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    3881 Ten Oaks Rd, Ste 2A | Glenelg, MD 21737
    jpiffath.lcpc@gmail.com | (443) 520-1005

  • Jim Piffath

    Counseling for Individuals, Couples & Families

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    When is it Time for an Intervention?

    October 27, 2022

    Watching a loved-one self-destruct and feeling helpless to stop them can feel devastating, particularly when that person is in complete denial about their unhealthy life patterns. While you may feel hopeless, there is something you can do to try and help your loved one get the help they need to change their life. What is […]

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    When is it Time for an Intervention?

    October 27, 2022

    Watching a loved-one self-destruct and feeling helpless to stop them can feel devastating, particularly when that person is in complete denial about their unhealthy life patterns. While you may feel hopeless, there is something you can do to try and help your loved one get the help they need to change their life.

    What is an Intervention?

    An intervention is a carefully and thoughtfully planned meeting where friends, loved ones, and sometimes colleagues or other community members who care about the person struggling with addiction, come together to confront the person and ask them to accept treatment.

    Interventions are led by professional interventionists, who specially trained mental health professionals. An interventionist provides guidance to loved ones and facilitates open communication among the group.

    When is it Time for an Intervention?

    It’s not easy to recognize when it’s time to confront your loved one. And planning an intervention can feel stressful. What if your loved one gets angry and refuses to participate? What if they retaliate by upping their bad behavior?

    While there is no set rule on the best time to have an intervention, usually those closest to the person struggling with addiction simply know it is time. This knowing could be because of a recent DUI. It may be because their loved one is close to losing their job, their spouse and kids, their home. It may be because their health is rapidly deteriorating.

    In my experience, the best time to plan an intervention is the sooner rather than later. Often, waiting until your loved one hits rock bottom to voice your concerns can be too late.

    If you and your family believe you would like to hold an intervention for a loved one and need some guidance and support, please reach out to me.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.associationofinterventionspecialists.org/learn-about-intervention/

    https://www.seabrook.org/blog/when-is-it-time-for-an-intervention/

    https://www.allaboutinterventions.com/what-is-an-intervention/

    Filed Under: Addiction, intervention

    What is a Dual Diagnosis?

    July 1, 2022

    There are times when a person is diagnosed with a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety. Other times, someone might be diagnosed as having a substance abuse issue. When someone has both a mental health issue and a substance abuse issue, we call it a dual diagnosis. How Does Dual Diagnosis Develop? Often, […]

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    What is a Dual Diagnosis?

    July 1, 2022

    There are times when a person is diagnosed with a mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety. Other times, someone might be diagnosed as having a substance abuse issue. When someone has both a mental health issue and a substance abuse issue, we call it a dual diagnosis.

    How Does Dual Diagnosis Develop?

    Often, addictive behaviors are a result of someone trying to cope with their mental health issues. In fact, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, roughly 53% of individuals with drug addiction and 35% with an addiction to alcohol

    meet the requirements for a mental health diagnosis. These numbers tell the story of the strong correlation between mental health and addiction. 

    The following are some of the mental health issues that often occur alongside addiction:

    • Schizophrenia
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Posttraumatic stress (PTSD)
    • Eating Disorders

    It’s important to note that while these mental health issues are often associated with substance abuse, they do not always present alongside drug and alcohol addiction.

    Treatment for Dual Diagnosis

    Dual diagnosis cases are very complex in nature and require different treatment styles. Typically speaking, there are four types of treatment:

    Partial Treatment

    This model refers to treating the primary mental health issue alone, but not the concurring substance abuse concerns.

    Sequential Treatment

    This approach treats the mental health issue first, then addresses the addiction after.

    Parallel Treatment 

    This treatment focuses on addressing both the mental health concern and addiction at the same time, though separately and using different care providers.

    Integrated Treatment

    As the name suggests, this model has the individual receiving mental health and addiction treatment concurrently, under a unified and robust treatment program. This program can be in an outpatient setting or in a rehab facility.

    It can be very difficult for the person struggling with a substance abuse issue and mental health issue, or their family members, to determine the best course of treatment. It is recommended that you initially work with a licensed therapist who can accurately diagnose you and recommend the right course of treatment.

    If you’d like to speak with someone, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I can help your journey back to health and well-being.

    SOURCES:

    • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/dual-diagnosis
    • https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/dual-diagnosis/
    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-anatomy-addiction/201110/what-is-dual-diagnosis

    Filed Under: Addiction, mental health

    Drug Abuse in Men: Reasons, Signs, and Treatment

    June 13, 2022

    While both men and women suffer from drug addiction, the reality is that men tend to suffer at a rate much higher than women. The result is in this country, we are seeing an epidemic of men with drug addictions. Why are the Numbers So High? To really understand the impact of addiction on men, […]

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    Drug Abuse in Men: Reasons, Signs, and Treatment

    June 13, 2022

    While both men and women suffer from drug addiction, the reality is that men tend to suffer at a rate much higher than women. The result is in this country, we are seeing an epidemic of men with drug addictions.

    Why are the Numbers So High?

    To really understand the impact of addiction on men, it’s important to look at the statistics. Data put out by the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Administration reported that roughly 67% of all substance abuse admissions in the United States are male. It should also be noted that these numbers hold up, regardless of age, sexual preference, or ethnic group.

    But why are these numbers so disproportionately high? One explanation might be that men naturally partake in riskier behaviors. Men tend to be the ones that drive fast, scale buildings, and experiment with illicit drugs.

    Men also will turn to drugs to self-medicate their depression and anxiety. While men and women both suffer from depression and anxiety, men don’t typically seek help from a counselor. There is a sense in many men to reach out for help is an act of weakness. And so they go it alone, using alcohol and other drugs to soothe their pain.

    Signs of Drug Addiction

    Now that we understand a bit more about why drug addiction is a bigger issue for men, let’s take a look at some of the most common signs:

    • Drinking or using drugs on a daily basis.
    • Drinking or using drugs alone.
    • Hiding their drug use.
    • One or more DUI.
    • Sudden problems at work or with friend/family relationships.
    • Spending time with new people who seem to be a bad influence.
    • Sudden weight loss or gain.
    • Losing interest in hobbies and other activities.

    If someone you love is showing one or more of these signs, it may be time to intervene and speak to them about a treatment plan.

    Treatment for Drug Addiction

    Rehabilitation for drug addiction is a complex thing. Our loved one will not only have to detox his body to remove every trace of the drug; he’ll also have to commit to therapy to understand the psychological and behavioral reasons behind the drug addiction.

    Therapy can be done one-on-one or in a group setting. And of course, he will need to join a support group such as AA to make sure he stays on track.

    If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction and would like to explore treatment options, please be in touch with me. My goal is to help you navigate the healing process so you can live a happy and fulfilling life.

     

    SOURCES:

    • https://vertavahealth.com/blog/drug-abuse-men/
    • https://americanaddictioncenters.org/lgbtqiapk-addiction/gay
    • https://sunrisehouse.com/addiction-demographics/men/

    Filed Under: Addiction, Men's Issues

    Is Social Media Bad for Your Mental Health?

    February 25, 2020

    Have you been feeling a bit low lately, but you can’t quite put your finger on why? It may have something to do with your social media habits. According to a recent study, social media use can increase depression and loneliness. For years people have suspected that social media use might have an ability to […]

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    Is Social Media Bad for Your Mental Health?

    February 25, 2020

    Have you been feeling a bit low lately, but you can’t quite put your finger on why? It may have something to do with your social media habits. According to a recent study, social media use can increase depression and loneliness.

    For years people have suspected that social media use might have an ability to negatively impact our mental well-being. After all, it’s hard not to feel inadequate or jealous when looking at photos of people whose lives seem so much more perfect than ours. But now research is actually making a definitive link between spending time on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and a sense of loneliness and isolation.

    It May be Time for a Social Media Detox

    I encourage my clients to take a social media detox every now and then to gain a more positive sense of reality. They often report back to me that the detox offered some amazing and unexpected benefits such as:

    Improved Self-Esteem

    When you take a break from comparing yourself to other people, you can start to look at how great you and your own life really are.

    New Interests and Hobbies

    When you spend less time trying to get that social approval in the form of ‘likes’, ‘retweets’, and ‘upvotes’, you suddenly find you have a lot of time on your hands for other things.

    Improves Your Mood

    Trading in online friendships for real face-to-face ones makes us feel more grounded and connected to people. This can drastically improve our mood and sense of well-being.

    Better Sleep 

    Many people are on their mobile phone in bed, checking their social media accounts. The blue light from these devices disrupts our sleep pattern. When we put these devices away, we inevitably sleep better.

    Able to Enjoy the Moment More

    I am a big proponent of daily mindfulness. By being present in our lives, we feel an increased sense of peace and joy. That’s priceless.

    So how do you perform a social media detox?

    Follow these 4 steps:

    1. Temporarily deactivate your accounts. Don’t worry, you can reactivate them again in the future should you choose.
    2. Remove all Social Media Apps and notification pathways from your devices.
    3. Use a web filtering tool to block social media sites. (Why tempt yourself?)
    4. Be prepared for some withdrawal symptoms and have other activities ready to replace the void.

    If you follow these steps and take a break from social media, chances are you will find you feel a whole lot better!

    Filed Under: Addiction, Adolescents/Teens, Depression

    6 Ways that Alcohol Makes Depression Worse

    October 29, 2019

    A great many alcoholics are also suffering from major depression. Because alcohol can feed our brain’s serotonin receptors, it can make someone feel good for a short amount of time. But eventually the person crashes and feels even worse than they did before. And this vicious cycle continues and is, unfortunately, very hard to break […]

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    6 Ways that Alcohol Makes Depression Worse

    October 29, 2019

    A great many alcoholics are also suffering from major depression. Because alcohol can feed our brain’s serotonin receptors, it can make someone feel good for a short amount of time. But eventually the person crashes and feels even worse than they did before.

    And this vicious cycle continues and is, unfortunately, very hard to break without asking for professional help.

    The Chicken or the Egg Theory

    Both alcoholism and depression are psychiatric illnesses that cause distress and impair a person’s ability to function. It is not surprising at all that these two diseases are linked, but which tends to come first?

    Researchers have found that alcoholism doubled a person’s risk of developing depression. In fact, the analysis indicated that alcoholism was more likely to cause or worsen depression than depression was likely to cause or worsen alcohol use/misuse.

    6 Ways That Alcohol Can Worsen Depression

    1. Alcoholism can eventually lead to isolation, which exacerbates depression. Humans are social creatures and we can become very depressed when left alone for too long.
    2. Alcoholism also leads to poor economic outcomes, as is common with the loss of a job. Chronic financial stress can cause or worsen depression symptoms.
    3. Alcoholism can trigger health crises that can lead to or worsen depression. Fatty liver disease, heart disease and diabetes are just a few of the chronic illnesses linked with alcohol abuse.
    4. Alcohol can cause brain or metabolic changes that can lead to depression. For instance, alcohol can mess with a person’s endocrine system and the resulting hormonal imbalance can worsen their depression symptoms.
    5. Alcohol is a depressant. While it can make you feel “happier” initially, it eventually worsens the depression.
    6. Alcohol impairs judgement and increases impulsivity. This can lead to poor behavior and negative consequences that lead to or worsen feelings of depression.

    The bottom line is alcohol abuse and depression are a dangerous combination. And unfortunately, this combination can be self-reinforcing and incredibly hard to break. Anyone who is feeling depressed and has a tendency to abuse alcohol should speak with a therapist to get their symptoms under control. A therapist will be able to offer coping strategies as well as refer you to a local addictive treatment center.

    If you or a loved one are interested in exploring cognitive behavioral treatment, please be in touch with me. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

    Filed Under: Addiction, Depression



    3881 Ten Oaks Rd, Ste 2A
    Glenelg, MD 21737

    (443) 520-1005
    jpiffath.lcpc@gmail.com

    Convenient to Glenelg, Columbia,
    Ellicott City, & Western Howard County

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    Jim Piffath, LCPC
    jpiffath.lcpc@gmail.com | (443) 520-1005

    Counseling services in Glenelg, Columbia,
    Ellicott City, and Western Howard County

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