Key Takeaways Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is a set of symptoms associated with stopping substance use that continue on for months to years in recovery. PAWS can generate feelings of anxiety and depression that complicate early sobriety. Managing PAWS involves seeking clinical treatment, participating in holistic therapies, following a relapse prevention plan, and adopting healthy … Read more
Key Takeaways The home recovery environment can generate addiction triggers that can leave your loved one vulnerable to relapse. Potential relapse triggers in the home include family dynamics, people who use, sensory cues, social media, and traumatic memories. You can pursue family recovery strategies to ensure your home supports your loved one’s recovery instead, such … Read more
Key Takeaways Relapse is a possibility for anyone in recovery as they navigate addiction triggers and adjust to the real world. Family support is incredibly important in helping your loved one prevent relapse, as it provides accountability, emotional stability, hope and resilience, and a safe home environment. Practical family relapse prevention strategies include recognizing relapse … Read more
Key Takeaways The trauma that a person or group of people experience can be passed along to children and grandchildren in the form of transgenerational trauma. Transgenerational trauma leads to inherited trauma patterns such as insecure attachment, living in “survival mode,” anxiety, emotional numbness, and more. Children with inherited trauma can eventually adopt parenting styles … Read more
Key Takeaways: Trauma is a common experience among military veterans and active duty service members, who also face an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Though trauma can lead to negative long-term consequences, it can also generate post-traumatic stress growth, or the positive personal transformation that comes as a result of your struggle. Trauma-informed … Read more
Key Takeaways Holistic therapies, which encompass nontraditional therapies that address your mind, body, and spirit, can be especially impactful in helping veterans achieve whole-person healing from mental health and addiction challenges. Entrenched societal stigmas can cause veterans to be skeptical about holistic therapy or prevent them from getting professional help at all. At Defining Wellness … Read more
Key Takeaways Relapse doesn’t mean failure; it’s a normal part of recovery. Neuroscience, behavioral dynamics, and environmental factors can contribute to relapses along your recovery journey. When you experience a relapse, it’s important to take healthy steps to get back on track, such as debriefing what caused your relapse, adjusting your recovery plan, and maintaining … Read more
Key Takeaways More than half of veterans with mental health challenges aren’t getting the help they need (SAMHSA, 2022). Many face stigma, self-reliance pressures, or logistical barriers that make treatment feel out of reach. From stigma to system gaps, veterans face layered obstacles to care. Challenges like provider shortages, long wait times, and rural isolation … Read more
Key Takeaways Military veterans are at a greater risk for mental health issues, facing a suicide rate that is 5 times higher than non-veteran populations (Ruiz et al., 2022). Much of our treatment focus for today’s veterans centers on post-traumatic stress syndrome, but veterans need holistic treatment that addresses the whole person, including their physical, … Read more
When you think about the struggles that military veterans today face, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is usually the first that comes to mind. In some ways, this goes to show how far we’ve come in recognizing the impact of PTSD on our military. However, PTSD is far from the ONLY issue affecting veterans. Many deal … Read more