Shanti Recovery & Wellness

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/

🌧️

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.

12/11/2025

Virtual reality addiction treatment?

We offer many different evidence-based treatment modalities for our patients, but we don't offer video games at Shanti Recovery and Wellness.

Still, this article about using virtual reality to stay sober was a very interesting read.

From the article:

“People don’t really take it very seriously,” said Dr. Ken Jones, a behavioral health specialist with Texas Health. “But once they actually put the headset on and navigate through those environments, they realize their body is being triggered by some of those particular scenes.”

Pretty fascinating stuff. Read more here:

https://san.com/cc/virtual-reality-helps-people-stay-sober-when-the-real-world-gets-too-real/

With holiday stress on the rise and alcohol consumption climbing, an addiction recovery center is turning to VR to help patients stay sober.

12/10/2025

Have you heard about "the fentanyl vaccine?"

Would you consider getting one if it was available?

Well, after many years of fits and starts, it's finally gearing up for its first major trial.

Researchers have looked into a vaccine for he**in overdose on and off since the 1970's, but the effort was abandoned for lack of progress. Now that fentanyl has proven to be an even more deadly public health threat, the US government is backing a redoubled effort to create an "opioid vaccine."

How will the fentanyl vaccine fare in its first major trial?

Read about the effort to create the vaccine here:

https://www.wired.com/story/a-fentanyl-vaccine-is-about-to-get-its-first-major-test/

ARMR Sciences of New York is trialing a vaccine in the Netherlands to protect against fentanyl-related overdose and death.

12/09/2025

Are the holidays stressing you out?

Many of us would say, "yes."

According to a recent APA study:

- 41% of American adults say the holidays are the most stressful time of year

- 43% say their holiday stress levels interfere with their ability to enjoy themselves

The holiday season can amplify stress due to increased financial pressures, family dynamics, and busy schedules. Routine changes and "picture perfect" expectations for a "happy holiday" can only add to the stress.

Remember that it's normal to feel more stressed out this time of year. If you can, set aside time to relax and place an extra priority on self-care during the holidays this year.

Many mental health and addiction issues are "invisible" to others, but
It's almost certain that you or someone you know is struggling right now.

Remember to give yourself and those around you grace as you move through this season.

https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress

Nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults say something causes them stress during the holiday season

12/08/2025

Will your health insurance stop covering addiction treatment soon?

Right now, the Parity Act requires insurance companies to cover behavioral health care in the same way that they cover all other forms of healthcare.

In our latest post, we unpack what’s happening on the policy front, how insurers might retreat from coverage, what it means for patients and providers, and how our team at Shanti Recovery & Wellness is working to defend your right to access quality addiction treatment and mental health care.

If you've been waiting to make a change, now is a great time to seek treatment.

Read the whole post here: https://shantipdx.com/parity-act-in-peril-will-your-health-insurance-stop-covering-addiction-treatment-soon/

In the fight against addiction, insurance coverage for treatment is perhaps the most important lifeline for Substance Use Disorder patients in Portland and beyond. We often take health insurance coverage for behavioral healthcare for granted, but, believe it or not, de-facto discrimination against S...

10/15/2025

Don't let health insurance coverage confusion stop you from seeking the care you need!

In this post, we break down:

💰 the financial aspects of addiction treatment

💰 options for financial assistance

💰 advice to help make the process more manageable

💰 how families throughout Oregon go about accessing addiction treatment care

💰 how patients at Shanti typically handle the financial side of treatment

💰 insurance coverage details for each of the services we provide at our clinic

If you have questions about insurance coverage for your particular situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly so we can help walk you through your options.

https://shantipdx.com/understanding-insurance-coverage-for-addiction-treatment-in-portland/

Navigate the health insurance coverage side of addiction treatment in Portland Oregon so you can access the care you deserve.

10/09/2025

More interesting findings coming to light about possible effectiveness of psilocybin in treating depression and anxiety.

Our clinic is still keeping a keen eye on the evidence base to support this potential treatment option for behavioral health patients.

Read more here:

https://www.wweek.com/news/2025/09/29/oregon-real-world-study-confirms-psilocybin-effective-for-depression-anxiety/

A study of participants in Oregon's legal psilocybin program showed improvement in depression and anxiety and a boost in sense of well being.

10/08/2025

Finally, some good news about AI! 😅

AI might put you out of a job, but it might also help you finally quit smoking!

Your health is serious business, but remember: laughter is good medicine, too.

(And, yes, our clinic offers TMS for smoking cessation.)

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250930/Science-and-artificial-intelligence-could-help-personalize-brain-stimulation-for-smokers.aspx

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Science and artificial intelligence combined at the Medical University of South Carolina in a study that could lead to personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS, for smokers who want to quit.

10/07/2025

So, in Portland, we're grappling with a critical mental health crisis, exacerbated by rising homelessness and substance abuse...
.. and we're planning to lay off dozens of workers and slash mental health programs?

Sounds like that might not be a great plan. 🤷‍♂️

https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/26/portland-area-counties-mental-health/

Reductions in the state's low-income health care program are forcing Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties to contemplate eliminating the bulk of their staffing for programs intended to help the severely mentally ill. The cuts are not related to federal cuts expected to take effect in later y...