For those of you who are not yet familiar with it, I would like to introduce the Columbia Suicide Severity Risk Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS is comprised of a series of simple questions used to assess the severity and immediacy of a suicide risk. One of the many benefits of the scale are that the…
As many of you may already know, post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a theory that explores the growth and transformation that can happen following trauma. Developed in the mid 1990’s by Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD, the theory purports that people who endure psychological struggle following adversity and trauma can often see positive growth afterward. According…
It is not uncommon for a person suffering from a substance use disorder to also have mental health issues. In fact, researchers have identified a strong link between substance use disorders and mental health disorders conditions referred to as “co-occurring disorders.” The symptoms of each may overlap, making it difficult for individuals to know exactly…
If you have been looking for help for addiction for a loved one, you may feel hopeless or defeated. It is difficult to know what to do when a loved one is suffering. There are very few things in life that make you feel more powerless then sitting back and watching your loved one spiral…
The entertainment industry was saddened by the unexpected death of “True Blood” actor Nelsan Ellis on July 8, 2017. On July 10, 2017, Ellis’s family revealed that he had died as a result of attempting to withdraw from alcohol on his own, without medical supervision. In a statement released through Ellis’s manager to the Hollywood…
On November 17th, 2016, the Surgeon General of the United States, Vivak H. Murthy, published a landmark report entitled, “Facing Addiction in America” a comprehensive review of substance use, misuse, and disorders. Previous reports of the Surgeon General have highlighted the public health crisis challenges of Tobacco, AIDS, and Mental Health issues, and the hope is that…
The Early Intervention Family Drug Court in Sacramento County is set up to help parents with substance abuse problems complete this program before their children enter the foster care system. All parents who enter the program are at risk of losing custody of their children due to drug abuse. Many parents are referred to the…
October 10th was World Mental Health Day which is a day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against the social stigma of mental illness. It was first celebrated in 1992. The existence of such a day indicates that mental health issues are a worldwide problem and concern. The Center for Disease Control and…
For some the holidays are a time of happiness and family but for others it’s a time of dysfunction and despair. As stress, overindulgence, and celebrations increase, so does drug and alcohol use, which generally spikes during the holiday season. Many people think it’s best to wait until after the holidays to deal with a…