Stress Management Strategies For Youth In Recovery Facing Peer Pressure
Stress often spikes in early recovery because your body and mind adjust to life without substances. School makes it harder, since friends may joke about drinking, offer rides to parties, or pressure you to “fit in.” Social events can feel tense, especially if people ask personal questions. Fear of rejection can trigger racing thoughts and …
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The Connection Between Unaddressed Trauma And Substance Use In Adolescents
Be honest – when you hear the word ”adolescence,” the first things that pop to your mind are hormones, drama, and boundary-pushing. To some extent, that’s true. After all, teens are figuring themselves out, testing limits, stumbling a little. Yet, what looks like typical teen behavior can sometimes be painful. Or rather, trauma that never …
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Peer Influence Versus Healthy Boundaries In Adolescence
Adolescence can be pretty tough. Anyone who’s been through it – or has also had a chance to witness someone go through it – knows exactly what’s up. The body changes while the social compass spins like a cheap weathervane. Friends become mirrors. Suddenly, everyone’s measuring themselves in reflections. You think you know yourself, then …
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Identifying Early Warning Signs of Teen Relapse
Relapse in teens means returning to harmful habits after progress in recovery. It often shows up as small but noticeable changes before a complete return to old patterns. Parents and caregivers need to stay alert because missed signs can lead to severe setbacks. Early warning signs of teen relapse often appear in emotional shifts, behavior …
Setting the Year for Success
by Katie Harlow, LCSW Now that summer is officially over, many parents find themselves settling into the structure and dependability of the school year while also being unsure of how to help kids continue to transition smoothly back to the school year routine. Kids also experience a mix of emotions and can be caught in …
How to Create Meaningful Moments
By Mikal Mihelish, SWLC As the back-to-school routines begin, we can often get lost in the chaos of it all. Getting back in the swing of things and adapting to the new school year routine can be hard on everyone in the family. Parents and caregivers often find that it is hard to find balance …
Occupational Therapy for Your Child’s Success
By Amber Irvin, CPS As parents, we want the best for our children—whether it’s academic success, strong friendships, or the ability to navigate everyday life confidently and independently. But for many children, developmental, emotional, or physical challenges can make everyday activities more difficult. This is where occupational therapy (OT) can make a profound difference. Occupational …
You Got Your Kid a Smart Phone/iPad, Now What?
By Emily Cherkin, M.Ed. I get it. One day your kids are little, they go to bed at a reasonable time, and you feel like you can manage and monitor their screen use. Then, suddenly, they are fifth graders, being invited to join group chats that are not only unwieldy but 99% asking “whose number …
The Dangers of Feel Free
By Staff There is a product available at many gas stations, convenience stores, liquor stores, and online. It is called Feel Free. It is touted as an alternative to alcohol, but it has kava and/or kratom in it which has been found to be addictive. Kratom is a plant that carries opioid-like effects and is …