How to Heal From Sexual Trauma

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact in their lifetime. These numbers likely underestimate the problem, as many cases of sexual assault are never reported. Read More

Claudia Black’s “Undaunted Hope” Shares Stories of Inspiration

Dr. Claudia Black’s new book Undaunted Hope is not just filled with stories of addiction and recovery; it’s brimming with tales of lives made new, of trauma understood and uprooted, and of the personal transformation that can come from asking for help and receiving it Read More

What to Do When You Feel the Urge to Self-Harm and Relapse

It’s possible to plan ahead to decrease the chances of relapse after you leave treatment. Therapist and author Lisa Ferentz, speaking at The Meadows’ recent conference on trauma and addiction, discussed this challenging part of treatment — and offered a realistic and proactive process that helps patients avoid relapse. Read More

The Triggering Effect: How to Manage Yours

If you’re in recovery from addiction, you know it takes much more than just willpower to prevent relapse. Recovery is a lifelong journey of learning and discovery about yourself that requires deep healing, as well as an arsenal of coping mechanisms to get you through the daily struggles of sobriety. Read More

NPR Story on Camp for Kids Impacted by Addiction Highlights Dr. Claudia Black’s Work

The reach of Meadows Behavioral Healthcare staff and Senior Fellows like Dr. Claudia Black extends far beyond our own treatment programs. Its impact is felt as our experts’ teaching, books, and ongoing work spread a message of hope and healing across the country and around the globe. A recent episode… Read More

What Parents and Caregivers Should Know About Program Aftercare

“Aftercare” is a general term for activities and other resources that behavioral health and addiction treatment patients receive after being discharged from a primary care facility. Aftercare answers the question of “Now what?” once your child has completed a behavioral health program. This aftercare can help keep patients on… Read More

Holiday Wish

Don’t worry about making any one person the answer Let recovery be the answer Don’t worry about finding that good mother Let the rooms embrace you Don’t worry about the “God thing” Let the peace of the program grow inside you one day at a time Don’t even worry about… Read More

Becoming Fearless with the Help of Al-Anon

By the Mother of a Past Claudia Black Young Adult Center Patient As my daughter does her recovery work from drug and alcohol addiction and anxiety, I too work my recovery through Al-Anon. I won’t go into details of how my daughter and I both came to this point because I’m guessing many of you are already familiar with the scenario— failing grades, arrests, court appearances, isolation, detachment, and on and on. Read More

Kid Cudi, Shame, and Depression

Hip-hop artist and actor Kid Cudi announced yesterday that he is currently receiving treatment for depression and suicidal thoughts. In a Facebook post he said, “It’s been difficult for me to find the words to what I’m about to share with you because I feel ashamed…” Read More

The Real Impact of Rape Culture and Sexual Trauma

When bystanders pulled Stanford University swimmer and Olympic hopeful Brock Turner away from the woman he was sexually assaulting behind a fraternity house dumpster, he laughed. When the judge in the resulting sexual assault trial handed down a sentence much more lenient than the recommended six years of jail time, citing the “severe impact” he feared a harsher sentence may have on the 20-year-old, many felt that he might as well have laughed. Read More