By Anna McKenzie Dr. Claudia Black’s new book Undaunted Hope is not just filled with stories of addiction and recovery; it’s brimming with tales of lives made new, of trauma understood and uprooted, and of the personal transformation that can come from asking for help and receiving it. Meadows Senior Fellow Dr. Black is also the founder of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center. Alongside other renowned treatment experts, including Patrick Carnes, Tian Dayton, Peter Levine, Resmaa Menakem, and Richard Schwartz, Dr. Black provides compassionate and insightful commentary on real-life recovery stor ..read more

By Anna McKenzie Suicidal ideation is when a person is contemplating suicide, which may involve imagining how they would commit suicide, what the world would be like without them, or fantasizing about ending their pain through suicide. Suicidal ideation can arise from difficult life circumstances such as poverty or abuse, mental illness, poor physical health, trauma, or even medication. When a person suffering from suicidal ideation can receive mental health support, it can considerably decrease the risk of a tragic outcome. Suicidal ideation can arise from difficult life circumstances such a ..read more

By Mandy Parsons We all experience personal and professional stress, perhaps even daily. And after a long day navigating life’s stressors, many of us look for a way to unwind. For some, that outlet is exercise, while others might prefer a relaxing beverage or their favorite television show. Food is also used to self-soothe. Our go-to fast-food restaurant or sweet treat of choice is often the perfect remedy for whatever ails us. As with most everything, a good rule of thumb to follow is “all things in moderation.” Too much of anything can have negative consequences; this is especially true when ..read more

By Wesley Gallagher Diagnoses like autism and ADHD have historically been categorized as brain disorders or disabilities. However, while there are disadvantages that come with neurological differences, there are also unique strengths, talents, and viewpoints that neurodiverse individuals bring to the world around them. The term neurodiversity was coined to reframe the way we view neurological differences: Rather than abnormalities, they are simply normal variations in the human genome, part of the diversity of human life. While there are disadvantages that come with neurological differences ..read more

By Anna McKenzie We know that we need sleep, but we often experience obstacles to getting the appropriate amount of rest. We may deprioritize sleep in favor of work or commitments; we may have periods where sleep is hard to come by, such as when we’re sick or in the thick of parenting. But other times, mental distress is the culprit for our restlessness.  When we lose sleep due to anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, we can actually exacerbate our symptoms. So in what ways can we embrace the importance of sleep in order to improve our mental health? What Is Sleep Health? Sl ..read more

By Stephanie O’Brian, Ed. S., LPC We have all done it. We see someone battling addiction and we ignore them, shake our heads, or maybe even glare with disgust. We judge. It can be easy to do, especially when the addiction is so severe, it can be hard to see the person inside of the “junkie” — or any number of any names we call them — drunk, druggie, pothead, burnout, stoner, crackhead, etc. These terms are proof that addiction stigma exists, as none of them convey compassion or empathy. Yet, compassion and empathy are precisely what those living with addiction need and deserve. Addiction Is an ..read more

By Anna McKenzie In the context of trauma, “adult children” generally refers to those who grew up with parents or caregivers who abused alcohol or drugs. As a result, adult children struggle to reach emotional maturity because their development was hampered by abuse, neglect, and the dysfunctional behavior patterns visited upon them. Adult children struggle to reach emotional maturity because their development was hampered by abuse, neglect, and the dysfunctional behavior patterns visited upon them. The dysfunction that adult children learned when they were young can make them more likely to ..read more

By Alanna Hilbink When we first begin our recovery journey, we may not be ready to make the most of treatment from day one. Wanting to feel better doesn’t necessarily mean we are in the right place to be able to do so. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get there. Some of us just need extra support to feel safe, present, and receptive. Beginning Your Recovery with Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is one way to support your early recovery. So what is Safe and Sound Protocol? It’s a relatively new treatment supplement created by Dr. Stephen Porges, an innovator in our unde ..read more

By Melissa Riddle Chalos Over-the-counter medications are so commonplace in our lives, using them seems as natural as wearing socks or brushing teeth. But each one requires responsible, informed consumption to avoid serious health risks.  What is OTC Medicine? Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are those that can be sold directly to consumers without a doctor’s prescription. Everyday medications like ibuprofen, Benadryl, Tylenol, antihistamines, antidiarrheal pills, and decongestants are designed to be short-term treatments for temporary conditions and the symptoms of each. OTC medication ..read more

By Bobby Shriver Though the title for most widely used drug in the United States may theoretically vary through the years, several drugs remain prevalent in America today. And they’re continuing to make an impact on our health, communities, and culture at-large. Throw in new drug trends like Kratom, Delta-8, and dab bars, and the presence of drugs (and their consequences) is even more widespread. So, what are the United States’ most-used drugs right now, and how are they affecting us? The Most Popular Drugs in America Marijuana According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ..read more