Raising Awareness About PTSD

Last month, we directed our focus on mental health and co-occurring mental illnesses that accompany addiction. May was Mental Health Month. Today, we would like to direct your attention toward post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Every June is PTSD Awareness Month.

PTSD is a condition you may hear about a lot in the coming months and years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus public health crisis has impacted countless lives across the globe. More than 2.5 million Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 120 thousand have died from health complications related to the virus.

Post-traumatic stress can arise in a person's life for a number of reasons. It's not just people in the military who contend with the severe form of mental illness. Experiencing any kind of traumatic event, such as the loss of a loved one, can have a dramatic impact on a person's life.

Prolonged stents of loneliness and isolation can have a negative impact on your psychological well-being. It's worth noting that millions of Americans live alone and cannot rely on others' support while weathering the pandemic storm.

Isolation also has a pernicious effect on men and women who struggle with mental illness. Those living with mental health disorders have found the current crisis a real challenging event. With no end in sight, anxiety plagues millions of people, including those who contend with PTSD.

PTSD Awareness Month: Treatment Works

PTSD is not a rare disorder; some 8 million people live with PTSD in America. At this time, it is vital to support those living with the condition and let those with untreated post-traumatic stress know that treatment works. Many people who meet the criteria for PTSD also struggle with addiction. Self-medicating with drugs and alcohol is exceptionally common amongst those afflicted by the condition.

Addicts and alcoholics living with co-occurring PTSD must receive simultaneous treatment for both conditions. Each of us can play a role in raising awareness and encouraging those who are struggling to seek assistance. We can all make a difference in the lives of Veterans and anyone who has experienced trauma. It's a critical mission; the National Center for PTSD points out that:

"Most people who have PTSD don't get the help they need...Everyone with PTSD—whether they are Veterans or civilian survivors of sexual assault, serious accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events—needs to know that treatments really do work and can lead to a better quality of life."

As the month ends and all year long, you can join the National Center for PTSD in raising awareness and help people in your community find the courage to seek treatment. Men and women living with untreated mental and behavioral health disorders are at significant risk and more prone to self-destructive behaviors and suicidal ideations. Please keep in mind:  

Anyone can develop PTSD at any age. There are factors that can increase the chance someone will develop PTSD, and these are often not under that person's control.
 

Faith-Based Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Celebrate Hope is a faith-based addiction treatment center in Southern California. We utilize evidence-based therapies, 12 Step principles, and the teachings of Jesus Christ to help men and women overcome addiction and co-occurring mental illnesses like PTSD. Please contact us today to begin the journey of recovery.

Patrick Kennedy Reflects on Cousin's Overdose

The Kennedy family has a long history of falling victim to tragedy, from assassinations to substance abuse and mental health issues. Many Americans are familiar with Ted Kennedy’s alcohol use earlier in his career, which led to a car wreck that took the life of a young woman. His son Patrick, a vocal advocate for recovery and mental health parity, also struggled with substance use for many years.

Recently deceased author Christopher Kennedy Lawford was also in recovery for mental health-related issues. Last week, tragedy struck the family once again when Robert Kennedy’s granddaughter died from a suspected overdose, People reports. Saoirse Kennedy Hill, Patrick Kennedy’s cousin, died at the age of 22.

If the reports are accurate, Saoirse is now among the staggering number of Americans who lose their lives to an overdose. Three years before the young lady’s untimely death, she wrote an essay for her high school newspaper about her battles with depression and suicidal ideation.

"My depression took root in the beginning of my middle school years and will be with me for the rest of my life," Saoirse wrote. "Although I was mostly a happy child, I suffered bouts of deep sadness that felt like a heavy boulder on my chest."

At a time like this, who better to speak on the subject than former Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy. 

 

Bringing Depression and Addiction Out of the Shadows

Patrick Kennedy has been fighting to end the stigma of addiction and mental health disorders for years. He has a track record for working on expanding access to treatment and recovery services. His effort to ensure that insurance companies cover mental health services, in the same way they would other diseases, has been instrumental in protecting the rights of millions of Americans.

Following his cousin’s death, Patrick shared some kind words about her with People. He said that "She opened the door for her peers to also come out and not feel shamed by this illness and she is a real hero in my family."

"She broke the silence. And we mourn her loss but her memory will live on as someone who wasn’t going to keep silent and wasn’t going to be feeling as if she had something shameful, but rather something medical that she sought treatment for."

Saoirse’s story is not unique; millions of Americans continue to struggle in the shadows with mental illness and substance use disorder. Patrick Kennedy used the opportunity to call for a more significant response in dealing with the epidemic we face.

"This affects every single family in America," said Kennedy. "It’s way past time that we deal with this in a way that we would deal with any other public health crisis."

Seeking Help for Addiction and Mental Illness

At Celebrate Hope, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kennedy family. We understand the deadly nature of mental disease and hope that Hill’s memory will inspire other young people to seek assistance.

Please contact us at your earliest convenience if you are struggling with alcohol or substance use disorder. We offer several programs that can help you learn how to lead a life in recovery.

Drugs, Alcohol, Suicide, and Millennials

Good news! New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests deaths from drug overdoses decreased slightly between 2017 and 2018. After two decades of steadily rising overdose death rates, a little headway has been made. There were 21.7 deaths per 100,000, compared to 20.8 deaths per 100,000 for the 12 months ending in the second quarter of 2018.

Efforts to increase access to addiction treatment services and the overdose reversal drug naloxone has paid off, some. However, the public health crisis this country faces is still as real as ever. As many as six million people could be living with an opioid use disorder involving the use of prescription painkillers or heroin.

Each day, more than 100 Americans succumb to the deadly effects of an overdose. While the above findings are promising, there continues to be a significant cause for concern, particularly with younger demographics. A new analysis of alcohol, drug use, and suicide among Millennials is startling.

Troubling Statistics About Alcohol, Drug Use, and Suicide

The latest federal data indicates that drug-related deaths skyrocketed 108% between 2007 and 2017 among people 18 to 34 years old. Alcohol-related deaths rose 69 percent and suicides increased 35 percent during the same period, USA Today reports. The findings were published by the organizations Trust for America’s Health and the Well Being Trust.

“There is a critical need for targeted programs that address Millennials’ health, well-being and economic opportunity,” says John Auerbach, CEO of the Trust for America’s Health and Massachusetts’ former health secretary. 

What are the driving forces behind what some experts dub “deaths of despair?” According to Mr. Auerbach, there are several, including:

• Education debt
• Housing costs
• The Great Recession
• Opioid epidemic

When people are unhappy, or they feel unable to get ahead in life, they are more likely to look for relief and escape. Drugs and alcohol can ease people’s worries for a time, but such effects are fleeting. Those who attempt to anesthetize their feelings put themselves at significant risk of developing a use disorder, and co-occurring mental illnesses as well.

The executive director of the mental health services non-profit agency, McClendon Center, Dennis Hobb, points out a disconnect between mental health and addiction services adds to the problem, according to the article. He said that it impacts patients who struggle with co-occurring illness.

“When people are ready for treatment you have to get them into treatment right now, you can’t wait,” said Hobb.

People who are dealing with a mental illness are at a higher risk of self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. The behavior can lead to behavioral health disorders, such as an addiction. It is vital that each condition is treated simultaneously. Many of the young people who resort to self-harm and suicide never receive treatment.

Faith-Based Dual Diagnosis

If you are struggling with alcohol or substance use and feel that you may be contending with a co-occurring mental illness, please contact Celebrate Hope. Our faith-based dual diagnosis treatment program can help you address both disorders concurrently.

We are standing by to answer any of your questions and to help you get on the road toward recovery.

Addiction Recovery Turns Lives Around

Good people often find themselves struggling with issues that bring out their worst. Addiction is a condition that can lead people to the depths of despair. When men and women lack healthy coping skills and are in the grips of mental illness, they make decisions that can change their lives forever.

On this blog, we make a point of searching for stories of rebirth. Instances when individuals rise from the ashes of addiction and mental disease are worth retelling. Such stories can act as beacons of hope to all those who think that they are beyond help.

Jails, institutions, and death are said to await persons who do not receive assistance for addiction. Many people who’ve struggled with drugs and alcohol know that there is truth to those words. Nonviolent drug offenders make up a large portion of the U.S. prison population. There is also a significant number of inmates whose addiction lead them to commit previously unthinkable acts of violence.

While substance use is not a sound excuse for harming others, it does not mean that those who do are unredeemable. Addiction has brought many men and women to prison, but there are some who use their jail time to change their life.

Quintin Storey, 40, spent 19 years and seven months in a state prison located in Florida for committing second-degree murder, WBUR reports. His nearly two decades of imprisonment was a reformative period; he found addiction recovery and developed a passion for the culinary arts. Today, with the help of another chef in recovery, he is helping other felons as they transition back into the community.

 

From Prison to Addiction Recovery to Helping Others

Mr. Storey tells WBUR that he had a mostly normal childhood, one that involved family, music, and religion. He played sports and went to church; Quintin remembers being happy. Then, when he was ten, his whole world was flipped upside down—his parents divorced.

He found himself incapable of making sense of his parents’ separation through the lens of his devout Christian beliefs. Lacking coping skills, Storey began hanging out with the wrong crowd, smoking pot, and drinking. After high school, Quintin started using and selling drugs and abusing alcohol. In 1999, he was charged and convicted with homicide.

While in prison he started working in the kitchen, where he discovered a passion for cooking. In January 2018, Mr. Storey was released from jail; being a felon, he needed assistance. Then, Quintin learned about the REfire Culinary Program.

Chef Rebecca Kelly-Manders, 45, started REfire to assist felons transitioning back into society, according to the article. The eight-week program instructs students on knife handling and food safety.

“My darkest past can be a beacon of light for somebody else,” Rebecca says. “I can say, ‘Hey, look what I’ve walked through. You can walk through this, too. Let me show you how I did it.’”

The founder of the program knows how challenging it is for individuals with felonies on their record because of her past. Drug and alcohol addiction led Kelly-Manders on a destructive path; she was convicted on felony charges more than once before finding recovery.

In February 2018, Storey took the REfire course and graduated eight weeks later, the article reports. Despite being an exceptional student, he struggled to find a job. Kelly-Manders chose to hire Storey, making him supervisor of her cafe and the food protection manager at the Big Bend Homeless Coalition.

“My felony conviction was something that was basically a wall that was built up to where it was difficult for me to get a chance,” Quintin says. “And Rebecca helped to tear that wall down.” 

California Faith-based Addiction Treatment

We invite anyone struggling with addiction to contact Celebrate Hope to discuss treatment options. At our center, we rely on evidence-based modalities along with Biblical principles to help men and women discover lasting recovery.

Start celebrating hope today by speaking to a faith-based recovery specialist. (800) 708-3173

Alcohol Use Disorder is Treatable: Spread The Word

When it comes to substance use and misuse, nothing compares to alcohol. Even opioid use disorder and overdose deaths pale in comparison to drinking. While alcohol is legal, it's far from harmless. 2.8 million deaths are caused by alcohol each year around the globe, according to Facing Addiction with NCADD. Nearly 90,000 Americans die from excessive alcohol use annually.

Alcohol use disorder affects some 17.6 million people in the United States, whereas 2.5 million are living with opioid use disorder. Prescription painkiller and heroin use continues to be a severe cause for concern, and it is vital that more be done to combat the epidemic we face. However, having a dialogue about alcohol use is of equal import considering the toll it takes on society. Talking about the impact of alcohol is arguably more vital given the data.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) created Alcohol Awareness Month in 1987 with the above goal in mind. The organization sought to start a worldwide conversation about the dangers of alcohol. NCADD is committed to ending the age-old stigma of alcoholism that prevents those who suffer from seeking help.

In April, NCADD works with its affiliates across the country to organize events aimed at creating awareness and encouraging people with alcohol use disorder to find support. The theme of Alcohol Awareness Month 2019 is “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow.”

Spreading The Word About Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use in the U.S. is a substantial problem from one demographic to the next. Old and young, white and black, affluent and impoverished; individuals from nearly every sector contend with AUD. Those who engage in risky drinking patterns put themselves at significant risk of experiencing health problems, including mental illness.

Those who begin drinking at a young age – in adolescence or early adulthood – are exponentially more likely to experience problems later in life. The list of potentially fatal health disorders that can arise from drinking too much is ever-expanding. Since 66.6 million people from age 12 to 17 report binge drinking, there is a significant cause for concern.

When one forms an unhealthy relationship with alcohol as a teen, then continues drinking heavily as an adult, they are almost certain to face problems. Not the least of which are alcohol use disorder and several other mental health disorders. Hazardous drinking can also result in cardiovascular troubles, liver disease, gastrointestinal issues, and many forms of cancer.

Of all hospital beds in the United States, 40 percent are being used to treat alcohol-related health conditions, according to Facing Addiction with NCADD. However, alcohol use is a treatable mental health condition. Early intervention can prevent others from developing health conditions stemming from alcohol consumption.

During Alcohol Awareness Month, we would like to encourage anyone who struggles with alcohol to seek assistance. Millions of Americans are working programs of recovery to lead productive lives, in spite of their illness. With help, you too can discover how to live a life in recovery and make lasting changes for the better.

Faith-based Alcohol Use Disorder Rehab

Celebrate Hope can help you begin a journey of recovery and rebuild your life. We utilize advanced medical treatments to help our clients break the cycle of alcohol use disorder and show our residents how to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ to their everyday lives.

Please contact us today to learn more about faith-based addiction treatment at Celebrate Hope.

Nature Impacts Mental Health

Experts believe that nature, and exposure to natural environments, can play a significant role in mental health. Our connection to the world around us can have a dramatic impact on our wellbeing. Those who get outside and interact with their surroundings have a chance to quiet their mind and focus.

In the field of addiction recovery, a significant emphasis is placed on serenity—the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. Active addiction is the embodiment of internal and external chaos; so, preventing relapse can hinge on staying grounded. Those in early recovery learn techniques for living in the moment, or just for today. They learn that a person has little control over the future and that they cannot change the past.

One of the best things a person in recovery can do is practice mindfulness; the psychological process of focusing on the present moment as much as possible. People who begin their journey of healing in treatment are taught mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and prayer. Clients who utilize tools that help them stay in the “now” can adopt a program of recovery with greater ease, typically.

At Celebrate Hope, our clients benefit significantly from the environment of our campus. Aside from comfy living quarters that are conducive to personal reflection, clients are treated to ocean views and grounds that facilitate both social interaction and serenity. When clients feel at ease in their surroundings, they can focus their attention on the present moment and fully commit to their recovery.

Nature and Mental Health

We know that when people are in an environment that has a calming effect, it aids the recovery process. However, new research may lend some credence to the importance of serenity-inducing surrounds for people in recovery. A large study, conducted by researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark, found that being raised near vegetation is associated with a lower risk of mental health disorders in adulthood, NPR reports. The research suggests that being exposed to “green spaces" might have significant physiological and psychological effects on human beings. The findings appear in the journal PNAS.

Interestingly, the scientists found that alcohol use disorder was most strongly associated with people who had a shortage of green space growing up, according to the article. The study shows that growing up near green space was associated with a 15 percent to 55 percent lower risk of developing psychiatric illness in adulthood. Of course, not everyone is fortunate enough to grow up next to a forest, but the researchers found that access to parks can have a similar effect.

"There are a lot of potential mechanisms to follow up on, but generally I think this study is tremendously important," said Kelly Lambert, a neuroscientist at the University of Richmond who studies the psychological effects of natural spaces. Lambert offers, "It suggests that something as simple as better city planning could have profound impacts on the mental health and well-being of all of us."

Addiction Treatment Surrounded by Natural Beauty

We invite men and women considering addiction treatment to take a virtual tour of Celebrate Hope at Hope By The Sea. We are confident you will see an environment that is conducive to your journey of healing. Please contact us to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment track.

Addiction Recovery Gives People Voices

People in addiction recovery have a voice; for some people working a program, this is the first time in their life they have felt able to speak their truth. Men and women who battle addiction learn that they must hide and disguise their behaviors. The societal stigma of addiction creates a culture of silence. Being unable to open up about one’s issues perpetuates the cycle of disease.

Addicts and alcoholics are prone to feel as though they are broken souls. They convince themselves that they are responsible for their affliction. The guilt and shame that accompany mental illness prevent millions of people from reaching out for help. Sometimes, decades will pass before a person summons the courage to reach out for support.

While nobody is to blame for the development of chemical dependency, each person has some say in the choices they make from one day to the next. Naturally, becoming hooked on a substance often means risking physical withdrawal symptoms, if one decides not to use. Such symptoms can quickly precipitate a relapse before recovery can take hold — people who choose to embrace recovery benefit immensely from seeking professional assistance.

Once in treatment, men and women discover that they no longer need to let shame drive their actions. Such people realize that they have a voice and using it can help them and others manage their disease without resorting to drug and alcohol use. Each day, people around the world come together in meeting rooms to share their experience, strength, and hope. Individuals in recovery share openly and honestly about their past and current struggles.

Some will even take the message of healing outside the realm of anonymity and inspire others who are caught in the cycle of addiction.

 

The Voice of Recovery

Desiree-Anne Martin is an author who is clean and sober now for 14 years. Before heroin sunk its teeth in Martin, she was an aspiring writer; however, she would never dare write about her demons, let alone an addiction. Today, Desiree-Anne has a different perspective on the subject, having published an autobiography recently, EastCoastRadio reports. We Don’t Talk About It. Ever. makes clear that no one facing addiction or in recovery is alone regarding their fears about being open.

“I hope that the book has become more than just an outlet for me, but a beacon of hope for others,” she explains. Martin adds that “In so many communities, there’s this rule of sweeping things under the carpet and not talking about what’s going on.” 

“Speaking your truth takes courage but it brings an unbelievable sense of freedom,” she says. “Being honest with ourselves and others could be the secret to saving lives.”

 

California Faith-based Addiction Treatment

People who struggle with addiction or dual diagnosis have an opportunity to find recovery when they reach out for help. Asking for assistance is never simple, but understand the courage to do so is a life-saving decision. Please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program.  

We don’t just treat the symptoms of chemical dependency; we focus on transforming the mind, body, and spirit.