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…
Those who struggle with social anxiety disorder feel uncomfortable in large crowds or with people they don’t know. As a result, holiday celebrations become sources of frustration and anxiety. Office parties may spark fear, and even something as simple as meeting friends at a local restaurant may cause unusual levels of distress. In its simplest…
Online learning is more stressful for some families than it is for others. And when teenagers are the ones learning online, problems often become more frightening than they would otherwise. Teens are notoriously social creatures, and when they must learn from home, they may feel lonely or cut-off from the rest of the world. For…
Do you worry that your loved one may experiment with self-medication? Generally, this is the act of taking a chemical substance or prescription medication without a doctor’s direct order. If you’ve ever taken a friend’s tranquilizer to calm yourself before a big meeting, you’ve self-medicated. Likewise, if you’ve ever watched a friend try to drink…
Many doctors prescribe benzos to address addiction and other mental health conditions. In addition, those going through alcohol withdrawal may use the medication to help ease symptoms. COVID-19 has caused an increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for anxiety. In the meantime, the supply chain has been interrupted, and it is becoming more…
People seeking treatment for mental health or addiction issues often have a co-occurring depression disorder. Depression and anxiety are the two most common mental health disorders to accompany addictions. In some cases, addiction is the main cause of seeking treatment, and you also are diagnosed with depression. Then, you will need to get depression disorder…