Cigarette smoking was a commonplace activity midway through the previous century. Smoking was cool, sexy, made additionally enticing by its presence in blockbuster movies and popular television shows. It took decades for science to catch up with culture. Not until 1966 did the federal government place a label on cigarette packages, warning of their danger. … Read More
An estimated 88,000 people (approximately 62,000 men and 26,000 women) die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Accidents and illnesses such as pancreatitis, cancer, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver account for many of these deaths. Another lesser-known cause is suicide; the risk … Read More
The illusion of perfectibility is hard to escape. The message “be better,” “do more,” “you’re not good enough,” is littered across the advertising landscape, and in our fast-paced modern world, the competition to be busy and never content with who you are and what you have is ubiquitous. The idea that one must keep pursuing … Read More
Denial is one of the biggest challenges to overcome in early recovery. But once the decision is made to face, head on, the enemy that is the eating disorder or addiction, the path forward becomes clearer, though not always easier. Once there is admission that we no longer want to struggle with the illness and … Read More
Life is full of good gifts: things to be enjoyed, experiences to be had, pleasures to be tasted, sense to be stimulated. But, our desire for and experience of good things can be twisted, distorted, perverted by a combination of genetic predispositions and external triggers. Enjoyment can become obsession, indulgence can become addiction, stimulation can … Read More
The old ritual will soon be upon us. As January 1st approaches, the topic of “New Year’s resolutions” fills conversations at home and in the office. After all, this is the leading story on every morning television show as products promising resolution success are rife on social media feeds and influencer accounts. New Year’s resolutions … Read More
We all have faith in something. Don’t believe me? How do you know when you get out of bed in the morning that your feet will hit the ground… and stay there? Because you have faith in gravity, even though some of the most brilliant scientific minds still lack a definite explanation for what gravity … Read More
Weight restoration can be one of the most difficult parts of recovery from an eating disorder. There can be numerous medical challenges to overcome during the process, especially with more severe cases of anorexia nervosa, such as refeeding syndrome, among other issues. However, the struggle is not only biological or physical. It also can be … Read More
September is National Suicide Prevention month; therefore, much is being written and talked about regarding this topic. Yet, rarely do we hear about the geographic demographics of this growing problem, namely how shockingly prevalent it is in rural areas. Although populations are low, Montana, Alaska and Wyoming lead the country in suicide deaths. Last May, … Read More
The world lost two extraordinary people last week. One a revolutionary fashion designer, the other a talented chef and beloved television personality. In both cases, media outlets exploded with sad and shocked commentary due to the cause of the premature deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain: suicide. And then came the commensurate outpouring of … Read More
