Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other operational stress injuries (OSI) are both ubiquitous and harmful within the public safety community. Although recent focus has given rise to increased awareness to mental health issues, barriers to the development of evidence-informed prevention and treatment regimens continue to exist.
Undesirable stigma associated with mental health issues has been a very difficult hurdle for the public safety community. Much progress has been made toward reduction of stigma; however, efforts need to continue in order for mental health to be truly improved for public safety personnel.
Another fundamental barrier to providing meaningful response to the mental health needs of public safety personnel is a true understanding of the detailed nature and scope of the problem. Numbers matter! Until recently, there existed a paucity of reliable data on OSI symptom prevalence and, potentially of equal importance, what differences or similarities exist within the specific public safety communities (e.g., police, EMS, fire, etc.).
Realizing the critical importance of this data, the Canadian Institute for Public Safety and Treatment (CIPSRT) developed a study designed to provide estimates of the prevalence of several mental disorder symptoms and provide explicit comparisons across diverse public safety categories. The results are intended to support a recommended National Action Plan that includes ongoing increasingly robust research.
Background: Partnering with first responder and public safety leadership and associations, CIPSRT is a coast-to-coast multi-university team of top Canadian researchers working with key stakeholders on long-term initiatives to identify the resources required to support the recognition, prevention, intervention and treatment of mental health concerns facing Canadian first responders and public safety personnel.
Method: In this national study, CIPSRT engaged nearly 6,000 participants in an anonymous survey designed to provide critically needed information about OSI symptom prevalence (e.g., symptoms of PTSD, depression, panic) for Canadian public safety personnel. The survey was made available from September 2016 to January 2017, after which estimates of symptom prevalence were derived using well-validated screening measures.
Data were collected using a web-based self-report survey that included measures for screening mental disorder symptom levels that may warrant further clinical attention.
In order to establish a representative sample, participants were grouped into demographic categories (e.g., public safety category, sex, age, marital status, provincial region, ethnicity, education, years of service and urban/rural work location) for comparison, and subsequently compared to the general population using information provided by Statistics Canada.
Results: Substantial portions of the survey participants self-reported symptoms consistent with one or more mental disorders.
In fact, results indicate that 44.5% screened positive for clinically significant symptom clusters consistent with one or more mental disorders. This proportion appears significantly higher than previous research and comparison to diagnostic rates for the general population, in which estimates range near 10.5%.
The study also revealed some significant differences between public safety categories in frequencies of positive screens that warrant further investigation. For example, when comparing the data between paramedics and firefighters, the study found higher rates of PTSD (24.5%), depression (29.6%) and panic disorder (10.3%) among paramedics.
The results also indicated that rates for these same mental health measures were lower for paramedics when compared to corrections officers where PTSD (29.1%), depression (31.1%) and panic disorder (12.2%) were all higher.
Discussion: The study results are an invaluable asset to public safety leadership. The volume of willing participants responding to the survey indicates success in reducing the stigma associated with OSIs-a significant barrier to engaging strategies and allocating resources to support mental health for all public safety personnel.
The study results provide a more comprehensive understanding than previously available of how common symptoms are within the broader public safety realm. Further, identifiable differences and trends among each of the public safety categories have been identified.
This is critically important and novel information for researchers. It will help them develop coordinated plans to improve methods of prevention and treatment of OSIs.
There are significant gender differences when it comes to substance use and addiction. Both men and women face unique issues that influence the underlying causes of their substance use, what substances they use, and in what quantities. This article discusses the varying elements that influence addiction differently for men and women and how those elements affect their overall treatment and recovery.
It used to be thought that substance use disorders (SUDs) were only a problem among men. This is because early research often didn’t include women, perhaps because women were thought to be “too busy” as they carried out multiple responsibilities of raising children and taking care of the house. Recently, there has been much more research that includes women and their unique experiences with substance use and addiction. This research sheds a light on the fact that substance use has never been merely a men’s-only issue.
Men are as equally likely to use substances as women; however, women respond to substances differently. Women tend to develop SUDs more quickly from smaller quantities of substance use compared to men. Sex hormones, like estrogen, can make women more sensitive to substances, and they can develop an addiction in a shorter amount of time. Women are also more likely to go to the hospital or die of an overdose from drug use. Similarly, they are more likely to experience harsher drug cravings after stopping their substance use.
Substance use also affects women’s bodies differently than men’s. Women who use drugs can experience issues with hormones, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, and breastfeeding.
Another thing to note is that women and men both have different motivations for partaking in substance use. It’s common for women to use substances to relieve stress, cope with chronic pain, deal with the pain of divorce, the death of a loved one, or the loss of custody of a child. As a consequence of substance use, women are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
While women are less likely to smoke cannabis than men, those who do are more prone to panic attacks and anxiety as a result of marijuana use. Cannabis also affects women’s spatial memory more than men’s. Teenage girls are more likely to experience brain abnormalities than teenage boys if they smoke cannabis before their brain reaches full development.
Women are especially sensitive to the rewarding aspects of stimulants due to sex hormones like estrogen. Women are more likely to take larger amounts of cocaine than men; however, both men and women experience the same level of effects on learning and concentration despite how much they take. Women tend to take stimulants to have more energy to balance work, childcare, and home care. Women are also more likely to take methamphetamines for weight loss and tend to take these substances earlier in life compared to men.
Women are more likely to experience chronic pain than men, and, as a result, are more likely to take opiate drugs without a prescription. Women who are between the ages of 45 and 54 are more likely to die of an opioid overdose than any other age group. Women are also more likely to die of an overdose from medications for mental health conditions, such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines.
Compared to boys of the same age, girls between the ages of 12 and 20 are more likely to misuse alcohol or binge drink. Long-term drinking can cause more damage to the health of women than men, even if they drink for a shorter duration of time. Women also have higher alcohol-related death rates compared to men, nearly 50 to 100% higher. These are deaths from alcohol-related accidents, suicides, heart and liver disease, and stroke.
There are more men who are seeking treatment than women; however, women are more likely to seek treatment for sedative drugs. Men are more likely to seek heroin treatment, but that number has been increasing for women. Pregnant women and women with young children are often reluctant to seek treatment for substance use due to fear of legal repercussions, such as losing custody of their child. Women also are more like to leave treatment early to take care of their child. In turn, women are less likely to seek treatment due to obligations at work, at home, and in child care.
Both men and women who use substances are equally likely to have an underlying mental health disorder. Women who have addictions are more likely to be struggling with underlying depression, anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders.
Men and women experience different gender-specific factors that contribute to substance use and addiction. For example, women are more likely to develop a substance use disorder more quickly compared to men, as women’s bodies respond to substance use differently. This is due to sex hormones, which can make women more sensitive to drug effects. Similarly, women are less likely to seek treatment as they tend to experience greater pressures related to work and childcare. Bella Monte strives to include every identity in our narrative. We want to make sure that every person is taken care of despite their identity and background. This is why it’s important to us that women know the realities of addiction and substance use and how it affects them uniquely. To learn more about how our treatment center can help you, call us today at (800) 974-1938.
When a person decides to get professional help for a substance use disorder (SUD), they have several options for what kind of treatment they can receive. Many treatment centers offer their clients different types of therapy, such as individual, group, skills-focused, relapse prevention, and art therapy. These forms of therapy are often used in combination to provide individuals with multiple venues of expression and healing.
Art therapy uses artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health. Art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic settings, as well as in private practices, workshops, and small group settings.
Art therapy was founded on the belief that self-expression through artistic creation has therapeutic value for those who are healing or seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their personalities. It is rooted in the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being.
It’s no secret that people have been using the arts for communication, self-expression, and healing for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the 1940s that art therapy became a formal program. It all started with doctors noting that individuals living with mental illness often expressed themselves in drawings and other artworks, which led many to explore the use of art as a healing strategy.
Art therapy can treat a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress. In many cases, it can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities, such as group therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as part of a treatment plan.
A study conducted at Drexel University demonstrated that as little as 45 minutes of creative activity can reduce stress and positively impact mental health, regardless of artistic experience or talent. The goal of art therapy is to use the creative process to help people explore self-expression, and in doing so, find new ways to gain personal insight and develop new, healthy coping skills.
As individuals create art, they may analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, people can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in hopes that it will improve or restore the individual’s functioning and sense of well-being. It’s not about creating an artistic masterpiece but rather finding associations between the creative choices and an individual’s inner life.
Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy. The process of art therapy isn’t like an art lesson. Rather, it is grounded in the knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and counseling techniques. With the guidance of a credentialed art therapist, individuals can decode the nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors often found in art, which can lead to a better understanding of their feelings and behaviors so they can move on to resolve deeper issues.
Some art forms that are used in art therapy include:
Once the art pieces are complete, the art therapist will do what they are trained to do. Art therapists understand the roles that color, texture, and various art media can play in the therapeutic process and how these tools can help reveal a person’s thoughts, feelings, and psychological disposition.
The therapist guides the individual through a conversation using their artwork as a springboard for reawakening memories and telling stories that may reveal messages and beliefs from the unconscious mind. This fosters discussion and the ability for individuals to look inward and communicate their feelings out into the world.
Art therapy plays a key role in addiction treatment in many rehabilitation facilities to help aid in the recovery process. The inclusion of art therapy offers more robust treatment options and can improve patient outcomes. Viewing, discussing, and interpreting existing art can help in group discussions and can motivate individuals to change by moving them away from reflection and into a state of action.
In addition to having the ability to teach non-addictive self-soothing techniques in the form of art, art therapy has many benefits for those struggling with SUD, such as:
Art therapy can be a part of a treatment plan for a variety of mental health issues, including SUD. Because of its efficacy, many addiction treatment centers include art therapy as one of the holistic treatment modalities used to complement traditional forms of talk therapy.
Art therapy allows individuals to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), art therapy may be a treatment option worth trying during your recovery process. Here at Bella Monte Recovery Center in Desert Hot Springs, California, we use a holistic, or whole-person, approach to SUD treatment that utilizes art therapy in conjunction with other types of therapy. Our team of professionals treats every client with compassion and tailors an individual program to each client’s individual needs. This gives clients at our facility the best possible chance at recovery and living a sober lifestyle. To learn more about what we have to offer our clients on their unique recovery journeys, call (800) 974-1938 today.
Massage therapy is a treatment that provides physical and mental relief for individuals recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring conditions. Massage therapy is an excellent way to treat physical symptoms of SUD, including muscle pain, anxiety, and depression. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Massage therapy is used to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness” for individuals in recovery. Bella Monte Recovery Center offers massage and other holistic therapies to increase the effectiveness of traditional treatments.
Substance misuse can cause changes to various body systems, resulting in increased muscle tension and stress-related pain. Massage therapy can treat the following side effects and symptoms of SUD:
Massage therapy manipulates the body in a way that naturally releases tension and is known to reduce some mental health symptoms related to trauma and SUD. Being relaxed and mindful of your bodily sensations in the moment can improve how you feel and the way you experience recovery. If you often feel emotionally overwhelmed, physically exhausted, or have difficulty focusing on tasks, massage therapy can help by relaxing the body and lowering stress hormones.
Empathy and compassion are essential to holistic healing. Moving forward in recovery requires changing behavioral and thought patterns. You need to replace maladaptive coping mechanisms with healthy alternatives. Massage therapy supports these positive lifestyle changes by providing a space where clients can feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. Lower stress, tension, and anxiety make it easier for clients to focus on rehabilitation. At Bella Monte Recovery Center, we can use massage therapy to help you find relief from side effects and symptoms that might be interfering with your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a “meta-analysis of 37 studies” found that a single massage therapy session led to the following:
In addition, the VA reported: “Preliminary evidence has shown its potential benefit for alleviating symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and reducing anxiety in alcohol, cocaine, and opiate withdrawal.” Individuals going through detox can gain significant relief from the physical and mental symptoms and side effects of SUD. Massage therapy also lowers the risk of relapse when used regularly during continuing care.
Physical relaxation can improve mental health and mood in several ways, including:
Massage is one of the most popular forms of mindfulness-based therapy. According to the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, “Mind-body therapies, in general, address the relationship between somato-emotional awareness, coping, and emotional regulation and teach integrative strategies that may help individuals react more effectively to stress and negative emotions.” You can use alternative holistic therapies like massage to increase feelings of positivity and strengthen the mind-body connection. The better you feel about yourself and your body, the easier it will be to show compassion and kindness to others.
Self-forgiveness is a large part of the recovery process at Bella Monte Recovery Center. Everyone makes mistakes, and finding ways to practice self-empathy helps clients find ways to accept themselves and their circumstances. Massage therapy is a wonderful tool for reclaiming control of your mind and body. The stimulation improves your mind-body connection and encourages you to focus on the moment and how you feel.
Mindfulness-based methods like massage therapy help clients grow and practice self-care and self-compassion. Releasing physical tension can also make it easier to let go of negative emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. Massage therapy combined with psychotherapy, medication, and peer support can help you achieve a healthier mental state during rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
Massage therapy is excellent for decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression during continuing care. Maintaining long-term sobriety involves using preventative measures like stress reduction techniques to sustain emotional stability. According to the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, “Massage . . . is thought to be clinically useful for increasing awareness of tension, cueing individuals to physical symptoms of stress and habitual patterns of responding to stress that may be important for relapse prevention.” You can use the stronger mind-body connection during massage sessions to notice changes to your body that may reveal potential issues before they become a problem.
Massage therapy is a great way to achieve a fully relaxed state in a low-stress environment. Bella Monte Recovery Center offers referrals and information about community-based resources for alumni who complete our treatment programs. You can collaborate with the clinical team and your case manager to determine if massage therapy would benefit your long-term recovery.
Massage therapy uses physical stimulation and mindfulness to improve mental health and emotional well-being. Research has proven that massage therapy and other holistic treatments can positively affect the results of traditional psychotherapy for individuals recovering from substance misuse and co-occurring conditions. The experts at Bella Monte Recovery Center use massage therapy to help clients embrace positive lifestyle changes by encouraging self-care and compassion. You can find quick and effective relief from the physical toll of chronic stress using massage therapy. Rehabilitation involves utilizing every tool at your disposal to recover and grow. Massage therapy is one way to improve your mind-body connection and increase self-awareness in a healthy way. We offer personalized treatments designed to help clients heal from the devastating effects of SUD and underlying mental health issues. To find out more about our treatment programs, call Bella Monte Recovery Center today at (800) 974-1938.
It is normal to feel bored, sad, and unsatisfied with life. However, when these feelings start to linger for days, weeks, or longer, it may signify that depression is beginning to develop.
Depression is a chronic mental illness that negatively affects how people think, act, and behave. If left untreated, symptoms can become so severe that even the simplest tasks can appear daunting.
Depression is considered a mood disorder characterized by distorted or inconsistent emotional states that interfere with an individual’s ability to function. The most popular treatment methods recommended for those struggling with mood disorders are psychotherapy and medication, although new, evidence-based therapies are becoming more readily available.
One of these new and modern approaches is art therapy.
Art therapy is a treatment modality that encourages creative expression to enhance mental health or treat psychological disorders. Similar to music therapy or expressive writing, art therapy offers a unique experience that relies solely on the creative process to foster healing and self-expression.
One of the most frustrating parts of psychotherapy treatment for those experiencing emotional difficulties is that they are encouraged to verbalize their feelings, even if they don’t have the words to do so. Art therapy, or the appreciation of art, can help people explore those emotions in a way other than words, which can seem intimidating or overwhelming.
Art therapy may utilize several creative approaches, such as:
In sessions, clients are encouraged to express themselves or their emotions through one of these approaches. As clients create their art, they analyze what they are making and how their art piece makes them feel. As they explore their art, clients can connect bigger themes to their artwork that can help them understand their own emotions and thought processes.
Several factors make art therapy an effective treatment modality for depression, alongside many other mental health conditions. Art therapy may provide incredible benefits, such as:
Art therapy sessions can take place anywhere at any time. Many addiction and mental health treatment centers offer art therapy, but several wellness centers or art studios may offer it as well. You may also seek art therapy opportunities within your community.
If art therapy sounds like something that you or a loved one may benefit from, here are some tips that may help:
Art therapy is a transformative intervention that helps individuals express their thoughts and feelings using creativity. Art therapy relies heavily on the use of expression without using words — although it encourages exploration of feelings and thoughts during the process of creating and analyzing art. Art therapy can help treat depression because it allows people to explore a side of themselves that they may not have explored before. Art can help boost emotion, reduce harmful thought patterns, and foster a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence. Bella Monte Recovery Center believes in the power of art therapy in the treatment of many conditions, including depression. We also believe that love is extraordinary in the healing process, which is why our treatment center promotes compassion. If you or somebody you love needs help, get help today. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact Bella Monte Recovery Center today by calling (800) 974-1938.
Dependent personality disorder (DPD) can impact your relationships, self-image, and ability to set important boundaries. Unfortunately, having DPD can impact your own ability to heal and negatively affect a loved one’s ability to heal. This article explains DPD and its role in enabling addiction, how it’s a form of addiction on its own, and how it can influence addiction treatment and recovery.
Dependent personality disorder is defined as a mental condition where a person relies entirely on others to meet their physical and emotional needs even though they may be able to take care of themselves. The exact cause of DPD is unknown, but the disorder often begins as a result of childhood or adolescent trauma that leads to the person developing a fear of abandonment. A psychiatrist usually won’t diagnose a person with DPD until they are an adult, as symptoms relating to care and dependence are contingent on the person’s age, and whether or not the level of dependency is age appropriate. Symptoms of DPD include:
It is not uncommon for personality disorders to co-occur with addiction. DPD isn’t an exception. There are many factors in DPD that contribute to the development of substance use disorder (SUD). How and why a person started using substances might depend on the person’s specific experience, but symptoms of DPD can influence decision-making and a person’s ability to get help on their own. Factors that might contribute to a person with DPD developing an addiction can include an inability to set boundaries, lack of personal identity, direct influence from their support system, and inability to advocate for themselves.
Those with DPD tend to have a hard time saying no. This can become dangerous, especially when it comes to substance use. If someone they care about also uses substances, they are more likely to give into the pressure to use substances, even if they are uncomfortable or want to stop. They might struggle to set boundaries with a partner they know also struggles with substance use, and then consequently enable their addiction. An inability to set boundaries can also lead to exposing themselves to mistreatment and abuse. This can impact a person’s mental health, leading them to self-medicate as a way to cope.
Those who rely solely on their partner most likely believe they don’t need to develop the skills needed to be independent. Important life skills, such as cooking for themselves, practicing physical fitness, and self-care, can help a person be responsible for their own well-being as well as help them progress in life. A person relying on others might feel stuck or dissatisfied. They might rely on substance use to cope with any underlying feelings of helplessness that they might blame on themselves and their perceived inability.
It’s harder to help someone be their own person and take care of themselves if they believe they don’t have the ability to do it. DPD can complicate the success of a person’s treatment because of how much they rely on others. They don’t believe that they are able to be their own person and make their own decisions. They think they need others in order to function. This becomes a problem in treatment because addiction treatment and recovery require a person to become their own advocate. During treatment, they might have the complete support of the staff, but outside of treatment, they’re reliant on themself and their ability to take care of themself.
A person with DPD might appear as if they are passing the requirements of treatment with flying colors on the surface, but underneath they may only be agreeing and complying with treatment expectations because of disorder symptoms, and not because they are actually improving and getting better. While the consequences of this might not be obvious during treatment, it can become complicated when the person leaves treatment. During recovery, they might resort back to their old ways. If they haven’t learned how to be independent, they still fear abandonment, or they avoid disagreements, it will be difficult for them to commit to their recovery and develop the personal resiliency required to live a sober life.
In a way, those with dependent personality disorder have an addiction to relationships. They tie their entire worth into who is caring for and supporting them. This develops a toxic situation that makes it hard for a person to get better. In order to be successful in treatment, you need to be your own advocate. Support systems are important in addiction treatment and recovery, but they can’t be something that you rely on completely. When a person is diagnosed with DPD, they need to unlearn these behaviors. With the help of talk therapy and learning independence, a person with DPD can become their own advocate and source of support. At Bella Monte, we focus on treating every factor of the person, including underlying mental health. If you would like to learn more about how personality disorders impact addiction, call us today at (800) 974-1938.
