Aftercare

Anxiety is a huge problem in the United States. According to the latest statistics, approximately 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety. Anxiety causes difficult emotions that can arise suddenly and even forcefully. When dealing with anxiety, people often turn to things that harm them more in the end. Some people drown their anxiety in alcohol;…

This presentation is on trauma and problematic gambling presented by Joanne Ketch, LPC, LMFAO, DC and SAP. Joanne Ketch is an LPC, LMS, LCD and a SAP, or Rdsap. Jane is a multi credentialed clinician serving professionals, medical staff, first responders and military, and Katy, Texas. This is an encore career for Joanne, and since…

Step 11 of the 12 Steps: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry it out. As you begin Step 11 of the 12 Steps, you may recall that our post on Step Two…

As noted last week’s blog on mental illness and substance abuse, many people with substance abuse and mental health greatly impact each other. This runs the spectrum from mild but chronic depression to complete lack of capacity for comprehending reality. Proper understanding and treatment of mental illness may keep many from turning to addictive substances…

Most substance abuse begins with a desire to escape pain. That pain can be physical; situational (due to an undesirable living situation, an unpleasant life transition, or excessive everyday stress); mental, or emotional. With emotional pain, the most common underlying issues are loss; rejection and loneliness; guilt; a sense of failure; and low self-esteem, which…

You may have an addiction that has a strong physical dependence element to it. Recovery from this type of addiction often requires a customized plan. At Kemah Palms, we have programs to help you overcome a dependence that is physical in nature, such as with benzodiazepines and opioids. What is Physical Dependence? Physical dependence is…

Often, one of the hardest parts of getting help for addiction is simply realizing that there is a problem in the first place. Some users may be so secretive that their friends and family are not even aware of drug abuse. It is also possible for a person dealing with symptoms of addiction to lie…

When a person gets to the point of asking themselves, am I an alcoholic, they probably are. Alcoholism is nothing to be ashamed of; it does not make you a bad person. Identifying problem drinking is one of the most important first steps. Do what you can to take care of the problem and live…

There’s nothing worse than having friends or family who recognize substance abuse nagging you to change… except for having a little voice in your own head suggesting that the “nags” may have a point. When it seems that everyone you were close to is changing for the worse—because so many people are hinting or saying…

Benzodiazepines are prescription medications used to treat conditions related to anxiety. Due to their calming effect, benzodiazepines like Xanax are highly effective in treating symptoms related to anxiety and panic attack disorders. Unfortunately, because the effects of Xanax are so powerful, the medication is prone to abuse. Xanax is one of the most prescribed medications…

Drug addiction is a serious concern in the world today with millions of people suffering from this troubling condition. Whether minor or severe, addiction can be very damaging to anyone’s life — even the family members of those who are suffering. If you or somebody you know is suffering from addiction, then you should contact…

The first known person to use the “eternal vigilance” quote—in that wording—was Wendell Phillips, speaking to the Massachusetts Antislavery Society in 1852. It follows that vigilance in sobriety follows the same vein as the quotes below. The sentiment is at least as old as the Founding Fathers: “They that can give up essential liberty to…