For most humans, emotions are a fact of life. Without significant impairments to the brain and neural network (such as substance use disorder, autism spectrum disorder, etc.)…
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Tips for Maintaining Good Mental Health
Traditionally, when we talk about maintaining good health, we’ve focused on our physical health. Fortunately, this has been changing, and the focus on health has grown to include mental and spiritual health. Over time, healthcare providers have realized that mental and physical health are interrelated. If you are living with a chronic physical condition, your mental health can suffer. Likewise, if you are living with a chronic mental health condition, your physical health can suffer. Because the two are so tightly woven together, we all need tips for maintaining good mental health. At 10 Acre Ranch, we understand the importance of maintaining good mental health, and we can help you develop strategies for doing so.
What Is Mental Health?
You might hear a lot of talk about mental health but also wonder what it is. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is vital at every stage of life. Various factors impact our mental health, including biological factors, life experiences, and our genes. For instance, if you have a history of childhood or other trauma, you may need to maintain your mental health more actively than others do. Likewise, if you have a history of addiction, you will have to proactively approach your mental health to ensure that you maintain your recovery.
Why Is Focusing on Mental Health Important?
There was a time when discussions around mental health only focused on what was “wrong.” Today, mental health is starting to be viewed more like physical health. To maintain your physical health, you are encouraged to visit a physician regularly rather than waiting until you are sick. Similarly, you don’t have to wait for a mental health crisis before speaking to a mental health professional. By incorporating some tips for maintaining good mental health, you might even be able to avoid a crisis. Your mental health impacts every aspect of your life. It affects your perception of the world around you and how you process the things that happen in your life. Positive mental health enables you to better cope with stress and create a meaningful life.
Tips for Maintaining Good Mental Health
In essence, being proactive about your mental health is just like being proactive about your mental health. If you know you have a risk of heart disease, you will likely make better diet choices, exercise regularly, and see a doctor annually so that you can minimize your risk of having a heart attack. If you know you have a mental health disorder, you can see a mental health professional before you are in crisis. Even if you do not see a mental health professional, you can incorporate tips for maintaining good mental health, including:
- Connecting with others in your community or family
- Maintaining a positive attitude
- Incorporating movement such as walking
- Helping others in your community or family
- Ensuring that you get enough sleep
- Use activities such as journaling or drawing
- Use mindfulness techniques such as meditation or yoga
As you choose strategies to help you maintain good mental health, focus on the things that bring you joy or feed your soul. Perhaps sitting on the beach and watching the ocean brings you peace. Maybe it’s a walk in the woods or a walk with your dog. No matter what it is, choose the thing that helps you stay healthy.
Get Help Today at 10 Acre Ranch
At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve provided Southern California with expert and caring mental health and addiction treatment for over 25 years. Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California with a full range of therapeutic offerings. We provide a warm and welcoming environment where we tailor healing to the whole person. We are committed to helping you break the destructive cycle of isolation that many develop during active addiction. Contact us today and let us help you maintain your mental health and conquer your addiction.
Is There a Connection Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Drug Addiction?
Addiction is a complex disease that is often hard to understand. Add in a co-occurring mental health disorder, and you may be overwhelmed. The good news is that you don’t have to be. Over time, we’ve learned a great deal about the relationship between mental illnesses such as borderline personality disorder and addiction. We’ve also learned a lot about how to treat both separately and together. If you are struggling with addiction and borderline personality disorder, you do not have to struggle alone. At 10 Acre Ranch, we understand how hard it is to recover from addiction. We also know that you may feel that it’s that much more challenging because of a co-occurring mental illness. We are here to support and treat both.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline personality disorder, sometimes referred to as BPD, is a mental illness associated with an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior. Those with a borderline personality disorder will often act impulsively and may have problems in relationships. One of the key symptoms associated with a borderline personality disorder is that the individual has difficulty with how they view themselves and their place in the world. What this looks like from the outside is quickly changing interests and even values. Additional signs and symptoms that may be seen include:
- Self-harming behavior
- Recurring thoughts of suicidal behavior or threats
- Persistent feelings of emptiness
- Difficulty controlling anger
- Feelings of dissociation
Knowing the signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder, it is not hard to see how borderline personality disorder and drug addiction occur together. The feelings of BPD coupled with its impulsivity are a key reason why many who suffer from BPD self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
What Is Drug Addiction?
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by both drug seeking and compulsive use despite any harmful consequences. Addiction is a disease of isolation that affects the mind, body, and spirit. Approximately ten percent of the United States population struggles with addiction. Over time, continued drug and alcohol use change the pathways in the brain. It is these changes that make it so challenging to get sober and stay sober. Many who find themselves addicted to a substance will also find that it takes more than one attempt to find lasting sobriety. Those who suffer from a co-occurring mental disorder and addiction are best served by seeking treatment at a facility that can treat both simultaneously.
Is There a Connection Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Drug Addiction?
Nearly four percent of the United States population suffers from addiction and also has a mental illness. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a correlation between borderline personality disorder and drug addiction. Researchers have found that half of those who have borderline personality disorder also have a substance use disorder. Similarly, about twenty-five percent of those with a substance use disorder also have a borderline personality disorder. Researchers believe that the struggle with emotions and the impulsivity of borderline personality disorder results in this connection between BPD and drug addiction. In addition to their being a connection, there is further evidence that those with a borderline personality disorder may experience relapses more often than those without it.
Benefits of Going to 10 Acre Ranch for Rehab
At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve provided Southern California with expert addiction treatment for nearly three decades. We understand the importance of treating any co-occurring mental health illnesses, such as borderline personality disorder while treating your addiction. Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California and offer a wide range of programs that will meet your needs. We are experts in helping people safely detox and stop using meth. We provide a warm and welcoming environment where we integrate the treatment to heal the whole person. We are committed to helping you break free from active addiction and build a life in recovery. Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!
The Connection Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Drug Addiction
Individuals with mental illness are twice as likely to misuse drugs and alcohol than those without mental illness. The likelihood increases for adolescents with mental illness and for those with borderline personality disorder. This connection between mental illness and addiction highlights the importance of understanding the links between the two. Fortunately, much research has been done in this area. As a result, most addiction treatment programs include treatment for mental health disorders, or co-occurring disorders. At 10 Acre Ranch, we understand how to treat addiction and mental illness together so that you can begin a path toward long-term sobriety.
Borderline Personality Disorder Explained
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that often results in impulsive actions and problems in relationships. Individuals with borderline personality disorder often exhibit a pattern of fluctuating moods, self-image, and behavior. Additionally those with BPD experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety. These episodes can last a few hours or several days.
Those with borderline personality disorder tend to view the world in extremes and these extremes can change quickly. Additional signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder include suicidal thoughts, impulsive behaviors, unstable relationships, fear of abandonment, and chronic feelings of emptiness. As with addiction, researchers believe that genetics, biological, and social factors play a role in the development of borderline personality disorder.
The Connection Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Drug Addiction
The connection between borderline personality disorder and drug addiction is quite strong. Nearly eighty percent of adults with borderline personality disorder will also develop addiction sometime in their lives. This colliding of the two presents unique challenges. It is not surprising that individuals facing both will likely be more impulsive and less stable.
Individuals with borderline personality disorder may also suffer from anxiety and post traumatic stress disorders. The combination of these disorders increases the risk for self-medicating with drugs and addiction. Additionally, those with borderline personality disorder may seek to simply fit in with others by using drugs.
How To Treat Borderline Personality Disorder and Drug Addiction
Treating those with borderline personality disorder and drug addiction is more complex. Researchers have found that dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) improved patients’ overall functional level and resulted in more drug-free days. Other therapies continue to be explored for their effectiveness in treating this combination. However, what is known is that early intervention is more successful than later interventions. Because of their impulsivity, those with borderline personality disorder are more likely to relapse and may relapse repeatedly. Researchers have found some success with medications such as naltrexone as a relapse prevention tool when paired with DBT therapy. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) allows for the treatment of both borderline personality disorder and addiction at the same time. Whatever approach is taken, the key is a clinician who is well-versed in treating borderline personality disorder and drug addiction.
Benefits of Going To 10 Acre Ranch for Rehab
At 10 Acre Ranch, we’ve been providing Southern California with expert addiction treatment for nearly three decades. We know how to treat co-occurring mental health disorders and we can put our experience to work for you. Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore families, and improve communities. We are one of the leading rehab facilities in California and offer a wide range of programs that will meet your needs. Our team are experts in helping people safely detox from drugs and do the work to stop using drugs. We provide a warm and welcoming environment where we integrate the treatment to heal the whole person. We are committed to helping you break free from active addiction. Contact us today and let us help you with your addiction!
10 Ways to Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder & Drug Addiction
This time of year can be very difficult, especially for those who suffer from addiction, as holidays and moments of celebration are often considered to be triggers for those in recovery because of the social aspects of casual drinking or drug use during the winter months. What can make it even more difficult to remain sober during this time is when a recovering addict also suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD or seasonal depression.
Addiction is characterized as a brain disorder and can often be coupled with other mental health diagnoses or mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). For people who live with both a mental health disorder and struggle with addiction, just know that you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 20 percent of people who are diagnosed with a mood disorder, such as SAD, also suffer from a substance abuse problem.
Symptoms of SAD
If you are unsure whether or not you may be suffering from seasonal depression you can always speak with a mental health professional. Common symptoms of SAD include those of major depression along with several others. People who are suffering from seasonal depression may experience all or some of the following;
- Depressed mood
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
- Loss of pleasure in certain activities
- Social withdrawal
- Cravings for carbohydrates (unique to SAD)
- Excessive daytime sleeping (unique to SAD)
- Heaviness in arms and legs (unique to SAD)
Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Researchers and doctors are still unsure about the exact cause for seasonal affective disorder but some factors that attribute to this condition include;
- Biological Clock (Circadian rhythm)- As the days grow shorter around the fall or autumn season, we begin to lose sunlight, which can disrupt your body’s internal clock, causing feelings of depression.
- Serotonin Levels- The reduced sunlight can lead to a drop in the brain’s chemical that affects mood, the neurotransmitter serotonin.
- Melatonin Levels- The seasonal change can disrupt the body’s natural production of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and moods.
10 Ways to Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
If you are one of many suffering from the symptoms of seasonal depression and are wondering how to treat SAD, then do not worry, there are many treatment options available that can help alleviate some of the symptoms.
- Know the signs and symptoms- Knowing what is happening with you and your body can help greatly in managing the symptoms. If you begin feeling sad during the autumn months, being aware of your seasonal depression can help keep you from spiraling down a hole that seems impossible to get out of, simply just by understanding what is going on.
- Try light from a box- Light therapy is reported to be one of the most effective treatments for the “winter blues”. There are specialty light boxes or lamps designed to produce effects similar to natural light, helping to restore your body’s natural circadian rhythm and production of melatonin. Research suggests that sitting in front of a light box first thing in the morning, everyday, during the fall and winter months for at least 30 minutes can greatly reduce the symptoms of SAD.
- Get outside as much as you can- Nature is a form of therapy for almost any mental health disorder. So, try to make it a point to go on a at least a 10 minute nature walk every day, or as often as possible, regardless of the weather. Studies have shown that even short walks increase mood, along with other mental and physical health benefits. Not to mention, the sunlight you get from being outside is much more beneficial than that from a window, helping to promote natural production of serotonin and melatonin. Going outside around noon when the sun is brightest can help reap the most benefits in a short amount of time.
- Exercise regularly- Aside from talking a daily break in nature , trying to exercise regularly is especially important for people suffering from SAD. Exercise is a proven treatment for many forms of depression. Try combining your daily exercise with going outside to help decrease the symptoms of seasonal depression.
- Take vitamin D- Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to SAD in at least one study, so doctors have begun urging patients to up their vitamin D intake, especially during the winter months.
- Caring for plants- Research has shown that gardening can help reduce feelings of depression. By caring for something small during the winter months, it can help alleviate some of the symptoms of seasonal depression.
- Stay Connected- Avoid the sometimes overwhelming feeling to remain reclusive during the cold months. Stay connected with your family and remain active in your support groups, such as AA, even when you feel like hibernating. Staying connected with your support group can help combat feelings of depression by getting you out of the house and by allowing you the opportunity to express out loud how you are feeling.
- Paint walls in lighter colors- Studies suggest that people who suffer from seasonal depression feel better when they are surrounded by lighter colors. Aside from the mood lifting ambiance, sometimes just doing the activity of painting alone can be a soothing process for someone with a depressive disorder.
- Keep a journal- Sometimes we have thoughts or feelings we are uncomfortable sharing with others, by writing them down we can begin to understand our emotions better. Writing down our negative thoughts or emotions gives us the opportunity to cope with them and feel as though we have gotten them off our chest, allowing ourselves the chance to fully process them. Plan on writing for at least 20 minutes a day, and try doing it before bed so that you can express the last 24 hours in as much detail as possible.
- Try aromatherapy- Essential oils can activate the same part of the brain that is responsible for controlling moods and our internal clock. Purchase an oil diffuser for your home or workspace, or try adding a couple drops in your bath.
While all of these tips are useful, knowing when to get contact a professional for help is the most important. If you are having extreme thoughts of suicide or are having a difficult time with coping during the winter months, or in general, then there is nothing wrong with getting help. Speak with your doctor, who can potentially prescribe medications, or contact a counselor or therapist who can help you cope with the emotions of depression. If you are a recovering addict and find that you are struggling to stay sober, we are always here to help! Reach out to us today to begin specialized treatment.
(877) 228-4679
Can Brain Imaging Help Beat Drug Addiction?
The word addiction itself comes from the latin phrase meaning “enslaved to” or “bound by”. Addiction is a disease of the brain that is characterized by the inability to stop using drugs or alcohol despite the user having experienced severe negative consequences throughout their everyday lives, such as job loss, relationship problems, or extreme poverty. People who suffer from this disease experience compulsive behavior related to using drugs and alcohol, they are unable to stop doing them even though they know it will cause further problems in life or keep them from bettering their situation entirely.
People with substance abuse problems have distorted thinking, behavior, and bodily functions. However, not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol will become addicted, there are many factors that can lead to someone developing an addiction, such as genetic predisposition, environmental factors like peer pressure, and dynamics in the family and home. When someone begins using drugs or alcohol, a surge of chemicals, mainly dopamine, are released inside the brain. Dopamine is often referred to as the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, this chemical is released naturally in the brain when we experience pleasurable moments like eating a delicious meal or participating in your favorite activity. When a person continuously uses drugs or alcohol, our brains begin to rely on this surge of chemicals and it needs them in order to function properly.
Disease is any condition that changes the way an organ functions, much like how heart disease permanently damages the heart. With prolonged and repeated use of drugs and alcohol, the brain begins to change over time, creating new pathways for these chemicals to go back and forth between neurons. This ultimately causes changes to the brain’s structure and the way the brain functions, some of these changes are even permanent. Drugs and alcohol change the brain in many ways but there are 3 areas that are most heavily affected.
Areas of the Brain Affected by Drugs and Alcohol
- Basal Ganglia- This area of the brain plays an important role in positive forms of motivation and our habit forming principles. This area of the brain allows us to feel pleasure and when it becomes inundated by drugs and alcohol it becomes less sensitive to the natural reward system, making it difficult to feel pleasure without the use of drugs and alcohol.
- Extended Amygdala- The extended amygdala plays an important role in producing feelings such as anxiety, irritability, and overall uneasiness, which are typically synonymous with feelings of withdrawal. With repeated use of drugs and alcohol, this area of the brain becomes more sensitive, causing the user to seek drugs and alcohol again to avoid these negative feelings.
- Prefrontal Cortex- Perhaps the most crucial of all, this area of the brain plays an important role in the ability to think, plan, solve problems, make decisions, and exert self control over impulses. This is also the last part of the brain to mature, making teens more susceptible to becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. When drugs and alcohol are repeatedly used, it shifts the circuits from stress, to reward, to lack of impulse control, ultimately creating a situation where drugs and alcohol have taken over.
How Brain Imaging Can Help Fight Addiction
With the evolution of science, this has changed the model of addiction. What was once seen as lacking moral fortitude or the ability to control one’s actions, scientists and doctors now understand that it requires more than good intentions to fight this disease. Now widely recognized as a brain disease and cataloged as a mental health disorder, doctors and scientists have been conducting brain imaging studies in order to better understand how to effectively treat and manage this chronic disease.
Since addiction causes changes to the brain, there are differences when comparing brain image scans of a non addict to an addict. Areas like the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision making, show major differences that can be attributed to the lack of self control in addicts and their inability to stop using drugs and alcohol. Using brain scans to help treat addiction has shown significant promise to recovering addicts and their families. Aside from the medical standpoint, brain scans help in many ways when it comes to recovery.
How Brain Scans Help Recovering Addicts
- Brain Scans Don’t Lie- Brain scans clearly show toxic damage and exposure that is caused by drugs or alcohol. These illegal substances negatively impact areas of the brain that play an important role in being able to control one’s emotions and critical thinking abilities, brain scans show the damage left by drugs and alcohol.
- Brain Scans Reveal Effects of Drugs- Seeing as how brain scans don’t lie, it is much easier to understand the correlation between drug and alcohol use and the visible damage caused by them. Substances like marijuana and nicotine cause significant changes in brain function and even everyday things like sugar can impact the way our brains operate on a daily basis.
- Brain Imaging Shows That There is More Than One Addiction- Through brain imaging, we have been able to gain a deeper understanding into addiction. Now, addiction can be broken down into different categories.
- Compulsive Addicts
- Impulsive Addicts
- Impulsive-Compulsive Addicts
- Sad or Emotional Addicts
- Anxious Addicts
- Temporal Lobe Addicts
Researchers have gained valuable insight into how to effectively treat and manage multiple types of addiction, instead of grouping them all together.
- Brain Imaging Helps to Break the Stigma and Shame- For years, decades even, addiction was treated as a lack of will power and moral discipline. With the advancement of technology, brain scans prove that drugs and alcohol alter the structure of the brain. An addict who is suffering may also feel as though it is all their fault, brain imaging helps show that addiction is a disorder of the brain.
- Brain Scans Help Remove Denial- Many people with addictions are in denial that they even have a problem. When an addict is confronted with a brain scan image that shows visible damage from drugs and alcohol, it is difficult to deny that there is an underlying issue.
- Brain Images Help Families Understand- Much like when an addict is shown their brain on drugs, when a family member is shown the scans of loved one it can help remove any blame they place on each other knowing that addiction is a result of chemical and structural changes to the brain, not something they did personally.
- Brain Scans Can Reveal Co-occurring Disorders- Another benefit when using brain imaging as an additional tool to combat addiction is that it can also reveal co-occurring disorders, such as traumatic brain injuries, depression, or ADHD. In order to heal from addiction, these issues also need to be addressed.
- Brain Scans Give Hope- Being able to see that your brain is toxic can be a great motivator. Brain scans also make it easy to track the progress of an individual throughout their treatment plan and their sobriety. Using before and after pictures can help someone stay motivated by being able to actually see the healing of their brain.
With a deeper understanding of addiction, we hope to remove the stigma surrounding it. There is no shame in asking for help, if you or someone you know are addicted to drugs, reach out to us for help today! We have many treatment programs available designed to fit your needs.