Woman lying curled up in bed with eyes closed, appearing emotionally and physically drained, symbolizing the fatigue and dependency associated with long-term benzodiazepine use.

Acknowledging the Harms of Recurrent Benzodiazepine Use

Articles, Benzodiazepine, Drug Addiction / By 12 South Recovery

While the spotlight is often placed on the use and abuse of opioids, concerns regarding benzodiazepine use must also be brought to attention. Benzodiazepines create feelings of calmness and are often prescribed to treat short-term insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. Although benzodiazepines are intended for short-term use, many individuals may find themselves engaging in benzodiazepine misuse […]

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Person standing at a painted forward-pointing arrow on a road, symbolizing the journey and direction of navigating a dual diagnosis in recovery.

How Can One Successfully Navigate a Dual Diagnosis?

Articles, Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, Mental Health / By 12 South Recovery

It is quite common for individuals to face great confusion after receiving a dual diagnosis from a mental health professional. An individual may first start by questioning whether the onset of their substance abuse was due to their mental health condition. On the other hand, they may wonder if their mental illness was encouraged by

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Young woman standing in a kitchen, eating from a bowl and appearing contemplative, symbolizing the emotional complexities tied to eating disorders and substance use.

The Connection Between Substance Use Disorder and Eating Disorders

Articles, Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, Mental Health / By 12 South Recovery

Substance use disorder (SUD) and eating disorders often seem like two separate struggles. One centers around drugs or alcohol. The other focuses on food, weight, or body image. But, research and clinical experience show that these two conditions are deeply connected—often overlapping in ways that complicate diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. At 12 South Recovery, we

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Confident person wearing rainbow-striped clothing and yellow sunglasses standing against a rainbow mural, symbolizing LGBTQIA+ pride and self-expression.

How Can LGBTQIA+ Individuals Cope With Social Anxiety Related to Their Identity?

Articles, Anxiety, Mental Health / By 12 South Recovery

Many LGBTQIA+ individuals struggle with their identity. One reason for this struggle is that they often can’t share their truths with people due to fears of judgment and safety concerns. It is common for individuals who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community to experience intense feelings of social anxiety when meeting new people because they

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Black and white image of a woman holding a broken mirror fragment that reflects part of her face, symbolizing identity fragmentation and dissociation.

The Causes of Dissociative Symptoms

Articles, Mental Health / By 12 South Recovery

Mental health disorders – including substance use disorder (SUD) – can cause various physical and mental symptoms. Some symptoms are caused by substance abuse or chemical imbalances in the brain, while others manifest in an attempt to address the underlying trauma. While often left under-discussed, dissociative symptoms often result from the latter and can be

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Beach essentials like a backpack, swim fins, and camera gear laid out in the sand, symbolizing escape and avoidance, metaphorically reflecting the misuse of alcohol to mute intrusive thoughts.

Why Shouldn’t Alcohol Be Used for Muting Intrusive Thoughts Associated With OCD?

Articles, Mental Health, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / By 12 South Recovery

When an individual is living with untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), their intrusive thoughts and compulsive routines and rituals can be quite troubling. To deal with those symptoms, many individuals self-medicate by drinking alcohol daily. While this reaction can be understandable, alcohol may not be the best way to address these symptoms. Choosing addiction and mental

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close up of barista holding a hot latte in a mug with a foam design

What Is a Gateway Drug?

Articles, Drug Addiction / By 12 South Recovery

To prevent family members and other loved ones from developing substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction, it helps to become educated about the risk factors for substance abuse. While there are many reasons why people choose to use drugs, it is imperative to understand that once a person is exposed to the chemical effects of

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Assorted white wooden numbers scattered on a bright blue background, with 1, 2, and 3 neatly arranged—symbolizing steps or structured therapy like ERP for managing OCD.

How Can Exposure and Response Prevention Help One Manage Their OCD?

Articles, Mental Health, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / By 12 South Recovery

It can be difficult to manage the effects of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) without professional treatment. Many different areas in one’s life can be negatively impacted by OCD. Aspects of one’s life that can be impacted include the workplace, academic life, and relationships with family and friends. Fortunately, 12 South Recovery can provide professional support for

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a mother and son sitting on a couch during a therapy session at 12 South Recovery

Using a Family Program to Develop Healthy Communication Skills

Articles, Family / By 12 South Recovery

Substance use disorder (SUD) is often considered a “family disease” due to the ripple effects that one person’s substance use has on the rest of the family. One of the most challenging effects of addiction on the family is broken communication. This broken communication is caused by dishonesty, distrust, and misunderstandings that originate from the

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How Can Someone With Bipolar Disorder Move Forward From an Alcohol Relapse?

Alcohol, Alcohol Addiction, Articles, Bipolar / By 12 South Recovery

Living with untreated alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be difficult. It can be especially difficult when a person consumes alcoholic beverages to deal with the troubling symptoms of bipolar disorder. When a person drinks alcohol to deal with bipolar symptoms like mood swings and impulsivity, intoxication can feel like a warm and calming hug. It

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