Great Oaks Recovery Center Blog

Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous before a presentation or an important exam—it's a chronic and sometimes debilitating condition that affects the mind and body in deeply intertwined ways. According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 30% of people in the...

In May 2024, the Forbes Advisor released a report from Mental Health America that stated, “54.7% of adults with mental illness don't receive any treatment, and more than one in four—28.2%—don't receive adequate treatment.” Even more concerning: “more than half of Texas...

Each year, May serves as a powerful reminder that our mental health deserves the same care and attention we give to physical well-being. Mental Health Awareness Month, observed nationwide since 1949, is more than a campaign—it’s a lifeline. In 2025, the need...

Having a routine—whether it’s a structured schedule or simply a set of intentional habits—plays a major role in supporting your overall well-being. According to Northwestern Medicine, routines offer several important benefits: Improved physical health. Achieved through consistent habits such as regular exercise,...

We all want to feel better—emotionally, mentally, physically—but sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from the smallest shifts. A great book can be that nudge: a spark of insight that helps you reframe your thinking, take action, or simply feel seen. Whether you're...

The nicotine in both cigarettes and e-cigarettes plays a central role in making these habits so difficult to stop. As a stimulant and highly addictive substance, nicotine triggers your brain’s reward system, leading to short-term feelings of pleasure and relaxation, which reinforces...

Returning to the real world after treatment can be overwhelming as you transition from the structure of rehab into everyday life. While it’s only natural to feel uncertainty and fear, a foundation of continuing care offers essential, ongoing support to help you...

In recovery, a trigger is defined as “a stimulus that elicits a reaction”. This includes situations, emotions, or environments that prompt cravings or the urge to return to substance use. Triggers are a natural part of recovery, but they can be powerful,...

Some people find it difficult to learn new ways of thinking or accept change, while others seem to adapt easily to just about every situation. Is it possible to build upon what we know and how we usually think? Researchers believe that...

In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported: “Public safety sector workers including firefighters (structural and wildland), law enforcement officers, emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians, and corrections personnel are at a high risk of occupational exposure to traumatic events and...