choice house blog

Most people do not equate mental health checkups with physical health checkups. The mind and body are connected and function best when you look after your overall well-being. Still, you might neglect your mental health needs and your physical health needs because you are not comfortable seeing your family physician. While routine physical examinations can…

Seeking therapy is not always easy. Men especially have a difficult time opening up to a therapist because of the stigma and stereotypes placed around men seeking help. Men could also become hesitant because therapy is a very personal experience that involves disclosing information about yourself and emotions that you might not even share with…

Loneliness can occur in anybody’s life at any given time, including men. However, loneliness in men often derives from how they develop, maintain their social skills, and fulfill their social needs. While men might not nourish their social needs the same way as women, that does not mean that they do not long for friendship…

Standing up to addiction requires more effort when your spouse is at your side. What if your spouse uses substances, too? Once you have become sober but your spouse is not ready to give up substances, you might wonder if you can succeed in recovery. Ideally, everyone in your network should be supportive of your…

Childhood trauma is defined as events that occur in childhood that were dangerous, life-threatening, or scary. Following such life-altering events, a child develops emotional responses—like fear, shock, or denial—that are not easily forgotten, consequently shaping the way they develop throughout adolescence and into adulthood. These developments can create mental challenges that prevent them from healthily…

Using substances to change your mood, handle stress, or deal with painful emotions is a common coping mechanism among men. Sometimes, you might not be aware that you are using substances to cope and, therefore, develop a severe addiction. When this occurs, you risk developing other mental and substance use disorders that can create lasting…

The holiday season can bring about experiences that create extra stress and anxiety. The stress and anxiety of attending holiday events and seeing people you don’t necessarily want to see could set you on a path to feeling depressed and tempted to use substances. You might also experience thoughts of grief because there are friends…

Women and men both experience depression; however, depression will be different for both. Therefore, when depression occurs in men, it may be masked by unhealthy coping behaviors. Further, many cases of depression in men go undiagnosed for various reasons, including stigma, lack of knowledge, and lack of awareness. If your depression goes undiagnosed, it can…

Working on and completing household projects play an essential role in your recovery journey. By performing certain duties and obligations on your living space, you build structure and confidence within that is necessary to face challenges that threaten substance use. They not only better the home, but they also prepare you for other challenges and…