A mental health condition such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder does not automatically create a substance use disorder, and vice versa. But for some people, the two are linked.
We’re all susceptible to doubts, fear, even a tendency to focus on the negative in life. But this mindset can be especially paralyzing for someone struggling with substance use disorder. It’s compounded even further if the person has an “all-or-nothing” mindset.
No two people in recovery have the same story, but substance use and mental health issues often affect men and women differently.
Sobriety can be an isolating experience. Though the same can be true of addiction, many who embrace recovery find that they must step away from who they were and even some of their friends and peers.
Irma Sciarra is Eagleville Hospital’s Wellness Specialist, who brings her background in human services, yoga and meditation to the recovery setting. We asked Irma to describe how yoga and meditation are helpful to people in recovery and what she recommends for anyone who wants to benefit from these practices.
More and more, healthcare providers are embracing non-traditional therapies for a range of conditions. Many of them tap into the “mind-body connection” to offer relief and can take a variety of forms, such as meditation and yoga, massage therapy or breathing exercises.
Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among young people in the United States. Though underage drinking has steadily declined since the 1980s, it remains a persistent problem to this day.
The safety and satisfaction of our clients and their visitors is among Eagleville Hospital’s top concerns. To help ensure that these priorities are met, we are moving weekend visitation to the Conference Center/Patient Care Building (located next to the Loucheim Building).
Emily Masslofsky was recently named Eagleville Hospital’s Patient and Family Advocate. In her new role, she’ll be working directly with patients, resolving any grievances and ensuring that they’re provided with everything they need in their recovery. She’ll also assist in updating services in response to the patient satisfaction surveys.
Lara Haagen is an art therapist at Eagleville Hospital and serves as Eagleville’s Adjunctive Therapies Clinical Coordinator, overseeing everything from the gardening program to a music appreciation group.
We asked Lara to describe her work and explain how art is uniquely helpful to people in recovery.
