Elevation Behavioral Health

    By Steven Booth, Founder at Elevation Behavioral Health It can be safely stated that this pandemic has not been kind to people in addiction recovery. For those folks who also have a co-occurring mental health condition, called a dual diagnosis, the past six months have been especially brutal. Increases in anxiety and depression have placed an additional burden on individuals in recovery, which has unfortunately resulted in relapse for many. Some may not recognize the signs of an impending relapse sneaking up on them until it is too late. Warning signs of a potential relapse include: Neglecting sobriety support system. When someone begins to avoid connecting with their recovery support community, such as their sponsor or their 12-step group, it can be a warning sign for relapse. Isolating behaviors. Individuals in recovery who begin to avoid social events or just communicating with friends and family members may be veering towards a relapse. Forgoing healthy habits. Negle...

At a time when there’s an app for this and an app for that, it comes as no surprise that there is now an explosion of mental health apps available. At first glance, this might appear to be a positive, one more way that technology can streamline our lives. But when it comes to our mental health, leaning on an online app may not only be ineffective, but could also present some significant downsides. Some may argue that the availability of a mobile mental health app is beneficial for the individual who lives in a region where mental health services are difficult to locate. It could be beneficial speaking with a mental health professional online given the circumstances we are living today due to the pandemic. Additionally, a mental health app may be a tool that someone could use who may otherwise never seek psychiatric treatment. While these points have some merit, the next question should be, “What exactly is the individual actually  receiving through the app?” If a m...