How Veterans Can Get Addiction Treatment with TRICARE

For anyone who doesn’t have a family member, colleague, or close friend who has served in the military, sometimes the only window into the unique challenges of a soldier’s life is from a big-budget blockbuster like 1917, Saving Private Ryan, or Platoon — or more detailed accounts found on the small screen, such as the miniseries Band of Brothers or The Pacific. The common thread in all these stories? Deployments are stressful and, not surprisingly, they take a serious toll on your body, mind, and the relationships that matter most. As a result, many service members develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse, depression, and alcohol misuse, which can follow them into retirement and provide a new set of challenges. Read More

Bad Therapy

Therapy is helpful … except when it isn’t. While getting therapy can be a critical part of addressing mental health issues, behavioral health problems, and a variety of life challenges, bad experiences with therapists can turn many people away from what is normally a lifeline for healing. It adds insult to injury when you are already dealing with personal challenges, and you may not be willing to open up again or persist in finding a better option. Read More

What the MISSION Act Means for Veterans

While the VA offers a wide range of healthcare options to veterans, there are still situations where they may be unable to provide what you need in a timely or convenient manner. Fortunately, the 2018 VA MISSION Act was implemented to ensure that veterans get the healthcare they need from outside providers if VA facilities are not able to supply it. Read More

Why Shouldn’t I Work During Treatment?

We get it. Stepping back from your life — from family, friends, and work — for any amount of time can seem overwhelming, impossible, or just something you’d prefer not to do. Yet most treatment programs ask you to do just this. So there must be a reason for it, right? By taking a look at some of the most common concerns and questions people have, we can see why taking off work for residential treatment is so important. Read More

Breaking Down The Model: Part IV -Relational Problems and Recovery

In this last installment of Breaking Down The Model, we will explore Relational problems that have been caused by trauma, immaturity and secondary symptoms. Relational problems can stem from any extreme in any of The Core Issues, as well as from the secondary symptoms. In other words, due to trauma, immaturity and the secondary symptoms, we can develop relational problems. Let's explore each of the relational problems. Read More

Breaking Down the Model: Part III – Secondary Symptoms

By: Joyce Willis, MC, LPC Up to this point, we have discussed the history of Pia Mellody’s Model of Developmental Immaturity and how it is incorporated into treatment at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. We learned the definition of codependency and its five primary symptoms. We have identified the Five Core Issues:… Read More

Artificial Intelligence and Nutrition

Advances in nutrition and food technology have led to the development of digital therapeutics: apps and other products that use technology to help people manage their health. These products act almost like pocket nutritionists, providing feedback on diet and offering advice on what to eat. But despite their convenience, the science behind such apps is still new, and the benefits are limited. Read More

7 Dangers of Detoxing Alone

death. Every effective treatment plan includes a process called detoxification. Drug detox and alcohol detox rid the body of the toxic substances in which it has become dependent. Detox is among the first steps toward recovery. If you’ve asked yourself, Can I detox alone? The short answer is no. Drug detox and alcohol detox should be attempted only under the direct supervision of a trained medical professional. Here are seven reasons why: Read More

EMDR & Brain Health

What is EMDR? EMDR stands for “eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.” It’s an effective, low-impact form of therapy used for the treatment of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other mental health conditions. Read More

5 Benefits of Group Therapy

Back in the 17th century, English poet John Donne famously wrote that “no man is an island.” While the world has changed considerably since Donne’s treatise against isolationism, the importance of being surrounded by a community, rather than sojourning alone, has never been more on point. Read More