888.280.3348

NorthPoint Recovery

8 of the Best Proven Treatments for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is something we often relate to as an illness for war vets. In fact, it’s a mental health condition. When something traumatic occurs, the person will experience triggers in the present that place them back to the event. These events can be violent and make a person feel as though they were powerless. As a type of anxiety disorder, it is based on a past event or series of events. The person will have experienced or witnessed something very traumatic. There are symptoms of flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety that incapacitate [...]

Read More

Agoraphobia Explained: What It Is and How to Treat It

Going outside can be scary for all of us. Weather, traffic and other factors can make staying inside seem like a great option on most days.  Many people, however, suffer from a condition called agoraphobia, which makes leaving the house nearly impossible. Agoraphobia is caused by the fear of people, crowds, open spaces and other things that exist outside the house. Ultimately, the condition results in a fear of leaving home entirely. Millions of Americans suffer from agoraphobia. It has a profound effect on the well-being of many people. A lot of us feel [...]

Read More

Coming Together: 5 Ways We Can Overcome Mental Health and Addiction Stigmas

Living with addiction or mental health stigmas is hard. The same goes for dealing with mental health problems. Both require strength in the face of weakness. If you or a loved one have had to, you understand the challenge. There is a constant fight, on the inside and out. The world may not understand you. Your family may not understand your problems. Sometimes, it all seems to be too much.  What makes it worse is the problems that come from around you. People with mental health problems may seem off-kilter. Addiction can make working [...]

Read More

Serotonin Syndrome: Too Much of a Good Thing

Did you know that certain drug interactions can increase your chances of developing a potentially-lethal set of symptoms known as serotonin syndrome?  Knowing which medications, over-the-counter remedies, supplements, and drugs of abuse put you at risk may just save your life. First Things First—What is Serotonin? Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which means it helps relay messages between different regions of the brain. It is closely associated with many different areas of physical and mental health, including: Mood Memory Sleep Sexual Desire/Function Learning Appetite Social Behavior Temperature Regulation Cardiovascular Function Muscle [...]

Read More

How I Dropped My Two Best Friends: Shame & Guilt

You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging. ― Brené Brown, Shame Researcher Shame and guilt are natural. These emotions can help us reflect on and evaluate our past choices, and give us the drive to change our future ones. But rather than giving us the motivation to change, shame and guilt can also hold us back from growing as well. Sometimes the intensity of these feelings can seem so overwhelming, so insurmountable, that the emotions which are supposed to push us forward actually render us [...]

Read More

7 Smart Ways to Overcome Social Fear and Performance Anxiety

Social anxiety is an umbrella term that performance anxiety sites under. It represents the anticipation of a social situation either during or after the situation itself. It is based on fear of evaluation. Positive or negative evaluation, depending on the person. If you experience social anxiety, you’ll perceive negative consequences regardless of how well or poorly you do. If you do too well, you may show up your coworkers or friends. The last thing you want is to stick out and be noticed. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses in [...]

Read More

What it Means to Really Take a Personal Inventory and Admit Our Shortcomings

The process for completing any Twelve Step program for addiction or alcoholism is full of many challenges. One of these is determining what it means to really take a personal inventory and admit our shortcomings. Difficult or not, self-inventory is a crucial element of addiction recovery. But what does it actually look like? Step 4 of AA as an Important Part of the Recovery Process Step Four of Alcoholics Anonymous may be just one of the Twelve Steps – but it is simultaneously one of the most crucial and most [...]

Read More

10 Tips to Deal with Mood Swings and Feelings Now that You’re Sober

I didn’t realize that mood swings and alcohol abuse were so closely connected. The effects that alcoholism had on me lasted even through recovery. I became very aware of the damage my substance abuse had done to my mind. It turns out that all the mental symptoms I was trying to fix with my drinking only became worse. I just didn’t know it because I was always under the influence. I knew that if I didn’t learn to control my mood swings, I wouldn’t successfully recover. I wasn’t able to do it alone. [...]

Read More

If I Have an Addictive Personality , Am I Doomed Forever?

Having a family history of heart problems does not necessarily mean that you will immediately enter cardiac arrest. In the same way, having an addictive personality is not the same thing as being an addict. Of course, those with a family history of addiction and with an addictive personality may need to be more careful than others. You have most likely heard of an addictive personality, and may have even been told in the past that your behavior fits the bill. More than anything, we want you to know this: showing the signs of an [...]

Read More

Why Eating Disorders Are More Common Than You Think

Addiction is a vast and complex disorder that we are still learning much about. For example, addiction used to be confined solely to being physically and psychologically dependent on an actual substance, like heroin or alcohol. But after decades of research and discovery, we now know that there are many different types of addictions that don’t necessarily have to involve a physical dependency on an actual drug. Eating disorders, for example, are one type of behavioral addiction that many people suffer from. In fact, it’s probably even more common than you think. What Is the [...]

Read More
Call Now Button