Isolation is one of the most damaging psychological circumstances. It’s even more complex and hard to overcome for those who may have mental illness or a substance use disorder or both. The last few years have been ones of isolation due to COVID, and many people turned to drugs and alcohol to get them through. Prolonged use of certain psychoactive chemicals, like opioids and benzodiazepines, can cause changes in our pain tolerance, mood, and ability to function.
Even with effective vaccines and variants that haven’t proven as dangerous, the pandemic caused people to set up routines and patterns of thinking that won’t go away easily. For some people, they may never go away at all — at least not without mental health treatment. Fortunately, our team at Crestview Recovery in Oregon offers the tools you need to heal.
Recognize the Need to Get Help for Mental Illness in Oregon
If you feel depressed or anxious, it may be best to reach out to a professional for help. Don’t put off getting care. What’s more, you don’t have to wait. Our team even offers a telehealth intensive outpatient treatment program that may allow you to get the support you need immediately.
This type of help may help you to deal with mental illness in a positive manner. You can learn how to cope more effectively with treatment from our Oregon team. Let us help you with programs such as:
Individual Therapy Programs
Individual therapy programs are designed to help individuals who are struggling with emotional and psychological challenges. These programs provide a safe and supportive environment where people can work through their issues, learn new coping strategies, and begin to heal.
Group Therapy Programs
Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves meeting with a group of people to discuss common issues and learn about different approaches to recovery. This form of treatment can be very effective for people who are struggling with mental health issues, as it gives them an opportunity to share their experiences and connect with others who have similar struggles.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of therapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors in order to improve mental health. Generally speaking, individuals with depression and anxiety tend to have negative thoughts about themselves and their situations. CBT aims to change these negative thoughts by addressing them directly in sessions.
Trauma Therapy Programs
A trauma therapy program is a type of treatment that is designed to assist people who have suffered from a traumatic event or series of events in their lives. Trauma, which can happen as the result of an accident, natural disaster, violence, abuse, or other stressful situations, can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental and physical health.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program
A dual diagnosis program is a treatment plan that addresses both the mental health and substance use disorder issues of an individual with a co-occurring condition.
Why Is Isolation So Hard to Manage?
COVID-19 caused many people to be unable to embrace family and friends. At the height of the pandemic, you found it hard to connect with new people and build relationships. Even those relationships you have at work or with neighbors may have changed. There are many problems with isolation, such as:
- Increased risk for people with mental illness to struggle with symptoms
- Higher likelihood of illnesses going undetected or treated
- Substance use can increase
- Loneliness can lead to harmful thoughts and behaviors
- People may not get the support they need for life-threatening conditions
Humans are very social creatures. Most people feel the desire to be around other people, but it helps with processing thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Having someone to talk to and interact with can help a person to feel more capable of handling stress. You may be able to talk to someone about what’s bothering you. Just being able to hug a loved one can be healing for many.
In isolation, that’s not available. And as a result, it can lead to numerous mental illness concerns and the need for a mental health treatment program.
How Can You Hope with Isolation Like This?
Since we cannot be around other people due to the pandemic, it is very important for you to find the tools and resources you need to manage your needs. Consider these strategies that may help:
Video Chat: While it is not a substitute for being with a person nearby, video chatting is a good way to read emotions and see facial expressions. That may help to reduce some of the feelings of isolation you have.
Get Out Into Nature: Getting outside and taking in Vitamin D from the sun can make a big difference in your mental health. It can also help you to feel more connected to the world around you.
Find Social Media Groups to Join: Sometimes, mental illness brought on by isolation can be alleviated by having someone to talk to who understands your struggles. You may find this in social groups.
Make the Decision Now to Get Help – Call Crestview Recovery
When it comes to battling mental illness or substance use, our team at Crestview Recovery is here for you. There is no doubt that isolation is a very difficult process, and it can put you in a position to struggle with everything. Yet, there is help available to you when you feel at your worst. Our team at Crestview Recovery in Oregon offers treatment options to support you. Call us at 866.262.0531 or connect with us online now.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
