep in mind. Sharing rides with friends who will want to stay the entire evening is too risky if we begin to feel uncomfortable.

In early sobriety, it may be that we allow ourselves a half-hour at the beginning of the event to simply make an appearance, say our hello’s, and slip out quietly. Once we make a lap around the room to greet everyone, we can feel fairly certain that we won’t be missed once others are into their second, third, and fourth martini, at which time we will be back at home safe and sound. If it feels safe to stay at the party into the night then by all means enjoy the evening, but if feeling triggered or tempted starts to enter the picture we need to have a plan to exit without excuse.

Manage Self-Care

Taking care of our personal needs is always an important component of recovery, but during the holidays it is even more important. Time demands can cause us to skip our contemplative practices, miss our exercise times, and grab far too many treats from the office goodie table at work and call it “lunch.”

Our lack of self-care can often cause us to lose our focus and discipline, and ultimately find ourselves in self-loathing, restlessness, irritability, and discontentment; all of which have the potential to cause us to slip. Recognizing that self-care is as important as the other tasks on your to-do list can help put yourself at the top, and stop you from succumbing to holiday temptations.

Initiate Connection

All of us need connection and support in our recovery; especially during the holidays. Make your recovery meetings a priority, find time with friends who enrich you, and surround yourself with those who make you feel known and loved. The holidays can be a very lonely time for many. Depression spikes and relapses escalate during this season. Maintaining our connections to others is part of staying present and accountable for our recovery.

Seek To Serve

Volunteer, serve at an event for underserved people, and make an intentional effort to express gratitude by sharing time and effort that benefits others. Engaging in service work is far more beneficial for our sobriety than simply writing end-of-the-year checks to our favorite charities. Sacrificing for others is the fastest way to take our focus off ourselves and shift it to the world around us. Being a part of the bigger story is where we find purpose and hope which shifts our gaze away from the self-centered fear of our addiction.

When we allow ourselves intentional connection with others, a mindset of gratitude for the life we have been given, continue to practice self-care without feeling self-centered, and experience our traditions with anticipation rather than expectation, we can embrace the true essence of this season of peace (sober serenity) and goodwill (service to others) with genuine comfort and joy.

Get Help Before The Holidays

The holidays can be an incredibly stressful time for anyone, especially those struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health condition. While the New Year is a popular time to make a change for the better, waiting to get the help you need is never the best option. To get started on your recovery journey, contact a treatment provider to learn more about your options.

The post How To Celebrate The Holidays While Staying Sober appeared first on Addiction Center.

Mikey Tableman, a mental health activist and public speaker, is a proud proponent of open discussions of mental health and treatment. Founder of “A Mind’s Pursuit,” a non-profit mental health foundation, Tableman would strike anyone as someone who is full of life and actively shares his positive energy with anyone he speaks to. His compassion and dedication to destigmatizing mental health are fueled by his own story of mental health, substance use, and healing. 

Tableman began drinking at an early age and started using substances during college. His condition worsened once he entered the Los Angeles nightlife scene, where he found success professionally. His adaptable and energetic demeanor served him well in his ventures in nightlife hospitality, which he began in his early 20s. However, with the intensity of nightlife comes some dark patrons that stay long after the club plays its closing tune. Constant exposure to substances, a nonexistent sleep schedule, and unsustainable workplace expectations led Tableman to some of the lowest points of his life both mentally and physically. 

“The nightlife industry impacted my mental health massively. The whole industry is based on ego, and it’s very cutthroat,” Tableman said. “You have to put on such a facade in nightlife to keep your position and to keep your status, which is awful.”

Tableman struggled with debilitating depression and was “addicted to not feeling,” which led to him using substances like Cocaine and Xanax during this period of his life. There were multiple points in his life where continuing to live did not seem attainable or wanted, but these feelings intensified in 2018 with his first suicide attempt. This event catapulted Tableman to seek treatment with the guidance of his sister and therapist. 

If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255 for 24/7 assistance.

“It took me such a long time to talk about my mental health. I’m 33 years old. I didn’t start opening up and talking about this until I was 28 after my first suicide attempt. Because even though I knew something was wrong, it was so ingrained in me that you don’t speak about this.”

There is an ease with which he shares his experiences now; each sentence serving to reduce stigma around mental health, but this wasn’t always the case. Tableman and other men in the US and across the world often face additional stigma concerning their mental health due to cultural and individual factors. Men are less likely than women to pursue treatment for mental health concerns or substance abuse because of societal norms and a reluctance to voice their concerns. This outdated social and cultural dogma is what Tableman hopes to challenge through his organization, “A Mind’s Pursuit.”

“A Mind’s Pursuit”: Destigmatizing Mental Health

Tableman created “A Mind’s Pursuit” to make a change in the way we talk about mental health. Dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of mental health care and changing the stigma of how mental health is viewed, the organization hosts multiple events to bring individuals together to share their stories in a supportive community and space.  

“So many people feel alone in their suffering, and so many are suffering. “A Mind’s Pursuit” lets others know that it is okay not to be okay, and it is even more okay to talk about it.“

Tableman created a charity event series, “The Alchemy,” to create spaces for individuals to join together to be open and vulnerable and feel safe doing so. The events include activities like gratitude booths, manifestation boards, and live performances from artists hoping to inspire others. Tableman’s candidness about his life positively impacts those who listen to his story and has become a cathartic experience for him as well. 

“I truly believe that you go through life for a purpose. I love helping people; I love being a part of watching it click, but it’s also very healing for me,” Tableman said. “You heal yourself by helping heal others.” 

Lessons Learned Through Mental Health Treatment

Through the guidance of his sister and his therapist, Tableman decided to go to a treatment facility in 2018 to address his mental health concerns and understand the factors that potentially led him to abuse substances.

“It was an opportunity to understand why I felt the need to mask so much of my life, why I felt the need to take drugs to feel anything, and why I felt so empty inside,” Tableman said.  

Through guided meditations, visualizations (also called guided imagery), and therapy, Tableman addressed his depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Guided meditation and visualization techniques can help individuals feel grounded in the moment and better control their emotions, which can be helpful with anxiety symptoms. These techniques, coupled with individual therapy, helped Tableman develop a compassionate, optimistic view of his mental health; he now views recovery as a lifelong endeavor, not something that is “one-and-done.” While he has faced multiple relapses over the years, he overcomes them by “radically accepting” that some of his mental health concerns are things he will continue to live with. He also has an “amazing support system and tribe of people” to support him on the incredibly daunting days. 

“I deal with depression and anxiety regularly, and I still have suicidal thoughts, but the difference is that now they are just thoughts that pass by because I’ve radically accepted my life.”

During his treatment, there was one specific experience that radically changed how Tableman viewed his own life. This experience included partaking in his own funeral through the practice of visualization with a therapist. For some, this experience may be uncouth, but for Tableman, visualizing the scene of him laying in his own coffin and listening to his loved ones read their final remarks was an experience that was “necessary” for his healing.

“It was in that moment that actually made me see how me not being there would affect other people, because I really thought my life didn’t mean anything. I broke down like I have never cried before,” Tableman said. 

The visualization of his funeral helped Tableman understand and “see” that his life had meaning despite the hardships and challenges. 

Recovery Through Art

In addition to the multiple events that “A Mind’s Pursuit” hosts, Tableman continues to work to destigmatize mental health in his own life. Through his upcoming poetry concept EP, “My Manic Maze,” music, and his podcast show, “Chaos Controlled,” Tableman continues to explore what living in recovery with mental health concerns looks like. According to Tableman, “It’s not going to get easier, but you’re going to get better at handling it. Have patience…” Recovery from substance abuse is possible, and resources will always be available. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing substance abuse concerns, contact a treatment provider here. 

The post Radical Acceptance: Mikey Tableman’s Mental Health Story appeared first on Addiction Center.

Have you ever noticed how time and space blur together in those moments of pure concentration and bliss? When minutes become hours because you are utterly and completely absorbed in whatever it is you’re doing? Usually, this flow state occurs when we’re doing something creative: making music, writing, coloring, or even cuddling our pets.

When it comes to addiction, research shows that those who struggle with substance abuse often suffer from alexithymia, a condition where people find it hard to understand or describe their feelings and emotions and often turn to drugs or alcohol to calm and quiet their minds. Because many creative outlets do not require the use or even acknowledgement of words and speech, they can be powerful tools to utilize in addiction treatment. While not exclusive or exhaustive, the following list illustrates several different experiential modes of treatment that employ creativity as the main source for healing.

Dance

Benefits Of Creative Movement Therapy

Unlike a typical dance class with pink tights, slicked buns, and floor to ceiling mirrors, dance/movement therapy takes a simplified, more wholesome understanding of what it means to move, to dance. In its rawest and most basic form, dance/movement therapy places a strong emphasis on the body and the knowledge it holds, forcing the individual to re-inhabit their bodies and all the “stuff”—good and bad—that comes with it. “At the start of a dance/movement therapy session, it is important to establish physical connection [as] a pathway to recovery that enables the restoration of self-awareness, a skill that is hindered through the use of drugs and alcohol,” one researcher wrote in 1997.

Because substance abuse of all forms disconnects the self from the body, dance/movement therapy can be very powerful in helping the client reconnect and reunite with themselves. By observing patients moving freely, therapists can identify patterns and gestures and assist when they notice anything problematic or potentially harmful, such as movements that restrict free flowing breath or those that are spatially unaware.

“Dance/movement therapy provides natural opportunities to identify a range of feelings and sources of pain, creatively move through themes of escape and ambivalence, and confront, tolerate, or manage discomfort. Patterned movement and gestures that arise in group can be interpreted as efforts to deny, desensitize, or displace unwanted experiences.”

Yoga

Encourages Mindfulness, Reduces Stress Hormones

Like dance and movement, yoga requires a certain level of presence and awareness in both the mind and body. With roots drawing back to India nearly 5,000 years ago, yoga has long been practiced as a way to improve overall life quality through a strong mind-body connection. Through various components like breathwork, poses or postures (“asana”), meditation, and more, yoga requires and cultivates mindfulness and when practiced regularly has the potential to influence and improve our bodies’ response to external stimuli like stress.

All substance addictions, in one way or another, impact the way the brain functions. Overall discomfort, anxiety, and stress are just a handful of the psychological side effects that often prohibit people from seeking addiction treatment. As such, yoga can be a powerful tool in combatting those negative feelings. According to Sat Bir Khalsa, a researcher and professor at Harvard Medical School, “Yoga is an alternative[;] a positive way to generate a change in consciousness that, instead of providing an escape, empowers people with the ability to access a peaceful, restorative inner state that integrates the mind, body, and spirit.”

Music

Alternative Pathways For Dopamine Production

We tend to oversimplify or take for granted that which makes us feel the most alive inside. The feeling you get when you hear a new favorite song or when you finally master that challenging hand position required to produce a guitar chord. Music—both in the listening and creating—has been shown to elicit the “dopaminergic pathways in a similar manner as many illicit substances” which can, in turn, boost mood and lower cravings, according to the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. Additionally, listening to music can lower anxiety and promote relaxation by soothing the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs such responses as “fight or flight” when our senses are heightened.

By working with clients to get a whole picture of their listening habits, likes, and dislikes, the music therapist can create a plan that not only supports the client’s existing relationship with music, but also avoids any existing contraindications or triggers that might remind them of previous experiences that induce cravings. The assessment process before initial treatment begins differs based on clientele, therapist, and facility, but at a minimum “should assess the effects of substance misuse on the following domains of health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.”

Art

Creative Expression Through Art

Unlike writing or engaging with certain genres of music, art is creativity crafted, molded, and manipulated with your hands and imagination rather than engaging with any language. Similar to dance and yoga, art—be it painting, sculpting, drawing, or even coloring—does not require an attention to words, and as such encourages a dive into the subconscious mind.

When it comes to using art as a creative alternative to other, more clinical modes of treating addiction, it is important to note the difference between using art in therapy versus using art as therapy. The former emphasizes the end goal or product of the art-making session and is usually done without the presence of a therapist. The latter centralizes the creative process and what it can teach us about our tendencies, thoughts, and emotions while under the guidance of a therapist. With the pressure to articulate thoughts and feelings into words eliminated, those struggling with addiction are free to express themselves more freely. Outlining a few of the many ways creativity can improve life quality, Psychology Today says that “engaging in a creative activity can open a new channel for people to connect with their emotions. People who have experienced trauma and are not yet ready to talk about it may be able to describe their pain through art.”

Animal Assisted Therapy

When Companionship Yields Comfortability

There are few things more comforting than snuggling up to a beloved animal. As it turns out, there is a scientific reason for this. Rooted in the inherent bond and companionship found between human and animal, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) utilizes this connection to draw upon and foster a person’s self-esteem, caregiving skills, and overall empathy.

While still relatively new in the lexicon of scientific research, many studies have illustrated the myriad of benefits animal interaction yields. Besides providing us comfort and company in times of loneliness, research has shown that interacting with animals actually lowers cortisol (a stress hormone) levels in the brain as well as blood pressure. When it comes to using animals in treating addiction, one study noted that when animals are present, it is easier for some patients to become more involved in the overall therapy process, something that therapists treating addiction issues often have a hard time with.

“When an animal is included in the treatment, it helps introspection and internalization, increases confidence in the therapeutic environment, provides security and confidence in therapy, and motivates the patient to share their feelings.”

Other Alternatives

This list outlines only a handful of the many experiential, creative alternatives to traditional addiction treatment. Acupuncture, emphasizing mindfulness, spiritual connection, and other more holistic modalities all hold merit in their ability to treat addiction. By utilizing human nature and the power of creativity as opposed to medication and other forms of generalized, more clinical care, individuals dealing with substance abuse are recognized as unique and wholesome people rather than one of the many.

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Is Creative Treatment Right For Me?

If you or someone you love is struggling under the weight of an addiction and you’ve tried more traditional methods of treatment or are simply curious about creative modalities and what might work best for you, contact a treatment provider. Treatment plans need to reflect the individuality and uniqueness of the person suffering from addiction; reach out today to learn more and jumpstart your recovery journey, creatively, today.

The post Creative Addiction Treatment appeared first on Addiction Center.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken more lives in the United States than World War I, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War combined (Hennein & Lowe, 2020; American Psychological Association [APA], 2020). In addition to the death toll impact, there are significant public health impacts in homes and communities on a global scale.

As a substance abuse counselor and employee assistance professional during this time, I have observed several notable changes in mental health and substance use since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

The necessary social distancing and quarantine measures . . . significantly amplified emotional turmoil by substantially changing the social fabric by which individuals, families, communities, and nations cope with tragedy. The effect is multidimensional disruption of employment, finances, education, health care, food security, transportation, recreation, cultural and religious practices, and the ability of personal support networks and communities to come together and grieve.

By now you have seen and/or experienced the impact of the “emotional turmoil” and “multidimensional disruption” as stated above. The impacts include, but are not limited to, social isolation, constant close quarter living, unpredictability of how our lives have changed, collective grief of loved ones, missed celebrations of milestones (e.g., graduations, weddings etc.), stress (work and home), fear,  financial insecurity, job changes, decrease in healthcare insurance for substance use treatment, waiting list for substance use treatment, untreated mental health disorders, changes in access to medication, changes in drug supply, and an exacerbation of pre-existing medical conditions. In general, peoples’ eating and sleeping habits, hygiene, activity levels, and daily routines changed. Life changed as we knew it.

As a result, and not surprisingly, several research studies on the effects of the pandemic have found increased anxiety, depression, traumatic stress, and substance use in the general population.

Increased Anxiety, Depression, Traumatic Stress, And Substance Use

What did that look like from my role as a mental health provider and substance abuse counselor? By May 2020, some of my clients were already experiencing daily anxiety attacks, insomnia, lack of motivation, energy, and focus, domestic disputes, frequent crying spells, co-worker conflict, decreased appetite, and increased headaches/migraines (just to name a few).

Three months later, my caseload was exploding and was busting at the seams with those in need of services. The intensity and severity of my clients’ presenting problems were growing. Clients were presenting with thoughts of hopelessness and suicide. My colleagues were having the same experience with their clients.

Rehabilitation centers and mental health providers scrambled to safely develop protocols and embrace technology to effectively meet the needs of their patients. Telehealth/telemedicine was an acceptable practice prior to the pandemic; however, it became the go-to modality of care and was backed by the US Department of Health and Human Services to allow for insurance reimbursement.

While providing services via telehealth, my colleagues and I noticed that the symptoms of people with pre-existing mental health conditions worsened and people with no prior mental health conditions were experiencing symptoms for the first time.

Similarly, people with a history of a moderate to severe substance use disorder, in full sustained remission, were facing challenges to maintain abstinence prior to the advent of virtual support groups and people with a mild substance use disorder were increasing their frequency and amount of drinking alcohol, smoking Cannabis, and experimenting with other mood-altering substances often progressing to the point of needing some level of treatment.

A Word On The Overdose Epidemic

In addition to the pandemic, an epidemic, which predated the pandemic, was happening concurrently; the Opioid overdose epidemic. Increases in drug overdoses and overdose related deaths to synthetic Opioids (primarily Fentanyl) accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data from the CDC National Center for Health Statistics indicate that there were an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths in the United States during the 12-month period ending in April 2021, an increase of 28.5% from the deaths during the same period the year before.

Overdose deaths from psychostimulants such as Methamphetamine also increased in the 12-month period ending in April 2021.

Final Thoughts

It is not my intention to simplify or to conflate all increased drug use or mental health symptoms directly with COVID-19; however, there are undeniably some effects from living through a pandemic.

For example, shifts in drug availability may also be to blame for increased illicit Opioid use deaths; if Heroin isn’t easy to access, someone might begin take Fentanyl, which is much more potent. Another common example is a person turning to alcohol to relieve symptoms of anxiety and promote sleep slowly progressing to increased frequency (sometimes daily and throughout the day) and amount.

Experts agree based on research and clinical observation that pandemic-related strains, from economic stress and loneliness to general anxiety about the virus, and lack of healthy coping skills to manage progressively worsening symptoms, are significant influences for the increases in the observations stated in this article.

The ground is fertile as we continue to learn how we all continue to navigate through this pandemic. Evidence based practices are being researched, developed and implemented for the most effective and safest way to treat mental health and substance use during theses times.

These have been challenging times for us all. I have witnessed the most valiant and courageous efforts in my clients and colleagues. I am grateful to be a part of the community that is striving to make a difference.

Available Resources

For assistance finding a rehab that treats substance abuse or mental health disorders, contact a treatment provider for free information on insurance coverage, treatment methods, and enrollment into a licensed facility.

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The post The Way COVID-19 Changed Mental Health And Addiction appeared first on Addiction Center.

When we take a look a look around, we cannot escape the fact that there are many things happening in our lives, homes, communities, states, countries, the world, and our planet that are having an effect on us. It can often be difficult to manage stress.

In my 30 years as a substance abuse counselor, life recovery coach, employee assistance professional, and corporate trainer, I have never seen such a dramatic collective increase of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Building resilience is one effective way to improve symptoms related to these mental health concerns.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines resilience as, “An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune.” Most people think of resilience as the ability to bounce back after adversity or a stressful situation.

As resilience research has evolved, we have come to understand that resilience is the ability to successfully adapt and effectively cope in the face of adversity such that recovery is beyond bouncing back or “surviving” to an improved state of being or “thriving.”

The experience of stress, anxiety and depression is not only emotional but also physical and physiological. Learning healthy ways to cope and manage has never been more important. This article provides practical and healthy suggestions for building resilience by managing symptoms related to stress, anxiety, and depression.

23 Actions You Can Take Today

1. Do a physical activity for at least 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week.

Taking a walk, dancing to your favorite playlist, cycling, roller skating, yoga, swimming, carefully going up and down stairs, or jumping jacks are a few options. Our bodies have a natural desire to relieve or release stress-related hormones, like cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. Doing a physical activity, regularly and consistently, releases stress hormones versus having them build up inside in our body which can lead to toxicity and stress-related illness. It also increases “feel good” chemicals like endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and stress neutralizing chemicals like oxytocin.

2. Spend time in the sun to re-energize.

The sun increases Vitamin D, a necessary nutrient to boost immunity, bone health, and improve cognition and symptoms related to depression.

3. Body of water.

Try looking at a lake or pond, laying on the beach, swimming, or being on a boat. Stay in the present by focusing on what you are experiencing through your senses (What do you see, hear, smell, and feel?). This is a mindfulness practice that can quiet your thoughts by shifting your focus.

4. Take a bath or foot soak with Epsom salt (minimum 20 minutes).

The magnesium in the salt will help to ease muscle tension and promote sleep. Add an essential oil like lavender to boost results.

5. 4-7-8 Breathing.

This breathing technique has been scientifically proven to decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety and help with sleep if practiced regularly. Proper form is important: Sit up straight or lay down on your back. Start with a 4 second inhalation through your nose. Keep your shoulders and chest down and expand your belly with air; this is called diaphragmatic breathing. Hold for 7 seconds, then exhale through an open mouth for 8 seconds. Do 4 repetitions at least once a day. Doing a breathing exercise increases oxygen in our blood and decreases a build of carbon dioxide.

6. Drink chamomile tea.

Chamomile tea can naturally promote sleep and help with relaxation.

7. Limit caffeine, Nicotine, and sugar.

These chemicals have a stimulating effect.

8. Unplug to recharge.

When we see and hear too much fear-provoking or violent information (news and social media) it causes the release of stress hormones. Just as your phone needs time to recharge, so do we. Disconnecting by taking a digital detox each day can help you manage stress, sleep better, and spend time doing other activities.

9. Listen to music.

Happy, soothing, dancing, or sing-along music. Listening to the right kind of music can improve our mood.

10. Do some gardening.

Whether it’s pulling weeds or planting seeds, both can be helpful in relieving stress.

11. Release oxytocin.

Oxytocin is a chemical that neutralizes stress hormones. Release it by laughing, hugging a loved one, eating chocolate, and petting a pet.

12. Meditation, used for thousands of years, is very effective to help you center and relax.

There are many free apps and videos for beginners. Put your earbuds in and limit distractions. Beginner meditations are less than 15 minutes. Developing a regular meditation practice will give you a few minutes of mental rest.

13. Try a weighted blanket.

Adding heaviness to you comforter or buying a weighted blanket can help ease anxiety, manage stress, and promote sleep.

 14. Use essential oils or candles.

Lighting a scented candle or diffusing essential oils like lavender, ylang-ylang, and chamomile can promote relaxation and take the edge off nerves.

15. Focus on gratitude.

When negative thoughts become overwhelming, focusing on gratitude can help to neutralize them. Write a daily gratitude list of 5 things you are thankful for (try to make them different each day).

16. Grounding technique.

While there are many others, the Five Senses technique is a common grounding technique. In this exercise, you’ll identify 5 sights, 4 sounds, 3 physical sensations, 2 smells, and 1 taste (say them out loud). This increases awareness of your surroundings and can make you feel more present and connected versus future focused which often increases anxiety.

17. Practice progressive muscle relaxation technique.

Tighten and relax muscle groups in your body from head to toe. For example, starting with your forehead, tighten and squeeze your facial muscles, hold for 10 seconds (breath in and exhale) and release, then work your way down your body (shoulders, biceps, triceps, hands, etc.).

18. Clean and organize.

Cleaning a drawer, closet, or room exerts energy and relieves stress. The result helps us to feel accomplished, have clearer thoughts, and feel at peace.

19. Sound therapy.

Listen to white noise, rain, ocean waves, or the song of a singing bowl. All of these can be found with a search online. Find one that is soothing and relaxing.

20. Use a heated a blanket.

If you don’t have a heated blanket, you can put a towel, robe or blanket in the dryer for 15-20 min. Take it out and wrap yourself in it like a warm hug. Feel your stress melt away.

21. Herbal Supplements.

Talk with your health provider about taking natural herbal supplements: St. John’s Wort (depression), or Ashwagandha (managing stress and anxiety), melatonin (sleep), or valerian root (stress and anxiety).

22. Find your words.

Check out an online resource designed to make it easier to open up about mental health and empower more people to ask for help, take action, and support others like FindYourWords.org

23. Shift your focus.

Remember that your peace of mind can be determined by your point of focus. What you chose to focus on will determine how your feel. Focus on positivity, health, and healing.

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Help Is Always Available

24/7 hotlines are always available to you. Access the National Suicide Lifeline at 1-800-643- TALK (8255) or the Anxiety/Panic Disorder Information Hotline at 1-800-64-PANIC (72642). To get in touch with someone to discus rehabilitation options for substance abuse or mental health disorders, call a treatment provider for free here.

The post 23 Tips For Building Resilience And Managing Stress appeared first on Addiction Center.

It’s long been established that the food we eat directly correlates to our overall physical health, but there has been more research in recent years about the mind-body connection, specifically as it relates to nourishment. In the field of study coined “nutritional psychiatry,” scientists are investigating the relationship between food and mood, how what (and even when) we eat can directly influence our mental health and overall wellness.

For many, it can feel challenging to eat with healthful intention. To not only prioritize and maintain proper, helpful eating habits for optimal body functioning, but to also be aware of the connectivity between physical and mental health. However, with knowledge comes power and in the case of personal wellbeing, intention.

The Importance Of Healthy Eating For Those With Addiction

For those struggling with addiction, nutrition is that much more important. Often, when someone suffers under the weight of any substance abuse or addiction, their priorities are skewed and the desire to seek and use substances overpowers even the most basic human needs, like eating. The issue of malnutrition and poor health is twofold in these cases; not only does the pursuit of drugs cause a neglect in proper eating and nutrition, but the substances themselves significantly impact overall body health.

Alcohol, for example, the most used substance in the world, has been linked to various forms of cancer and numerous other conditions when consumed in excess. Methamphetamines alter the production and quality of saliva which makes it a challenge to properly chew and digest food; Cocaine is an appetite suppressant and many times when individuals who use the drug do get around to eating, they’re filling up with carbs and sweets and other empty calories. It is for these reasons that recovery programs must address proper food and nutrition, particularly with an emphasis on education so that patients may learn about the importance of healthy eating for their overall mind and body wellbeing.

How Healthy Eating Relates To The Mind

According to Dr. Drew Ramsey, a leader in the emerging branch of nutritional psychiatry, the American diet (traditionally very heavy in saturated fats and high in nutrient-lacking calories) is a huge contributor to the increasing prevalence of depression. It is ironic that for a country historically concerned with diet and health as it relates to the body, many Americans aren’t even aware that what we eat can influence how we feel.

While the brain houses and controls mental health and overall functioning, there is also a direct relationship between the gut and the mind through the vagus nerve. The GI tract has been referred to as “the second brain” as it is estimated to produce between 90-95% of the body’s serotonin, a chemical that aids in mood regulation and is thought to be a contributor to various mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. Thus, the food we are fueling with matters a great deal. The human brain requires various nutrients like fatty acids and a range of different vitamins to operate most optimally, many of which can be found in various plant-based foods. And yet very few people consume adequate amounts, if any at all. According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 10% or 1 in 10 adults eat the recommended 1.5-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day.

What Should I Eat?

In general, professionals advise individuals to minimize their meat and dairy intake and focus on whole foods like those that contain healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, and other veggies. An emphasis placed on color and variety of natural, nutrient-rich foods ensure that we receive an array of healthy victuals that help us function and perform at our best. One of the biggest problems in today’s society is the reliance on highly processed (but easily/readily available) foods. Many of the preprepared snacks and meals are high in sugar and while sugar can cause a temporary spike in various “feel good” chemicals like dopamine, it actually inflames the gut which feeds the bad bacteria, resulting in mood and energy fluctuations.

Since the brain and nervous system rely on nourishment to build new products like cells and tissues, it is important to feed the body the various carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals it requires. For optimal body and brain health, specialists suggest incorporating (and prioritizing) these food groups into your daily diet:

• Complex carbohydrates: these are foods that consist of sugar molecules that the body turns into glucose; a compound that the body uses as energy. Foods like legumes, beans, whole grains, and various starchy vegetables have high nutritional value and help you stay satisfied longer.
• Lean proteins: proteins work hard to build muscle mass and take care of important functions; lean proteins contain less saturated fats without compromising the nutrients and lead to sustainable energy. Most poultry and fish are lean, but there are plant-based foods like soybeans (in all forms), various nuts, and seeds.
• Fatty acids: healthy acids and oils help to lower cholesterol and aid in the proper functioning of bodily systems; they can be found in various fish and meat products as well as eggs, flaxseeds, and nuts.

There are innumerable diets and paradigms out there on the ultimate, proper health management, but the general consensus agrees on a combination of more fruits and vegetables (high in fiber and antioxidants), equal amounts of proteins and whole grains, and a small amount of natural fat.

How We Eat Also Matters

Our culture is increasingly becoming touch and go, rushing about and scheduling responsibilities and playtime strategically throughout our busy days. Often, we don’t allot the time to savor the foods we’re eating; we watch TV while scarfing down dinner and rarely make mealtime its own destination. What once was an act of necessary, life-giving sustenance is now (for many) merely a pesky pit stop we must make lest we wish to forgo everything else we actually want to do.

Intentional mindfulness (throughout all areas of life, but particularly when eating) can be a great way to get more in tune with your body and the present moment you’re experiencing. Much of health and wellness comes down to an awareness. Once we are attentive, it becomes slightly easier to make decisions that are healthy and wise and right for our own minds and bodies.

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Healthy Eating Doesn’t Cure All

Healthy eating can go a long way. However, it does not cure all. If you or someone you know struggles with mental health concerns or uses substances like alcohol or drugs to self medicate, help is available. Know you are not alone and there are treatment providers waiting to answer your questions and get you the help you need. Reach out today for more information.

The post How What We Eat Influences How We Feel appeared first on Addiction Center.

By and large, winter festivities are meant to be a time to relax and unwind. They can afford us a crucial opportunity to rest, recharge, take stock of our lives, give thanks, and plan for the next year. However, for some, staying sober during holidays can seem like a Herculean task.

It doesn’t have to be. Those who are afflicted by substance use disorders or mental health conditions of any kind may have at least 2 options when the holidays roll around: choose to spend time with family and/or friends in as healthy a way as possible, or elect to go one’s own way — and in so doing, potentially make the most of this important period of rejuvenation and reflection.

Ideas about how to pursue either course most effectively are below. No matter your faith or lack thereof, your country of birth, or your personal history, you deserve to enjoy a well-deserved break.

Tips For Family & Friend Gatherings

The most strongly-held resolves and most closely-protected recoveries can seem to shatter when you are around potentially triggering elements like people you knew while you were using, the stressors of having to plan or attend large social gatherings, and/or environments where a lot of alcohol is being consumed.

Following some of the advice below may not only help you with staying sober over the holidays, but may also lead to feeling — if not “merry and bright” — far better than you would have otherwise.

• Make a plan. It’s been said that no plan survives contact with the enemy. But by outlining a few key things — like when you’ll arrive and leave, what transportation you’ll use, which words you’ll select to say “no” to a drink or a drug (“no,” by the way, being a fine option) — you can give yourself a strong foundation to lean on when the “enemy” of relapse rears its head.
• Get a Trojan horse. Grab a soda water with lime, a mocktail, a non-alcohol beer, a glass of fruit juice, or whatever you need to feel (and look) like you’re drinking while keeping your BAC on the ground floor. It might relieve the social pressure — and it might even taste good, too.
• Have a buddy. Let a sponsor, friend, relative, neighbor, or trusted coworker know that staying sober during holidays can be tough for you. Ask them if they wouldn’t mind your calling during the festivities to vent, check in, or ask for advice. If your list of contacts is short these days — and no one could blame you for that — then consider taking a break to spend time with a good book or a movie; additionally, thinking of a role model you have and imagining what they might do in the situation could be beneficial.
• Find a way to move. Sitting still can make us anxious and facilitate cravings. Get a reason to shuffle your feet and get your blood pumping: it can be dancing, cooking, cleaning, going for a walk, playing a game, or even just stretching. By getting into your body, you mitigate your mind’s ability to tell you stories you’ll regret believing tomorrow.
• Remember to HALT. You’re certainly at risk of not being entirely yourself when you’re peckish; additionally, anger, loneliness, and tiredness can make us act in ways that are out of character and maladaptive. Remember, when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, it’s time to halt — take no action until you meet those needs fully and have time to process what the “real you” really wants.
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

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Choosing To Do Your Own Thing

Sometimes, no matter the coping strategies available, being around others just isn’t on the menu; if that’s what you need to accomplish staying sober over holidays, so be it.

That could be a blessing in disguise; it’s possible that spending time alone or with new, likeminded people can be immensely beneficial. Here are some ways to do just that.

• Volunteer. Contact a local food bank, visit the Salvation Army’s website, consider charities like the Linus Project or Give Kids The World. Identify a cause that’s important to you, or people you care about, and go help. As a result, you might think about yourself less — and feel the warm glow of having acted out of compassion for no reason other than compassion’s sake.
• Get a room. Book a hotel room for yourself. Fill it with whatever you want: favorite movies, books, trinkets, photos, or memories. Be wary of being too isolated, however, and consider talking over the phone or videoconferencing with someone you know — or at the very least, making some chit-chat with the staff. But if you want to get away from it all until the hubbub is over and lock yourself away in sheets you don’t have to wash, you have that right.
• Attend a group. Support groups meet both in-person and virtually; holidays are especially important times for these groups, and they know to expect new visitors concerned with staying sober over the holidays. Alcoholics Anonymous (based on the 12 Steps and a higher power) and SMART Recovery™ (based on self-efficacy and less concerned with faith or belief) are 2 great options — they’re easily searched for online, and they’re free.
• Get out in nature. This may not be feasible everywhere! If you can, though, consider going for a hike or another activity that allows you to surround yourself with the great outdoors. If you’re somewhere frigid, bundling up as tightly as you can and going for a walk — provided it’s safe — could still be a good way to clear your head.
• Create your new year. Sit down with a pen and paper, or just your imagination, and draft your “mission statement” for the new year. Outline goals. Consider personal values and boundaries. Act like you’re the CEO of a company and you’re implementing a strategic action plan to increase the bottom line (your happiness). Visualizing helps. If you can see the possibilities, they’re already within your reach.
  

Staying Sober During Holidays And Beyond

You’re not in this alone (unless you want to be — and even then, just know isolation can be hazardous and that we’re all rooting for you.)

If you want more advice or more help on staying sober during holidays and beyond, consider learning some new traditions for a new year (and a new life) inside of a treatment center or via outpatient care.

Contact a treatment provider now, for free, for more information.

In the meantime, happy new year!

The post Guarding Sobriety Over The Holidays appeared first on Addiction Center.

During 2020, Pornhub, a leading adult entertainment platform, received 3.2 billion visits per month. Another leading adult site, X Videos, received 3.4 billion per month. The accessibility of porn can lead to unhealthy habits and even an addiction. A person may have a pornography addiction if their life is negatively impacted by their desire to look at porn. This compulsion interferes with daily life, relationships, work, and their ability to function. Those with a porn addiction are unable to stop watching, even if they want to. Although the medical definition of porn addiction is often debated by scientists, negative effects are relatively common. Even celebrities have opened up about their struggles with watching porn. 

Signs Of Porn Addiction

The main indication that a porn addiction is present is when it becomes the most important thing in a person’s life. Day to day life gets interrupted by the compulsion to watch pornography. Other signs of a porn addiction include: 

• Neglecting personal care.
• Losing interest in other activities and social interactions.
• Damaging relationships.
• Ignoring responsibilities.
• Negative effects to school work or job. 
• Watching pornography in inappropriate places (like school or work).
• Sex life becomes unfulfilling. 
• Continuing to watch porn despite feeling frustrated or ashamed.
• Can’t stop watching although not as enjoyable as once was. 
• Looking at or watching porn routinely for over 6 months.

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The Addiction Debate

Not all medical professionals and scientists agree that heavy porn use is considered an addiction in the medical definition of the word. Different organizations and associations have opposing views on the subject. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed compulsive sexual behavior as a mental health disorder. This addition was defined as repetitive sexual behavior that becomes the central focus of an individual’s life causing them to neglect their health, personal care, and care for interests, activities, and responsibilities. 

Studies have shown that problematic porn use can trigger certain responses in the brain. These responses occur in the areas that are associated with reward and memory. Researchers believe that this is similar to the brain activity that is seen with drug or alcohol addiction. Despite the support shown in this study, excessive porn use is not recognized by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The American Psychiatric Association does not believe that developing a dependence to porn creates the same long-lasting effects on the brain as a substance use disorder (SUD) does. 

Celebrities Who Have Spoken On Their Porn Addictions

It may seem that the lives’ of celebrities are very different from the average person. While this can be true in some aspects, they have struggles like everyone else. In fact, many celebrities experience substance abuse at some point in their career as a result of social pressure, criticism, and accessibility. 

Celebrities are also just as vulnerable to porn addiction. In recent years, several celebrities have opened up about overcoming their addiction to porn despite the stigma associated. This has been especially true after Brooklyn 99 actor, Terry Crews, revealed in 2015 that he had attended rehab for his porn use. Here are 5 other celebrities who overcome an addiction to porn. 

Andra Day

In a 2021 interview with InStyle, actress Andra Day spoke about her struggles with porn addiction. The 36-year-old celebrity discussed her portrayal of Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Day stated that she intentionally wanted to exclude sexuality from her performance of the influential singer. 

I didn’t want any element of sexualization. I had to come out of something in my own life: dealing with porn addiction and sex addiction. I’m being very, very candid with you because I’m not the only one.

Day went on to say that she is much healthier now that she is on the outside of her addiction. 

Kanye West

Rapper, producer, fashion designer, and celebrity Kanye West, who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021, shared his experience with porn addiction with Apple Music 1’s The Zane Lowe Show. In this 2019 interview, West told the story of how his interest in Playboy Magazine at age 5 grew into a “full blown addiction.” 

My dad had a Playboy left out at age 5 and it affected almost every choice I made for the rest of my life. From age 5 until now, having to kick the habit.

Kanye credits his faith with helping him to overcome his various addictions including porn addiction. 

Russell Brand

On his comedy web series, Russell Brand discussed the negative impact watching porn can have. Brand has been open about his struggles with his past struggles of substance abuse and sex addiction. In this 2015 collaboration with Fight The New Drug, an anti-pornography nonprofit, Brand spoke on how he has had to work towards not watching porn and its overall influence on him. 

It’s affected my ability to relate to women, to relate to myself, my own sexuality, my own spirituality.

Brand went on to point out the impact pornography has had on our society. He believes that porn has warped attitudes towards sex, deviating it from its true purpose as an expression of love and means of procreation. 

Jada Pinkett Smith

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith and daughter Willow had an open conversation about porn on her Facebook Watch series, Red Table Talk. This discussion began with Willow, who was 18 years old at the time, sharing her porn preferences. Pinkett Smith then revealed her own past unhealthy relationship with watching porn when she was trying to practice abstinence. 

It was actually like feeling an emptiness, at least you think it is, but it’s actually not. And actually, reading some of the effects of pornography, like the idea that it really gives you false expectations, as far as sexual interactions.

During this conversation, Willow said she doesn’t think it has a negative effect on her because she has an open line of communication with Pinkett Smith and her father, Will Smith.

Lamar Odom

Former NBA player Lamar Odom sought treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in 2015 after an overdose. While this stay in rehab was successful for this celebrity’s substance use disorder, his addiction to porn continued. In 2019, he stated that he had given up watching porn to work towards a healthier lifestyle. His fiancé, at the time, had noticed that his addiction to porn was getting in the way of their relationship and helped him by downloading an app that blocked all porn from his phone. 

I think that’s what drugs and porn did- took me away from being present. You always want to be present with your loved ones.

In an interview with Kevin Hart, Odom said that his addiction will never truly go away and that it’s something he has to work on every day.

Get Help For Porn Addiction Today

Porn addiction can be incredibly difficult to live with. The debate surrounding the “legitimacy” of porn addiction, along with the stigma attached to compulsive sexual behaviors, can be enough to keep many people from seeking treatment. Fortunately, there are treatment professionals who are well versed in porn addiction and other behavioral health issues that are here to help. If you need help with porn addiction and want to learn more about your online therapy options, click here.

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