Blog
Mental Health and Heading Home for the Holidays as an LGBTQ person
By Phil Kosanovich on October 26, 2020
A lot of “normal” people dread the holiday season: so many gifts to buy, so many gatherings, the sense of loneliness even though you’re surrounded by people, and the quality time with all of your family members– to name a few. What’s more, many people even suffer from the “Holiday Blues,” a term that refers […]
How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep? It’s Worse Than You Think
By Phil Kosanovich on July 16, 2020
Since getting drunk can mean inhibited cognition, slurred speech, stumbling instead of walking, and decreased motor skills, it’s not hard to imagine what it’s doing to your ability to sleep. The bad news is that it’s even worse than you think and a lot more complicated. Researchers have spent nearly a century studying the effects […]
Depression and Substance Abuse. The Chicken Or The Egg?
By Phil Kosanovich on July 14, 2020
Everyone experiences low moods occasionally. For many people it comes and goes, and can be helped to move along by exercise, dietary changes, or simply talking about it. Life today is fast paced, and we are bombarded with content in the media, images of beautiful people looking happy, images of war torn countries and injured […]
What To Do If Your Loved One Has A Drug Or Alcohol Addiction
By Phil Kosanovich on July 7, 2020
Discovering that a loved one has an addiction issue can be devastating for a family. Typically family members will feel crushed by the problem, overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, frightened by the possibility of losing someone so close to them. However, there is in fact hope for affected families. There is strong evidence today […]
Addiction Relapse: Strategies to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Addiction Relapses
By Phil Kosanovich on July 6, 2020
You have probably heard the saying, “the best defense is a good offense,” — which originated from the military and wartime strategy. The saying applies well to those of us who are in recovery, battling addiction. Being proactive, or having a good offense, helps those in recovery stay in the game, which requires action and […]
The Ugly Truth About Meth Addiction & The Effects of Smoking or Shooting ‘Ice’
By Phil Kosanovich on July 2, 2020
Methamphetamine, or meth, is a stimulant drug that can be smoked, snorted, swallowed, or injected. It can be found in powder form or more potently in a rock-like structure known as crystal meth or ice. Like many other substances, meth can produce a high that lasts for several hours, making the user feel awake and […]
A Gazillion Suggested Group Therapy Topics for Addiction Recovery, Substance Abuse Group Activities ideas
By Phil Kosanovich on June 26, 2020
Group therapy is where the rubber meets the road in treatment. The dynamics of the group experience bring out issues and feelings from clients and allow them to get feedback and support from others. This is the beginning of the process of opening up, connecting with others and learning to communicate. At Cornerstone of Southern […]
7 Signs You May Be Self-Medicating With Alcohol or Drugs
By Phil Kosanovich on June 22, 2020
When you use alcohol or drugs to cope with pain, anxiety and other symptoms, this form of self-medication can lead to substance use disorder, which is a form of addiction. One survey suggests that about 20% of Americans who have anxiety or mood disorders also struggle with SUDs, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association […]