Why Are Women Drinking More?

Recently, some stats were released that sent shockwaves through the recovery community. In a span of roughly 10 years, female alcohol consumption has shot up dramatically. In fact, from the period of 2002 to 2012, the percentage of U.S. women who drink more than once a week went from 45 percent to 67 percent. Obviously this begs the question, “why are women drinking more?”  And that’s something that The Fix.com has aimed to answer.

In a piece published this month, the recovery news site broke down the “social” reasons more women are choosing to indulge in wine and spirits. This includes everything from work happy hours, to online dating, to TV and movie stereotypes. Sadly, it does seem as though there are more societal pressures than ever before.

Quoting writer Ginny Hogan, the site touched upon some unique circumstances surrounding females today.

“The reality is that women often drink for different reasons than men do, and it’s not a stretch to think that those reasons often stem from social pressures that women face but men don’t,” Hogan explained. “When we put social pressure on women to not ever appear stressed or anxious, I worry that we instead make alcohol a more appealing option.”

Hogan also cited the “work hard, play hard” mentality that encompasses corporate America. In order to blend in to the executive boys club, many female vice presidents find themselves at company events surrounded by beer and hard alcohol. Though they might not feel inclined to drink, “fitting in” with senior leaders may push them down that path.

Rising the corporate ladder also incurs quite a bit of anxiety. Similar to men, female business leaders may find themselves “needing” a glass of wine (or two) after work. This has often been mistakenly viewed as a way to relax or unwind, but too much alcohol can do quite the opposite.

Other callouts included the “strong” female characters portrayed in the media. Lead actresses on shows like The Good Wife, Scandal and Killing Eve all regularly consume booze, often with a signature drink like a whiskey sour or brandy tumbler.

Dating was the other big factor pointed to in the article. With more online meet ups occurring at bars and restaurants, it is not uncommon for alcohol to be ordered as part of an introductory evening out. Though these may not turn into binge nights, the more frequent they occur the more frequent the female will be consuming alcohol…which could lead to the start of a very bad habit.

Overcoming Nocturnal Panic Attacks

 

If you’ve been following our blogs, then you know we’ve covered the topic of panic attacks before. But these feelings can rear their heads in many ways. One very common occurrence happens in the dead of night; literally rattling you into a crippling state of fear and anxiety. It is important to not downplay the reality of nocturnal panic attacks (also known as NPA’s), which recently received some coverage on the website, Medical News Today.

 

We’ll start by differentiating an NPA from a nightmare. For one thing, nocturnal panic attacks do not happen in the dream state and usually occur when you are quiet in bed. Typical symptoms can include difficulty breathing, intense sweating, dizziness and nausea. The nighttime version is unique, as it is often accompanied by an acute fear of dying.

 

Just like daytime panic attacks, these happen suddenly and can be quite intense. Medical News Today reports that they typically reach a peak after 10 minutes and have a much different come down effect (sometimes forcing a person to lose sleep for the remainder of the night).

 

They can also represent built up emotions from a stressful day. For example; if you suffer from social anxiety disorder and spent that afternoon in an uncomfortable situation, the emotions could be delayed and come shooting back to you deep into the night.

 

Not a lot of research has been done into NPA’s, but experts do tend to agree that most sufferers have also experienced a daytime panic attack at some point in their life. People may also develop a fear of sleep, with the mistaken idea that it could return once they close their eyes and begin to dream.

 

Medical News Today did offer some nice coping mechanisms for those who may have suffered through this. Quick recovery methods can include deep breathing, getting up to slowly sip a glass of water and doing light exercise. If you share your bed with a loved one, talking to them and seeking comfort can also be helpful.

 

Talking about these types of issues with a professional can also be extremely beneficial. At Inneractions, we have counselors and group sessions devoted specifically to anxiety and the stresses of panic attacks. Whether you suffer at night, in the morning or anytime in between, know that there is always a road to healing and wellness.

 

Grieving Through A Stillborn Birth

 

Miscarriages can create a tremendous amount of grief for expectant parents. But imagine if you were a family who saw a baby to term, only to have it stillborn? The emotions surrounding that experience are hard to fathom, but it happens quite frequently across the U.S. Now though, there are certain tools available to help parents through those immensely painful moments.

 

Washington’s Spokesman Review recently profiled a couple who underwent extreme agony after their daughter was delivered stillborn. Gretchen and Josh Cleveland bravely shared their story with the site and the ways they were eventually able to overcome their intensified grief. One tool that helped them in the immediate aftermath was called a CuddleCot.

 

Though the CuddleCot’s description can bring immediate feelings of depression, it has helped many expectant parents. In actuality, it is a cooling pad that is inserted into any type of baby bed within a hospital. Sadly, stillborn babies tend to decompose rather quickly. The CuddleCot aims to deter that process from immediately occurring. Keeping the baby cool gives families more time with their little one, even allowing them to remain in the room with them for an extended period of time.

 

It is a tough concept to swallow, but one that made a major difference in the lives of the Clevelands.

 

“We’re missing a lifetime, so we were going to spend as much time with her as possible,” Gretchen explained. “Our baby’s grandparents and her big sister got to cuddle her, sing to her and tell her goodbye. All these things made possible because of the CuddleCot.”

 

Of course, there is much more to stillborn grieving process than the hours after the birth. As the Clevelands freely admitted, they soon turned to bereavement groups and found outlets like writing and painting to help ease their pain. They also became CuddleCot advocates, helping to make that experience possible for other families in similar situations.

 

Through their efforts and the kindness of others, local hospitals in their area were able to purchase more CuddleCots and have them readily available for patients. Truth be told, the pads are quite expensive (running $3,000 each). So special fundraisers were set up to ensure families in need had the option of using them.

 

“It’s so important for families to spend time with their babies,” local hospital rep Carolyn Ringo told the site. “Sometimes a mom can be really sick after delivery and not be able to see their child right away. The CuddleCot extends the time a family can spend with their child. It gives them some peace, and that is such a gift.”

 

Understanding ‘Appointment Anxiety’

 

Anxiety can rear its head in many ways and one, in particular, may sound quite familiar to most people. This variation manifests itself before important appointments and can be absolutely crippling. Whether it’s waiting for results from a doctor’s test or moments before a job interview; fear of the outcome can lead to extreme physical and emotional distress. For this blog, we wanted to delve into those feelings a little more and offer a few coping mechanisms.

 

The website Cure Today touched upon this trend, offering some real examples of “Appointment Anxiety.” If you were diagnosed with cancer, for example, that in itself can create a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (aka PTSD). In essence, the shock of hearing those words from your doctor can make you fearful of every medical appointment moving forward. And that is totally justified.

 

Others who have had uncomfortable situations with MRI’s or PET Scans may experience extreme anxiety if medical tests are recommended. Again, think of it like PTSD within the realm of a hospital or doctor’s office. There is actually a term for this called “scanxiety.”

 

Obviously, these types of feelings can lead to serious problems. On the one hand, you could be undergoing tremendous stress when thinking about an appointment such as this. Worse though, people may begin avoiding doctors altogether. In that instance, they are denying themselves medical attention and care; which could put their health at serious risk.

 

One coping skill offered up by the Cure site was to openly discussing these difficult feelings. Whether it is a family member, a trusted friend or a trained counselor, it is important to not let these emotions remain bottled up inside. These types of conversations can help with validation, as you would come to understand how normal appointment anxiety really is.

 

It can also be helpful to find a relaxing outlet before a scary calendar date. Whether it’s listening to calming music or a helpful audio book, try to find a routine that can ease the jitters.

 

And it never hurts to have a trusted confidant join you for a stressful appointment (if possible). Having someone there by your side to lean on can be extremely helpful, regardless if the news you receive is good or bad.

 

These are all considerations that can hopefully reduce the nerves people in these situations may be experiencing. Of course, getting in touch with one of our anxiety specialists can also be a very positive step. Never forget, our door is always open.

 

Women’s Hormones May Play A Role In Addiction

For decades, there have always been questions about the physiological reasons for addiction. Is it hereditary? Does it have to do with chemicals in the brain? And now, more recently, are certain genders more susceptible to a dependency? Well according to some new science from Vanderbilt University, that last answer should be a resounding “yes.”

A report compiled by Vanderbilt researchers recently revealed that female hormones do play a role in women’s addictive behaviors. Not only that, the same study claims that they may be more prone to relapsing than men. As lead researcher and Assistant Professor of Pharmacology Erin Calipari explained, studying substance abuse by gender may be very beneficial to the recovery world.

“Women becoming addicted to drugs may be a fundamentally different process than men,” she told the website Science Daily. “It’s important to understand this, because it’s the first step in developing treatments that are actually effective.”

Some of the research that Calipari shared traced back to occurrences like a monthly menstrual cycle. What her team’s findings showed was that when fertility-related hormone levels are high, women make stronger associations to cues in their environment and are more prone to seek rewards. Pleasure seeking and “rewards,” as we all know, are often tied back to drinking and drug use.

The Vanderbilt research specifically tied into behavioral experiments involving male and female rats. For a period of several months, the specimens were allowed to dose themselves with cocaine by pushing down on a lever. A light would then switch on, building a visual association to the pleasure seeking. The team made a point to associate this with visual cues humans may encounter, such as alcohol advertisements or drug paraphernalia. When the female rats’ hormone levels were high, the visual cues became more stimulating and the lever pushing increased dramatically.

Calipari added that this data adds on to previous research that had shown women being more prone to addiction. As she put it, emotions like vulnerability also contributed to the behaviors.

“There’s epidemiological data that says women are more vulnerable, but it’s unclear what the factors are,” she concluded. “We know they transition to addiction faster and have more problems with craving and relapse. Now, with research like this, we’re beginning to isolate environmental and physiological causes.”

Whatever the reason, we hope women facing addiction understand that there are many biological factors at play within this very real problem. Hopefully, it can help remove some of the shame and guilt that often accompany a dependency. If there is a mom, daughter, sister or friend you are close to dealing with this issue, please reach out and let us help.

Is Rage A Sign Of Depression?

 

On the surface, aligning rage and depression seems a bit counterintuitive. Someone who is angry is perceived to behave differently than someone who is clinically depressed. But look a little deeper and you may start to see an interesting connection. This happens to be a point that was recently brought up by NPR and one that we think merits further investigation.

 

Writer Nell Greenfield Boyce pretty much summed up the same statement in the beginning of her article.

 

“Many people — including physicians — associate depression with feelings of hopelessness, sadness and a lack of motivation or concentration, but not anger,” she writes. “And even if you pick up what is often called the ‘bible of psychiatry,’ the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, you’ll find that the list of core symptoms for major depression doesn’t include anger. But irritability — a reduced control over one’s temper that results in angry outbursts — is listed as a core symptom of depression.”

 

Noted Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Maurizio Fava also contributed to the piece and shed some light into why there has been such a disconnect all these years. He explained that when he was trained in the subject, the common thought was that anger is projected inward during depression. In essence, depressed people are angry at themselves and not others.

 

But more recent case studies examined by Dr. Fava have educated him otherwise. In fact, he found that people prone to outbursts share many of the same traits as “depressed” or “anxious” people going through a panic attack. He aligned anger attacks in the same vein and actually saw some success when people prone to rage were treated with antidepressants.

 

And on the flip side, more recent studies have shown that those diagnosed with depression do experience angry emotions on a regular basis.

 

“A recent large study looked at more than 500 people who had been diagnosed with major depression,” Greenfield Boyce added. “It found that more than half showed overt irritability/anger, and that this anger and irritability appeared to be associated with more severe, chronic depression.”

 

Ultimately, these all fall under the category of mental health. Whether you’re consistently angry or sad (or possibly both), it is important to not just zero in on certain emotions. At Inneractions, we specialize in treating co-occurring disorders and believe that healing truly begins when you look at the bigger picture.

 

How Diet And Health Impact Depression

 

Truth be told, depression is much more than an “emotional issue.” There truly is a science behind all of this, as genetic links and research studies have shown. And proving that point even more, is a new article from the acclaimed online medical resource, WebMD. Doctors from that site now claim that even germs and microorganisms play a part in chronic sadness, as evidenced by a newly discovered gut bacteria.

 

The link can tie back to certain diets and a lack of probiotics. When surveying roughly 2,100 adults, WebMD’s researchers found that those with depression did have differences in specific groups of gut bacteria. Those with an imbalance of microbes suffered from issues with their immune system and a decrease in the production of chemicals that influence the brain.

 

This chemical deficiency (at least among the 2,100 surveyed) showed direct links to depression. The other notable stat to be revealed was the “vicious cycle” that occurs once this diagnosis has taken place. We know that many people with depression don’t eat well and often have a loss of appetite. According to the researchers, those symptoms only further the problem.

 

“It becomes almost like a chicken-and-egg question,” UCLA researchers Dr. Emeran Mayer told the site. “People with depression certainly have different diets, and different habits, than people without depression. And that would affect the gut microbiome.”

 

Continued studies are being done to determine the initial causes of this type of bacterial infection and how it can be combated. Dr. Mayer did admit that healthier eating and regular vitamin supplements would all be beneficial. But science has yet to prove if that alone will completely remove the issue.

 

Foods that have shown to have a positive effect thus far include vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains (all of which fall into a healthy regular diet). Dr. Mayer also emphasized the avoidance of processed foods if you think you’re suffering from depressive symptoms.

 

“I’d say eat a diet that’s largely plant-based and highly variable in the types of plant foods,” Mayer concluded. “If you’re just eating tomatoes, that’s not enough.”

 

Obviously, overcoming depression requires a lot more than changing what you eat. But we wholeheartedly agree that a healthy diet can make a significant difference in your emotional (and physical) well being. Nevertheless, we encourage anyone suffering from chronic sadness to reach out and add therapeutic support into your recovery toolkit.

 

How Yoga Can Help With Recovery

 

We’ve talked about many different outlets to help people stay focused on sobriety after battling an addiction. And one that continues to garner positive results is yoga meditation. Not only does it help clear your mind and focus inward, it also has a lot of physical benefits; such as building strength and improving flexibility. And don’t just take our word for it. Across the country, more and more yoga recovery practices are being put into play. One example is happening in Columbus, Ohio and making national headlines.

 

The Trini Foundation was started by a man who successfully beat an addiction himself. Taylor Hunt was recently featured on TheFix.com website and discussed his yoga facility, which appears to be changing lives within his community. It is worth noting that Ohio is one of the hardest hit states when it comes to America’s opioid crisis, so a relief like this is more than welcomed.

 

What Hunt did with his foundation, was make an affordable yoga studio that focused on sobriety and methods to keep people clean.

 

“I became an Ashtanga yoga teacher 10 years ago,” Hunt explained to the site. “I wanted to make sure other people could do the 12 steps and take yoga, do them together, because it can give you a completely different equation. I began believing that I didn’t have to live in this pattern of addiction and relapse that a lot of people in the 12-step program struggle with. But I knew that financially a lot of people in recovery couldn’t afford yoga. So I started the foundation because I wanted to be able to give the addict who might not ever have an opportunity to go to yoga a good excuse to go. It’s a tool to save lives. So we raise money so we can provide scholarships to people who are addicts.”

 

So far, the Foundation has become a major success. It got the attention of the local Columbus Dispatch and is now working with prison programs to help those struggling behind bars. It’s also built a large social media following and has an active website with blogs and news updates.

 

We certainly wish Taylor and the Trini Foundation much continued success. And if you happen to be closer to our neck of the woods, we would be happy to get in touch and connect you to sobriety themed workshops across Southern California.

 

The Word “Addict”: Helpful or Harmful to Recovery?

the word addict in recovery

Addiction, as described by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is a “chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.” It’s a definition that manages to encompass a complex psychological condition. But for many in the media, medical profession and other related fields, the term “addict” has come under fire for potentially negative and even harmful impact on those struggling with addiction. In 2017, the Associated Press issued new guidelines on terminology related to drugs and addiction, which included substituting “substance abuse disorder (SUD)” for addiction and “in recovery” for sober.

A public radio interview with Michael Botticelli, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under former President Obama also urged replacing “addict” or more derogatory terms like “junkie” for their potential to “pigeonhole someone’s entire being to that one single characteristic,” as Botticelli noted. He also cited a study by Dr. John Kelly of the Harvard-MGH Recovery Research Institute, in which trained clinicians were given scenarios about an individual struggling with addiction. The information was identical save for one detail: one report referred to the individual as a “person with a substance abuse disorder,” while the other used the term “substance abuser.” As Botticelli explained, “What [Kelly] found is when you called someone a substance abuser, it elicited, even from trained clinicians, a much more punitive responsive.”

For advocates of using terms other than addict, stigmatization is among the primary reasons for employing newer, less judgmental terms. Labeling an individual with an addiction as an “addict” can reduce the individual to a single term; the NZ Drug Foundation cites a hypothetical scenario about a father of two, employed at a factory, who also happens to have an addiction to drugs. Labeling him as an “addict” obfuscates his occupation and his family. He is simply an addict and nothing more.

“I find that when people identify themselves as the condition they have, it complicates things significantly,” says Elissa Zelman, Psy.D. CEDS. “The main task of recovery is no longer about helping the person understand and manage their symptoms. Rather, it becomes about a deeper, more entrenched view that the person has about him or herself.  I encourage people to say, ‘I have…’ rather than, ‘I am…’ if it feels intuitively right to them, to try to disentangle identity issues.”

More significantly, the term “addict” can further stigmatize by serving as a constant focus on his or her weaknesses. Reframing the term could provide support to an individual already feeling marginalized by their perception of societal attitudes towards their condition. It may also open the door for those who are hesitant to enter treatment, specifically because of those societal stigmas.

“I absolutely believe that we lose a large number of potential ‘abusers’ by labeling them as addicts,” says Loree Cohen, M.S., L.C.S.W. and Clinical Director of Inner Actions. “We have two substance users, those that have developed a dependency and those that abuse. Either way, they need help. Those that are dependent may need detox prior to treatment and this is one of the most important reasons to identify them as dependent. Since we are looking at a chronic problem on many levels, micro and macro, we need to address this in a way that more people will ask for the help they need. So, yes, I do believe there is a stigma associated with the term ‘addict’ and that it would be more beneficial to reference to [addiction] as dependence.”

But the push to use terms other than “addict” is often countered by individuals – both in treatment/recovery and addiction/mental health – who view the term as a honest label for their struggle. Substance abuse is a life-threatening, potentially fatal disease. Calling it “like it is” – to describe one’s self or a person in the grip of substance abuse as an addict removes any filter from their conflict. Accepting the realities of addiction – that it is a disease that requires constant, life-long work – can put a person closer to the idea that they can survive and thrive by it.

“I would NOT” substitute the world ‘dependent’ for addict,” says Marc Lewis, Ph.D. “‘Dependent can mean all sorts of things, and is therefore too fuzzy to be meaningful. Addiction is a real condition. While it can be difficult to model or define with precision, almost everybody recognizes it when they see it. Sometimes it’s most efficient and even helpful (e.g., let’s call a spade a spade).”

Lewis agrees that the word can be fraught with negative connotations depending on the context of its use. If the user needs to employ another word, Lewis suggests a parenthetical qualifier – “no disdain or judgment implied in any way.” Another option is to clarify the human component of the condition. “If the recipient/audience is thought to be extremely sensitive, I’d replace it with ‘a person with an addiction,’ or ‘people in addiction.'”

While the debate over the word “addict” – as stigma or no-punches-pulled depiction – remains a divisive one, it does underscore the need for understanding, compassion and rigorous honesty for both sides in the substance abuse scenario.

If you or someone you know is suffering with drug and/or alcohol addiction, please contact us through our web form or by phone at (818) 571-9841. We’re here to help 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week.

Dating With Depression

 

Is it impossible to date and find love when you’re suffering from depression? Absolutely not. But it can be a challenge and does require more effort than someone who is not dealing with a mental health struggle. TheFix.com recently addressed this very relevant topic on their website and offered helpful tools for anyone who feels hopeless about their romantic life.

 

Taking quotes and inspiration from relationship therapists, the site first dug into some of the symptoms people with depression may experience when trying to make a love connection.

 

“Battling depression can be physically and emotionally taxing, so make sure you’re going at your own pace and being kind with yourself in the process,” expert Lindsey Pratt told the site. “If you struggle with this, you may notice that it prevents you from feeling excitement over special moments. You may also have trouble finding energy to spend time with a new person or that your ability to imagine a happy future with a certain partner feels limited.”

 

Pratt went on to emphasize that it is perfectly ok to experience these feelings and those who do are certainly not alone. She also added that there will undoubtedly be challenges; but by continuing to put in work, you can slowly overcome them.

 

“Patience” and “compassion with yourself” are two key points that Pratt mentioned. Patience comes with working at finding a suitable mate. It may take a while and you may encounter bad matches, but it is important to carry on. Compassion refers to pushing away self-doubt if a date or online connection goes bad. This, of course, is not easy to do, but with professional support and continued effort, you can learn not to personalize rejection.

 

There are also preliminary exercises to take which can help avoid an uncomfortable dating scenario. One suggestion was to schedule a meetup at a time of the day when you feel most positive. Also, choosing an activity and location that brings you joy can help set a relationship up for success.

 

The article also recommended openness and honesty when it comes to your depression diagnosis. Time it right and don’t be ashamed to mention that you are struggling with a mental health issue.

 

“You’ll need to determine the best time to discuss your depression with a date,” the site expert went on to say. “Often this conversation happens a month or two into dating. I really like to encourage people to say, ‘You know what? I suffer from a condition that’s pretty common in the population. I have this sadness sometimes about me.’ You don’t even have to use the word depression.”