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Does Medication Assisted Treatment work?

Combining MAT with psychotherapy, education and medication, MAT is a proven treatment for people who struggle with substance abuse.

Specifically, MAT is used to treat opioid use disorder. However, it can also help individuals suffering from alcoholism. When someone participates in MAT, certain medications are administered to them so that their brains function normally again. These medications prevent the release of dopamine into the brain, meaning that if someone were to consume substances while under the influence of these drugs, they wouldn’t experience the same feelings of pleasure that they do when consuming substances.
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Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction is a serious illness that affects millions of people

Sometimes, it can feel hard to evaluate your own behavior (or someone else’s). Here are some questions to ask yourself about your gambling habits.

Signs to watch out for

You are preoccupied by constant thoughts about gambling. If you find yourself constantly thinking about gambling, either about the last time you gambled, when you plan to gamble next, or how you can acquire more money to gamble with; it might be a sign of an unhealthy relationship with the activity. Thinking about it occasionally, or once in awhile, is one thing, but if it begins to cloud your vision and consume your mind, you may have a problem with gambling.
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Substance abuse in men

Substance abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender.

However, men face unique challenges when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction. Some of these challenges stem from cultural norms or stereotypes about masculinity. Others stem from biological differences between genders. Regardless of why they may be more susceptible to substance abuse, men are just as likely to suffer consequences if they do not seek treatment.
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Making connections in group therapy

If you’re facing an illness or stress, you don’t have to go it alone!

A support group can help you find others who’ve faced your challenges before. You’ll learn about what works best for you. Support groups bring together those who are going through or who have already gone through similar experiences. Common ground includes cancer, chronic illness, addiction, bereavement, and caregiving.

A support group provides a place where people can come together to discuss issues they may not feel comfortable discussing elsewhere.
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Why group therapy works

More often than not we are left alone with the problems we face.

We try and tackle these problems all by ourselves. When we find ourselves in trouble, we may turn to our closest friends or family members to help us out. Sometimes this helps, but a lot of times it doesn’t. A lot of people who are close to us may not know how to deal with us or they may not really care about helping us. They may even tell us what we should do instead of just letting us talk. That is why support group meetings were created.
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Being a parent to teenagers

Being a parent is harder than most realize

Parents are people, and as such they have a finite amount of emotional energy and strength, which can easily get depleted by a rebellious teen. In fact, though you do love your teenager, you may find yourself feeling hurt, angry, resentful, distrusting, grieving, anxious, lonely, and so forth. You may also feel that your teenager is constantly trying to push your buttons, and that he or she is doing it all at once!
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Postpartum Depression

Giving birth to a child is one of life‘s biggest changes and greatest pleasures.

Welcoming a new member to your family sparks great change in your life. Most especially the mother as her body is also undergoing some major changes both physically and emotionally. The first few months after giving birth can be very challenging. New parents now must learn to make sacrifices and endure fatigue being the new norm. Of course, there is the expected feelings of pride to welcome a new child into your home and an incredible amount joy. However, a mother may also experience feelings of great sorrow, irritation, and fatigue throughout the first few months post-partum.
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Mental health in the transgender community

Mental health concerns are commonplace – about 1 in 5 people experience them during any given year.

However, the rates among transgender individuals are even higher. Many transgender people suffer from one or more mental health issues.

While there are many reasons why transgender individuals may suffer from mental illness, one reason is because of the negative attitudes held towards transgender people. Transgender people are often treated poorly, and can face discrimination and harassment simply because of how they identify themselves. Some transgender people also face physical attacks, including rape and murder.
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