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Support and Safety: The 988 Lifeline

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Lifeline

By Ashley Barnes What is 988? The 988 Lifeline is a suicide and crisis lifeline that launched on July 16, 2022. Before this, 988 was formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; while either phone number will lead callers to the same place, condensing the original number to three digits reflects the effort to make the crisis service more accessible. The 988 Lifeline is not just for those experiencing suicidal thoughts. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 988 “​​offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support” (2022).  What to expect when you reach out to 988. When people call 988, they will …

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10 Sober Activities for Addiction Recovery

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10 sober activities for addiction recovery

Sober living is not always easy. It can be difficult to transition from a lifestyle of misusing drugs and alcohol to complete abstinence after completing an addiction treatment program. When you enter recovery, you need structure, routine, positive support, and even things such as sober activities to partake in–all of which have not been a part of your previous life. Why Finding Sober Activities Are Important Early recovery can make you feel like you are on a roller coaster of emotions. Boredom and free time can be dangerous during this time when you may feel overwhelmed by obsessive thoughts, triggers, and cravings. Sober activities can help you navigate addiction recovery. They consist of individual or group activities that distract you from recovery stressors and simultaneously provide the support you need to stay sober. Sober activities are things you do or participate in that offer you some reward. In recovery, the …

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College Tips: Speaking From Experience

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Lifeline

By Ashley Barnes Adjusting. Adjusting to any new environment can be daunting and intimidating. You may not know exactly what to expect out of your new college environment. You won’t be surrounded by the same group of friends from back home, you likely won’t be eating the same food, and definitely won’t be sleeping in the same bed. You may feel alone in this drastically different experience filled with change, novelty, and it may feel overwhelming! The reality is, everyone around you will be going through similar adjustments. Acknowledging the universality of this change may help readers better understand that you are not alone in this seemingly lonely experience. In fact, you will be presented with many opportunities to form valuable and lasting connections. Finding a routine. Part of adjusting is finding a new sense of stability. Finding a new sense of stability can be achieved through the creation of …

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What Does Bipolar Feel Like?

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What does bipolar feel like?

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 4.4% of American adults have bipolar disorder. But, what does bipolar feel like? And how do you know if you might have it? Onset typically occurs in a person’s mid-twenties, with people between 18 and 29 having the highest rates of the disorder. While bipolar disorder is not curable, it is treatable and can be managed so you can lead a productive, healthy lifestyle. If left untreated, however, bipolar disorder can negatively affect your overall health. For example, it can cause a reduction in lifespan among some people but increase the risk of suicide and substance use disorders. What is Bipolar Disorder? Daily events and encounters produce ups and downs that lead to mood fluctuations. It is not unusual to feel happy and excited when something good happens and sad or blue when something bad happens. These mood shifts are considered “normal.” Moods undergo abnormal …

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How Ketamine Treatment for Anxiety Provides Relief

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How Ketamine treatment for anxiety provides relief

Anxiety is how your body responds to fear and worry. It can occur in many forms, including daily stress, social anxiety, panic attacks, post-trauma stress, and phobias. Anxiety disorders affect over 40 million Americans over 18, making it the most common mental health disorder. Only a small percentage are receiving treatment, unfortunately. Some have never tried treatment, and some have tried but didn’t see positive results. And for some, not knowing what other options are out there, such as Ketamine treatment for anxiety, is another scenario. Many risk factors contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder. Examples include genetics, living environment, past traumatic experiences, medical conditions, medication side effects, alcohol or drug misuse, and the number of daily stressors you encounter. Treatments for Anxiety To effectively treat anxiety, a multi-layered approach is needed. There is not a single treatment that works for every person. To determine which types of treatments are …

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