Social anxiety disorder affects nearly 10% of American youth and about 7% of adults. Education regarding the links between social anxiety and drug abuse can help prevent addiction before it begins. However, the most common reason people with social anxiety drink or take drugs is as a form of self-medication. Reducing symptoms through substance use…
Addiction does not always fit into neat categories. In fact, most people who suffer from a substance use disorder regularly take more than one substance. Polysubstance abuse refers to the misuse of two or more substances taken in combination. There are several underlying risk factors for polysubstance abuse, but one of them is the presence…
When addiction strikes during adolescence, the risks of severe or long-term health consequences increase. Many teens in the United States self-report binge drinking and marijuana use. Furthermore, most adolescents with substance use disorders also meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder. These co-occurring disorders make it essential to seek mental health intervention by professionals who…
Our teen dual diagnosis treatment program in Pennsylvania addresses addiction in teens when it co-occurs with mental health conditions. This coordinated approach to addiction treatment for young people who also have an underlying mental health issue is the best and most effective way to help teens find lasting recovery and wellness. Pennsylvania Adult & Teen…
The links between mental health and substance use are well-documented. Teens and others who are affected by depression or anxiety are often diagnosed with a co-occurring addiction. People who struggle with anxiety or depression may self-medicate to alleviate symptoms. Social anxiety disorder is a common form of chronic anxiety, affecting nearly 10% of American youth.…
Mental health challenges and addiction go hand in hand. In fact, between 40 and 60% of Americans who suffer from addiction have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Experts agree that treating co-occurring conditions in a coordinated plan is far more successful than treating one and then the other or providing simultaneous but uncoordinated treatment. The…
The mental health and substance use risks for teens are in many ways unique to their stage of life. Though on the cusp of adulthood, their mental, physical, and psychological development are on hyper-drive, and the challenges they face in today’s fast-paced, globally-connected world are significant. Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge (PAATC) has been at…
In the past, there was a significant stigma that surrounded mental health issues. Now, this stigma has started to fade. This has given rise to numerous resources for serious conditions that previously did not have many options. That has also led to the increase in dual diagnosis treatment facilities. A dual diagnosis facility is a…
If you or someone you know is looking for help with mental health and addiction recovery, then you may be interested in a dual diagnosis program. At Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge, we are proud to provide people with access to this specific program. At the same time, we also want to ensure that we…
Think you might be suffering from seasonal depression? Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), strikes millions of people around the globe. Typically, it begins as the long, colorful days of autumn fade into stark winter. The days become shorter, and you have fewer hours of sunlight to enjoy each day. For many, this is…