American teens living by the “no sex, dating and alcohol” mantra

September 20, 2017   0 Comments

Going out for a “drink with the boys” is no longer cool for American teens, neither is driving around town accompanied by dates. Instead, they are giving themselves time to grow up and consciously delaying activities which are considered typically “adult.” These are some of the findings of a new study published in the journal
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The power of self-affirmations to change behavior

March 7, 2016   0 Comments

Our personal identities are under constant threat, not from identity thieves but from the people we interact with every day. Humans have a constant need to feel as though they are good, moral and acceptable to others. Their self-critical nature can threaten their self-identities as much as other people can. Any perceived threat to personal
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Managing grief while in recovery

January 28, 2016   0 Comments

Grieving the loss of a loved one causes perhaps the most challenging range of emotions most people ever have to manage. For a person in recovery from behavioral disorders, it can be even more overwhelming, especially if the loss was sudden or unanticipated. Maintaining sobriety is a daily challenge; when complicated by losing a loved
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The buddy system: Helping peers maintain recovery with companionship

January 7, 2016   0 Comments

All around the world, educational facilities have instated “buddy systems” to help teach concepts of responsibility and provide support to younger generations. For example, schools in Victoria, Australia, pair students entering a new grade level with an older counterpart to establish a welcoming transition from the first day of class. These kinds of partnerships can
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Positive male role models in teen recovery

December 11, 2015   0 Comments

The dictionary defines a role model as “a person whose behavior, example or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people.” Ideally, parents are good role models for children who learn to adapt their responses to all things by imprinting upon their parents and learning by osmosis. In her book “The
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Understanding teen ODD and learning about treatment options

April 22, 2015   0 Comments

One of the more common disorders that may be treated at a boarding academy is oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). This occurs in children and teens who display negative and antisocial behavior. Those with ODD may also display hostility and problems with authority figures. Youth with ODD may be disobedient, perhaps for spiteful reasons. There will
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Building steam: 7 steps to raise a teen’s self-esteem

April 1, 2015   0 Comments

Adolescence is brutal. It is that phase of life which, upon looking back at it, one is happy to never revisit. For most young teens, it is a time of awkward clumsiness, acne and withering self-esteem. The transition from childhood to adolescence is often problematic, riddled with insecurity and uncertainty. Amidst a competitive peer landscape,
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Learn about overcoming OCD in ‘A Journey to Recovery’

February 13, 2015   0 Comments

Many have joked about having obsessive compulsive disorder. However, very few individuals understand the severity of the disorder and the toll it can take on a person’s life. While some joke about OCD because they want to keep their books organized a certain way, the reality is a person who is truly dealing with OCD
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Volunteering contributes to the healing process for those in recovery during the holidays

December 29, 2014   0 Comments

Volunteering is about giving your time and energy free of charge to accomplish a task that truly benefits others. It’s the time of year when most volunteering around the country and around the world is seen the most. Salvation Army bell ringers are outside stores raising funds for the less fortunate, holiday meals are served
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7 ways teens can rebuild trustworthiness after treatment

December 9, 2014   0 Comments

Families can be blindsided from the craziness inflicted by a teen that has been engaging in risky and destructive behaviors. No one is spared within the family unit. Whether the teen had been actively involved in substance abuse, risky and illegal behaviors, wrestling with a mental disorder or all of the above, the end result
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