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Xanax builds up the production of neurotransmitters called GABA, thus calming nerve impulses that lead to anxiety and panic attacks. Some experience mild side effects, while some feel severe adverse effects. Patients may experience fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety, dizziness, difficulty speaking, memory loss, irritability, loss of balance and coordination, and irregular menstruation. 

While getting outside is important, having indoor hobbies is also instrumental. Establishing indoor hobbies during more active months can enshrine these practices for when the seasons change. Creating an art studio, getting a movie collection together, starting a journal or crafting space, and much more can all be incredibly beneficial for addressing the effects of SAD while prioritizing one's mental health. 

Being arrested and convicted of a DUI is a truly life-changing experience, and knowing what step to take next can be difficult. Not only does a DUI come packaged with intense financial costs, but it also affects one's personal life in others ways. DUIs can carry many stigmas from family members, friends, and peers. However, while such a mistake is undoubtedly costly, there are ways to recollect one's life following a DUI charge, and knowing how to navigate its costs and continue pursuing one's personal goals is instrumental in rebuilding one's life in sobriety. 

Addiction affects each individual differently, and no two journeys through recovery will be the same. Not only can one's experiences with substance use disorder (SUD) differ due to the various substances one is exposed to, but even those engaging with the same substance can have vastly different experiences. As a result, addiction takes many forms.  Simply counting the number of drinks or how often one engages with drugs may not truly reflect one's relationship with these destructive substances. Instead, it can be more impactful to understand the ways SUD or alcohol use disorder (AUD) affect each other aspect of one's life. 

Depression is a complex mental health disorder. Despite its ubiquity, with 21 million adults experiencing at least one episode of major depressive disorder in 2020 alone, each individual will have their own experiences with depression. Knowing its many sources and potential adverse effects is crucial for creating an effective plan for coping with depression, both for oneself with the help of trained professionals. 

The word trauma is used a lot, but what does it mean regarding mental health, self-medicating, and addiction? Learn more here.

The workplace can be an intense source of stress. An individual may face professional stresses, unfair expectations, or difficult peers in the workplace that all affect one's mental health and use of addictive substances. Setting boundaries with workplace peers is crucial for managing one's mental health and sobriety and for separating this stressful part of one's life from one's interests, hobbies, and personal life. For those challenging and maintaining their sobriety, setting effective boundaries with workplace peers can mitigate some of these stresses while continuing to prioritize one's sober efforts and focus. 

One of the most challenging steps in the recovery process is coming to terms with your need for treatment. But once you are ready for treatment, you are faced with another challenge of choosing a treatment program. You may consider Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) because of its popularity. But does Alcoholics Anonymous actually work? Finding out the effectiveness of AA can help you determine if attending this program is right for you.

There is nothing easy about overcoming substance use disorder (SUD), and those battling the effects of drug and alcohol addiction and its consequences face many challenges. Professional treatment and recovery programs are filled with necessary changes, and navigating these changes while managing symptoms of withdrawal is difficult. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one option available to help alleviate some of these symptoms during one's recovery journey, and their advantages and effectiveness can be instrumental in navigating one's complex needs and goals in treatment. 

Receiving a DUI may feel like the end of the world, but it doesn't have to. Through proper mental and physical preparation, you can learn how to appropriately manage any stress you feel before your court date. Discovering your needs and learning how to prepare for a DUI court hearing will make this experience as manageable as possible.