Therapy can be a valuable tool for those in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). There are many different therapeutic approaches, from psychoanalysis to humanistic therapy, and choosing the one that’s right for you can be difficult. If you’re someone who thrives under your own direction, you might consider an approach called person-centered therapy. What […]
Substance Abuse
Hallucinogens like DMT are popular substances for a quick trip with little repercussions. But are there really no risks when you consume hallucinogenic drugs? It turns out, the dangers of DMT may be more serious than you’d think. What Is DMT? DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) is a hallucinogenic substance. It occurs naturally in many species of plants
You have probably heard health professionals speaking of substance addiction as a brain disease. Why is it viewed this way? Does the brain change with repeated substance use? The answer to this important question has profound implications for how the brain needs to be cared for during recovery. Treatment approaches that seek to improve the
How Does the Brain Change With Substance Dependence? Read More »
Recent addiction research has proven that it is a disease of the brain. However, many people don't yet know or acknowledge this fact. Even if you agree with this model, you may wonder why this disease is more powerful than other illnesses. Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease that impacts neurological pathways. Therefore, recovery
What Role Do Neurological Pathways Play in Recovery? Read More »
Did you know that low self-esteem and substance use disorder (SUD) are interrelated? Low self-esteem is a powerful risk factor for developing SUD, especially in younger people like teens. SUD often comes with co-occurring mental health disorders, and while low self-esteem isn't a mental health disorder itself, it may be a symptom of some. Treating
Why Is Low Self-Esteem a Risk Factor for Substance Addiction? Read More »
Many people who have started using addictive substances are not aware that the harmful chemicals found in drugs and alcohol may change brain chemistry. A person’s brain goes through substantial changes, especially before age 25. The brain’s neurotransmitters are capable of adapting while seeking balance in its production of dopamine, and interrupting this process with
How Long Does The Brain Take To Recover From Addiction? Read More »
Substance addiction among pregnant women has become a public health concern in the United States. Around five percent of pregnant women use one or more addictive substances. While most people likely recognize that this is not a good thing, not many people understand how substance use affects these women and their unborn children. Pregnant women
If you or a loved one is going through treatment for substance addiction, one important life skill to learn is self-control or self-discipline. Addiction can spin your life out of control. Self-control—or the lack thereof—is not a character trait, but a skill that can be relearned and honed. There are many practical techniques to help
Overwork (working for more than 40 hours a week) can increase the risk of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Work addiction does not yet have a definition with much consensus within the medical community, but it is an existing problem that can bring stress which often seeks an outlet through drugs and alcohol. Understanding how
Why Are Overworked People More Susceptible to Substance Addiction? Read More »
Most people who get addicted probably do not plan on making substance use an addictive habit. They might wonder when and how using drugs and alcohol turned into an addiction that is so hard to break from. If you can identify the warning signs of an addictive tendency, substance use does not have to become











Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT 

