Here’s Why Fueling Less Could Mean Living More

The Meadows appreciates and understands the connection between lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and stress management, and their role in recovery. We also take a holistic approach to our patient care, focusing on all aspects of wellness. Fasting has been shown in multiple studies to help with weight loss, prevention, and management of metabolic diseases, longevity, and even cognitive function. There are many opportunities to improve health through diet – fasting may be a good option for many of our patients seeking to improve overall health. Read More

Seniors and Addiction

Baby boomers are growing older. They are now entering the aging population and for the first time, a population associated with high rates of drug and alcohol use during the 1960s and '70s is entering the Medicare rolls, bringing high rates of drug and alcohol use along with them. The need for addiction treatment in older adults has never been more present. Read More

Cannabis Use on Cognitive Functioning

During the past few decades, there have been a lot of changes in the way people perceive cannabis in the United States. Decriminalization, medical dispensaries, and even legalization of marijuana in several states have resulted in a more relaxed view toward cannabis use. However, it’s very important to note that cannabis use has been shown to impair cognitive functions on a number of levels, leaving users with both acute and long-term effects. Read More

How Workshops Aid in Healing, Recovery, and Emotional Growth

By Georgia Fourlas, DSW, MSW, LCSW, LISAC, CSAT-SClinical Director of Workshops, Rio Retreat Center at The Meadows For those who are looking to overcome negative behaviors, or even simply identify the source of some of their emotional suffering, intensive workshops can be a springboard to recovery and renewal. Workshops… Read More

Collage Your Mood

Once you have the collage you like, take a screenshot of it and journal about these questions: Has my mood changed at all through collaging it and if so, in what ways?Does collaging my mood make it lighter or more conscious and if so what would you say about that?What… Read More

The Connection between Your Fuel and Your Mental Health

When you think of managing your mental health, what comes to mind? Maybe you meditate or take yoga, perhaps you participate in group activities to stay connected to others, or maybe you focus on getting enough sleep. Do you ever think of the role food plays in all of… Read More

Protect Your Sobriety Without Missing Out

By: Michelle Peterson Back in the day, you loved to party. Whether you got drunk or high, it was how you had fun. Well, not really. It took you a while to realize it, but substance abuse was an attempt to run away from problems, and it wasn’t very successful. Eventually, you realized you wanted (and needed) to stay sober. Read More

Distorted Love: Adult Attachment Styles and Love Addiction

By Alexandra Katehakis, Ph.D.(c), MFT, CST-S, CSAT-S, Former Senior Fellow at The Meadows For decades, researchers have struggled to define the unconscious processes of irrational love paramount in myths and fairy tales. Lovers in these stories are portrayed as love-struck, driven to tantrums or immature behavior, wholly bewitched by the… Read More

The Link Between Empathy and Addiction

By Kevin McCauley, MD, Senior Fellow at The Meadows I make this shocking statement in my lectures sometimes: “Heroin addicts are sweet people.” I partly say this because I’m an addict and tend to make hyperbolic statements for their emotional impact—which isn’t my best quality. I also do it to… Read More

Reality: Who Needs It?

Individuals in recovery generally spend a lot of time avoiding their painful, shameful, or fearful reality. Using chemicals, relationships, busyness, spending, eating, not eating, fantasy, gambling, sex, etc., to escape reality. What Is Your Reality? As a baby, your brain was receptive, and you downloaded and duplicated everything around you. Read More