Veterans and first responders often carry both guilt and fear from the same events. While they often overlap, these two experiences are clinically distinct. You can have a moral injury without PTSD and vice versa, although it’s extremely common to have both. So, what is moral injury? How do you tell them apart? Moral injury […]

Many veterans try talk therapy without getting full relief from trauma symptoms. This is a very common experience, and often, it is where approaches like EMDR therapy come in. EMDR is a top first-line treatment for PTSD. It is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for […]

As opposed to a singular event, first responders face repeated, cumulative trauma exposure. This increases the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the symptoms we see in first responders are often masked by job culture. Trauma exposure and its effects can be normalized. Feeling numb, drinking more, disturbed sleep, and negative attitudes toward oneself, […]

Someone may spend years discussing a traumatic experience in counseling yet still feel their heart race at the sound of a car backfiring or avoid places that remind them of what happened. Trauma therapy is designed to address how trauma is stored in the brain and body, helping reduce the distress associated with those memories […]

Bipolar 1 disorder and bipolar 2 disorder are closely related mental health conditions that affect mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to function in daily life. Both involve cycles of depression and elevated mood, but the type and severity of those elevated mood episodes are what set them apart. Bipolar 1 disorder is defined […]

The sober-curious movement is a societal shift that’s good to see. It’s opened more people up to the idea that they could benefit from cutting out or reducing alcohol, even in the face of a society where drinking–including unhealthy drinking, at times–has historically been normalized. If you’re learning about the sober curious movement, you might […]

Is addiction a disability? Yes. Substance use disorders are legally considered disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). What does that mean? If you’re wondering “Is drug addiction a disability?” it’s likely that you want to learn more about your rights when seeking addiction treatment. Alternatively, you might have questions about whether you can […]

Many Americans struggle with alcohol. It’s legal and culturally accepted, often expected at weddings, Super Bowl parties, corporate-sponsored socials, and after-work unwinding at home. Not everyone abuses alcohol, but because it is legal and easily obtained, it can slowly become more prevalent. With increased use comes increased risk, including that of dependency and addiction. Frequent […]

When it comes to virtually any mental or behavioral health condition, people tend to have questions about the cause. Is anxiety genetic? What about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Genetic factors play a role in the development of many of these conditions. “How much” of the development of a condition is attributed to genetics vs. […]

When someone with alcohol dependence suddenly stops drinking, the body does not respond well to that decision. It registers it as a disruption: the central nervous system has adjusted its functioning to the constant presence of alcohol, and its reaction to the absence of that substance can become dangerous within hours. Understanding the alcohol withdrawal […]