By now, we have all heard reports of how the coronavirus pandemic and economic shutdown are affecting mental health. Social isolation, job loss, disruption of routines, and grief or fear of losing loved ones have created conditions that seem likely to set off an explosion of depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, 22% of Americans over the […]
Our Latest Blogs
Laurel House and rtor.org are here to help the communities where we operate in Connecticut and New York. In addition to our weekly blog posts on coping with the coronavirus pandemic and mental health, we encourage our users to check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and local news reports regularly for updates. […]
08
Apr
Apr
I am coming up on five years in recovery from drugs and alcohol. A remarkable feat for me personally as I spent many years attempting to get sober. From the ages of 21 to 26, I went to a handful of treatment centers. Going in, I truly did want to stop doing drugs and wanted […]
18
Mar
Mar
Clinical depression is also called a major depressive mood disorder. It is a serious and common medical condition, which negatively affects the way you feel, act, and think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8.1 percent of Americans aged 20 and over experienced depression in a given two-week period. Different people experience […]
04
Mar
Mar
Most of us know someone personally who struggles with a dual diagnosis, or the presence of a substance use disorder and coexisting mental health disorder. Many people rely on the numbing effects of a substance to help them manage a difficult mental health issue. Sadly, the end result is often two co-occurring disorders that only […]
24
Feb
Feb
If someone were to ask what types of people get addicted to drugs or alcohol, most of the population would be able to offer a few general ideas. They may say that individuals with an “addictive personality” would be the ones most likely to become inadvertently and unhealthily preoccupied and reliant on a substance. Yet […]
10
Feb
Feb
Drug rehab is considered so universally uncool that there’s even a top 10 hit song about it. 2006’s “Rehab” was written and performed by Amy Winehouse, a musician who struggled with illicit substances throughout her short life. And in 2011, Winehouse tragically lost her battle with addiction. She was just 27. It was Winehouse’s former […]
24
Jan
Jan
Holistic healing refers to the treatment of the whole person to achieve optimal wellness. And for those recovering from substance abuse, taking a holistic approach to care may be the key to success and lifelong freedom from drugs and alcohol. The recovery process, therefore, should be a multifaceted endeavor involving physical healing from addiction as […]
01
Jan
Jan
You had heard it all before. While still in active addiction, well-meaning friends and family members tried to assure you that your life would be immensely better if you would just get some help. They promised you repeatedly that if you got sober, and stayed that way, you would enjoy a fulfilling and prosperous life. […]
26
Dec
Dec
Bryan Balaban, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who works with adolescents, adults, and families.
20
Dec
Dec
RtoR Family-Endorsed Provider Profile Mountain Lake Academy Lake Placid, NY Mountain Lake Academy is a therapeutic residential school for adolescent boys and young men, ages 12 to 21, with emotional and learning difficulties that have impacted their ability to be successful in home or school. Student challenges may include anxiety, school avoidance, lack of […]
20
Dec
Dec
It’s painful to watch someone you love struggle with drug or alcohol abuse. You know he or she can benefit from professional help, but how do you breach the topic and how do you convince someone who is reluctant to seek treatment to go to rehab? Substance abuse is often accompanied by feelings of shame […]
29
Nov
Nov
Suicides in the United States are on the rise. The number of people who die by their own hand every year is roughly equivalent to the number of people who overdose on prescription pain killers. Yet there is virtually no press coverage or public debate about the matter. On average, 129 people die by suicide […]
25
Nov
Nov
Nearly every time there’s a public conversation about homelessness, the topic of mental health becomes a major talking point. For instance, the California Policy Lab released data in October 2019 on the prevalence of health problems among homeless populations in Los Angeles, and concluded that mental illness is a key cause of homelessness. Further, unsheltered […]
22
Nov
Nov
Recovery from addiction is said to be simple, but not easy. I have no doubt that for many people this holds true. But for some, like myself, there is more than one illness of the mind to fight. Going through recovery with a dual diagnosis adds an extra layer to addiction recovery and can make […]
15
Nov
Nov
By John Kahal, CEO of Capo by the Sea Imagine being trapped in the vicious cycle of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. On a daily basis, one condition continually aggravates and fuels the other, regardless of which one happened to emerge first. The co-occurring disorders, often referred to as a […]
06
Nov
Nov
When it comes to substance abuse or mental health problems, you may have looked into the benefits that therapy can have for you. However, you may have overlooked the positive impact group counseling can have on your situation and your psyche When you are looking for help for a substance abuse or mental health problem, […]
04
Nov
Nov
The Stressed Years of Their Lives: Helping Your Kid Survive and Thrive During Their College Years A review of the new book by Janet Hibbs, PhD, MFT and Anthony Rostain, MD, MA A depressed young adult named Nick lives at home with his parents, playing video games all night and rarely venturing outside of the […]
25
Oct
Oct
It is an oft-used phrase that “relapse is a normal part of recovery.” No one ever wants to relapse back into substance use. Not really. They may romance the past or desire the buzz, but anyone who has devoted so much time, attention, and treasure to overcoming addiction surely doesn’t desire to fall down. Regardless […]
23
Oct
Oct
More than two decades ago, researchers found that treating one person for two behavioral health disorders — even simultaneously — at two separate clinics or care providers was often ineffective. Parallel treatment was the norm at the time. Yet the need for a more combined treatment approach for those with substance abuse issues and a […]
18
Oct
Oct
Seeking help and starting the beginning stages of recovery is extremely hard, but following through with continued recovery is a battle in itself. Recovery lasts a lifetime, whether you’re managing substance abuse, mental health symptoms, or both. How you balance and sort your priorities when you’re in recovery has a big hand in your long-term […]
27
Sep
Sep
Most people who struggle with an addiction problem have also experienced significant past trauma. By the same token, 50-66% of individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also live with co-occurring addiction disorders. The presence of one or more mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs) in the same person is referred to as co-occurring […]
20
Sep
Sep
Over the last few years, depression has become much more widespread. We’ve all heard it before, “mental health issues don’t discriminate,” and that quote couldn’t be more accurate. Depression impacts people in the suburbs and on farms, in inner cities and refugee camps, in boardrooms and in classrooms. It is estimated that over 300 million […]
16
Sep
Sep
During the month of September www.rtor.org will be observing National Recovery Month with a guest blog series on addiction and substance use disorders. For our second article in this series, we are featuring a guest post from Elizabeth Driscoll Jorgensen, owner of Insight Counseling, LLC, in Ridgefield, CT, and Consultant to Family-Endorsed Provider Newport Academy at its […]
04
Sep
Sep
Everybody at some point will experience periods of uncertainty and unease in their lives. This can lead to feelings of anxiety. Luckily for most people, these feelings are temporary and will recede with some simple breathing exercises and a re-evaluation of the problem that is causing them stress. However, this is not the case for […]
02
Sep
Sep
This September, www.rtor.org is observing National Recovery Month with a guest blog series on addiction and substance use disorders. To kick-off the special series on addiction and co-occurring disorders we open with a guest blog post from Ken Seeley, an internationally acclaimed interventionist and founder and C.E.O. of Ken Seeley Communities. Imagine waking up one […]
26
Aug
Aug
Westchester Cognitive and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group (CDBT) offers psychotherapy services to adults, adolescents, pre-teens, and families.
26
Aug
Aug
Alcohol is everywhere: festivals, sporting events, weddings, backyard barbecues, concerts, brunch… It’s hard to think of any social event that doesn’t at least offer it. Many revolve entirely around it. For countless Americans, drinking is a normal part of spending time with friends or family. If it doesn’t get in the way of their overall […]
12
Aug
Aug
The idea of spirituality and its connection to sobriety is common. Addiction programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) often start or end with the serenity prayer which says, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom […]
06
Aug
Aug
Dr. Hassan Minhas provides comprehensive psychiatric care and addiction treatment for children, adolescents and adults.
23
Jul
Jul
Caron Renaissance is an extended-stay residential treatment program for adults ages 18 and up with substance misuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.
22
Jul
Jul
When some people picture self-harm, they may envision a teenage girl cutting herself. This sort of scenario certainly does occur, but it’s important to recognize that self-harm in adults and among males happens too and is more common than you might realize. Self-harm also takes a variety of forms, not just cutting. It can be […]
18
Jul
Jul
Situated on 400 peaceful and serene acres, Rose Hill offers comprehensive mental health treatment and rehabilitation services designed to help adults, 18 and over, recover and achieve lasting independence.
15
Jul
Jul
By Ken Seeley, Founder and CEO, Ken Seeley Communities As a seasoned interventionist, I have been involved in facilitating a wide array of groups of people who desired to motivate a loved one to seek treatment for a substance use disorder. Managing an intervention effectively takes planning, practice, and knowledge of the features associated […]
12
Jul
Jul
No matter what substance you use, if you do it regularly, some changes leading to addiction inevitably occur in your brain. To rewire an addicted brain, you need to undergo a treatment process that will heal not only body but mind as well. Reaching abstinence is a big victory. But the struggle will continue as […]
10
Jul
Jul
Release Recovery is a transitional residential program for men ages 18 and up in recovery from addiction. They offer a sober living community and a full array of recovery services for clients who have been discharged from inpatient substance abuse treatment or who have been medically cleared by a doctor.
10
Jul
Jul
My drug and alcohol addiction put me through the worst of times, especially when it came to personal relationships. My addiction, however, taught me a lot about enabling, codependent relationships, and toxic relationships. What I once thought of as fairytale romances were really just a rollercoaster ride of emotional manipulation and enabling. I realized that […]
05
Jul
Jul
Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently gained a lot of traction for its many purported mental and physical health benefits. And anecdotal evidence to support these claims is strong. People tout the products for helping with pain, sleep, and even skin conditions. The issue is that scientific proof is hard to come by. Clinical research is limited […]
21
Jun
Jun
Most seniors don’t seek treatment or even help because they view their mental changes as a natural part of aging or partly because they are ashamed of their condition. While it’s normal for elderly people to experience some level of forgetfulness, it’s important to seek professional help if they show obvious changes in behavior or […]
27
May
May
Living a meaningful life, one that is celebrated and surrounded by friends and family, often includes alcohol. In fact, it would be difficult to attend some kind of event or celebration without it. So it’s not surprising that alcohol addiction is the third leading cause of preventable death in the US, according to the National […]
24
May
May
Appleton is a residential program for adults ages 18 and over who have a severe mental health condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and who may also have a co-occurring condition, which may include substance use, mood disorders, personality disorders or anxiety.
03
May
May
Once patients treated for addiction leave rehabilitation, there is still a long road ahead. Recovering from an addiction is a long process with many challenges and set-backs. Individuals who have left a rehabilitation center still need support to stay on the straight and narrow path. Equine therapy is an effective tool that has benefitted some […]
18
Apr
Apr
WestBridge provides residential treatment for men ages 18 and up with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
18
Apr
Apr
Continuum of Care provides comprehensive residential case management, crisis services, and housing support services for adults living with mental illness.
03
Apr
Apr
Mountainside outpatient services are part of a nationally acclaimed behavioral health network providing individualized alcohol and drug addiction treatment.
22
Mar
Mar
Barn Life Recovery is a community-based holistic rehabilitation center that provides an intensive outpatient and day program for individuals with mild to moderately severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and addictions.
04
Mar
Mar
reSTART is a residential treatment program for individuals who may be addicted to or overusing video games, social media, virtual reality and the Internet.
21
Feb
Feb
Dr. Mark Tobin, a licensed clinical psychologist, provides treatment to adults, adolescents and couples who present with a wide variety of concerns, including self-esteem, anxiety, depression, grief and substance abuse.
14
Feb
Feb
The Turnbridge Women’s Program is a gender-responsive residential program that provides treatment for young women recovering from addiction, co-occurring mental health disorders and trauma.
12
Feb
Feb
Teens may sometimes seem moody or emotional, but there’s a good reason for this. Their bodies and brains are still developing. During development, teens experience significant hormonal changes. In addition, life – from a teen perspective – is truly stressful. Teens face numerous challenges, such as competitiveness, cyberbullying, shaming, violence and other issues. Sometimes the […]
31
Jan
Jan
When you reach a certain age, you expect that your health may not be what it once was. Your bones may become brittle, you are more susceptible to accidents and injury, and it can take longer to recover from everyday illnesses, such as the flu or a cold, that never kept you down before. However, […]
17
Jan
Jan
It’s that time of year again when we wave goodbye to one year and usher another one in. That means it’s also resolution time. The problem with New Year’s resolutions is the failure rate. According to U.S. News, 80 percent of resolutions fail by mid-February. Failure has become so common that most of us probably […]
16
Jan
Jan
The Dorm is a full-service treatment community in New York City that offers comprehensive day and evening programming, partial residential treatment and individualized life skills training for young adults looking to further their independence.
20
Dec
Dec
Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis, refer to the combination of substance abuse and the presence of a mental health disorder. Many individuals who enter treatment for substance abuse are also diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder. Over half of all individuals experiencing drug addiction are also believed to have a co-occurring disorder such as […]
11
Dec
Dec
To the millions of people who turned the original Hunger Games film into a blockbuster, the character Rue played a pivotal role in protagonist Katniss’ evolution from player to champion. To my younger sister, Rue represented much more: The 11-year-old character, from a poor farming community, was actually a personification of my sister herself. Rue’s […]
27
Nov
Nov
Ruben Jimenez, LCSW
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ruben Jimenez, LCSW is located in Salt Lake City, Utah
20
Nov
Nov
When you are living with mental illness, such as depression and anxiety, the idea of becoming a counselor might seem counterproductive. How can you possibly help others with their issues when you’re battling your own demons? The fact is, though, that a significant number of mental health professionals are drawn to the field because of […]
16
Nov
Nov
Austen Riggs Center
Stockbridge, MA
The Austen Riggs Center is located in Stockbridge, MA.
15
Nov
Nov
We know it’s important to take care of ourselves physically – we have to eat right, get some exercise and get a sufficient amount of rest each night in order to function properly the next day. But what do we do when it comes to our mental health? There are many factors that contribute to […]
09
Nov
Nov
D’Amore Healthcare
Huntington Beach, CA
D’Amore Healthcare Mental Health Treatment Center is located in Huntington Beach, CA.
01
Nov
Nov
Today’s guest blog post is by a young writer from Pakistan, Saim Cheeda, who lives with anxiety and depression. Saim may be writing from halfway around the world, but his guest post shows that these disorders and other peoples’ reactions to them are universal across cultures. He brings a positive message to people everywhere living […]
30
Oct
Oct
Adolescence is hard enough. But for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning) youth, the difficulties of these years are compounded by stress related to prejudice, bullying, and the fear of rejection. In extreme cases, some are exposed to the damaging practice of conversion therapy. Such dynamics can lead to an array of mental […]
23
Oct
Oct
A panic attack can be a terrifying experience, often causing the sufferer to believe he or she is having a heart attack and about to die. The distressing nature of the attack can compound the person’s anxiety and make the attack even more intense and long lasting. Worrying about when the unpleasant symptoms of the […]
13
Oct
Oct
Residential Treatment Facility
Boulder, CO
Colorado Recovery offers 24-hour care 7 days a week in a residential treatment facility, transitional living and daily intensive outpatient services in Boulder, Colorado. Services are available for adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other serious mental illnesses.
13
Oct
Oct
Residential Treatment Program
Canaan, CT
Mountainside Residential Treatment Center in Canaan, CT is part of a nationally acclaimed behavioral health network providing individualized alcohol and drug addiction treatment. By combining innovative clinical and holistic therapies with a data-driven approach, they empower clients to transform their lives and achieve long-term recovery.
13
Oct
Oct
Residential Program
Canaan, CT
Eden Hill Recovery Retreat is a transitional sober living home designed exclusively for adult women in Canaan, CT. The Eden Hill Extended Care Women’s Program offers a comprehensive approach to treating substance use and co-occurring disorders.
12
Oct
Oct
Psychiatrist
Boston, MA
Dr. Deister is a psychiatrist who treats children and adolescents through the Adolescent Substance Use and Addictions Program (ASAP) at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Deister and ASAP clinicians are able to evaluate and support adolescents with a full range of substance use problems and disorders, from teens who have just begun using substances to those struggling with addiction, and their families.
