Co-Occurring: Disorders in Adolescents
Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders in Adolescents: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers Adolescence is a time of significant change. Physical, emotional, and social development often come with challenges that are difficult to navigate. For some young people, these challenges are compounded by mental health disorders that not only affect their daily lives but also their ability […]
Neurodevelopment: Risk-Taking in Adolescents
Neurodevelopment and Risk-Taking in Adolescents: What’s Going on in the Teenage Brain? Adolescence is often described as a time of dramatic change—and with good reason. Anyone who’s spent time around teenagers knows they can be passionate, impulsive, emotional, and sometimes downright baffling in their decision-making. Why is that? The answer lies, at least in part, […]
Substance Use: The Hidden Struggle
Substance use as self-medication refers to the practice of using drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional, psychological, or physical distress. This behavior is often an attempt to manage symptoms of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or trauma without professional support or prescribed treatment. When we hear the words “substance abuse,” we […]
“Intervention with Heart and Skill”
A compassionate approach to helping your loved one take the first step toward recovery. When someone you care about is lost in addiction or struggling with untreated mental health issues, the emotional toll can feel overwhelming. You may feel torn between wanting to help and not knowing how. You may worry that saying the wrong […]
“Expert Interventionist Guidance, Real Change”
“Why Families Need a Professional Interventionist”: Because sometimes, love needs guidance. Watching someone you love struggle with addiction, mental health issues, or self-destructive behaviors is heartbreaking. You may feel like you’ve tried everything—talks, ultimatums, helping hands—and yet nothing seems to work. Each effort can end in denial, conflict, or deeper emotional exhaustion. This is where […]
Delay Is Risky—Intervene Now
When a loved one is caught in the grip of addiction or mental health challenges, families often feel helpless—unsure of what to say, where to turn, or how to take the first step toward change. Professional intervention services can be the catalyst for transformation—not only for the individual struggling, but for the entire family system. […]
Accountability, for Substance Abuse
Accountability, Monitoring, and Prevention Across All Substance Abuse When it comes to supporting long-term recovery, structure and consistency are key. That’s where accountability, monitoring, and prevention come into play. This approach isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about creating a clear, supportive path that helps individuals stay focused, families stay informed, and professionals respond with the […]
Families Sending a Loved One to Treatment
What Families Need to Know Before Sending a Loved One to Treatment Sending a loved one to treatment is a courageous and life-changing decision. For families, it’s often filled with fear, hope, and uncertainty. Here’s what you need to know to prepare and feel confident in the process: Treatment Is a Beginning, Not a Cure: Treatment […]
Cannabis Use is Bad for the Brain
Marijuana use has been shown to negatively impact brain function, especially with early and prolonged use. Brain imaging studies have found that individuals who use marijuana regularly often exhibit reduced activity in multiple areas of the brain. One study, published in a peer-reviewed American medical journal, specifically reported decreased activity in the hippocampus — the […]
ADHD and Addiction: Understanding the Overlap
Finding a Way Forward When we think of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), we often think of inattention, impulsivity, and restlessness. When we think of addiction, we think of substance use, compulsion, and a loss of control. But what many people don’t realize is how closely these two conditions are connected—and how important it is to treat […]