Recovery

Natalie I. – Hanley Center Alumnus My name is Natalie and I am an alcoholic/addict and proud Origins Alumni. When I came to Origins, I was a broken and defeated woman. My life was filled with empty relationships and my disappointments. Everything I worked hard for was gone except for the few that never gave… Read On »

Our brains are prone to negativity. In neuroscience, scientists and researchers call this the “negativity bias.” Since we are inherently social animals fighting for survival, it’s pertinent for us to take special note of negative situations or feelings, as they might be a threat to our longevity. Unfortunately, we can internalize and catastrophize negative messages… Read On »

Brad Sylvain – Vice President of Operations A common misconception I have experienced during my recovery journey, as well as in my professional career in behavioral health, is the idea that someone may be too young or too old to seek treatment. This message leaves us with the mistaken belief that young people are just… Read On »

The idea that mental health and physical health are intricately related is not new. Some of the oldest medical practices, such as Ayurvedic Medicine and acupuncture, use the mind-body connection as a foundation for healing. Today, advanced disciplines such as psychoneuroimmunology and health psychology understand that many factors – including psychological and behavioral factors – contribute… Read On »

When you aren’t educated on healthy boundaries, it is easy to mistake enmeshment for intimacy. For people living with loved ones who have the disease of addiction, this lack of clarity can prove disastrous. Here, we’ll look at the difference between healthy closeness in relationships and dysfunctional closeness. Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship Healthy relationships… Read On »

How does our brain get inspired and stay inspired? Inspiration is difficult to describe, as it often comes on suddenly and without warning. We associate inspiration with mental stimulation and the sudden urge or idea to engage in something new or to get creative. While feeling inspired can feel fleeting and hard to pin down,… Read On »

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is an evidence-based therapy which aims to resolve emotional and behavioral disturbances and help people to lead happier, more abundant lives. The History of REBT In the 1950s, Albert Ellis was working with patients as a trained clinical psychologist. Using traditional psychoanalytic approaches to discover the underlying causes of problematic behaviors in his patients, Ellis became aware… Read On »

The practice of neurotherapy goes by multiple names used interchangeably, but not necessarily representing the same exact practice. Neurofeedback, biofeedback, and brainwave training all aim for the same goal of utilizing displays and interactions with brain waves to demonstrate brain activity to a patient, train the brain, and show results. The Importance Of Watching Brain… Read On »

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the study of how the brain, nervous system, and immune system impact each other. Researchers are beginning to discover ways in which the central nervous system and immune system communicate with each other, and these findings are the basis of PNI. PNI offers an interdisciplinary approach to disease, taking into account psychology,… Read On »

In the chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous titled “The Family Afterward,” the authors touch on a variety of subjects about what life is like for the family after a loved one has recovered from alcoholism. Briefly, the authors touch on health and specifically touch on a curious part of nutrition for those who are in the… Read On »