Great Oaks Recovery Center Blog

Everywhere you look, there’s an invitation to feel festive this time of year. But for many people—especially those in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD), those living with dual diagnosis disorders, or anyone handling complicated family relationships—the...

These often occur together, creating a complicated and challenging health issue for people affected. Often categorized as a dual diagnosis, each condition influences the other, and understanding this connection is key to developing effective treatment strategies. When someone with bipolar disorder also...

Recovery—whether from a substance use disorder, a mental health condition, or both—is often described as a journey. Some days bring light, others feel heavy. While therapy, medication, and support systems are essential, there’s another simple yet powerful tool that research increasingly highlights:...

Addiction recovery isn’t a single event—it’s a lifelong process of healing, learning, and adapting. Much like managing a chronic health condition such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or asthma, recovery requires regular attention and occasional adjustments to treatment and lifestyle. Even after completing...

Despite decades of research and evolving medical understanding, the stigma surrounding addiction remains deeply rooted in society. People living with alcohol use disorder (AUD), substance use disorder (SUD), or co-occurring mental health challenges often carry not just the weight of their illness,...

In a world full of noise, journaling offers a rare kind of quiet. It’s just you, a blank page, and whatever thoughts are waiting to spill out. Whether it’s a notebook beside your bed or a notes app on your phone, journaling...

Anxiety is a universal human emotion—something everyone experiences from time to time. Whether it's nervousness before a big presentation or the worry we feel when a loved one is sick, anxiety can be a normal and even helpful response to stress.  However,...

Depressive disorder is more than just occasional sadness or a rough week—it’s a serious mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and behave. Mental Health America reports that more than 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from major depression,...

An important aspect of a successful daily recovery practice is using techniques that support your mental and physical wellness. Some people love to exercise first thing in the morning. Others only scroll social media channels once per day. Still others pay close...

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., particularly among youth and young adults. Though recent data shows a decline in suicidal ideation—from nearly 13% in 2021 to 10% in 2024—and in attempts among teens—from 3.6% to 2.7%—suicide tragically still...