Shanti Recovery & Wellness

02/23/2026

We've legalized psilocybin therapy for about 6 years, but for the firs time ever the federal government has stepped in to study what's actually happening on the ground!

This is a very interesting development for all of us who have been watching this emerging therapeutic approach.

Read more about this new federal study here:

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https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2026/02/oregons-psilocybin-experiment-gets-its-first-federal-study.html

Researchers say there’s growing federal interest in understanding psilocybin's real-world effects.

02/20/2026

Why are depression rates so high in Portland?

Is it the weather?
The rain?
The lack of sunshine?

Yes, apparently Portland has the "third most depressing winter" in the country.

But, there's more to the story.

Check out our thoughts on why Portland has so many people struggling with depression and what our clinic is doing to bring hope to our fellow Oregonians, come rain or shine.

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https://shantipdx.com/why-are-the-rates-of-depression-and-addiction-so-high-in-portland-oregon/

  You hear it a lot these days. “Portland has changed!” “The city isn’t what it used to be.” “There’s so much crime and addiction now.” It’s pretty evident that the City of Roses has changed a bit over the last few years. It’s fairly uncontroversial to say that the houseless pop...

02/11/2026

Beginning treatment for substance use disorder is a huge step in becoming a healthier, happier version of yourself.

But how long will it take for treatment to actually "work?"

Our latest blog post sheds some light on what true progress in recovery actually looks like in real life AND how long it takes to get there! 🌱

Click the link below to read more:

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https://shantipdx.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-addiction-treatment-to-work-what-progress-in-recovery-really-looks-like/

Understanding addiction treatment progress in context means understanding what progress in recovery really looks like.

01/16/2026

For many of our ADHD patients - both adult and pediatric patients - learning how to work with stimulant medication can be a real journey.

This new finding linked below actually sheds some light on an important aspect of the "learning curve" that many people miss: stimulants don't magically help you "control your focus," they just make it easier for people with ADHD to focus - on anything.

It's very common to hear ADHD patients say something like:

"I can focus deeply on all sorts of things when I'm medicated - I just have to make sure it's actually the right things!"

As in, work, school, responsibilities - not organizing the sock drawer or falling down Wikipedia rabbit holes.

The enhanced focus can be tricky to control, especially when patients are new to the medication.

A lot of our ADHD patients will wait to take their medication until they've already begun whatever it is they want to do with their day. This way, they're less likely to veer off-course.

Patients with less structure in their lives often need to create more structure before they're able to reap the full benefits of their medication.

Medication is not a "magic cure" for ADHD symptoms. But it is an important tool in our toolbox for helping manage symptoms and improve patient's lives.

Want to learn more? Link below:

https://medicine.washu.edu/news/stimulant-adhd-medications-work-differently-than-thought/

A study from WashU Medicine shows for the first time that commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD do not act on the brain’s attention circuitry.

01/15/2026

😡 "Short temper?"
😡 "Snappy?"
😡 "Quick to anger?"
😡 "Short fuse?"

These phases all tell us one thing: ⚡⚡⚡ anger moves QUICKLY. ⚡⚡⚡

We all know that pausing BEFORE we react in anger is the answer.

But remembering to take that pause is so much easier said than done.

If you’re not in the habit of remembering to pause before you respond to a situation in anger, you're in good company. Like learning any other valuable skill, this one takes time to develop, too.

Anger isn't a "bad" or "negative" emotion - but it can be a destructive one if we don't manage it well.

Our latest blog post is all about the process of learning how to develop this skill - and how to keep your "anger management muscles" strong once you've developed them.

Click the link below to read more about our best hacks for working with anger:

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https://shantipdx.com/angry-5-hacks-for-anger-management-and-relationship-repair-in-recovery/

Recovery from addiction is a courageous process, and it often brings powerful emotions to the surface during the worst possible time. In recovery, and especially in early recovery, anger can feel especially confusing. You may be proud of your progress while also feeling irritated, resentful, or quic...

01/06/2026

The science is conclusive: recovery from addiction is always possible.

Believe it or not, "hope" isn’t just a nice, fluffy idea.

If you’ve struggled with addiction, or watched a loved one struggle, you know how powerless this disease can make you feel.

It’s easy to feel trapped. Many people who struggle with addiction say they feel that their brain is “broken” or that they, themselves, are in some way “permanently damaged.”

They're not. You're not. But addiction absolutely does FEEL like that.

The good news? The facts don't support that feeling whatsoever.

The feeling is real, sure. And it's based on decent evidence. You've probably tried to change and failed. Likely many times.

While you may FEEL 100% trapped, we know that the science says there's a way out. In fact, there are many, many ways out. You just haven't found that door and walked through it - YET.

You're never trapped. Neuroplasticity shows us why.

Read more about neuroplasticity and the actual science behind "rewiring your brain" for recovery in our latest blog post:

https://shantipdx.com/what-is-neuroplasticity-does-addiction-treatment-really-rewire-your-brain/

Hope isn't just a fluffy idea in recovery. Neuroplasticity, the ability to "rewire" our brains, is actually an evidence-based fact.

01/05/2026

Living in the Portland area, enrolled in Medicare, and considering Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (or TMS) for depression?

It's essential to understand how Medicare coverage for this cutting-edge treatment works, what requirements you must meet to access coverage, and what costs you might face accessing TMS as a Medicare patient.

Dig into the details in our latest blog post so you can make the best decision for your mental health:

https://shantitms.com/how-medicare-coverage-for-transcranial-tms-works/

Depression affects millions of Americans and can be particularly challenging when standard treatments like medications and talk therapy are not effective. Treatment resistant depression leads many patients at Shanti Wellness and Recovery to consider a well-researched, non-invasive alternative: Trans...

01/02/2026

Wishing everyone a joyful and healthy 2026 filled with peace and resilience from Shanti Recovery & Wellness.

Whether you're dipping your toes into "Dry January," or you're celebrating a long-term recovery milestone, here's to new beginnings and a year of positive change.

#2026

12/19/2025

Feel down during the winter months? You're not alone.

Check out the link below for three effective remedies to the mild seasonal sadness that plagues wintertime for so many of us in Portland, Oregon.

Embrace self-care practices and connect with your community for support.

✨ Don't forget: Brighter days are ahead! ✨

Please Note: These ideas are for occasional, fleeting, mild melancholy only. Speak with your medical provider if low moods are interfering with your work or home life. The tips in this post are not a substitute for medical care.

⚠️⚠️⚠️ If you’re experiencing any thoughts of self-harm, stop scrolling now and dial 988 for immediate, compassionate 24/7 help. ⚠️⚠️

https://shantipdx.com/sober-and-sad-heres-3-cures-for-the-winter-blues-in-portland-oregon/

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When you’re in recovery, even the weather can throw you off your program. Here's 3 ways to fix the sober winter blues.

12/17/2025

The holiday season is one of the toughest times of the year for most people in recovery.

The parties, the stress, the expectations and opportunities for "social drinking" - there are many reasons that people in recovery struggle right now.

Being the only person not drinking at the office holiday party or the New Year's Eve soiree can feel lonely and isolating. Although the stigma associated with addiction (and recovery) is beginning to fade, it's common to feel like the "odd one out," especially at functions that aren't specifically centered around the recovery community.

But the truth is: there are millions of people in recovery.

Some of them are even famous!

So, if you're feeling like the only one who's abstaining this holiday season, here's 41 celebs who will be celebrating proud and sober, too.

https://www.businessinsider.com/sober-celebrities-who-dont-drink-do-drugs

Bradley Cooper, Ben Affleck, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, and Tom Holland are among the celebrities who have spoken about being sober.

12/15/2025

Warmest wishes for a joyful and peaceful holiday season from the team at Shanti Recovery & Wellness.

12/12/2025

Oregon's mental health system has faced significant challenges. Right now, we're leaving too many people who struggle with mental health and addiction issues - like Vashon Locust - vulnerable and unsupported.

(Mr. Locust is the man who made local headlines when he admitted to accidentally lighting Portland City Counselor Candace Avalos' home and car on fire trying to stay warm back in October.)

Mr. Locust is currently at large, but he has a godmother and a little sister in Michigan who are looking for him. It's my hope that he makes it home soon and that he gets the treatment and healing opportunity he deserves.

You can read about Mr. Locust's experiences in and out of various criminal justice treatment programs in Oregon here:

https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/12/03/how-oregons-broken-mental-health-system-failed-vashon-locust/

The real story behind a fire that transfixed local officials is one that is all too common in Oregon.