The answer as we face life’s challenges and/or pain, in short: gratitude is not about giddy optimism or proud moments of surviving circumstances. As we accept life’s events, we do not have to approve of them.

This topic has been brought to the forefront in recent months by a study that suggests that parents that serve their adolescent kids alcohol are asking for trouble. The study looked at parents who gave their underage children the occasional sip and ones that gave them full glasses of beer or wine.

Anxiety is a prevalent mental health disorder characterized by a constant state of worry or a strong desire to avoid danger. Everyone experiences worry about various things every now and then. Anxiety on a regular basis, on the other hand, could be more of a problem than you realize.

The individuals you spent the most time with when abusing alcohol and other substances are not necessarily the people you will interact with throughout your recovery. You will be pleasantly surprised by the number of people who seem to be just like you when you arrive at our clinic.

Individuals that are self-assured and confident make those around them feel safe and at ease. Children feel most secure around these individuals. Let’s face it, if the building catches on fire and you have to escape, who do you want to be with?

Everyone in our field is constantly searching for the next great thing: the easy cure, the quick fix, new treatments, holistic methods, vitamins, and therapies—all of which are fine. But, it's also necessary to keep moving forward with a simple routine as we learn more.

Human trafficking is the modern-day counterpart of slavery in its most basic form. People, particularly women, youth, and immigrants, are compelled to work for little or no compensation and are denied basic liberties.

Oftentimes when people start a Partial Hospitalization Program or Intensive Outpatient Program, they are surprised by the amount of time that is devoted to group therapy and may even be skeptical of this approach. New patients tend to believe one-on-one therapy will be more effective and may even think group seems like a waste of time.

Addiction is a disease of the brain that can coax anyone who is under the influence of drugs and alcohol to do things that they would not normally do. People with addictions are sometimes criticized and blamed for their addictions, rather than being regarded as ill and in need of medical attention.

When we become parents, we don't always make a conscious decision about our parenting style. A parenting style is frequently passed down from our own childhood experiences.

Envision a car that is on its last gas, jittering along with little power. Burnout feels like that. The state, which is devoid of vitality, is akin to depression, with emotions of hopelessness, helplessness, and isolation (to mention a few).

The brain needs sleep to function properly. During each stage of sleep, including REM and non-REM sleep, the level of brain activity changes, and more and more research suggests that sleep improves most types of cognitive performance.

While it is obvious that your emotions can influence your movements, it is less obvious that your movements can influence your emotions. Exercising, also known as a natural mood enhancer, is one of the most beneficial activities for both your mind and body.

By Jen Kohlenberger

As I sit and write this, thoughts are racing through my mind– Is this even a good topic? What if I can’t convey my ideas properly? What if people read this and say it’s terrible? How can I make this blog great? 

By Jen Kohlenberger

Prior to my treatment at Solstice Pacific I had never heard of an Intensive Outpatient or Partial Hospitalization Program. All I knew was that I needed this level of care and it sounded great and scary at the same time.

Physical aspects of ergonomic hazards are frequently visible in the workplace. High pressure and uncomfortable postures, as well as their potentially detrimental impacts on employees is more common now that we use so many screens.

Fear of pain is a primal instinct, and since we understand our senses, we have been programmed to avoid pain. Insisting that pain is always bad news, on the other hand, may obstruct awareness of pain's multiple dimensions.

People sometimes hear the word "abstinence" in the context of recovery. A term that describes one of the pillars to quality life after addiction or alcohol dependence. Abstinence is a term used in mental health treatment to describe the process of abstaining from addictive substances and/or behaviors by not engaging in or avoiding them.

Since the late 1930’s, the 12-Step recovery practices have consistently gained momentum for getting people that are addicted to drugs and alcohol to stay sober. One of the main suggestions for staying sober is to find your own conception of a Higher Power.

April 30, 2022 is DEA Drug Take Back Day. It is the goal of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to make it easy for people to get rid of their unused or unwanted prescription drugs while also raising awareness of how easily these drugs can be abused.

We know we’re hard to love. Our anxiety inhibits us from being the partner we truly want to be sometimes. But that doesn’t mean we love you any less or we don’t want to work to be better– for ourselves, for you, for us.