Mental Wellness Matters Throwback

As we eagerly prepare for the launch of Season 3, we're thrilled to bring you a special bonus episode. Join your host, Antonio Matta, as we revisit some of the most impactful moments from our beloved episode "Mental Wellness Matters," enriched with extended research and insightful commentary.

In this reflective journey, we reconnect with our esteemed guests: Dr. Gabrielle Jones, Dr. Justin Jacques, and Allison Konovalova. These mental health experts delve into the intricate dance between mental wellness and substance use disorders, emphasizing the necessity of integrated treatment approaches. Their observations shed light on the bidirectional relationship between mental health challenges and addiction, a topic more relevant than ever in today's complex world.

Expect to uncover profound insights into how mental health plays a pivotal role in recovery, as our guests discuss self-help strategies, the power of community support, and innovative therapeutic techniques. With references to current research and real-life applications, this episode serves as a beacon of hope and guidance for those navigating the challenging waters of mental health and addiction.

Whether you're a returning listener or new to our community, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the transformative power of recovery. Be sure to tune in, subscribe, and share with those who may benefit from these valuable discussions. Together, let's continue to foster understanding and support for those on their mental wellness journey.

Support our mission by contributing to our GoFundMe campaign, and stay connected for more enlightening content as we countdown to Season 3. We are also looking for sponsorship for the new season. If you or you know someone (or an organization) interested in taking support of the show to another level, please get in touch with the host, Antonio, for more details on becoming a sponsor. 

SE03 Mental Wellness Matters Throwback Bonus Episode

Antonio: [00:00:00] Hello everyone. It's Antonio Matta here, your host from seasons one and two of the Recovery Dialogues and Sober Stories podcast. As we gear up for an exciting Season 3, I wanted to offer you some bonus content by revisiting one of our most impactful episodes, Mental Wellness Matters.

In this episode, we sat down with three remarkable guests, Dr. Gabrielle Jones, A licensed psychologist and founder of Steady Clinical Consultation, Training, and Development Services, an authority on mental health and substance use. Dr. Justin Jaques, who runs a private practice at the Human Theory Group, a highly respected mental health professional, passionate about helping people live their best lives.

Allison [00:01:00] Konovalova, an experienced psychologist with a thriving private practice at MindTalk Healing, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise. We delved into the significance of mental wellness and the importance of integrated treatment for dual diagnosis. Their insights were invaluable and I'm thrilled to revisit that conversation with you now.

Let's dive back in and explore how mental health plays a crucial role in recovery.

Dr. Justin Jaques: So going to therapy is really gonna help with that, right? And those character disorders or personality-related features often cause mental health concerns, which kind of domino effect into substance use-related concerns.

If you're wanting to maintain sobriety long-term, I think it's essential that you're treating your mental health.

Antonio: Miss Konovalova, how can mental health disorders be a consequence [00:02:00] of a substance use disorder?

Allison Konovalova: Mental health disorders can be a consequence of having a substance abuse disorder because a lot of times when people get caught up in addiction, they lose their support system.

Sometimes they lose their job or their home or their spouse or significant other. This can lead to A lot of anxiety or depression, and sometimes people overuse substances and then develop a mood disorder or something else, which can be a consequence, uh, of having an addiction.

Antonio: Can you explain what dual diagnosis means?

And what could make treatment for co-occurring conditions tricky or ineffectual?

Allison Konovalova: Dual diagnosis simply means that you have a mental health condition, and you have a substance use disorder. I would say the majority of rehab facilities do address both.

Antonio: Dr. Justin [00:03:00] Jaques and Ms. Allison Konovalova have discussed the bidirectional relationship between mental health disorders and substance use disorders, or SUDs, highlighting the need for integrated treatment approaches that address both mental health and substance use simultaneously.

Research supports this. Indicating that individuals with mental health disorders often resort to substance use as a form of self-medication. In fact, approximately 27. 7 percent of the U. S. general population experiences comorbidity between these disorders, according to the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.

This high prevalence highlights the necessity for integrated treatment approaches that addresses both mental health and substance use simultaneously. Ms. [00:04:00] Konovalova explained how substance use can lead to mental health disorders because many times when people get caught up in addiction, they lose their support system.

leading to anxiety or depression. Her insight reflects findings from the Drug and Alcohol Review, which states that substance use can exacerbate existing mental health issues, creating a vicious cycle that complicates Treatment and recovery efforts. Sometimes people overuse substances and then develop a mood disorder or something else.

Emphasizing how addiction can trigger new mental health challenges. Life stressors play a significant role in relationship between mental health and substance use disorders. Individuals struggling with addiction often lose their job or their home or their spouse or [00:05:00] significant other, which can lead to increased anxiety or depression.

This aligns with research from the International Journal of Applied Research and Social Sciences, indicating that the loss of support systems, employment, housing, and relationships due to addiction can indeed lead to the development or worsening of mental health conditions. Additionally, such losses can cause people to feel isolated and distressed.

Which may drive them to use substances as a coping mechanism. Dr. Jaques emphasized the importance of treating mental health to maintain long-term sobriety, highlighting the domino effect of substance abuse and overall well-being. The interplay between substance use and mental health is further complicated during challenging times, such as the [00:06:00] COVID 19 pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report underscored the importance of comprehensive recovery-oriented practices that address both substance use and mental health, particularly when external stressors are highlighted. Treating mental health is crucial for achieving and maintaining long term sobriety as therapy can help address character disorders or personality related features that may contribute to substance use.

Research from the Journal of Dual Diagnosis indicates that Integrated treatment approaches significantly enhance recovery outcomes compared to treating each disorder separately. Robust community support systems are also vital. The loss of support systems can exacerbate mental health issues and hinder [00:07:00] recovery.

Therefore, rebuilding relationships and providing social support can aid in both mental health improvement and recovery, and sustained sobriety. Continued care and monitoring are essential to address the chronic nature of these disorders, ensuring individuals receive ongoing support beyond initial treatment.

Dr. Jaques and Ms. Konovalova emphasis on the interconnectedness of mental health and substance use disorders aligns with findings in numerous studies, supporting the importance of integrated treatment approaches.

Dr. Justin Jaques: A lot of evidence to suggest that can really help with energy and mood, right? Maybe it's, uh, getting natural sunlight early in the morning.

Maybe it's doing hot, cold treatments, right? There's some really good evidence out there now that can help us with, uh, increasing [00:08:00] your dopamine and serotonin. Sleep hygiene. Sleep is so essential for mental health. And then as a result, recovery, right? And also social connection. Making sure that those folks, those patients are really connecting with others.

Other things that you can think about are like acupuncture and community-based sports. Other things that can really help bolster serotonin, dopamine, even things like rounding techniques, getting outside, being in nature, right? These little natural pathic ways can gradually help. increase dopamine and serotonin and overall mood as somebody's brain is healing, especially if they've been using substances at a really high level for a long period of time.

RAM 5: Dr. Jones, regardless of a person's diagnosis, what self-help strategies work well for people trying to maintain mental wellness?

Dr. Gabrielle Jones: This is a great question. I think there are several community [00:09:00] meetings. That are tremendously helpful to provide external support for people who are attempting recovery. A couple examples are Refuge Recovery, which is Buddhist-based.

We have Life Ring, which is secular, AA, Alcoholics Anonymous, and various forms of 12-step programs. Celebrate Recovery, which is Christian-based. But there are all types of community meetings that people can engage in for their recovery. There are also with technology being so advanced, there are so many apps that are out there for people to use.

Antonio: Dr. Justin Jaques emphasizes natural interventions that can enhance energy and mood, which are validated by existing research. Exposure to sunlight and temperature therapies can significantly improve mental health as morning [00:10:00] sunlight exposure. It's crucial for regulating circadian rhythms, which can elevate mood disorders like seizure affective disorder, or SAD, by increasing serotonin levels, thereby enhancing overall mental well-being.

Additionally, studies published in Medical Science Monitor Basic Research have found that hot and cold treatments, including hydrotherapy and cold immersion, are linked to the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, further contributing to mood enhancement. Sleep hygiene is essential for mental health recovery, with research showing a strong correlation between sleep quality and mental well-being.

Poor sleep can exacerbate mental health issues while Adequate sleep fosters neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. These [00:11:00] factors are essential for recovery from mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Social connections are vital for mental health as community support. And group therapies have proven effective in mitigating the effects of isolation and promoting recovery, engaging with others, promote emotional support, and improve coping strategies, which are essential for individuals recovering from mental health challenges.

Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, community-based sports, grounding techniques, getting outside, and being in nature can also help bolster serotonin and dopamine levels, enhancing mood and psychological well-being. Dr. Gabrielle Jones adds to the conversation by discussing self-help strategies, emphasizing the importance of community meetings and support networks.

[00:12:00] Engaging in group therapies and support meetings can help individuals feel less isolated and more understood, which is crucial for recovery. Technology, in addition to traditional therapy methods, can offer tools for mindfulness, mood tracking, and connecting with others, complementing traditional therapy methods.

Antonio: Ms. Konovalova, what advice do you have for those hesitant to seek professional help?

Allison Konovalova: For those hesitant to seek professional help, I would say it's so worth it. If you're miserable and you can't stop using and your level of functioning has significantly gone down to the point where you're about to lose your job or Your partner or your home, there are ways to get help.

Not everybody has to go to a long-term rehab. You can start with therapy. You can start with the free resources that I mentioned, like a refuge recovery [00:13:00] or doing therapy and working with a therapist to have some accountability, depending on where your addiction is on the spectrum of. How bad it can be.

Obviously, if you're really functioning in a poor way, then you need to go to a rehab and it's not the end of the world. And there are lots of good people who work in these industries and therapists and doctors who want to help you. And, I have seen absolutely tremendous recovery from people from one month to three months to six months who are living lives that they never could have dreamed of living while using.

And it's an absolutely incredible thing to see how powerful it can be and how different your life can be when you are free of addiction.

Antonio: Ms. Allison Konovalova offers heartfelt advice to individuals hesitant to seek professional help for addiction. She acknowledges the struggle and emphasizes the [00:14:00] importance of addressing barriers to seeking help, particularly the stigma surrounding mental health.

Research indicates that stigma significantly deters individuals from pursuing assistance and perceives social. Support negatively correlates with mental health stigma, impacting help seeking behavior. She reassures that professional help is accessible in various forms, such as therapy, free resources like AA or refuge recovery, and working with the therapist to have accountability community support groups.

Outpatient therapy and online resources can serve as effective initial steps for those hesitant to enter long term rehabilitation programs. Matching treatment intensity to addiction severity significantly improves outcomes, and offering alternatives to long term rehab lowers the barrier to addiction.

To start the recovery process, Ms. Konovalova also [00:15:00] emphasizes the supportive nature of professionals in the field, stating that there are many good people working in these industries and therapists and doctors who want to help. A strong therapeutic alliance formed between clients and professionals fosters motivation, encouragement, and treatment.

And better outcomes by highlighting the compassion and dedication of therapists and doctors, she helps reduce self-stigma that often predicts negative attitudes toward professional help seeking. She shares inspiring observations about recovery, stating that it can be transformative and lead to positive life changes.

This affirms that recovery is possible and that quality of life can significantly improve supporting the notion that multidisciplinary approaches in recovery are effective. Witnessing such changes reinforces the value of professional support and the [00:16:00] impact it can have on individual lives.

Dr. Gabrielle Jones: If they're just looking for a community to go hiking with other people who are in recovery, or they want to join a bicycle club and where they mountain bike.

So there are several different. Avenues to build community. And I think that's the most important thing is building community of individuals who are attempting to reach the same goal in life and in their recovery.

Antonio: How can family and friends support their loved ones whose mental or emotional health may be suffering as they recover?

What are signs that something needs further intervention?

Dr. Gabrielle Jones: It's always important to ask questions. Be explicit. When you know you have a family member or friend in recovery, it's also really valuable if you're intentional about where you invite them. So if you are going to lunch, maybe go somewhere that is not a bar and pub [00:17:00] or that doesn't highlight alcohol as one of their signature beverages.

So you may go to, or you'd be considerate of their dietary needs. People in recovery deserve the same consideration thinking about that when you invite them out.

Antonio: Dr. Gabrielle Jones. emphasizes the importance of community engagement and mental wellness and recovery, highlighting its role in social support and health outcomes.

She suggests that belonging to a community can significantly buffer stress and reduce the risk of relapse, while social support positively influences health outcomes and treatment compliance. Dr. Jones also emphasizes the need for active participation in communal endeavors such as sports, arts, and volunteer work to foster connections and enhance motivation and accountability.

She [00:18:00] advises family and friends to be Intentional about where they invite loved ones in recovery, choosing venues and activities that do not center around substances. Effective communication strategies are essential for expressing support without judgment, creating safe environments that minimize exposure to triggers and supporting the individual's recovery journey.

Dr. Jones's emphasis on being intentional and considerate reflects the need for mindful social inclusion practices, which can help reduce the risk of relapse and make the person in recovery feel respected and supported. This approach acknowledges that social interactions can either support or hinder mental wellness.

As noted in research from Frontiers in Psychology. Dr. Jones emphasizes the importance of being observant and asking [00:19:00] questions. As understanding emotional and behavioral indicators can prompt timely interventions by being attentive, loved ones can identify early warning signs of relapse and engage in discussions about intervention strategies To empower themselves to act when concerning changes are observed.

That just about does it for this throwback bonus episode. I hope you found it enlightening. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you, our devoted listeners. Your engagement and passion for the topics we cover mean the world to us. And continue to fuel our mission to bring valuable insights and support those navigating mental health challenges and recovery journeys.

If you found today's discussion as impactful as we did, we invite you to help us make Season 3 our best yet. We've launched a GoFundMe campaign, and you can find the link [00:20:00] in the episode description. Your contributions will help us produce even more high-quality episodes that delve into the heart of recovery and mental wellness.

Additionally, if you're interested in sponsoring the upcoming season, Please reach out to me directly, your support will enable us to expand our reach and impact providing more resources and fostering a compassionate community for providers and those affected by mental health conditions or addictions.

Stay tuned for more bonus episodes leading up to season three. Together we can continue this invaluable work, reach more people and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and I can't wait to bring you more inspiring content.