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Behavioral Health Newsletter

December 2014

In This Issue

Why Experiences Make Better Gifts

What to get? What to get? Where do you turn for ideas? Try science. Research has shown that life experience, more than things, provides the most enduring pleasure. A weekend trip to Cabo packs more of a punch than a big screen TV. Tickets to the latest Who farewell concert or Broadway revival trump the new smartphone. But a new study conducted in collaboration by Cornell University, UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco reveals that waiting for those experiences makes us happy too. So experience is, literally, the gift that keeps on giving.

Read More by Dr. Jason Powers on Huffington Post

9 Tips for Reducing Holiday Havoc

As soon as Halloween candy and costumes disappear from stores, they're replaced by red, green, and gold displays heralding the coming of Christmas (and, at equal-opportunity retailers, blue and white for Hanukkah and black, green, and red for Kwanzaa). These decorations often evoke one of two feelings: child-like excitement or stomach-twisting dread. If you're in recovery, being around people whose "holiday spirits" come in a bottle or can is daunting. A little planning ahead for parties where you'll be tempted to indulge can go a long way.

Read More

DUI: A Sign of Addiction?

If you have ever been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) you quickly learned the legal and financial consequences, but you may have been left wondering what the DUI means for your personal well-being. Did you make a one-time mistake, or could a DUI be a sign of a bigger problem?

Read More by Dr. David Sack on PsychCentral

Navigating the Holidays in Recovery

Addiction recovery doesn't need to be a hindrance on celebrating this time of year. Experiment with coping strategies and pay attention to potential triggers until you find out what works best for you. There's a good chance you'll discover that you can have more fun sober than you ever did using drugs or alcohol.

Read More

What's the Link Between Depression and Teen Substance Use?

Statistically speaking, teens who consume drugs or alcohol have elevated odds of developing symptoms of major depression. Roughly 24 percent of American teenagers consume alcohol and 17 percent consume an illicit/illegal drug in the average month; marijuana consumption accounts for the clear majority of this drug use. A personality tendency called negative urgency largely helps explain why teens affected by depression are often substance users.

Read More

Do Prevention Programs Affect Prescription Drug Abuse?

Researchers examined the rates of prescription medication abuse across America and looked for underlying reasons that could explain why some states have substantially declining rates while others have steady or even increasing rates. These researchers concluded that key factors in achieving significant reductions include extensive state-level prevention programs as well as supplemental efforts that support these programs.

Read More

We hope you find the articles and tips helpful. We are always open to your suggestions. If you have a topic you would like to learn more about, please let us know!

Upcoming Events

Wholehearted Living for Professionals: An Introduction to The Daring Way™

Where: Saddle Brook, New Jersey
When: 1/16/15

You will leave with an understanding of what Brené Brown's The Daring Way™ training process entails, a basic overview of topics covered in the curriculum, and new tools and language around concepts of shame and vulnerability to assist in your work with clients.

Visit ebhevents.com for more information and to register.

Group Psychotherapy as Transformational Experience: The Invisible Garment

Where: Irvine, California
When: 1/24/15

This program will explore possibilities for introducing Connie Kaplan's work in The Invisible Garment as a theme and ongoing self-exploration in the therapy groups you already lead or the groups you plan to lead. You will receive the book and an individualized workbook.

Visit ebhevents.com for more information and to register.

Contact Us

Elements Behavioral Health • 5000 E. Spring Street, Ste 650 • Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 741-6470 • Email Us

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