Four decades of healing history, the top experts in an often-misunderstood field, and the most advanced approaches to address a wide range sexual addiction and behavioral disorders.
Our comprehensive program addresses sexual addictions, unresolved trauma, and co-occurring issues, going beyond symptoms to explore root issues and lay the groundwork for lasting healing.
Group and one-on-one therapy are just the beginning. We employ a wide range of methods and modalities, including valuable peer support, to address each person’s unique needs.
Let us help you determine if our program is right for your situation, discuss insurance coverage, payment options, and let you know what to expect upon arriving at treatment.
Change takes work, but it can’t be harder than living with unresolved addiction, trauma, and other disorders. If you or someone you love needs help, we’re ready and waiting.
By Anna McKenzie
It’s not just you: People across the country are feeling pretty lonely. A post-pandemic report from The Cigna Group reveals that 58% of US adults are considered lonely. But how does loneliness affect mental health? According to the group’s data, lonely people tend to have a greater struggle with mental health issues like anxiety and depression than their less lonely counterparts. So what are some healthy ways to deal with loneliness and overcome mental health challenges?
While men and women seem to be equally as lonely, according to the Cigna research, men are dealing with a crisis of missing social connections. USA TODAY states that for men, close relationships with other men can be misconstrued as something sexual, leaving a lot of men feeling isolated and unable to be vulnerable with their male friends. But intimacy in platonic relationships is important for personal growth and emotional health.
Intimacy in platonic relationships is important for personal growth and emotional health.
So exactly how does isolation affect mental health? According to The New York Times, if research is correct, “social isolation probably kills far more people in the West each year than terrorists and murderers.” It also adds up to “enormous sums in unnecessary health costs” for us all. The Times’ article also shares research that essentially says you are 50% more likely to survive over the next seven years if you have social connections.
What are the effects of isolation? They can show up in the following ways, according to the Cigna report:
Isolation can even be a factor in fostering impulses to be violent or act out, according to VCU News. So if social connections are critical to our health, what can we do when we feel lonely?
While the facts about isolation can’t be ignored, it’s important to recognize a few key points about loneliness:
If you’ve felt lonely for a while, change your patterns and routine. It’s worth getting a little bit uncomfortable if it means you can have new experiences that may make you feel more connected. You may experience setbacks, but if you stay persistent, you can reap the rewards.
When you’re contemplating how to cope with loneliness, you may think about alcohol or drugs to change your mood or distract yourself. But after the temporary relief, substances will only create more problems for you. Instead, you can indulge in healthy ways to deal with loneliness. Here are a few to get you started:
Helping others in need is a wonderful way to feel more connected and gain a stronger sense of purpose.
At Gentle Path at the Meadows, we provide compassionate care for men who are dealing with life-disrupting loneliness on top of sex and porn addiction and other mental health issues. We help men recover from the damage trauma has caused to their ability to form healthy connections. If you or a loved one is struggling, get in touch with us today to learn more about our program and how we can help!
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