Mindful Living

F or many of us, we've lived years of trauma and that trauma is what led to addiction and/or poor mental health. It’s what took us out of alignment, disrupted our internal world, shattered our ability to feel safe and connected, kept us stuck in the same cycles and patterns, and blocked our authentic selves. If we don't address our trauma, our internal world feels like a "jumbled mess" which is reflected in our external world (relationship issues, financial hardship, difficulty trusting others, unable to maintain employment, struggling to keep up with life, scared to leave the house, people-pleasing, striving for perfection, fear, anxiety, depression, insecurities, poor sleep and appetite, unable to maintain sobriety, etc). Ignoring trauma blocks our potential to heal and recover. When we make the brave decision to heal and recover and when we have the willingness to do the work it takes, we begin to make sense of the "jumbled mess" and because the brain and...

 1. What is the most effective treatment for alcohol addiction? I don't think there is one box that fits all. The course of care and treatment has to be individualized in order to achieve long-term results and positive outcomes. For someone struggling with alcohol addiction, I believe it's best to start with detoxification to aid in keeping the individual medically safe and stable then continuing at a lower level of care to begin identifying underlying core issues that have perpetuated the alcohol use and begin treating such. It is proven that when an individual addresses the "core issue" and makes a daily commitment to do the work it takes to maintain sobriety, individuals are able to achieve  long-term sobriety. It is also proven that group therapy is a highly effective intervention, specifically because it allows for  peer-to-peer feedback, relatable connections, support, and accountability.   The recovery rate from alcohol use has been documented in the Uni...

What is the Difference Between Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry? Addiction Medicine is primarily focused on a medical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of the substance use disorder whereas Addiction Psychiatry is a psychological approach with the focus being more so on treating the mental health response and/or struggle that coexist with the substance use disorder.   What Psychiatric Techniques are Used to Treat Addiction ? Addiction Psychiatrists primarily aim to identify underlying core issues that have been a contributing factor to the development of the individuals substance use disorder. Once identified, the course of care and treatment is developed to include but not limited to medication, psychotherapy that promotes behavioral and cognitive change, as well as, psychosocial interventions.   What's the Role of an Addiction Psychiatrist Within a Recovery Plan? The Addiction Psychiatrist assesses the individual to determine appropriate medicatio...

  Emotional Numbness 1) What are some telltale signs of emotional numbness (in yourself and others)?          ⁃      Unable to feel, feel “empty “        ⁃      Disconnected from self and others, including isolation        ⁃      Loss of interest in enjoyable activities        ⁃      Being harsh to self or others        ⁃      Dissociating, losing track of time        ⁃      Finding oneself spending an excessive amount of time on social media scrolling or watching TV        ⁃      Difficulty sleeping and/or change in appetite        ⁃      Tension within the body        ⁃      Short breathing        ⁃      Not following through with activities of daily living (ADLs)        ⁃      Lacking empathy or compassion for self or others        ⁃      Not able to see the light at the end of the tunnel   2) What can cause someone to become emotionally numb? Emotional numbness can be a symptom of an individual who is stuck in a trauma response, often “...

  1.   How would you define happiness? Happiness is a choice, a result of one’s thinking and being. It is an emotional state that is cultivated from the inside out and it’s a daily process and practice. It’s feeling fulfilled, centered, and aligned with not only your true self but also with your meaning and purpose. Happiness offers a sense of wholeness in mind, body, and spirit.   2.     What are some creative ways that you might advise your patients to try if they are trying to improve their happiness? 1) Pay attention to your thoughts as what we focus on we create more of. If you want to increase your happiness, then it’s important to deliberately choose to focus on who and what brings you happiness. 2) Practice the 17-second rule which is: If you focus on someone or something that makes you happy for 17 seconds by holding the same thought your mind will begin to shift from negative to positive. This is a simple skill that any person can use at any time t...

  Check-In, Self-Reflect, and Check-Out  So often we are all moving at a speed so fast, and women especially are typically the ones wearing a lot of hats, men do too, but most women tend to give so much to others and take care of others so much that we forget about ourselves. I know for me there was a time in my life when I thought working long, crazy hours meant I was a good person and had the best work ethic and on top of the ridiculous hours I was working in the past, I used to pour into the cups of others all day and go above and beyond to make sure everyone was okay. What I mean is - I would be the first to offer help at work if someone was struggling with a deadline, even when I had my own deadlines to meet, or I was that person to be the first available to consult someone, answer phone calls and replying to emails after the typically 9-5 work hours. I even used to spend half my morning texting people I care about to wish them a great day and I was doing all of this...