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Some Assembly Required

Musings on addiction, recovery, mindfulness, and chronic pain

Addiction
My Personal Recovery Story

Dan Mager MSW on September 23, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Recovery provides a pathway to heal from the damage of active addiction and achieve mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual balance.

A Personal Perspective: Recovery provides a pathway to heal from the damage of active addiction and achieve mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual balance.

Social Media
What Exactly Is Doomscrolling and How Does It Affect Us?

Dan Mager MSW on August 19, 2024

Doomscrolling is linked with negative changes in how we view other people and our overall sense of safety and life, making us more anxious, stressed out, and distrustful.

Doomscrolling is linked with negative changes in how we view other people and our overall sense of safety and life, making us more anxious, stressed out, and distrustful.

Forest Bathing
How Forest Bathing Reduces Stress and Facilitates Healing

Dan Mager MSW on July 29, 2024

While the understanding that being in nature can be beneficial is relatively ancient wisdom, research began documenting its specific health benefits only in the last two decades.

While the understanding that being in nature can be beneficial is relatively ancient wisdom, research began documenting its specific health benefits only in the last two decades.

Addiction
Problematic Substance Use Is on the Rise Among Seniors

Dan Mager MSW on June 28, 2024

We tend to overlook concerns about substance use in older people. Still, the reality is that anyone, at any age, can develop a substance use disorder.

We tend to overlook concerns about substance use in older people. Still, the reality is that anyone, at any age, can develop a substance use disorder.

CBD
CBD Products Don't Relieve Chronic Pain After All

Dan Mager MSW on April 17, 2024

New research indicates that CDB does not have the pain-relieving properties it promotes, and those who suffer with chronic pain are well advised to use CBD cautiously, if at all.

New research indicates that CDB does not have the pain-relieving properties it promotes, and those who suffer with chronic pain are well advised to use CBD cautiously, if at all.

Sleep
Sleep and Mental Health: 8 Findings and 7 Recommendations

Dan Mager MSW on March 27, 2024

Sleep is essential to mental health and well-being. The relationship between the amount and quality of sleep a person gets and their mental-emotional health is reciprocal.

Sleep is essential to mental health and well-being. The relationship between the amount and quality of sleep a person gets and their mental-emotional health is reciprocal.

Chronic Pain
Drinking to Ease Chronic Pain Ultimately Makes It Worse

Dan Mager MSW on February 25, 2024

The link between alcohol consumption and chronic pain is complex. What starts out as a partial solution often becomes part of the problem and can even make chronic pain worse.

The link between alcohol consumption and chronic pain is complex. What starts out as a partial solution often becomes part of the problem and can even make chronic pain worse.

Adolescence
Volunteering Benefits the Health and Wellness of Kids and Teens

Dan Mager MSW on January 16, 2024

For the first time, recent large-scale research assessed the connection between volunteering and the health and well-being of children and adolescents across the United States.

For the first time, recent large-scale research assessed the connection between volunteering and the health and well-being of children and adolescents across the United States.

Addiction
12 Tips to Maintain Your Recovery During the Holidays

Dan Mager MSW on December 8, 2023

Getting through the holidays while maintaining recovery, especially for people newer to this life-changing process, is an accomplishment worthy of celebration in its own right.

Getting through the holidays while maintaining recovery, especially for people newer to this life-changing process, is an accomplishment worthy of celebration in its own right.

Anger
How Anger Keeps Us From Thinking Clearly and What You Can Do

Dan Mager MSW on November 17, 2023

Even when we don’t demonstrate intense anger outwardly, we can still experience internal effects that make it extremely difficult to respond skillfully when we get angry.

Even when we don’t demonstrate intense anger outwardly, we can still experience internal effects that make it extremely difficult to respond skillfully when we get angry.

Addiction
Vaccines for Fentanyl and Heroin Set for Trials in 2024

Dan Mager MSW on October 17, 2023

A safe, effective vaccine won’t end opioid overdose deaths. However, it could help save lives, and all resources that help protect life and safety have great meaning and value.

A safe, effective vaccine won’t end opioid overdose deaths. However, it could help save lives, and all resources that help protect life and safety have great meaning and value.

Addiction
What Does Recovery Mean?

Dan Mager MSW on September 18, 2023

Recovery is a process of transformation that necessitates changing our relationships to thoughts and emotions, as well as how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to the world.

Recovery is a process of transformation that necessitates changing our relationships to thoughts and emotions, as well as how we relate to ourselves, to others, and to the world.

Gaslighting
What Exactly Is Gaslighting, and Why Do People Do It?

Dan Mager MSW on August 7, 2023

In spite of increasing attention in the media and prominence in armchair psychological circles, scientific research on gaslighting is relatively scant. A new study changes that.

In spite of increasing attention in the media and prominence in armchair psychological circles, scientific research on gaslighting is relatively scant. A new study changes that.

Forgiveness
The Mental Health Benefits of Forgiveness

Dan Mager MSW on July 10, 2023

To forgive is easier said than done, but new research may increase motivation to engage in this process—by demonstrating that forgiveness improves mental health and well-being.

To forgive is easier said than done, but new research may increase motivation to engage in this process—by demonstrating that forgiveness improves mental health and well-being.

Chronic Pain
Exercise Can Improve Quality of Life With Chronic Pain

Dan Mager MSW on June 5, 2023

This appears to be a direct correlation between more exercise and a better ability to handle pain—the higher a person’s total activity levels, the greater their pain tolerance.

This appears to be a direct correlation between more exercise and a better ability to handle pain—the higher a person’s total activity levels, the greater their pain tolerance.

Anxiety
Believe It or Not, You Can Overdose on Weed

Dan Mager MSW on May 5, 2023

Even veteran cannabis users can experience anxiety, panic, and/or paranoia, with some reporting the sudden onset of these and other adverse effects.

Even veteran cannabis users can experience anxiety, panic, and/or paranoia, with some reporting the sudden onset of these and other adverse effects.

Alcoholism
The Troubling Truth About Drinking in Moderation

Dan Mager MSW on April 19, 2023

Alcohol is the most used recreational drug, and unfortunately, for those who enjoy drinking for relaxation and recreation, this is unwelcome news.

Alcohol is the most used recreational drug, and unfortunately, for those who enjoy drinking for relaxation and recreation, this is unwelcome news.

Attention
Treat Your Attention Like the Precious Resource It Is

Dan Mager MSW on March 29, 2023

As the primary currency of the human condition, our well-being necessitates that we allocate our precious attention with intention and care, giving it to things that truly matter.

As the primary currency of the human condition, our well-being necessitates that we allocate our precious attention with intention and care, giving it to things that truly matter.