Indian Addiction and Recovery Blog

Understanding Salvia: Effects and Risks

Akansha Sahay

January 16, 2025

Imagine a plant that has the power to take you on a journey beyond reality, altering your perception, emotions, and even your sense of self—all within a matter of minutes. This is the world of Salvia divinorum, a psychoactive herb that has captured attention globally for its intense and often unpredictable effects. While Salvia has a long history of ceremonial…

Do You Have a Drinking Problem? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Akansha Sahay

January 8, 2025

Have you ever wondered if your drinking habits might be a cause for concern? In India, alcohol consumption has been steadily rising, with studies showing a 38% increase in per capita alcohol intake over the past decade. While social drinking is common and often culturally accepted, it can sometimes spiral into unhealthy patterns that are hard to recognise until they…

Why is our attention span shrinking?

Akansha Sahay

January 7, 2025

In today’s fast-paced digital world, it feels harder than ever to stay focused. With the rise of short-form content like TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, and quick headlines vying for our attention, many of us are left wondering: Is our attention span shrinking? Some studies suggest that the average attention span is now shorter than that of a goldfish—an alarming claim…

Recognizing Personal Triggers and High-Risk Situations

Akansha Sahay

January 3, 2025

In addiction recovery, recognising personal triggers and high-risk situations is essential for maintaining long-term sobriety. Personal triggers are internal or external factors that evoke cravings or emotional responses tied to past substance use. These can range from stressful emotions to specific environments, people, or sensory cues that reignite the desire to use. On the other hand, high-risk situations are events…

Understanding Relapse: Causes and Myths

Akansha Sahay

December 19, 2024

The Reality of Relapse in Recovery Relapse is often misunderstood and heavily stigmatised. Many people see it as a sign of failure, but in reality, it’s a common part of the recovery journey. Whether you’re navigating recovery yourself or supporting someone else, understanding relapse—its causes, myths, and prevention strategies—can make a significant difference in fostering long-term success. Recovery is not…

Building a Relapse Prevention Plan: Key Components for Success

Akansha Sahay

Maintaining sobriety is a lifelong commitment, and a relapse prevention plan is one of the most effective tools to support this journey. It serves as a personalised roadmap, offering structure and guidance to help you navigate the inevitable challenges of recovery. With a clear plan in place, you’re better equipped to identify and manage triggers, reduce the risk of relapse,…

Navigating Mental Health Treatment Options: Detox to Residential Care Explained

Akansha Sahay

December 9, 2024

Navigating the world of mental health treatment options can feel overwhelming, especially when you or a loved one is seeking help. It's important to know that treatment isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it varies in intensity and structure, ranging from detox programs to residential care. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the spectrum of mental health recovery programs, breaking…

How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Can Help You Live a Value-Driven Life

Akansha Sahay

December 6, 2024

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps you live a value-driven life by focusing on psychological flexibility. Unlike traditional therapies that aim to eliminate negative thoughts and feelings, ACT encourages you to accept them as part of being human. This acceptance helps you commit to actions that align with your core values, enabling a more…

The Role of Family Therapy in Healing Conflicts and Trauma

Akansha Sahay

November 18, 2024

Family therapy is a form of counselling that focuses on helping families work through their problems together. It’s not just about addressing one person’s struggles—it’s about exploring how the dynamics within your family influence everyone’s mental and emotional well-being. When communication breaks down, or unresolved issues lead to conflict, family therapy provides a safe space to rebuild trust and understanding.…

EMDR Therapy: How Eye Movements Help Process Trauma

Akansha Sahay

November 11, 2024

What is EMDR Therapy? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy is a unique, evidence-based approach to treating trauma and distressing memories. Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR is designed to help you process traumatic experiences that may feel "stuck" in your mind, affecting your thoughts, emotions, and daily life. The purpose of EMDR therapy is…

Highlights from the Bangalore University Conference on Mental Health in the Workplace

Akansha Sahay

Introduction The International Conference on Mental Health in the Workplace, held on September 26th and 27th, 2024, at Bangalore University, brought together global experts to tackle one of today’s most pressing challenges: fostering mental well-being in professional environments. Hosted by the Department of Psychology and the Centre for Psychological Counselling at Bangalore University, the event was aligned with the World…

How Neurofeedback Helps Rewire the Brain in Addiction Recovery

Akansha Sahay

November 4, 2024

Neurofeedback therapy is a non-invasive technique that monitors and trains your brainwave activity to improve mental and emotional well-being. It uses real-time feedback from EEG (electroencephalogram) technology to help you regulate brain function. By observing your brainwave patterns, a therapist can guide you in learning how to self-regulate those patterns. This technique has been especially effective in treating conditions like…

Designing Impactful Mental Health Workshops: Must-Have Topics and Engagement Techniques

Akansha Sahay

October 22, 2024

Mental health workshops have become an essential tool in today’s world, especially in workplaces where stress and mental health issues can have a significant impact on both individuals and organizations. You might already know the importance of mental well-being, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when planning a workshop that makes a real difference. The concept of…

Creating Safe Spaces: How Trauma-Informed Care Transforms Treatment

Akansha Sahay

October 14, 2024

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach that recognises how deeply trauma can affect a person’s well-being and aims to create an environment that promotes healing. You might not realise it, but trauma is more common than we often think. Research suggests that up to 70% of people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, whether it’s…

Is Couple Therapy Right for You? A Guide to Relationship Counseling

Akansha Sahay

Relationships can be one of the most fulfilling parts of life, but they can also be challenging at times. Every couple faces ups and downs, and it's perfectly normal to experience periods of tension or frustration. However, when problems persist and you feel stuck in patterns of conflict or disconnection, it can start to impact your emotional well-being and the…