We all yearn for a positive change. Whether it’s breaking unhealthy habits, improving our mental health, or working towards a greater sense of well-being, the human desire for change is universal.

Let’s be honest, however. Actually making those changes isn’t always easy. Doubt, fear, and inner conflict can prevent us from advancing.

The good news: Motivational interviewing can assist in closing the gap between wanting to change and making it happen.

But what is the primary goal of motivational interviewing? Is it really effective?

This article examines the principles, techniques, and applications of motivational interviewing to help you decide if it’s the right approach for you.

What Is Motivational Interviewing?

Before we talk about its ultimate objectives, let’s first understand what motivational interviewing (MI) is all about.

MI was developed in the 1980s by psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick as a way to help clients create positive change in their lives—not by being told what to do, but by finding their own reasons for wanting to change.

Simply put, it’s a collaborative, client-centered, and evidence-based approach to counseling. It’s commonly used by clinicians to elicit partnership and cooperation to achieve client-driven change in many health-related behaviors. 

Think of it as a guided conversation. With your clinician facilitating, you discuss your thoughts, feelings, and concerns about change. And most importantly, you gain the confidence to implement those changes that feel right for you.

What Is the Primary Goal of Motivational Interviewing?

The main goal of MI is simple: It seeks to tap into your internal motivation to change behavior. By this, the clinician guides the interview into “change talk,” evoking a personal desire in the client to realize that change. 

Again, nothing should feel forced or unnatural.

But, in doing so, providers honor the client’s autonomy throughout the whole process. This way, the changes you make are truly personal and more likely to be lasting and meaningful.

What Conditions Are Motivational Interviewing Used For?

MI is commonly used in psychotherapy, particularly in substance abuse treatment and substance use interventions. Key areas of application include:

• Alcohol addiction
• Drug addiction
• Gambling addiction
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• Self-harm behaviors
• Suicidal ideation

Beyond mental healthcare and addiction treatment, MI proves useful in a wide range of other contexts, such as:

• Weight management
• Stress reduction
• Work-life balance improvements
• Financial behavior changes

Principles of Motivational Interviewing

Change is hard. Sometimes, you’re stuck in bad habits or patterns, even when you know they’re hurting you. This is where a unique counseling approach like motivational interviewing can help.

So, let’s talk about the principles of MI that make it so powerful:

1. Express Empathy

Empathy is the foundation that makes everything else in MI possible. Clinicians listen reflectively to understand your experiences and not just spoon-feed you with solutions.

Because when you feel heard without judgment, you become more willing to explore difficult truths about yourself. The defensive walls come down, and you can look at your situation more honestly.

Keep in mind that empathy in MI isn’t just surface understanding. A skilled clinician can pick up on the emotions behind your words and the unspoken struggles you might not even recognize yet.

2. Amplify Ambivalence

“Part of me knows I should quit drinking, but another part of me just isn’t ready to give it up.”

Sounds familiar? This push-pull of conflicting feelings, or ambivalence, is something we all experience when facing change. Instead of squashing it, MI does the opposite. But how is this advantageous?

Rather than focusing only on the health benefits of, say, quitting, your counselor acknowledges that drinking helps you manage stress and connect with friends. That’s why you’re ambivalent about changing, right?

When you clearly see both sides of your internal argument, you often naturally begin working toward resolution yourself. The counselor doesn’t need to convince you; they help you hear your own motivation for change more clearly.

3. Develop Discrepancy

MI helps you recognize the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Is your behavior clashing with your values and goals? How and why?

This is not to find blame but simply to highlight the disconnect. For instance, perhaps you want to prioritize your health, and yet you live a sedentary lifestyle or get so little sleep. By talking about this discrepancy, you may be able to better see why change is necessary.

4. Roll With Resistance

We all resist now and then, particularly when talking about change. With MI, however, that’s perfectly fine. Nobody is asking you to do anything you don’t want to do. MI is not working against your resistance; MI works with it instead.

Sounds a bit counterintuitive?

Put it this way. If you feel defensive, or as though someone is telling you what to do, you’re less likely to change. You’ll simply dig your heels in. In MI, we attempt to see why you’re resisting.

Maybe you’re saying, “I don’t have a problem,” or “I’ve tried that before; it doesn’t work.” Rather than saying, “Yes, you do,” or “You’re wrong,” the MI way is more along the lines of, “What makes you say that?” Or, “What went on when you tried before? What didn’t work?”

5. Support Self-Efficacy

That feeling of “I can do this!” is what we call self-efficacy, and it’s absolutely essential for change. Without it, even the best intentions can fall apart at the first challenge. After all, if you don’t believe change is possible, why would you even try?

That’s why MI focuses on strengthening your confidence by offering practical strategies, resources, and support. The goal isn’t just to help you want to change—it’s to help you believe you can.

Motivational Interviewing Processes

Below are the four key processes in MI:

1. Engaging

Before any real progress can happen, there has to be a solid connection between you and the clinician.

Engagement isn’t just the first step—it continues throughout the entire process. It’s about feeling heard, respected, and understood. Through active listening, curiosity, and a genuine partnership, the conversation becomes a safe space for exploration.

2. Focusing

People often come into counseling with a mix of concerns, and it’s not always clear where to start. Focusing helps narrow things down by working together to determine what’s most important.

Whether the focus is broad (like improving overall well-being) or specific (like managing stress without alcohol), this step provides direction and structure.

3. Evoking

Change sticks when it comes from within. That’s why MI emphasizes evocation—drawing out your intrinsic motivation for change rather than imposing external pressure.

Here, the clinician listens for “change talk,” or statements that show your desire, ability, reasons, need, and commitment to change. When this process works, the energy shifts from resistance to a genuine willingness to explore new possibilities.

4. Planning

Once motivation builds, it’s natural to start thinking about action. The planning phase moves things forward while keeping the collaborative spirit of MI intact.

Because no one knows you better than you, the clinician helps you explore options and develop a plan that fits your life.

Importantly, planning in MI maintains flexibility. Plans evolve based on your experiences, making them more sustainable in the long run.

Core Skills in Motivational Interviewing

The following techniques create the conversational framework of MI:

1. Open-Ended Questions

Open-ended questions encourage more than just a simple yes or no. They invite you to think, reflect, and express what’s really on your mind.

So, instead of asking, “Do you want to quit smoking?”, a counselor might say, “What thoughts have you had about your smoking lately?”

2. Reflective Listening

This is much more than just repeating what you’ve said. When a skilled MI practitioner uses reflective listening, they’re offering back the essence of your words.

How? Sometimes exactly as you said them, sometimes capturing the feeling underneath, and sometimes gently highlighting connections you might not have noticed.

3. Affirming

We all have strengths, efforts, and values that deserve recognition. Affirmations in MI acknowledge these positive aspects of who you are and what you’re doing. These are pure observations that help build your confidence in your ability to change.

4. Summarizing

Throughout a conversation, your counselor will occasionally pause to gather the threads of what you’ve shared. These summaries help organize your thoughts, ensure you’ve been understood correctly, and create natural transitions to new topics.

Stages of Change and Motivational Interviewing

MI closely follows the Stages of Change model, developed by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente. Basically, a person goes through the following stages:

1. Pre-Contemplation: You’re still not considering change. You may be unaware of the problem, resistant to acknowledging it, or believe that change is unnecessary.
2. Contemplation: You begin to recognize that change may be beneficial but remain ambivalent. You weigh the pros and cons, struggling with uncertainty.
3. Preparation: You display a readiness to change. You start taking small steps, such as setting goals, researching strategies, or seeking support.
4. Action: You actively work toward change. This may involve modifying behaviors, developing new routines, or seeking professional help.
5. Maintenance: You work on maintaining new behaviors, using tools you learned to cope with triggers and prevent relapse.

Final Thoughts

At its core, MI helps you discover your reasons for change and find that personal motivation to follow through. It’s compassionate and empowering at the same time.

Our understanding of behavior change evolves, but the principles of MI stay relevant. If you want to know more about motivational interviewing, please give us a call!

Additional Resources:

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/202010/what-makes-change-difficult
• https://psychcentral.com/blog/can-people-really-change#can-you-change-hurtful-behaviors
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556005

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Published on: 2025-03-31
Updated on: 2025-04-02

Anxiety has a way of creeping into every aspect of our lives. You could be shopping or finishing a simple home task, and feel your brain whirring with endless thoughts or your body aching from the stress.

Anxiety isn’t just a mental experience; it shows up in the body, tightening muscles and shortening breath, making even the smallest of tasks feel overwhelming.

Thankfully, there’s a way for you to relieve some of that stress without forcing yourself to “just relax”—because, in all honesty, that rarely works.

Using somatic exercises for anxiety can help you use your whole body to shift the mind. There aren’t any complicated routines or special equipment, just you and your body.

Let’s start by explaining what somatic exercises are before going into detail.

Somatic Exercises: A Quick Definition

Somatic exercises are body-based techniques designed to help you release tension, regulate your nervous system, and bring awareness to physical sensations.

Instead of trying to calm your anxiety with thoughts alone, these exercises use movement, breath, and touch to shift the body out of stress mode.

Over time, they help break the cycle of tension and stress, making it easier for you to understand your anxiety and manage it.

8 Somatic Exercises to Release Anxiety

The following exercises are sorted from the simplest to the most advanced, so you can choose based on what feels right for you at the moment.

Always remember that there’s no perfect way to do this. The goal isn’t to “get it right” but to notice and feel what’s helping and making you more relaxed.

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing (Belly Breathing)

Anxiety has a way of stealing our breath by tightening the chest, shortening inhales, and making the body feel like it’s bracing for something that never quite arrives.

Diaphragmatic breathing, or belly breathing, is one of the simplest ways to tell the nervous system you’re safe and can relax.

How to do it:

• Find a comfortable position. You can sit or lie down—whatever helps you feel at ease.
• Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly to track the movement of your breath.
• Inhale deeply through your nose. Focus on expanding your belly, not your chest. The hand on your bells should rise, while the hand on your chest stays still.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth. Feel your belly deflate as the air leaves your body.
• Repeat for a few minutes. Let each breath be unforced, natural, and steady.

At first, you might notice some resistance—like you can’t really breathe and need more air. That’s normal. With practice, you’ll feel completely at ease.

2. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding

When anxiety takes over, it’s easy to get stuck in a loop. You’ll often find yourself spiraling from one topic to another, feeling like you’re losing control.

The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique helps you pull the mind out of this anxious overdrive and into the present moment by engaging your senses. It’s simple and quick, and you can do it anywhere.

How to do it:

• Look around and name five things you see. A book on the table, the pattern of your shit, a shadow on the wall—anything.
• Find four things you can touch. It can be the smooth surface of the table, the fabric of your clothing, or the weight of your body in the chair.
• Listen for three things you can hear. Search for the hum of the fridge, distant traffic, or even your own breath.
• Identify two things you smell—for instance, the smell of fresh air, coffee, laundry detergent, or pastries.
• Notice one thing you taste like the lingering hint of toothpaste, how water tastes like, or a mint.

The whole idea behind this exercise is to shift your focus to what’s real and tangible to slow down your mind.

3. Gentle Movement

As anxiety settles in, it moves into our bodies. It washes into our bones, stiffening muscles, locking up joints, and making movements feel unnatural and awkward.

When this stress lingers, the body holds onto it like a clenched fist. This is where gentle movements come in, helping loosen that grip.

How you can do it:

• Sway gently from side to side. Let your weight shift between your feet, like a tree swaying in the wind. Don’t rush, let your body find its rhythm.
• Roll your shoulders in circles. Forward, then backward. Notice if there’s tension in your neck or upper back and let it soften.
• Walk in place. Pay attention to the sensation of your feet pressing into the floor. Feel the subtle shifts in balance, the way your legs support you.

4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

As mentioned, when anxiety settles into your body, everything tenses up. You’ll feel it in your shoulders as they tighten, in your clenched jaws, or maybe even in a stiff stomach.

In a way, the tension builds up without permission, affecting your well-being and mental health and creating chronic pains.

We need to program our body to control that tension by creating it ourselves through progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). It teaches your body what relaxation feels like by building tension, and then letting it go.

How to do it:

• Start with your feet. Inhale deeply and tighten the muscles in your feet—curl your toes, and flex your arches. Hold your muscles for 10 seconds.
• Exhale and let go. Release the tension completely, feeling your feet soften.
• Move up to your legs. Tense your calves and thighs as you breathe in, hold, then let it go as you breathe out.
• Continue this pattern up through your abdomen, chest, hands, arms, shoulders, and face. Each time, make sure you notice the difference between tension and relaxation.
• Once done, take a moment to breathe. Feel the weight of your body fully supported.

As you progress, you might notice a heavy, warm sensation. Don’t worry; this is a sign you’re working your muscles, letting go of stored stress, and building more body awareness.

5. Body Scan Meditation

Because anxiety pulls your mind in a hundred different directions at once, we need to bring it back to the present. Body scan meditations can help with that.

This somatic therapy helps turn your focus inward on tension that might’ve gone unnoticed. This simple act of observing the body—without actively trying to change anything—can create a deep sense of calm and mind-body connection.

• Lie down and close your eyes. Let your body relax fully, with your arms at your sides and your legs relaxed.
• Start at your toes. Bring your attention there. Notice if they feel warm, cool, tense, or even tingly. Remember, there’s no right or wrong—simply, observe.
• Slowly move upward. Scan your feet, ankles, and calves, and continue moving through each muscle group of your body.
• If you find tension, don’t force it away. Instead, take a deep breath and imagine that area softening with each exhale.
• Continue until you reach the top of your head. Once finished, take a moment to notice how your body feels as a whole.

6. Mindful Eating

When you’re anxious, eating can feel like just another task—something you rush through, barely notice or even forget altogether.

This is why mindful eating is one of the most important exercises on our list. It turns a simple meal or snack into a grounding experience that can help with anxiety relief.

How to do it:

• Choose a piece of food. A berry, a square of chocolate, or even a slice of bread—anything small enough to focus on.
• Look at it and observe. Notice the color, shape, and texture. How does it feel in your hand?
• Now, smell it. Take a deep inhale and note the scent before taking a bite.
• Eat slowly. Let the food rest on your tongue for a moment.
• Chew deliberately, noticing the texture and taste as it changes.
• Pay attention. Swallow mindfully, noticing how your body responds. 

7. Somatic Yoga Poses

Somatic yoga pairs slow, intentional movement with deep breathing, signaling the nervous system to shift into a more relaxed state.

Please note that these poses aren’t about flexibility or athleticism. They’re about bodily sensations and releasing stress where it’s stored. There are three simple somatic yoga poses you can try:

Cat-Cow Pose (Spinal Release)

• Start the pose by kneeling and laying your palms flat on the floor.
• Inhale as you arch your back, lifting your chest and tailbone.
• Exhale as you round your spine, tucking your chin and pulling your belly.
• Repeat slowly, moving with your breath.

Child’s Pose (Grounding & Resting)

• Sit back on your heels, stretching your arms forward and lowering your forehead to the ground.
• Breathe deeply, feeling your back expand with each inhale.
• Let your body melt into the floor.

Corpse Pose (Deep Relaxation)

• Lay on your back with your arms resting at your sides, palms facing upward.
• Close your eyes and let your body fully relax—no effort, no tension.
• Focus on slow breathing, allowing every muscle to release and relax.

8. Walking Meditation

Unlike traditional seated meditation, this walking meditation uses constant movement practice to anchor you in the present moment.

Each step with this somatic practice and its breathwork becomes a gentle reminder saying: You’re here, you’re steady, you’re safe.

How to do it

• Choose a place where you can walk safely and without distractions.
• Start walking slowly. There’s no destination, just movement. Let each step be deliberate.
• Focus on your feet. Notice the way your heels touch the ground, and how your weight shifts as you step forward.
• Pay attention to sensations like the feeling of air on your skin, the rhythm of your breath, and the subtle sounds around you.

Quick Recap

You see, somatic exercises for anxiety can be simple but really powerful when it comes to soothing racing thoughts and physical tension.

You can start with the easiest ones first, a little breathwork and grounding exercises can help you build a sense of safety and take control of your fight-or-flight response.

When you have time, you can try more advanced somatic techniques like yoga poses or mindful eating to manage your anxiety symptoms.

And, remember, consistency matters more than perfection. The more you practice, the more your body learns to relax and self-soothe.

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Published on: 2025-03-31
Updated on: 2025-04-02

Substance abuse is not a small problem in the U.S. but rather a crisis that has reached epidemic proportions. That’s what one would conclude after reviewing any of the many studies on substance use disorders in this country, including one recently published by the American Hospital Association (AHA). In that study, researchers revealed that over 46 million Americans aged 12 and older had a substance use disorder involving drugs, alcohol, or both in 2021. That’s approximately 16.5% of the U.S. population.

But the unsettling news does not end there; data from the same organization also revealed that nearly 1 in 4 adults with a substance use disorder are also struggling with a mental illness. The clinical term for this combination is a co-occurring disorder, and it can make overcoming addiction exceptionally challenging for some people. One of the findings published by the AHA that is especially concerning is that only 6% of people with substance use disorder ever get the help they need to turn their lives around. And even those who do get help relapse while still in or soon after completing an addiction recovery program.

Why Some People Relapse or Never Get the Help They Need To Overcome Addiction

For the roughly 6% of people who get the help they need to quit drugs, alcohol, or both, an inability to cope with triggers, such as stress, negative emotions, or situations associated with or that remind them of past substance use, is what sends them spiraling toward relapse. The risk of relapse is even greater for those who go it alone since they lack coping skills and don’t receive the social support that comes from getting professional help.

As far as why some people with substance use disorder never seek the help they so desperately need to break the cycle of addiction, the reasons are multifarious. For some people, denial, geographic location, and cost concerns are the chief deterrents. Some also believe that quitting drugs or alcohol is just too hard and, therefore, not worth trying. And for others, mental illness is the primary factor. Studies show that struggling with depression, anxiety, or any other mental health disorders while simultaneously battling addiction can interfere with decision-making and exacerbate stigma, both of which can create barriers to accessing needed addiction recovery treatment. Of course, some people just flat-out fail to recognize that overcoming their alcohol or drug use disorder requires professional help.

Because the reasons why people relapse or are reluctant to seek help can vary, most rehab facilities offer numerous treatment options when it comes to addiction recovery. Along with traditional methods, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), addiction counseling, and referrals to sober living homes or support groups, many rehabs offer Neurotherapy.

What Is Neurotherapy?

Hailed as a breakthrough in the realm of addiction recovery, neurotherapy is an evidence-based addiction recovery treatment that uses technology to modify an individual’s brain activity and improve their behavioral, cognitive, and emotional functions. There are three types of Neurotherapy. To appreciate how they can each help individuals achieve short and long-term sobriety, it helps to look at each individually:

• Neurofeedback therapy – Also known as electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback, neurofeedback therapy involves using a computer-based system to map an individual’s brain waves and record electrical activity on their scalp. The mapped brain waves are paired with video or audio signals and used to retrain the brain. Studies show that neurofeedback therapy is effective in helping individuals respond more favorably to overwhelming emotions, stress, and neurological and mental health disorders while going through a drug or alcohol detox.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) – This particular form of neurotherapy uses magnetic pulses to influence brain activity. It involves placing an electromagnet near an individual’s forehead and then releasing periodic magnetic bursts to help stimulate brain regions responsible for mood control. TMS is especially beneficial for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mood disorders while going through detox.
• Brain stimulation techniques – While not used as commonly as neurofeedback therapy or TMS, brain stimulation techniques also fall under the neurotherapy umbrella and are used by some U.S.-based rehab facilities. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is one such technique. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), tDCS works by modulating cortical excitability, the brain’s ability to respond to stimuli, which can have a facilitatory or inhibitory effect on numerous behaviors related to drug or alcohol withdrawal.

Additional Brain Stimulation Techniques Associated With Neurotherapy

Along with tDCS, deep brain stimulation (DBS) is another brain stimulation technique that some rehab facilities offer to individuals trying to overcome addiction. This minimally invasive surgical procedure involves implanting electrodes in specific regions of the brain, namely the nucleus accumbens, a critical structure in the mesolimbic reward pathway, to deliver electrical pulses to regulate abnormal brain activity and treat neurological and psychiatric disorders, all of which can sometimes be associated with going through a drug or alcohol detox. Another form of brain stimulation that some rehab facilities offer to individuals on their detox journey is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). For those unfamiliar with VNS, it is an implantable device that sends electrical pulses through the nerve that carries messages to the limbic systems, the areas of the brain that regulate emotion and mood.

How Neurotherapy Can Help Ease Pain and Other Physical Symptoms Caused by an Alcohol or Drug Detox

Whether it be neurofeedback, TMS, or brain stimulation techniques, Neurotherapies do an excellent job of combating anxiety, depression, and other psychological symptoms that go hand in hand with detoxing from drugs or alcohol, especially when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). But they can also help with physical symptoms, such as pain and nausea. Both of these are common when detoxing from opioids, alcohol, stimulants, and other commonly abused substances. And these physical symptoms can present within hours or days after someone stops using. Data from the National Institutes of Health revealed that Neurotherapy, especially neurofeedback, trains the brain to regulate its activity by influencing the neural circuits involved in pain processing. That training helps reduce pain perception and related symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and insomnia.

Neurotherapy Side Effects

While neurotherapy is an effective way to break the cycle of addiction, it is not without some drawbacks. And for some people, those drawbacks might rule out such an approach to addiction recovery. Studies show that some individuals report experiencing the following side effects during and even after completing a neurotherapy treatment session:

• Agitation
• Brain fog
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Chattering teeth
• Cognitive impairment
• Depersonalization
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches and head pressure
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Voice changes
• Worsening of depression, ADHD, PTSD, and other psychological conditions

Multiple studies show that individuals who haven’t healed from past traumas are more sensitive to neurofeedback and, as a result, more likely to experience side effects during or after a treatment session. Individuals diagnosed with certain neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, migraines, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are also at a heightened risk of experiencing neurofeedback side effects. The same holds for individuals with a heightened awareness of internal and external stimuli, a condition known as sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). Training parameters can also elevate the risk of neurofeedback side effects for some people. That includes targeting specific or higher-frequency brainwave patterns.

How Long Does It Take for Neurotherapy To Work?

Having detailed how neurotherapy can provide relief from detox-related withdrawal symptoms, let’s take a moment to discuss how long it takes to see results. Several factors dictate how quickly someone will notice results after starting Neurotherapy, some of which include their age, the severity of their addiction, and whether or not they have a co-occurring disorder. Frequency, duration, and the type of neurotherapy someone receives can also influence how quickly they will see results. That said, some people on a neurotherapy regimen notice subtle changes in mood, sleep, and focus within 5 to 10 sessions and significant improvements in cravings, emotional regulation, and self-control within about 20 to 30 sessions. Some studies suggest that the benefits of neurofeedback can persist for 1 to 3 years post-treatment. Additional things that can contribute to faster, longer-lasting, and overall better results while on a neurotherapy regimen include the following:

• Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting plenty of deep, restorative sleep each night
• Participating in counseling sessions with a licensed therapist
• Attending and actively participating in neurotherapy treatments

Find Out if Neurotherapy for Addiction Is Right for You

In summary, neurotherapy is an evidence-based and cutting-edge approach to addiction recovery that leverages the brain’s natural self-regulation capabilities.

This neuroscience-based treatment not only eases many detox-related withdrawal symptoms but also improves addiction recovery outcomes by targeting brain function and the nervous system. Neurotherapy techniques, which monitor brainwave activity in real-time, have shown promise for various conditions including addiction, similar to their applications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other neurological conditions.

When paired with MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) and addiction counseling in a clinical setting, neurotherapy offers a comprehensive approach to recovery.

To learn more about neurofeedback training and other neuromodulation approaches for addiction treatment and whether such an approach is right for you, consider speaking with an Allure Detox addiction expert today.

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Published on: 2025-03-31
Updated on: 2025-05-03

Depression, a common yet serious mental health condition, can significantly impact your well-being. Understanding the different roles of mental health professionals, like therapists and psychiatrists, is crucial for accessing the right mental health treatment. This article will help you navigate the decision between a therapist and a psychiatrist for depression, outlining their expertise and how they contribute to your overall mental health care.

TL;DR – Therapist for talk therapy (thoughts/behaviors), psychiatrist for medication (severe cases/other disorders).

Understanding Depression and Mental Health

Major depressive disorder (major depression) is characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and a range of other debilitating symptoms of depression. These symptoms can affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior patterns, and even your physical health. It’s important to remember that depression is a mental illness, not a personal failing, and seeking professional mental health services is a sign of strength. Other mental health conditions, like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and even ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), can also present with depressive symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is vital for an effective treatment plan.

Therapists: The Power of Talk Therapy and Psychotherapy

Therapists, also known as psychotherapists or counselors, are mental health professionals who provide talk therapy. They hold a master’s degree in fields like counseling, social work, or psychology, and some may have a Psy.D. or a doctoral degree. Social workers are also considered mental health providers. Therapists focus on providing psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, which involves exploring your thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns to identify and address the underlying causes of your depression. Common types of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and other evidence-based interventions. CBT helps individuals identify negative thoughts and develop coping mechanisms. Therapy sessions provide a safe and supportive space to work through mental health issues and develop healthier coping strategies. They can help with a wide range of mental health disorders. While therapists cannot prescribe medication, they play a vital role in mental health treatment.

Psychiatrists: Medical Doctors and Medication Management

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in psychiatry. They have completed medical school, followed by a residency in psychiatry. This extensive medical training allows them to diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications like antidepressants, and manage any potential side effects. Because they are medical doctors, they can also address the interplay between physical health and mental health. Psychiatrists often work with patients who have more complex mental health conditions, such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. They can conduct psychological tests and provide a comprehensive treatment plan that may include medication and therapy. Psychiatrists are also trained in various types of therapy, but often focus on medication management. They are crucial members of the healthcare team.

Therapist or Psychiatrist for Depression: Which One Do I Need?

The best approach for treating depression often involves a combination of therapy and medication. Therefore, consulting with both a therapist and a psychiatrist is often the most effective treatment approach.

• Start with your primary healthcare provider: Your doctor can be a valuable resource. They can provide a referral to mental health professionals and rule out any underlying medical conditions contributing to your symptoms of depression.
• Consider your symptoms: If your symptoms are primarily related to negative thoughts and behavior patterns, a therapist specializing in CBT or other types of therapy might be a good starting point. If your depression is severe, or if you’re experiencing additional mental health disorders, consulting a psychiatrist for medication management is advisable.
• Insurance and access: Your health insurance coverage may influence your choices. Check with your insurance company to understand your mental health benefits and whether you need a referral. Some insurance companies may require you to see your primary care physician before a mental health specialist.
• Collaboration is key: Ideally, your therapist and psychiatrist should collaborate to provide coordinated care. This integrated approach ensures that both your psychological and medical needs are addressed.

Finding Mental Health Care

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, seeking help is essential. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) offer resources for finding mental health professionals. You can also search for providers in your area through online directories or by contacting your local mental health services. Remember, effective mental health treatment is available, and seeking help is the first step towards recovery and improved well-being. Remember, this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

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Published on: 2025-01-28
Updated on: 2025-04-14

Even if you have a relationship that looks good from the outside, it will still have challenges. However, when substance abuse or mental health issues are tossed into the mix, it becomes even harder to keep a relationship moving forward. For example, trust issues will invariably rear its head, especially when your communication breaks down.

Whether you’ve tried to hide your substance abuse problems or you’ve openly used alcohol or drugs in front of your partner, it won’t be long before you begin to lose your partner’s respect too. Even worse, your substance abuse issues can turn into a financial strain, isolation and neglect, along with emotional and physical abuse.

Fortunately, there is still hope for your relationship. It’s vital to realize that rebuilding trust requires time, effort and professional help. Furthermore, it’s extremely helpful to maintain your relationships as you go through the recovery process. After all, a strong relationship provides you with a good influence, emotional support and a sense of belongings.

Understanding the Causes of a Broken Relationship

There are many factors that can break a relationship. Sadly, any of these reasons may completely upend what you had once believed to be an unbreakable bond.

Lack of Communication

Communication is vital for a healthy relationship. When you begin to omit critical details or stop expressing yourself fully, it can lead to misunderstandings and low morale. Signs of poor communication can include:

• Stonewalling
• Avoiding tough conversations
• Interrupting
• A lack of active listening
• Using blaming language
• Making assumptions

For instance, let’s say that one partner steers clear of difficult conversations. This could eventually cause the partner who wants to talk to unconsciously start fights in an attempt to be heard.

Substance Abuse Issues

The most common problem that accompanies substance abuse issues is a lack of trust. Once trust leaves a relationship, it becomes difficult to move forward. After all, without trust, everything else begins to fall apart. It’s likely you’ll face intimacy issues, negative emotions and the escalation of any type of conflict.

You’ll need to spend time learning how your partner feels if you’d like to rebuild trust. Keep in mind that it can take a significant amount of time to go from having a damaged relationship to a healthy one.

Mental Health Challenges

Again, trust is the foundation of every successful relationship, but it’s easily upended by not speaking openly about your mental health challenges. Relationship issues that may arise include:

• Resentment
• Isolation
• Codependency
• Lack of honest communication
• Loss of emotional and physical intimacy

It’s vital that you seek out mental health help if you’ve dealt with any of the following issues for more than two weeks:

• Feeling restless, frustrated or irritable
• Loss of interest in your favorite activities
• Eating more or less than usual
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Being unable to sleep

Acknowledging Both Partners’ Perspectives

Acknowledging your partner’s perspective doesn’t necessarily mean agreeing with it. Instead, it’s the process of empathetic listening, validation, using ‘I’ statements and replying with non-defensive communication. In other words, you must take your ego out of the equation.

Steps to Rebuild Trust and Repair a Damaged Relationship

Rebuilding a damaged relationship takes time and effort from both partners. There are five main steps that can take you from having trust issues to being open with each other once again.

1. Open Communication

Encouraging honest, non-judgmental dialogue is a good way to reopen communication. This requires vulnerability from both partners. It takes two to create a healthy communication dynamic. Learning to share thoughts and feelings without judgment is key. Actively listening and trying to understand your partner’s point of view is also essential. Regularly checking in with each other can help maintain open communication and address any emerging issues.

2. Spending Quality Time Together

If your relationship really matters to you, then it’s vital to spend quality time together. Rather than sitting on the couch together, choose to reconnect through shared activities and simply being present. Looking at your smartphone can impede this process, so be sure to put it where you won’t be tempted.

3. Seeking Professional Help

There are many benefits to seeking couples therapy such as:

• Developing a deeper understanding
• Developing improved conflict resolution skills
• Rebuilding trust
• Improved intimacy
• Reduced stress and tension
• Learning enhanced communication skills

If you’ve got a substance abuse issue, it’s also wise to seek out addiction counseling. Working with a counselor provides new strategies for recovery and direct support for your addiction needs. Furthermore, a counselor can reduce your risk of relapsing.

4. Accountability and Forgiveness

Accountability means taking responsibility for your actions, especially when you’ve made a mistake. Have an honest conversation with your partner, addressing the problem directly and committing to change.

Forgiveness, both giving and receiving, is crucial. It also offers an opportunity for self-compassion. Reflect on what went wrong in the relationship and allow time for healing and rebuilding trust. Remember, trust takes time to build, and regaining it is a process. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, relationships don’t work out. If fundamental needs remain unmet, and the relationship becomes unhealthy, it might be necessary to walk away.

5. Prioritizing Mental Health

Prioritizing your mental health is essential throughout this process. Focusing on your well-being is vital, whether the relationship continues or ends. Learning to manage your emotional health is a key step in becoming the best version of yourself. Small things, like journaling, can make a big difference in self-reflection and processing emotions. Regularly check in with yourself. If you need time alone, communicate this clearly instead of withdrawing. Sometimes, putting yourself in first place is necessary for healing, whether that means working on the relationship or letting go and moving on after a break up.

The Role of Professional Help in Relationship Healing

Allure Detox offers flexible rehab programs, along with a comprehensive line of specialized therapies. For instance, couples therapy and mental health therapy have an important role in the overall rehab process.

Relapse prevention is just one of our addiction treatment programs. By working individually with a counselor, you’ll have a safe space to develop a greater understanding of your warning signs. Together, you’ll work on enhancing your resilience and developing healthy coping skills to help you recover.

Allure Detox offers three primary counseling sessions: Individual therapy, couples therapy and family support programs.

• Individual Therapy – A one-on-one session with a recovery and mental health expert. You’ll gain a nonjudgmental space where you can speak freely.
• Couples Therapy – Allows you to explore your relationship dynamics in a safe space and set achievable goals to accomplish positive changes.
• Family Therapy – Takes on the needs of each member of your family. Learn how to resolve conflicts, solve problems and communicate effectively.

When to Seek Couples Therapy and Mental Health Support

Couples counseling is a proven way to help improve your current relationship. Approximately 37% of couples who live together have gone through couples counseling. A staggering 99% say that undergoing couples counseling helped improve their unhealthy relationship. Although this doesn’t necessarily guarantee the relationship’s longevity, it definitely increases the chances of long-term success.

If you’re battling any of the following issues, it’s a good idea to work with a couples therapist or couples counselor:

• Trust issues
• Frequent arguments
• Emotional and physical detachment
• High stress
• Emotional withdrawal
• Drifting apart

A couples therapist or couples counselor provides a third-party, neutral perspective, helping to identify underlying problems and root causes. They’ll assist you in developing stronger communication skills, teaching empathetic listening to foster connection and understanding your partner’s perspective. They’ll also emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and learning healthy emotional regulation.

Begin Improving Your Relationship Today

Relationships can heal, but it will take lots of time and professional support. In fact, couples therapy can help if you’ve been experiencing:

• Lost trust
• Arguing
• Lack of intimacy
• Facing a stressful change
• Depressed or angry

All of these also represent what can happen in a relationship where one partner has a substance abuse or mental health problem. Although there is no guarantee that you and your partner will be able to make your relationship last, studies have shown that going through couples therapy will improve your ability to communicate.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and its impact on your relationships, contact Allure Detox today to begin the healing process.

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Published on: 2025-01-28
Updated on: 2025-04-14

Are you ready to take the first step toward healing and self-discovery? Our comprehensive Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Guide is your trusted companion for navigating the challenges of recovery, rebuilding resilience, and regaining control of your life. This interactive workbook is designed to empower you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to succeed.

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1. Break the Stigma: Understand the connection between mental health and addiction, and challenge the misconceptions that hold so many back from seeking help.
2. Interactive Exercises: Dive into practical self-reflection tools, coping strategies, and symptom-tracking logs to help you identify and manage your triggers.
3. The Mind-Body Connection: Explore the powerful link between your emotions and physical health, with exercises like body awareness mapping.
4. Therapeutic Tools: Learn essential techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to better regulate emotions and foster healthier relationships.
5. Support Network Mapping: Build a strong system of support with insights on how to engage family, friends, and professional resources effectively.
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Published on: 2025-01-06
Updated on: 2025-05-02

Emotional trauma, which is also known as mental trauma or psychological trauma, can greatly impact an individual’s life, not just emotionally but also physically and behaviorally.

Simply put, emotional trauma takes place when one or more distressing events or circumstances result in a person’s ability to cope with the situation getting overwhelmed. When this occurs as the result of several traumatic events over a period of time, it is possible that any of those on its own would not have resulted in trauma.

Causes of emotional trauma can be just about anything. Amongst the most common ones are abuse, being a part of or witnessing an accident, seeing the loss of someone’s life and experiencing neglect.

Emotional signs of trauma

Here are a few of the most common emotional signs of trauma.

Anxiety and constant worry

Of course, we all experience anxiety and worry from time to time. However, in some cases, these feelings can become overwhelming and develop into anxiety disorders. Emotional trauma can cause this progression, affecting the nervous system and leading to increased symptoms such as sleep disturbances, muscle tension, and constant worry. In fact, feelings of panic or even full-blown panic attacks may occur, especially if they were not present before the trauma was experienced.

Depression or overwhelming sadness

Feeling down from time to time is normal, but emotional trauma could cause those feelings to descend into a state of depression or overwhelming sadness. Connected with that can be feelings of hopelessness in the future. Withdrawing from others – social withdrawal – can happen as well.

Mood swings and difficulty controlling emotions

Another change that could occur for some who have had emotional trauma is experiencing mood swings and difficulty controlling emotions. Mood swings are sudden and unexpected changes to a person’s mood while emotional dysregulation can result in difficulties controlling impulses, having angry outbursts and experiencing a feeling of being overwhelmed by these developments.

Feeling numb or disconnected from emotions

Sometimes, emotional trauma can result in a feeling of numbness or of being disconnected from a person’s own emotions or from others’ emotional states. This usually results from the brain protecting itself from pain by shutting down its emotional responses. One of the most common results of this feeling of numbness is no longer caring about things that used to be passions.

Physical signs of trauma

Emotional signs of trauma can also have an impact on an individual’s physical well-being.

Fatigue and low energy levels

In some cases, those who have suffered emotional trauma will experience a significant amount of fatigue and endure low energy levels. In other words, tasks that used to be fairly easy will become much more difficult while moderate activities may become physically overwhelming. This is usually due to how much energy managing emotional trauma usually takes.

Chronic pain or unexplained physical symptoms

Sometimes, chronic pain or unexplained physical symptoms can result from the mental effects of experiencing trauma. This is because the same part of the brain that regulates emotions and helps people focus also processes and regulates pain. Perhaps you are now experiencing unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches or neck tension, which were actually caused by emotional trauma.

Sleep issues, including insomnia or nightmares

Some who have suffered emotional trauma may experience sleep disturbances, which can include insomnia, restless sleep patterns or nightmares, when sleep had previously been much more restful and rejuvenating. In some cases, hypervigilance, the body remaining on alert for threats related to that trauma, is the cause as that hyperarousal continues through the night.

Digestive problems related to stress

Gut health can be negatively impacted by emotional trauma as an increase in stress can decrease the quality of an individual’s gastrointestinal process. In other words, symptoms such as abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome – i.e. an upset stomach – can be caused by trauma.

Behavioral signs of trauma

Emotional trauma can also result in behavioral signs of trauma being shown. Here are a few examples.

Withdrawal from relationships and isolation

Social withdrawal is a common sign of emotional trauma. These individuals sometimes spend much less time with family and friends than had been the case before, usually as a result of feeling depressed or anxious. Also experienced by many is no longer enjoying social activities that had been positive experiences in the past or still wanting to socialize but now having difficulty doing so.

Hypervigilance or being easily startled

After someone has experienced trauma, the brain may go on high alert, being on the lookout for a similar occurrence, which is usually exhausting and makes it difficult to focus in other ways. A common example is an ex-military member being startled and experiencing flashbacks when a car backfires, but this can instead show up in many other ways, partially depending on the trauma experienced.

Substance use as a coping mechanism

In some cases, a person who had suffered emotional trauma will self-medicate with substances such as alcohol or non-prescribed and possibly illegal drugs. These can be used with the intent to numb emotions, to help fall asleep or to try to limit the number of flashbacks or nightmares.

Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Not being able to focus can result from emotional trauma as well. This can have a negative impact on work, such as through poorer work output, as well as on an individual’s personal life. Connected with that is less of an ability to make decisions as it can become much more difficult to analyze the pros and cons of the choices that are being considered. This all results from an exhausted mind.

Helping yourself

There are several coping strategies you can use to help yourself recover from emotional trauma. Some of the most common include engaging in physical activity and practicing meditation and mindfulness, which can help reduce intrusive thoughts and focus on the present rather than dwelling on traumatic memories. These strategies can alleviate symptoms of emotional distress, such as stomachaches, muscle tension, or emotional numbness. Relaxation techniques can also help. It’s essential to create a support system that may include loved ones, family members, trauma support groups, and healthcare providers specializing in trauma therapy.

Importance of seeking help

For many trauma survivors, seeking professional help is crucial, as untreated trauma often leads to lasting mental health conditions and worsened physical health over time. Untreated trauma can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or self-harm, or overwhelming negative thoughts. These can become life-threatening if left unresolved. Seeking treatment early can prevent the lasting effects of unresolved trauma and help regain control over daily life.

If a month or more has passed since the traumatic incident or childhood trauma, and you continue to experience symptoms like intrusive memories, heightened anxiety, sleep disturbances, or feelings of self-blame, it may be time to seek help. Professional treatment, such as psychotherapy, can reduce the negative effects of trauma. Therapy options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). In some cases, medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be part of your treatment plan.

Co-occurring disorders

Emotional trauma often coexists with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Individuals who experience childhood abuse or life-threatening events may turn to destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse, to cope with their emotional reactions. In these cases, people might use substances like drugs or alcohol to escape the pain of traumatic memories, creating a cycle that worsens both the trauma and addiction.

It’s vital to treat both conditions simultaneously through trauma treatment and co-occurring disorder programs, which address the complex relationship between emotional trauma and substance use. For those with substance use disorders, a detox program can help manage the physical impacts of addiction, while therapy focuses on the effects of trauma and helps individuals avoid using substances as a coping mechanism. Treatment should be holistic, addressing both the trauma and addiction to achieve lasting recovery.

Conclusion

If you’ve experienced emotional trauma—whether due to childhood experiences, natural disasters, or other traumatic stressors—it’s crucial to recognize the signs and seek help if they interfere with your life. Symptoms like anxiety disorders, depression, fatigue, and hypervigilance can signify unresolved trauma. If you identify with these symptoms, seeking trauma therapy can greatly assist your recovery.

At Allure Detox, we specialize in treating both substance abuse and emotional trauma through a comprehensive, integrated approach. Addressing these issues together is the most effective way to heal and recover, as separating their treatment often leads to limited success.

Contact us today to take the important step toward healing from trauma and recovering from substance use.

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Published on: 2024-10-22
Updated on: 2025-03-31

The most important question to answer is what public intoxication actually is. It’s more than simply being out in a public place after having a drink or two, or even a drink too many. To meet the legal definition of public intoxication, your level of intoxication must be such that you appear to present a danger to yourself or others. The law exists to protect everyone in those circumstances, including the person who is intoxicated.

Not surprisingly, many people will meet this definition at some point in their lifetime, often on many occasions. In fact, the FBI reports that roughly 443,000 people were arrested for public intoxication last year, and their statistics do not include all states.

These charges have wide-ranging impacts. There are costs to the law enforcement, corrections, and judicial communities. Offenders may encounter problems with relationships, employers, and their finances after being charged. Of course, there are also implications from the offender’s actions, such as destruction of property, trespassing, and other actions that could lead to additional charges.

Because a person typically creates so many other problems while intoxicated, it is important to help prevent and discourage this type of behavior.

Legal Framework of Public Intoxication

Definition and Scope

Generally speaking, the charge of public intoxication (known in some locations as “drunk and disorderly” or something similar) requires two elements. First, the person must meet some legal standard of what it means to be intoxicated by alcohol, and second, the person’s actions must present a threat to himself or herself, or to others.

The legal standard of alcoholic intoxication is different from that of driving while intoxicated. The legal limit for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated is 0.08% blood alcohol content. This is standard nationwide due to federal transportation laws.

For public intoxication charges, the standard varies by state. The lowest is 0.15% and the highest is 0.25%. Some states also have a sliding scale that takes the offender’s age into account as well.

Other countries also have various standards, from zero in strict Muslim societies up to 0.15% in other cultures.

Legal Consequences

As is the case with most crimes, a public intoxication charge can result in a variety of legal consequences as set forth by the law with the input of a judge. In some states, there may only be a fine or a requirement of public service. In others, jail time may be required. Regardless of location, the severity of the sentence is typically increased when there are aggravating circumstances, such as property damage or personal injury.

State-Specific Laws

As with any offense, laws on public intoxication vary by state. For example, several states actually have no specific laws against public intoxication. Instead, offenders may be charged with disorderly conduct, destruction of property, or other crimes with alcohol intoxication considered as the severity of their sentence is considered.

Public intoxication typically falls in the range of a class C misdemeanor or its equivalent. The sentence can include fines of as little as $100 to as much as $2,500 with jail terms of as much as a year. Other states provide for incarceration in a “drunk tank” or other holding facility until the offender becomes sober.

Identifying Public Intoxication

Signs and Symptoms

There are several ways to know that someone is intoxicated. One of the most obvious is slurred speech. The depressive effects of alcohol impair the body’s ability to control muscles, making it difficult to form words properly. This also interferes with their general motor skills, most noticeably walking. Intoxicated individuals struggle to walk in a straight line, maintain balance (even on a level surface), and perform fine motor skills.

Additional signs include the generally disheveled appearance of someone who is intoxicated. Their hair may be out of place, glasses on crooked, shirt untucked, and so forth. An intoxicated person may also be belligerent, argumentative, confused, or highly emotional.

Contextual Indicators

Sometimes the context of a situation serves as an indication that intoxicated individuals will probably be in the area. Sporting events, festivals, and parties are common locations for alcohol to be served, and that always creates the possibility that some people will consume too much. Permanent locations like bars and restaurants can have intoxicated individuals around at any time of the year.

The actions of intoxicated individuals are also easy indicators of a problem. Vandalized property, loud conversations, arguments, and even physical altercations can suggest that excessive alcohol consumption has taken place even before law enforcement begins to investigate.

Impact of Public Intoxication

On Individuals

Excessive alcohol consumption has significant impacts on individuals in both the short and long term. First, the condition of being intoxicated puts the person in danger of several different serious outcomes. They are more vulnerable to assault and sexual assault. They may injure themselves falling or wandering into traffic. If they get behind the wheel themselves, they may cause an accident that injures or kills them or someone else.

In the longer term, an arrest for public intoxication can have major financial impacts. The court costs, legal defense, and fines that come with a charge can be significant. The time lost from work could lead to termination, but even just the loss of a driver’s license has an immediate impact on those who drive for a living or just commute to work.

On Communities

The cost to communities of public intoxication is significant. It creates a burden on law enforcement, emergency medical services, jails, and emergency rooms, all of which are already busy. When patrons are constantly getting drunk and disorderly at a single bar or even a group of restaurants and bars, people who want to avoid that type of activity will stop coming to those areas, leaving them to decline economically.

On Families

A public intoxication charge is not a simple issue like a speeding ticket. With a court appearance to make, the potential for job loss, and the cost of addressing the charge, the emotional and financial strain on families is real. The reckless behavior behind a public intoxication charge can also damage relationships and erode trust within a marriage or family.

Addressing and Managing Public Intoxication

Law Enforcement Approaches

Police agencies are in constant conversation about how to handle public intoxication complaints. They want to balance enforcement with managing the demands on their own limited time. In some cases, it is most effective simply to have a sober driver take the person home. Police often use checkpoints and foot patrols to help prevent excessive drinking.

Medical and Social Interventions

Medical care is often required for intoxicated persons. High blood alcohol content can depress breathing and potentially lead to respiratory arrest. Medical care must first be administered to keep the patient alive and safe. After the person becomes medically stable, there must be adequate care through counseling and addiction services to prevent future incidents.

Community Programs

Prevention is a powerful tool in reducing the number of public intoxication issues. Social agencies and recovery groups operate awareness campaigns that highlight the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, in hopes that fewer people will take their drinking too far. For those who have already encountered problems, there are countless counseling options and support groups for both alcohol users and their families to get at the root causes of abuse and prevent future problems.

Prevention Strategies

Education and Awareness

Further efforts can help prevent excessive alcohol consumption. Many producers of alcoholic beverages take advantage of their advertising time to encourage responsible drinking. Civic and social groups also contribute to this effort, and all levels of the educational system are involved as well. Alcoholic education begins in elementary school and emphasizes safe habits as students reach the higher-risk ages of the early teens. Colleges and universities maintain the message as young people move away from home, and even employers make efforts to keep their workers from engaging in risky alcoholic behaviors.

Policy Measures

Government at all levels is involved as well. As noted earlier, the federal government has mandated 0.08% as the standard for DUI, and many states have implemented additional restrictions. Local governments establish laws and regulatory measures to keep businesses and citizens safe. Many municipalities enforce regulations about consumption of alcohol outside of homes and businesses. They also support designated driver programs and encourage monitoring by bartenders and servers.

Support Systems

There is help available for problem drinkers. There are counseling and treatment programs available in many locations, and they are often covered by health insurance. Informal groups of all kinds meet in many communities as well, providing support and advice to alcoholics and their families. There are even anonymous telephone and online services available.

Conclusion

Public intoxication is an issue that only sounds minor until it happens. Its social, medical, financial, and legal ramifications can follow the offender for years. In order to minimize these issues, policymakers at all levels must work with health care and private companies to raise awareness of and improve response to public intoxication.

FAQ

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Published on: 2024-08-08
Updated on: 2025-03-26

Research suggests a potential relationship between trauma and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While no direct causal link has been definitively established, studies indicate that childhood trauma and adverse experiences may be risk factors for developing mental health conditions, including OCD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The relationship appears complex and likely involves multiple factors including genetics, neurobiological mechanisms, and environmental influences.

In some cases, people affected with such disorders undergo severe social isolation which they may try to escape from using substance abuse. Unfortunately, that may lead to a fully blown substance use disorder, a whole other problem to deal with.

This guide explains the relationship between OCD and abuse using evidence-based studies. But first, we need to understand OCD a bit more.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: An Overview

OCD is a mental disorder characterized by unpleasant intrusive thoughts that may trigger obsessions or illogical responses to seemingly normal stimuli.

This anxiety disorder affects 1% to 3% of the global population. That may seem like a small percentage, but if you take into account that 3% of more than 8 billion people (the current world population) have OCD, we’re looking at 240 million people.

Symptoms of OCD can include:

• Obsessive thoughts, intrusive thoughts, or images
• Compulsive behaviors or rituals
• Excessive double-checking
• Excessive cleaning or hand washing
• Ordering or arranging things in a specific way
• Counting, tapping, or repeating words/phrases
• Hoarding or difficulty discarding items
• Excessive concern with symmetry or exactness
• Disturbing thoughts about harming others or themselves
• Fear of contamination or germs
• Needing constant reassurance

Note: Not all OCD symptoms can be found in the same person, as we have multiple types of OCD, like contamination, hoarding, symmetry and ordering, checking, etc.

What’s the Connection Between OCD and Abuse?

The exact causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) remain incompletely understood, as it likely results from a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors.

Research has explored whether childhood trauma might contribute to OCD development. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology suggested that childhood maltreatment, including sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, may be a risk factor for developing OCD in adolescents and young adults. This research found that greater trauma severity was associated with more pronounced symptoms.

However, it’s important to understand that this relationship is correlational rather than clearly causal. While childhood trauma appears to increase vulnerability to various mental health conditions, including OCD, there is no established direct causal link. A more recent 2024 study in Frontiers in Psychiatry emphasized that the connection requires further investigation, as current evidence remains preliminary.

Most people who experience childhood trauma do not develop OCD, and many people with OCD have no history of significant trauma. The 1-3% prevalence rate of OCD in the general population reflects this complexity – trauma alone cannot explain the disorder’s occurrence.

The relationship between trauma and OCD likely involves multiple pathways, potentially including changes in stress response systems, altered neural development, and interactions with genetic predispositions. This complex etiology highlights why OCD treatment typically requires comprehensive approaches rather than focusing solely on trauma processing.

What Are the Contributing Factors to OCD?

It’s important to note that OCD is likely caused by a combination of the following factors, rather than a single cause.

Additionally, not all individuals with the risk factors will develop OCD, and the disorder can also occur in individuals without any apparent risk factors.

That being said, here are factors that may contribute to developing OCD:

1. Genetics

According to a 2010 study, OCD has a strong hereditary component. People with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with OCD are at a higher risk of developing the disorder themselves.

2. Brain Structure and Function

Neuroimaging studies have found differences in the structure and function of certain brain regions in individuals with OCD, particularly in areas involved in processing fear, anxiety, and reward.

3. Neurochemical Imbalances

Imbalances in the levels of neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, dopamine, glutamate) in the brain have been linked to the development of OCD.

4. Environmental Factors

Stressful life events, traumatic experiences (such as physical abuse or neglect), and significant life changes may contribute to the onset or exacerbation of OCD symptoms.

5. Personality Traits

Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism, indecisiveness, and an inflated sense of responsibility, have been associated with a higher risk of developing OCD.

6. Learned Behaviors

In some cases, OCD behaviors may be learned or reinforced through family or cultural influences, modeling, or reinforcement of compulsive behaviors.

7. Biological Factors

Certain biological factors, such as infections, autoimmune disorders, or hormonal imbalances, have been linked to the development of OCD in some cases.

How to Treat OCD

OCD patients may feel that their anxiety disorder can hinder their lives, especially if it’s a severe OCD.

However, multiple treatment options have been deemed successful in treating or at least reducing the severity of the condition to manageable levels. Here are some of them:

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that involves gradually exposing the individual to feared situations or obsessions while preventing them from engaging in compulsive behaviors.

This kind of therapy helps identify and modify distorted thoughts and beliefs that contribute to OCD symptoms.

Medications

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed medications for OCD, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).

In some cases, other medications like antipsychotics or tricyclic antidepressants may be added to augment the effects of SSRIs

Many experts recommend a combination of CBT and medication for the most effective treatment of OCD, especially for severe cases.

Note: Not under any circumstances should you take any of these medications without the psychiatry guidance of a licensed therapist. They are just provided in this guide for informational purposes.

Family Therapy

Family therapy often goes hand in hand with CBT and/or medications.

Involving family members in the treatment process can help them understand OCD better and learn how to support the individual without reinforcing compulsive behaviors.

Support Groups

Support groups can provide a safe and understanding environment for individuals with OCD to share their experiences and learn coping strategies from others.

A couple of support groups you could try are “International OCD Foundation” and “OCD Action.”

Additional Modes of Therapy

The three previously mentioned therapy approaches usually help reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. However, in case of excessive previous traumatic events or consistently repetitive behaviors or symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, providers may resort to:

• Mindfulness and Acceptance-based Therapies: Therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can help individuals develop acceptance and mindfulness skills to manage OCD symptoms.
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that may be considered for treatment-resistant cases of OCD.
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): DBS is a neurosurgical procedure that involves implanting electrodes in specific brain regions and may be considered for severe, treatment-resistant cases of OCD.

Final Words

If you or a loved one suffer from OCD that led to any form of substance abuse, we welcome you to visit us at the Allure Detox Center. Our comprehensive treatment psychotherapy program and our handful earned us the Gold Seal of Approval.

Contact us today, or visit us at 900 54th St N – West Palm Beach, FL 33407. Our team is ready 24/7 to take your call.

Sources

• Types of OCD | OCDUK
• Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptom Severity and Treatment Outcome | NCBI
• The Relationship between Childhood Trauma Experiences and Psychotic Vulnerability in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: An Italian Cross-Sectional Study | NCBI
• The Genetics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Review | NCBI
• A Psychological and Neuroanatomical Model of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | NCBI
• How Brain Chemical Imbalances May Contribute to OCD | Psychiatrist.com
• Treatment – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | NHS
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Psychology Today
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation | Mayo Clinic
• Deep Brain Stimulation | Mayo Clinic
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | NHS

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Published on: 2024-06-06
Updated on: 2025-03-21

Antidepressants are among the most prescribed medications in the United States. They’re often used in combination with therapy to treat people with depression, major depressive disorder, and other mental health conditions. At the right dosage and frequency, antidepressants can greatly benefit users.

However, there are potential side effects involved in taking this medication when not depressed and without consulting a qualified medical professional. This article will discuss how antidepressants work and their effect on the brain and body of a normal person who takes them.

What occurs if someone without depression takes antidepressants?

If a normal person without depression takes antidepressant medication, they might not experience the intended therapeutic effects and could face potential side effects such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. It’s important to use these medications only under medical supervision.

How Do Antidepressants Work?

Antidepressants work by regulating the chemicals in the brain that carry messages from one nerve cell to another, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are closely linked to a person’s mood, motivation, and behavior.

Increasing the levels of these chemicals can reduce the symptoms of depression, uplift mood, sharpen concentration, promote better sleep, and enhance appetite. It can also disrupt pain signals, which explains why antidepressants can help with managing long-term chronic pain.

Antidepressants are often prescribed with psychotherapy to effectively treat depression. They’re proven to be helpful to people with moderate to severe depression but are usually not recommended for milder forms of depression unless other types of treatment haven’t worked.

Types of Antidepressants

Antidepressants work in different ways and can be classified into various types, including:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Noradrenaline and specific serotoninergic antidepressants (NaSSAs)

Effects of Taking Antidepressants When Not Depressed

When taken at the right dosage and frequency, and under the supervision of a qualified health professional, antidepressants and other prescription medications are generally safe to use.

However, when a normal person takes antidepressants without consulting a doctor in an attempt to self-medicate or for recreational purposes, they are at risk of experiencing unpleasant side effects, ranging from mild to life-threatening. These side effects include:

Serotonin Syndrome

Most types of antidepressants, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, improve mood and relieve symptoms of depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

This can be helpful for people suffering from depression. However, it can result in serotonin syndrome when someone without depression takes the medication.

Serotonin syndrome, also known as serotonin toxicity, is a potentially fatal drug reaction that occurs when too much serotonin builds up in the body. Symptoms include restlessness, agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, excessive sweating, and stiffness.

In severe cases, it can cause unresponsiveness, seizures, and loss of consciousness, and will require hospitalization. Symptoms typically appear within 24 hours after exposure to a drug.

Physical Dependence

Individuals who take antidepressants for long periods without consulting a doctor can develop a physical dependence on the drug. Dependence on antidepressants occurs when a person can no longer function normally without them.

This is caused by the brain and body’s adaptation to the long-term use of the medication. It can result in drug withdrawal symptoms, like mood changes, trouble sleeping, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, anxiety, and stomach issues if someone tries to reduce or stop taking them.

It’s important to note that physical dependence on a substance is different from addiction, but it can lead to addiction. Addiction usually refers to the compulsive seeking and using of a substance, while dependence is associated with physical reliance and withdrawal symptoms.

Drug Interactions

When a normal person without depression takes antidepressants, it can cause problems with other health conditions they may be dealing with. The antidepressant can also react unpredictably with other medications, including over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen.

Some of the medicines that may interact with antidepressants include:

• Antiplatelets
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Clozapine and pimozide
• Theophylline
• Triptans
• Lithium
• Other antidepressants

Antidepressants can also interact with alcohol, caffeine, illegal drugs, and St. John’s Wort. Interactions can result in unpleasant side effects, worsening symptoms, and serious health problems. Patient information leaflets will indicate types of medication that should be avoided.

Changes in Brain Structure

Research suggests that antidepressants can cause subtle changes in brain structure and function when used by people who aren’t depressed.

In one study, sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that’s commonly known as Zoloft, was found to have caused a reduction in volume in two important brain regions.

The first part was the anterior cingulate cortex, which is the area of the brain that controls and regulates a person’s mood. The second affected part was the hippocampus, which is associated with long-term memory storage and learning.

Both brain regions play a vital role in important cognitive processes, including decision-making, motivation, emotion, spatial navigation, cost-benefit calculation, and forming new memories.

Factors Affecting Antidepressant Response

People respond differently to medication. The effect of taking antidepressants on one person may not be the same as someone else who uses a similar substance.

Things that can affect how an individual responds to antidepressants include:

• Age: The elderly, children, and young people under the age of 18 are especially prone to experiencing significant adverse side effects from the use of antidepressants.
• Genetics: A person’s genes can also affect the way their brain and body absorb and react to antidepressants and may increase or decrease their likelihood of side effects.
• Type of antidepressant: Older medications, including tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs, tend to have more side effects than SNRIs, SSRIs, and atypical antidepressants.
• Other medications: Taking other drugs in combination with antidepressants can result in more adverse side effects or compromise the effectiveness of both medications.

Additional Considerations

Common Side Effects:
People may experience side effects of antidepressants such as dry mouth, weight gain, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction.

Serious Risks:
Antidepressants can sometimes lead to more severe risks like suicidal thoughts, particularly in young people.

Treatment Options:
Different antidepressants like Wellbutrin or fluoxetine (Prozac) may be considered based on the individual’s response and specific needs.

Psychiatric Evaluation:
A thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider in psychiatry can help determine the most appropriate depression treatment plan.

Mental Health Disorders:
Antidepressants may also be used to treat other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic depression.

Conclusion

When used properly, antidepressants can bring relief to many of the symptoms of depression.

However, the decision to take them should only be made after a consultation with a trained medical professional. If a normal person takes antidepressants for recreation or self-medication, they are at risk of experiencing mild to severe side effects, which can result in hospitalization.

If you or your loved one is suffering from substance or alcohol use disorder, reach out to our dedicated team at Allure Detox for help. We can guide you through a safe detox, help you manage withdrawal symptoms, and provide you with the right treatment immediately.

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Published on: 2024-04-02
Updated on: 2025-03-28

TL;DR: The number of ketamine treatments needed for depression varies, but typically involves an initial series of 4-6 treatments over 2-3 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments as needed.

Are you looking for alternative ways to treat your depression? Depression is a mental health issue that’s classified as a mood disorder. Some symptoms of depression include feeling sad or empty, feeling hopeless and feeling irritated or frustrated. Some standard treatments for depression include medication and therapy. However, these treatments don’t work for everyone, and when these treatments fail to provide adequate relief, the individual is often diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. The good news is that ketamine therapy may help individuals with severe depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Let’s take a look at ketamine therapy for depression.

Understanding Depression

Depression is a mental illness. It is characterized by feelings of hopelessness, despair, sadness and anxiety. People with depression may also have angry outbursts and suffer from insomnia, lack of energy and trouble thinking. While these symptoms can be brought on periodically by high levels of stress, financial problems, loneliness and substance abuse issues, some people feel these symptoms all the time.

Typical Treatments for Depression

Typical effective treatments for depression include medication and therapy. Medication treatment often starts with a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). These medicines are often the first line of defense for individuals with depressive disorders because they have fewer side effects than other types of medications. If the SSRI does not provide enough relief, the physician or psychologist may prescribe a Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI), like Cymbalta, Pristiq or Fetzima. There are also atypical antidepressants, including Wellbutrin and Remeron, as well as Tricyclic Antidepressants, like Vivactil and Pamelor.

In addition to medication, individuals with depression are encouraged to go to therapy and make lifestyle changes. Therapy often involves talking one-on-one with a counselor and attending group therapy. Lifestyle changes may also be prescribed. This can include making sure to get enough sleep, exercising, which can reduce stress and boost feelings of happiness and accomplishment, and eating a healthy diet.

When medication, therapy and lifestyle changes don’t produce the desired results, alternative therapies may be recommended. One of those treatments is ketamine therapy, and it has been shown to help individuals with treatment-resistant depression.

Ketamine: An Overview

Ketamine was first created in 1962. It was approved for use in the United States in 1970 as an anesthetic. At the time of its creation, scientists and doctors were looking for a better anesthetic that didn’t cause such severe reactions, like slowed breathing and prolonged hallucinations.

Ketamine seemed to provide those benefits. Individuals who were given ketamine could breathe better, and the hallucinations didn’t last as long. Today, it’s primarily used in veterinary medicine and for procedures that are short in duration.

More recently, it’s been used to treat depression in individuals who don’t respond or respond limitedly to the standard treatments.

Ketamine is a good option for people with treatment-resistant depression because it’s been shown to reduce an individual’s desire for self-harm, and it does this almost immediately.

When to Get Ketamine Treatment

Ketamine treatment is typically discussed after an individual has failed to respond to two or more depressant medications. Once this occurs, the individual is considered to have treatment-resistant depression. It’s important to note that the individual’s doctor, therapist and psychologist should all communicate prior to the addition of ketamine therapy. This is to ensure that the individual is a good candidate for ketamine therapy.

How Ketamine Helps with Depression

Ketamine facilitates feelings of disassociation, unreality and distorted feelings about one’s surroundings and body. It’s also been known to produce visual and sensory distortions. Individuals may also have strange thoughts and feel a sense of euphoria.

Once the ketamine has been administered, its antidepressant effects last about two hours. While the details of how ketamine helps with depression are not known, it is theorized that ketamine helps people with depression by improving the communication between the brain cells by reactivating old cellular pathways and creating new ones.

Ketamine Treatment Options for Depression

Ketamine can be administered in two ways. The first way is by IV infusion. The second way is via a nasal spray. It’s important to note that ketamine must be taken under the care of a doctor because it can cause high blood pressure and depressed breathing.

IV Infusion

The intravenous infusion of ketamine is called Racemic Ketamine, and its approved use is as an anesthetic. However, it can also be prescribed off-label for depression treatment. Ketamine infusion therapy is less costly than the nasal spray.

Nasal Spray

The ketamine nasal spray is called esketamine. The brand name is Spravato. It was approved in 2019 specifically for treatment-resistant depression. It’s designed to be used alongside traditional anti-depressant medication.

Determining the Number of Treatments

While many people have some symptom relief after the first treatment, one ketamine treatment usually isn’t enough. Instead, it can take anywhere from three to six treatments over several weeks. Some treatment protocols recommend six ketamine infusions over two weeks with treatments occurring every day.

However, the length of your treatments, the timing and the number of doses of ketamine will depend on the individual’s history of depression, severity of depression and their medical history. The treatments will also be dependent on the individual’s response to the ketamine therapy.

It’s also important to note that the first few treatments are considered the initial phase. After the initial treatments, many people will need less frequent future infusions. This is known as the maintenance phase, and it usually includes one or two ketamine treatments per month.

Effectiveness and Results

Several studies and clinical trials have been performed on the effectiveness of ketamine for depression. One study in 2019 found that ketamine was effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety after two weeks.

In another study of 403 depressed patients, it was found that ketamine treatments were effective for 55 percent of the participants.

Risks and Considerations

Ketamine has been shown to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. However, individuals with a history of high blood pressure, blood vessel diseases and bleeding in the brain should not take ketamine. It’s also important for individuals to tell their healthcare providers if they have high blood pressure, liver disease or previous strokes or heart attacks.

Ketamine is known to cause dissociation, sedation and respiratory distress. For these reasons, individuals must take the ketamine with a doctor present, and they must be monitored for at least two hours after the infusion.

Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Ketamine therapy should not be used as a first-line treatment for depression. Instead, individuals should start treatment by taking a standard anti-depressant and participating in therapy. If two or more traditional anti-depressant medications do not work, the individual may then be screened to see if they are good candidates for a different treatment, like ketamine therapy.

Conclusion

Ketamine therapy may help reduce the symptoms of depression in individuals who have not responded well to other treatments. Ketamine may be prescribed as an IV infusion or nasal spray, and it can be used as part of a tailored approach to treating major depression. While it’s not known exactly why ketamine helps individuals with depression, studies have shown that it does reduce the symptoms. We anticipate that more studies will be done on the effectiveness of ketamine for depression and why it works.

If you’d like to learn more about ketamine therapy or get treatment for a mental health disorder and substance use disorder, contact our caring representatives at Allure Detox.

References

• Depression – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
• Ketamine – https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Ketamine-2020.pdf
• Ketamine history – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketamine
• Ketamine for Depression – https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/ketamine-for-major-depression-new-tool-new-questions-2019052216673
• Ketamine Treatment – https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/ketamine-depression-treatment
• Ketamine and the Brain – https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/what-does-ketamine-do-your-brain
• Ketamine for Depression – https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2023/03/the-benefits-of-ketamine-therapy-for-depression
• Spravato – https://www.spravato.com/
• Ketamine Doses – https://futurepsychsolutions.com/blog/how-often-are-ketamine-infusions-administered/
• Ketamine FAQs – https://www.comhs.org/-/media/Files/PDFs/Services/Ketamine-Therapy-FAQs.ashx
• Study – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6767816/
• Study – https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/05/ketamine-found-effective-in-treatment-resistant-depression/

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Published on: 2024-01-27
Updated on: 2024-12-22

If you have been experiencing panic attacks, you understandably want to find an effective treatment. During a panic attack, you may feel highly uncomfortable and unsettled. You may have trouble breathing, and your heart rate may increase dramatically. Some people have the sensation of choking. Scary thoughts, including those about death, may occur. These thoughts, combined with the physical symptoms of a panic attack, can make them terrifying for the individual in some cases. Identifying the cause of panic attacks is an essential first step for many people. While weed is commonly associated with easing anxiety, the reality is that it may be contributing to the problem.

Does Weed Help Anxiety or Cause It?

When you consider when your anxiety started or worsened, you may be able to tie that with the start of or increased use of marijuana. In some people, anxiety reduces anxiety and fosters a sense of relaxation. However, it can also make people more sensitive to body sensations and may even cause new sensations to be felt. In addition, smoking weed can influence thought processes. As a result, the brain may misinterpret those new and increased body sensations. This can lead to anxiety and panic attacks in some people.

You may be more likely to experience anxiety rather than relaxation with cannabis use if you are already feeling stressed or uncomfortable when you start using it. When someone uses marijuana for anxiety relief, there may be a tendency to overuse or abuse the drug. In addition to potentially causing a substance abuse issue, smoking a considerable amount of weed could increase the risk of experiencing anxiety.

If you have decided to stop using marijuana after smoking for an extended period, you may experience the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal. As the substance leaves your system, one of the feelings you may experience is increased anxiety. Commonly, anxiety can be intense with marijuana withdrawal. Drug detox and rehabilitation can help you to manage withdrawal symptoms.

The Link Between Marijuana and Anxiety

How weed affects the body and mind may vary from person to person. It may also be affected by the type of marijuana used and your usage history. This may explain why some people enjoy a sense of peace and relaxation with marijuana use, and others experience the opposite effect. It is important to note that some factors are associated with a higher risk of weed-related anxiety. These include using excessive weed, being a relatively new or inexperienced user, and using a more potent strain of THC than your body is accustomed to.

In addition, long-term marijuana users may be more likely to experience anxiety with use. You may have noticed that weed initially made you feel calm and relaxed, but it is now causing anxiety and even panic attacks. It is important to note that long-term marijuana use has also been associated with memory loss and cognitive problems. You should be aware that marijuana can alter a person’s mood. It can also impact inner feelings and even perceptions of surroundings and other people. Because of this, you may be more likely to experience anxiety rather than relaxation while using marijuana if you are already in a poor mood, feeling stressed, or are in an unpleasant environment.

Does Weed Cause Anxiety?

Weed is more commonly associated with relaxation and easing anxiety. Because of this, the potential for increased anxiety may be unknown or even misunderstood by many people. However, you should be aware of this possible side effect before you use weed again. These side effects include increased anxiety, panic attacks, and other mental health and psychotic issues. If you have had or are currently dealing with psychotic or mental health issues, there may be an increased risk for weed to magnify them.

While anxiety can make you feel extremely uncomfortable in your skin, this anxiety can magnify into a full-blown panic attack relatively quickly. A panic attack may cause you to think you are losing your mind or dying. In this way, a marijuana-related panic attack may be similar to the effects of hallucinogenic drug use. Severe panic attacks can even result in self-harm.

In some people, weed use may make it difficult for users to process some stimuli properly. This may be a root cause of why those individuals experience panic attacks and psychotic issues while using marijuana. For others, weed use causes the brain to uptake dopamine as quickly as it should. This issue may be particularly problematic for regular pot users. Dopamine is responsible for creating excellent or positive feelings. Because the brain of a marijuana user cannot react appropriately to dopamine, there may be an increased risk of anxiety and depression. This type of reaction to weed is most common in habitual users.

How to Recognize Panic Attacks

Anxiety can cause irritability, fatigue, a sense of doom, lack of focus, insomnia, and other effects. However, these symptoms may become more pronounced when anxiety escalates into a panic attack. Other symptoms may also appear. Be aware that the specific symptoms of a panic attack can vary by person. Some common symptoms associated with a panic attack are sweating, chills, a rapid heart rate, tunnel vision, dizziness, numbness, weakness, tingling in the arms and legs, a sense of doom, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Some of these symptoms are associated with a perceived threat and result in the body’s natural fight-or-flight response.

How to Handle Panic Attacks

If you believe you have a panic attack, keep in mind that a panic attack is a challenging experience but cannot hurt you. It may feel as though you are choking or having a heart attack, but chances are that this is not the case. The intensity of the sensations and feelings may cause you to think that you have overdosed, but overdosing on this drug is almost impossible. It is easy to lose yourself in the sensations of a panic attack, but try to remember that these feelings will pass. In fact, for most people, a panic attack may only last 30 to 60 minutes. The actual timeline may be on the longer end with edibles and the shorter end if the drug is inhaled. It can also vary by person, strain, and other factors.

Your surroundings while using marijuana can impact your reaction to it. Anxiety and panic attacks may be more likely in a relatively stressful environment. Because of this, removing yourself from the environment or situation can be very helpful if you begin noticing anxiety symptoms or panic attacks. Deep breathing and the use of a meditation or relaxation app can help. In addition, grounding exercises, such as cuddling a pet, sitting on the ground, and naming different things associated with the senses, may work well.

While some people may be more susceptible to experiencing anxiety or panic attacks, such as because of their environment or usage history, the reality is that everyone who uses marijuana is at some risk. Because of this, the only surefire way to ensure that you do not have a marijuana-related panic attack or anxiety issue is to abstain from use.

Alternatives to Smoking Weed for Anxiety

If you have had an adverse reaction when using weed, you may consider some of the many other available treatment options. A variety of medications available through a doctor’s prescription may be recommended. These are CBD, antidepressants, antipsychotics, hydroxyzine, Buspirone, and benzodiazepines. If you want to try other non-pharmaceutical treatments, many are available. These include mindfulness practices, cognitive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more.

Treatment and Detox

Whether you are struggling with anxiety and other mental health conditions or believe you may be addicted to marijuana or other substances, rest assured that help is available. Allure Detox offers a wide range of detox and treatment programs. Underlying mental health issues can be appropriately diagnosed and treated as part of your treatment. To learn more about the treatment options available, contact Allure Detox for a consultation today.

Summary

TL;DR: Yes, weed can potentially trigger a panic attack in some individuals.

FAQ

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Published on: 2022-11-03
Updated on: 2025-03-31

Finding out that someone you’re interested in dating is a recovering addict can be overwhelming. Whether you’ve been exposed to recovering addicts before or not, it’s normal to feel hesitant about getting involved with one romantically. Under the right circumstances, however, it’s possible to have a fulfilling romantic relationship with someone in recovery from addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Questions to Ask a Dating Partner Who is in Recovery

Before dating a recovering addict, get answers to these questions:

• How Long Have You Been Sober? – It’s crucial to know where the recovering addict is in their journey. Ideally, they should have at least one year of sobriety under their belt. In early recovery, recovering addicts are busy making sense of their new, sober selves. If you date someone newly sober, they’re apt to change a lot in the months and years ahead – and you may end up not being all that compatible with them, after all.
• What is Your Dating History Like? – Find out if the person you’d like to date has dated anyone else since becoming sober. Delve deeper to also inquire about what their romantic relationships were like before recovery. Sometimes, people recovering from addictions to drugs or alcohol may also have addictions to sex and romantic relationships. They may use romantic relationships to distract them from the work of maintaining sobriety, which can be disastrous for both parties.
• What Are You Doing to Maintain Your Sobriety? – Ask the person you’d like to date if they are currently in any recovery program or otherwise taking active steps to maintain their sobriety, like attending 12-step meetings or meeting regularly with a therapist.
• How Can I Support You? – Ask about the other person’s expectations of you in their recovery journey. Do they expect their partner to support their recovery actively, or would they rather handle most of the work themselves? Are there triggering situations or things you should know about to help them maintain their sobriety?
• Are You Ready for a Committed Relationship? – Becoming infatuated with someone and wanting to spend lots of time with them is one thing; committing to them for the long haul is another. Early on in dating a recovering addict, ask if they are really ready for commitment. Will it get in the way of their recovery process? Since becoming sober, has their life settled down enough to focus on a partner?

How to Support Someone in Recovery as a Romantic Partner

Let’s say you ask the recovering addict you’d like to date the questions posed above and feel secure about proceeding with the relationship. Before deciding for sure, figure out if you are capable of supporting your new partner. Some of the primary ways you can be supportive while dating a recovering addict include the following:

• Accept Their Past – Accepting your partner’s past is crucial for any successful relationship, but it’s imperative when dating a recovering addict. Everyone has baggage, but recovering addicts sometimes take years to sort out the messes created by active addiction. Your new partner may still be struggling with financial, legal or health issues stemming from their use of drugs or alcohol. To have any hope of a long, successful partnership, it’s vital to accept your partner’s past – even if it’s still haunting them.
• Learn Their Triggers – All recovering addicts are at risk of relapsing. According to Psychology Today, 40% to 60% of all people in recovery relapse at least once. Relapses often happen when someone is triggered by a situation, event or other issues, so it’s important to learn about your new partner’s triggers. Once you know what they are, you can consciously shield your partner from potential triggers that could send them into a spiral of relapse.
• Adapt Your Lifestyle Within Reason – You may have to make lifestyle changes to accommodate dating a recovering addict. These changes may be based on the triggers mentioned above. For example, if you normally enjoy a drink or two before bedtime, you may have to find another way to unwind. If you regularly go to the club or the bar, you may have to cut back on those activities to avoid triggering your partner.
• Educate Yourself About Addiction – Read a few books about addiction and recovery to understand what your partner is experiencing. If possible, attend a few 12-step meetings with your partner, or try a group like Al-Anon to gain insights into being involved with someone in recovery. Have your partner share their story about addiction and recovery with you to understand what they’ve endured – and what they’ve overcome.
• Communicate Openly – From square one, communicate openly and honestly with your partner about all aspects of your lives and relationship. Avoid the common pitfall of assuming the worst about your partner. Instead of assuming they’re out drinking when they don’t reply to your texts right away, for instance, give them the benefit of the doubt and ask them about it later.
• Take Care of Yourself – Codependency is a common issue for people who are romantically involved with addicts and recovering addicts. Just because your partner is in recovery doesn’t mean that their needs are all that matters. Self-care is crucial for you too, so make it a priority.
• Be Realistic – If you’re a hopeless romantic, you may assume that your love and support are all your partner needs to stay sober. In reality, relapses occur for countless reasons, so you should be prepared for them and understand that they may happen despite your help.

Embrace Your Relationship with a Recovering Addict, But Take it Slow

Recovering addicts have been through a lot, but they’ve also overcome a lot. They can be excellent, supportive partners, but nothing is guaranteed. The best rule of thumb when dating a recovering addict is to take things slowly. Resist the temptation to plunge full steam ahead. Instead, enjoy the budding relationship and give it time to grow. It could end up being the best relationship of your life.

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Published on: 2022-03-30
Updated on: 2025-04-14