Medical burnout and addiction burnout are two topics that get tossed around a lot in healthcare circles, but they aren’t the same thing. I’ve spent quite a bit of time around hospitals and clinics, and the effects of both are easy to spot if you’re paying attention. These terms often turn up together in conversations … Read more
Obesity and brain health have a more connected story than many people realize. I often get questions about how carrying extra weight can affect the brain, especially as we learn more about long-term health. It’s not just about the body. What’s happening on the scale can actually change the way our brains work. In this … Read more
If you’re in recovery, you probably know that heartbreak doesn’t just vanish when you quit using. In many cases, it feels even sharper as the fog lifts. Healing heartbreak after addiction isn’t always talked about, but honestly, it comes up for a lot of people. Through my own adventure, I’ve found that mending a broken … Read more
Relapse can feel like a huge step backward, especially when you’re trying hard to make changes. If you’re coping with anything from substance use recovery to changing a habit, it’s super common to run into a rough patch or two along the way. Seeing relapse as outright failure can make things even harder, but there’s … Read more
Recognizing emotions and expressing them clearly is something many people take for granted. For those with alexithymia, though, this process is far from simple. Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulty identifying and describing one’s own feelings. When paired with behavioral addictions, such as compulsive gaming, problematic shopping, or even social media overuse, it … Read more
Treating substance use disorder (SUD) in patients with cancer brings a whole set of unique challenges that really deserve attention. These patients are already dealing with the emotional and physical stress of a cancer diagnosis, and SUD can make treatment much more complicated. Figuring out the best way to support these individuals takes compassion, teamwork, … Read more
The reality for many gifted individuals isn’t always the storybook version you might expect. While being highly intelligent or talented brings plenty of cool advantages, there’s a tougher side to this coin that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. Growing up as a high achiever usually comes with big expectations, some internal, some from family, … Read more
Breaking out of detoxing, whether it’s about food, technology, or any unhealthy habit, can really throw you for a loop emotionally and mentally. There’s usually a ton of focus on the beginning—starting a detox, making it through the first few days, and all that—but not much is said about what it’s actually like to transition … Read more
Ropinirole is a medication commonly prescribed for Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome (RLS). While it’s known for easing tremors and muscle discomfort, increasing attention has been paid to its ties with unusual behavioral side effects, especially behavioral addictions like compulsive gambling, shopping sprees, binge eating, or overactive sexuality. If you or someone you know … Read more
Ketamine treatment for fentanyl addiction is getting more attention as doctors and researchers try to tackle one of today’s toughest opioid problems. Since fentanyl is incredibly powerful—much more potent than heroin or morphine—finding new tools to support recovery is really important. Let’s check out what ketamine treatment looks like for fentanyl addiction, where the research … Read more