Recovery Compass

New Hampshire's Hub for Mental Health and Substance Use Support

Category: Blog

  • Dual Diagnosis: Unveiling the Obvious Link Between Mental Health and Addiction

    Dual Diagnosis: Unveiling the Obvious Link Between Mental Health and Addiction

    Dual diagnosis, the coexistence of a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder, is a pervasive phenomenon. Far from being a rare exception, dual diagnosis is the norm rather than the outlier among those struggling with addiction. This post aims to shed light on the undeniable link between mental health and substance abuse, emphasizing…

  • Understanding Anhedonia in Early Recovery

    Understanding Anhedonia in Early Recovery

    Relapse in early recovery from substance abuse can be triggered by an extensive array of factors—social pressures, environmental cues, emotional distress, and unresolved past traumas, to name a few. Among these, anhedonia stands out as a particularly overlooked trigger to relapse. Anhedonia in early recovery, characterized by the loss of pleasure in previously enjoyable activities,…

  • Your Mindset Matters

    Your Mindset Matters

    I have seen “Mindset” as a popular topic in self-help communities for quite some time and it is true, your mindset matters! How you THINK about any topic or category will play a significant role in how you will experience it on a psychological and physical level. Mindsets, to put simply, are core assumptions that…

  • Understanding Attachment: Its Role and Importance in Educational Curriculums for Treatment

    Understanding Attachment: Its Role and Importance in Educational Curriculums for Treatment

    Attachment theory, initially developed by psychologist John Bowlby, is a fundamental part of psychological research and practice. It explains how the bonds formed between children and their caregivers can influence emotional and social development throughout an individual’s life. This theory has been expanded and refined over the decades, underscoring its relevance not just in childhood…

  • Beyond Pleasure: The True Roles of Dopamine in Motivation and Reinforcement

    Beyond Pleasure: The True Roles of Dopamine in Motivation and Reinforcement

    Dopamine, often dubbed the “reward chemical” of the brain, is frequently misunderstood. While it’s commonly associated with pleasure, its role in the human body is far more complex, encompassing motivation, reinforcement, and the drive behind our actions. This broader understanding is particularly important in the context of recovery from substance use disorders, where simplifying dopamine…

  • A Guide to Getting Your Teeth Fixed with NH Medicaid

    A Guide to Getting Your Teeth Fixed with NH Medicaid

    Maintaining good dental health is crucial for your overall well-being. Ignoring oral health can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, respiratory issues, diabetes, and more. For those of you in New Hampshire with Medicaid, it’s important to know that you have access to essential dental services which include everything from preventive care to…

  • Feeding the Brain: A Metabolic Approach to Mental Health Treatment

    Feeding the Brain: A Metabolic Approach to Mental Health Treatment

    Dr. Chris Palmer, a Harvard psychiatrist, is leading the charge in exploring the fascinating connection between diet, metabolism, and mental well-being. His innovative approach focuses on how the food we eat can play a crucial role in managing conditions like anxiety, depression, and even severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia.

  • How Exercise Transforms the Path to Recovery

    How Exercise Transforms the Path to Recovery

    Many professionals now recognize the profound impact of exercise on mental and physical health during healing from any mental health struggles. Integrating structured physical exercise into rehabilitation programs is not just about improving fitness but also about leveraging exercise to support comprehensive healing.

  • The Impact of Sleep on Mental and Physical Health: Insights from Sleep Scientist Matthew Walker

    The Impact of Sleep on Mental and Physical Health: Insights from Sleep Scientist Matthew Walker

    Sleep is arguably the most important pillar of mental and physical health, yet its significance is often overlooked in our fast-paced, modern world. As renowned sleep expert Matthew Walker emphasizes, sleep’s importance cannot be overstated when it comes to our overall well-being. Let’s delve into the science behind sleep, its impact on various aspects of…