Substance Abuse & Addiction Are Mental Illnesses

Substance Abuse & Addiction Are Mental Illnesses

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports a “definite connection between mental illness and the use of addictive substances.” Most will not dispute that untreated mental illness can (and does) lead to self-medication. When people self-medicate, they often turn to addictive substances – like alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs. But there is another side…

Positive Self-Image & Substance Abuse Counseling: Do They Mix?

Positive Self-Image & Substance Abuse Counseling: Do They Mix?

Do you know what self-image­ is? Here’s a hint; it’s not self-esteem. These two terms are regularly interchanged, but there’s a major different between self-image and self-esteem. As counselors who work with a diverse group of ever-changing people, we’ve seen firsthand how a positive self-image can help our clients succeed. It’s just one of the…

Low Self-Esteem & the Risk of Substance Abuse in Young Adults
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Low Self-Esteem & the Risk of Substance Abuse in Young Adults

It starts when a person is young. We’re talking about self-esteem. How one is raised can play a huge part in the difference between having positive or low self-esteem. And chronically low self-esteem can increase a person’s risk of substance abuse. What is Low Self-Esteem? Simply put, low self-esteem is when one feels poorly about…