Recovery

How Workplaces Can Support People in Recovery

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One of the many challenges faced by people who struggle with mental illness or addiction is that these conditions often interfere with their ability to sustain a job. Symptoms can often be impairing or even disabling, forcing the person to quit work. Many times, it is only after the person engages in treatment and begins on the road to recovery that they can re-enter the workforce. Another roadblock to employment is that lingering symptoms can affect energy, mood, stamina, and …

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r is for Recovery

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Each September, SAMHSA, the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors “National Recovery Month” to increase awareness of mental health and substance use issues.  2019 marks the 30th anniversary of National Recovery Month. The theme for 2019 is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger.” This theme “emphasizes the need to share resources and build networks across the country to support the many paths to recovery. It reminds us that mental and substance use disorders affect …

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My 24 Years in a Psychiatric Hospital (part 2: the Recovery Mall)

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In a recent post, I chronicled the first half of my 24 years of employment as a clinical psychologist at Eastern State Hospital, a public psychiatric hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, which opened in 1824. If you would like to catch up and read part 1 first, it’s right here. In the early 2000’s, “recovery” entered the scene as a new way of thinking about treatment. The concept of recovery had primarily been used in reference to substance use concerns, but …

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How to Prevent Mental Health Relapses

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Guest Post by Hayden Finch, PhD I’m honored and excited to feature a guest post by Hayden Finch, PhD. Dr. Finch is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating severe and persistent mental illnesses. She is passionate about helping people recover from mental health conditions so they can lead purposeful, meaningful lives. Outside of the therapy room, she loves dogs, math, and travel. Connect with Dr. Finch via her blog, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. For most people, mental health symptoms come …

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A Song of Recovery

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“If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.” – Will Rogers This is a story about music, friendship, hope, and recovery. When I was growing up in a small town in the Appalachian mountains of southwestern Virginia, one of my best friends was Kevin McGraw. Kevin and I shared a common interest: music. We both played in the high school band and sang in the performing chorus, which was directed by Kevin’s mother, …

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Should You Disclose Your Mental Illness?

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If you have a mental illness, you may struggle with the difficult decision as to whether to share information about your illness with others. You may be reluctant to disclose your experiences for many reasons, including fear of rejection, shame, or not wanting to be labeled negatively because of the stigma associated with mental illness. How much people disclose about their illness can vary greatly. While some people don’t disclose their illness to anyone, many choose to share their experiences …

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When Recovery Hurts

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I’ve written a lot about recovery from mental illness and addiction on this blog and in many other forums. I’ve described what recovery is and what it isn’t, and how to develop your own personal recovery plan to achieve your goals. It’s also worth repeating that one of my favorite definitions of recovery is “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” (SAMHSA) I’ve featured dozens …

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What Recovery Is (and What It Isn’t)

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After working for many years with people in all stages of recovery from mental illness and addiction, I’m no longer surprised to hear the frequent question, “Just what is recovery anyway?” While I have a pretty solid idea of how I view the concept of recovery, I’ve realized the term carries different meanings and assumptions for different people. So what is recovery? To answer that question, let’s not only look at what recovery is, but also what recovery isn’t. Here …

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