• Contact Now Schedule an Appointment

    Sapphire Blue is OPEN during these times of uncertainty. We are seeing clients via Telehealth. Please let us know how we can help!

  • Sapphire Blue Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC

    My WordPress Blog

    • Home
    • About
    • Services Provided
      • Depression
      • Consulting
      • Individual Therapy
      • Clinical Supervision
      • Continuing Education
    • Getting Started
      • FAQs
      • Rates and Insurance
      • Appointment Request
    • Resources
      • Recent News
      • Mental Health Links
      • Physical Health Links
      • Privacy Policy
      • Hot Topics!
    • Contact
    • Blog

    Four Reasons to Try Alternative Treatments for Addiction

    by Ryan Randolph

    December 23, 2019

    An alternative treatment is a therapy that may not have as much research supporting its effectiveness as traditional addiction treatment. Often referred to as Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CAM), these alternative therapies are used as a complement to your traditional treatment plan and can increase the effectiveness of your treatment by helping you to cope […]

    Read More

    Four Reasons to Try Alternative Treatments for Addiction

    by Ryan Randolph

    An alternative treatment is a therapy that may not have as much research supporting its effectiveness as traditional addiction treatment. Often referred to as Complementary and Alternative Therapies (CAM), these alternative therapies are used as a complement to your traditional treatment plan and can increase the effectiveness of your treatment by helping you to cope with withdrawal symptoms, stress/emotional issues, or even a lack of spiritual grounding.

    The idea is to work toward the best version of yourself, and this often requires the use of more than one tool. There are many such options when you’re in recovery such as hypnosis, meditation, acupuncture and crystal healing. For your best chance of a successful recovery, you should pursue treatments with a strong evidence of their effectiveness.

    However, there are times that alternative treatments might be worth trying:

    When Conventional Treatments Aren’t Working

    Doctors generally don’t prescribe alternative therapies. This is often due to lack of evidence behind them and also because there may be legal implications should any harm come to you as a result of that recommendation. Some doctors are more responsive to alternative treatments and will go through your options with you, but this is usually when a number of conventional approaches have already failed. If you haven’t seen much benefit from mainstream treatments, then you might want to try alternatives. It is important to note that you should continue with your standard therapies and use alternative approaches as a complement to them, not a replacement.

    When You’re Treating a Symptom

    In 2016, researchers published a review of alternative treatments for addiction in the journal Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies. The results did not show promise for alternative treatments, however, that does not necessarily mean they are useless. Some alternative treatments are effective in treating the symptoms people experience in recovery. For example, mindful meditation can produce moderate reductions in many types of psychological distress. Stress can interfere with how well treatments work for you, so it may be useful to do mindfulness meditation at home while still attending your normal one-on-one and group therapy sessions.

    Where There Is Some Evidence of Effectiveness

    For some alternative treatments, the evidence is growing but not yet complete — these are good options to pursue because they offer the best chance of success. Of these, exercise is perhaps the best choice. A review of the evidence published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews found that exercise can have a healing effect on the same areas of the brain that become damaged through substance use. You can maximize the effect by combining exercise with a healthy diet — remember to stay hydrated, increase your intake of healthy proteins and eat more vegetables.

    Some people in recovery have difficulty keeping up with a fitness routine, but one way to stay persistent is to work out with a partner. Working out with a friend can boost motivation and accountability. Others find that workouts are more enjoyable and rewarding when you can measure progress. Today’s fitness trackers and smartwatches can track everything from calories burned to how many steps you take. New models like the Apple Watch Series 4 can measure heart rate and track swimming workouts, and you can even accept calls and messages. A model like the Fitbit Charge 3 has a sharp display and long battery life, and it can track your workouts. 

    If There is a Low Risk of Side Effects

    If a complementary treatment option has a low risk-profile in terms of side effects, it might be worth trying — assuming that you can afford it, of course. Some treatments carry very little risk, such as massage, reflexology, hypnosis, relaxation exercises, meditation, biofeedback, and acupuncture. If you’d like to give meditation a try, there are some helpful apps like Headspace and 10% Happier.

    Others treatments have higher potential risks. Herbal products can produce side effects themselves or may interfere with other medications you are taking; acupuncture can cause lightheadedness or fainting in people afraid of needles, and certain types of body manipulation or deep massage can cause mechanical issues in the body. Exercise also carries some risks, but is considered safe if you follow a program recommended by your doctor.

    Today, there are a number of evidence-based treatments for substance abuse disorders, but a study in 2012 found that only one in 10 people ever try them. If you are in recovery and not happy with your treatment, talk to your doctor about the different evidence-based therapies you could try. Once you are established on a treatment program, you can then talk to your doctor about complementary treatments to try on the side.

    Photo: Pixabay

    Filed Under: Uncategorized

    How Focusing on Your Faith Can Help with Depression & Anxiety

    February 18, 2019

    It has long been believed that having faith is key to getting through some of life’s greatest challenges. A spiritual practice can often give people the strength and confidence to push through obstacles and make positive changes. But can faith have a positive effect on depression and anxiety? According to new research, it can. Your […]

    Read More

    How Focusing on Your Faith Can Help with Depression & Anxiety

    It has long been believed that having faith is key to getting through some of life’s greatest challenges. A spiritual practice can often give people the strength and confidence to push through obstacles and make positive changes.

    But can faith have a positive effect on depression and anxiety? According to new research, it can.

    Your Brain on Spirituality

    According to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, meditation or any other form of regular spiritual practice (such as prayer or religious contemplation) has been linked to a thickening of the brain cortex. The study, which was the first to investigate whether there is any physical evidence in the brain linked to the protective effects of faith against depression, looked at 103 adults at either high or low risk of depression, based on family history.

    At the end of the study, magnetic resonance was used to view participants’ brains, and the images clearly showed thicker cortices in those participants who placed a high importance on religion or spirituality than those who did not.

    But even more significant was the fact that the thicker cortex was found in exactly the same regions of the brain that had shown thinning in people with a high risk for depression.

    3 Ways Faith Can Help You Fight Depression and Anxiety

    Every individual requires unique treatment methods to combat their symptoms of depression. While cognitive behavioral therapy and prescription medications work well for many people, many others may be helped by embracing a spiritual practice.

    If you are suffering with depression, here are three reasons why you may want to focus more on your faith:

    1. Faith Offers Hope

    A belief in a loving power greater than ourselves can help us feel hopeful, even in our darkest hours. Faith turns wishful thinking into great expectations. And when we start to expect goodness in our lives, we naturally feel hopeful for our future.

    2. Your Behaviors Evolve

    Whether it’s through praying, meditating, or attending some sort of spiritual service or gathering, faith-filled people tend to experience positive changes in their attitudes and behaviors. Where once you may have had a knee-jerk emotional reaction to a situation, you might now be able to center yourself instead and face situations with calmness and clarity.

    3. Your Perception Changes

    Faith has a way of helping us see ourselves and our lives differently. Problems turn into opportunities, enemies into friends, and impossibilities into possibilities.

     

    While it may take some time before you feel relief from your depression or anxiety, by embracing faith, you will be better able to cope with the symptoms.

    If you or a loved one are suffering from depression or anxiety and would also like to explore treatment options, please reach out. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

     

    SOURCES

    https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-the-questions/201603/4-powerful-ways-spirituality-can-ease-anxiety-and-depression

    https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/07/31/for-many-with-severe-mental-illness-spirituality-plays-role-in-well-being/137462.html

    https://psychcentral.com/news/2014/01/19/how-spirituality-protects-the-brain-against-depression/64698.html

    https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/1792140

    Filed Under: Depression

    Don’t Get Mad, Get Involved: Helping Your Child with Class Behavioral Issues

    February 11, 2019

    No parent likes hearing that their child is acting out in class. At first, most of us want to blame ourselves and figure out what we’ve done wrong. When we come up empty, we tend to put the blame on our child, and sometimes we even get angry. The truth is, parents do the best […]

    Read More

    Don’t Get Mad, Get Involved: Helping Your Child with Class Behavioral Issues

    No parent likes hearing that their child is acting out in class. At first, most of us want to blame ourselves and figure out what we’ve done wrong. When we come up empty, we tend to put the blame on our child, and sometimes we even get angry.

    The truth is, parents do the best they can and so do their children. There are a myriad of reasons why children act out at school.

    Big Changes

    A divorce, move to a new city, or death in the family are big life events that are hard on everyone. This is particularly true for young children who do not know how to express their feelings and have not yet developed coping mechanisms.

    Sleep Issues

    Has something happened to interrupt your child’s sleep patterns? Are they not getting their naps? Are they waking up frequently during the night from noisy neighbors or growing pains? Even adults act out when we don’t get proper sleep.

    Self-Esteem Issues

    Children develop self-esteem issues for different reasons, but one of the ramifications is changes in mood that can lead to disruptive behavior.

    These are some of the reasons why your child may be acting out in school. But now the questions becomes, what can you do about it as their parent?

    Talk to Your Child

    First, see if you can pinpoint the cause. If it’s not something already listed, do some digging. Take your child to the doctor. Is their hearing and sight okay? Do they have any GI trouble? Are they being picked on? Are they getting enough exercise? Talk openly with your child and ask them what is going on.

    Set Boundaries

    If your child has never had any problems acting out in the past, they may not be clear on what is and is NOT acceptable behavior. Make it clear what you expect from that at home as well as school.

    Seek Counseling

    You may be able to identify and solve the issue yourself. For example, if your child was frustrated from their poor eyesight, a trip to the eye doctor may quickly solve your problems. However, if the behavioral issue stems from a big life change or poor self-esteem, you may need the assistance of a trained behavioral therapist.

    If you have a child who is acting out in school and are interested in exploring treatment options, please be in touch. I would be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

     

    Sources:

    https://blogs.psychcentral.com/childhood-behavioral/2018/07/8-reasons-why-your-child-might-be-having-prolonged-behavior-issues-that-arent-concerning/

    https://blogs.psychcentral.com/parenting-tips/2012/07/7-hints-for-setting-boundaries-with-your-kids/

    https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/children-medication.aspx

    Filed Under: Anger, Teens/Children



    (503) 726-5216 info@sapphirebluesolutions.com

    5285 Meadows Rd, Suite 170
    Lake Oswego, OR 97035

    Contact Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    5285 Meadows Rd, Suite 170 | Lake Oswego, OR 97035
    Office: (503) 726-5216 | Fax: (503) 726-5218
    info@sapphirebluesolutions.com

    1535 N Pacific Hwy | Woodburn, OR 97305
    Office: (503) 980-9444 | Fax: (971) 983-5535 info@sapphirebluesolutions.com
     

    Sapphire Blue Behavioral Health Solutions, LLC
    info@sapphirebluesolutions.com | (503) 726-5216

    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Brooklyn on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in