As we look forward to this Independence Day weekend, our staff encourages you to celebrate your own independence: freedom from drugs and alcohol. Individuals who have overcome the struggles of addiction to live full lives in recovery should take this opportunity to reflect on their accomplishments. We’re proud of you! Celebrate Freedom from Drugs and Alcohol Anyone who has dealt with addiction understands how fully it controls your life. What begins as casual drinking or substance use has the ability to spiral into a physical and psychological dependency. When you’re in the grips of addiction, liberty from substance use may feel very far out of reach. Only by doing the hard work of recovery and dedicating yourself 100% is it possible to break free. Once you’ve completed treatment and have become involved … Continue reading Celebrating Independence in Recovery →

In cooperation with the National Council for Behavioral Health, pharmacy giant Walgreens has just completed its initial phase of Mental Health First Aid training. This endeavor was announced last May as a part of Mental Health Month. This education has been provided to all of the company’s health outcomes pharmacists, who are now trained to identify signs of addiction and help those in crisis. Walgreens plans to make this specialized training available throughout the industry. What is Mental Health First Aid? Just as CPR helps you to assist a person having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid teaches you to help someone experiencing a substance use or mental health-related crisis. Mental Health First Aid trains pharmacists and other medical professionals to spot risk factors and warning signs for addiction and mental … Continue reading Companies Offering Mental Health First Aid Training →

Japan is one of the most overworked nations in the world. If you don’t believe me, there is literally a word that translates to “death by overwork”, that word is Karoshi (過労死). The major causes of death from karoshi are heart attack and stroke due to stress and starvation diet. Research indicates that the average American works 47 hours per week, or 9.4 hours per day. In demanding, competitive industries like tech and finance, professionals work in excess of 60 hours a week, and are available constantly by smartphone. This is not something you want to relate to. Since the 1980s, an increasing number of people suffering from fatal strokes and heart attacks have been reported due to people being overworked. Not only that, people are living in urban areas more than ever … Continue reading Shinrin-Yoku: The Power of Forest Therapy →

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans have found themselves working remotely, unemployed or furloughed for the foreseeable future. This is of particular concern to those working in the recovery space. Research shows that a significant link exists between national trends of unemployment and addiction. Today, we’ll discuss the unexpected fallout of COVID-19. Unemployment by the Numbers The outbreak and its resulting economic downturn have reminded many of us of the Great Recession. In fact, current circumstances are worse than those of 2007 to 2010. The Pew Research Center has published an article claiming that unemployment rose higher in three months of COVID-19 than it did over two years of the Great Recession. The recession’s unemployment rate peaked at 10.6% in January of 2010. This May, the unemployment rate … Continue reading Unemployment and Addiction | The Fallout of COVID-19 →

The novel coronavirus has completely shifted the world of behavioral healthcare. Many individuals, especially those who are immunocompromised or elderly, have decided to forgo in-person treatment in favor of outpatient telehealth programs. These newly popularized services have spurred many questions from potential patients. Chief among these: Is teletherapy confidential? Does it work as well as an in-person session? Today, we’ll break down all of your frequently asked questions about teletherapy. Does Teletherapy Work? Yes! Research has shown time and time again that patients in treatment for substance use disorders respond favorably to teletherapy, reporting comparable levels of satisfaction to in-person sessions. In addition, remote therapy includes a host of unique benefits, including improved access to care, lower costs, more privacy and the ability for therapists to reach more clients on a more flexible … Continue reading Is Teletherapy Confidential? | Frequently Asked Questions →

There are many distinctions that make Nashville a popular city for tourists, transplants and locals alike. For instance, the famous Nashville Hot Chicken grew from a modest mom and pop joint to a national icon. The popular Broadway Street, where aspiring musicians and celebrity performances can be heard playing country music into the wee hours of the morning; and the Country Music Hall of Fame where thousands of visitors each year come to experience the rich history of their idols who have played at the nearby Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium. Nashville has many endearments, “Athens of the South”, “Smashville”, “Nashvegas” and arguably the most well-known, “Music City, U.S.A.” ARCH Academy is grateful to be in such an eclectic community and has benefited from the Nashville Scene since 1987 when Cumberland … Continue reading Cumberland Heights Benefit Concert Featuring Hatch Show Print →

The term “sleep disorders” refers to disruptions in a person’s quality and quantity of sleep. Individuals with insomnia may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or reaching a deep level of restorative REM sleep. Regardless of the details, the outcome is the same: a person wakes up in the morning feeling groggy and badly rested. While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, in reality, it can be consequential to your long-term health. Today, research indicates that alcoholism can cause sleep disorders like insomnia. The Link Between Alcohol and Sleep Disorders Some people falsely believe that a late-night drink can help them to fall asleep; in fact, 20% of American adults reportedly use alcohol for exactly this purpose. The truth is more nuanced. While alcohol does initially provide a sedating effect, studies … Continue reading Link Found: Alcoholism Can Cause Sleep Disorders →

Everyone has a specific narrative that they have lived through. No matter what your economic background, race, religion, politics or social demographic is, each one of us has experienced a wide range of the human experience. Happiness, joy, pleasure, fear, shame, guilt, hatred or love, we are all human. At times, these differences can divide us, blinded by external appearances, it is not uncommon to separate ourselves into our “tribes” that create the illusion of safety and control. Addiction is a disease of the body, the mind and of the spirit. It is also a disease of isolation. Driven by self-destructive behaviors, circumstance and grace lead individuals who suffer from addiction to treatment. Often the last house on the block, ARCH Academy serves as a place of rectitude. ARCH Academy welcomes those … Continue reading We Are People Who Would Normally Not Mix →

Working from Home Just a few months ago, working from home was the exception to the rule. Today, just over half of employed Americans have begun to work remotely in response to COVID-19. Zapier conducted a survey in partnership with The Harris Poll and gathered some valuable insights about how this switch is affecting the workforce. Of those surveyed, 65% feel their productivity has increased, and 80% say they can better manage interruptions from coworkers. They claim to be working more hours, enjoying emails in place of non-essential meetings, and executing parts of their jobs more quickly. Even with these and other advantages, 66% of the respondents state that they prefer working in the office over working at home. Why could this be? In previous research about working remotely, circumstances looked quite … Continue reading Working from Home | How to Thrive in Self-Quarantine →

The novel coronavirus has required many adaptations from businesses and individuals alike. Social distancing guidelines resulted in the closure of offices, the cancellation of therapy sessions and the cessation of group meetings. For those in recovery, this initially presented a large obstacle: how could these people still access much-needed mental health and addiction services in the midst of a pandemic? Luckily, clinical professionals have adapted to the “new normal” of COVID-19 by increasing the availability of online and phone-based appointments. Today, telehealth services have expanded in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Innovation on the Rise Before COVID-19, teletherapy services were already gaining popularity. Research showed that this path to treatment offered many opportunities, including improved patient experience, increased access to care and cost reduction. It was also known that telehealth interventions “produce … Continue reading Telehealth Services Expand in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak →

Standing six feet apart, wearing masks over our smiles and seeing loved ones on screens rather than in person has certainly made many of us feel disconnected. At least it did in the beginning. But as we learn and grow together during this pandemic, many of us are finding that some of the things we thought would be keeping us apart are actually bringing us together. Take the Women’s Department here at Cumberland Heights for example. As staff was cleaning out to move to the lower level of the Hazel Hawkins Martin building, an old CH t-shirt featuring the historic bell tower was found. Case Manager Michelle Johnson knew just what to do with it. “I thought I’ll bring it to Alison to make a mask,” said Michelle. Alison Scott is an … Continue reading Handmade Masks Bring CH Family Closer Together →

Finding the Silver Lining During Self-Quarantine Top officials have called the outbreak of the novel coronavirus the worst public health crisis in a generation. The United States and other nations have taken drastic steps to halt the virus’s spread, including the closure of public spaces and the implementation of “Safer At Home” orders. As the situation evolves, we constantly receive updates and notifications from our smartphones about an increase in cases, discovery of new symptoms, or other upsetting information. However, throughout this process, we may be overlooking something: good news during COVID-19. When times are uncertain, the best parts of humanity can come to the surface and make a real difference. We’ve compiled some of our favorite stories of human kindness and good news for you today. How Positivity Helps We’ve discussed … Continue reading Brighten Your Day: Good News During COVID-19 →

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has been incredibly stressful for people all around the world. As concerns about our safety, employment and sobriety bubble to the surface, it’s important to be especially mindful of our emotional well-being. Each May, we observe Mental Health Month, which reminds us to slow down and look inward. Take this opportunity to prioritize your mental health, improve your coping abilities and renew your commitment to recovery. Observing Mental Health Month Since May of 1949, Mental Health America (MHA) has led the nation in a yearly observance of Mental Health Month. Through media, local events and educational efforts, MHA has worked to spread the word that mental health is something which everyone should value. Statistically, one in five people will experience some form of mental illness during … Continue reading May is Mental Health Month: How to Find Peace and Reduce Stress →

How COVID-19 Has Affected Us It’s no secret that the novel coronavirus has turned our lives upside-down. In just a few weeks, many of us have experienced a complete upheaval in our routines, coping mechanisms and even professions. Everywhere you look, there seems to be a news story outlining the dangers of COVID-19. Staying informed about these developments is crucial, but immersing yourself in negative press can increase your stress levels and worsen your ability to cope. In previous blog posts, we’ve outlined helpful tips for protecting your sobriety and prioritizing self-care during the extended periods of Tennessee’s “Safer at Home” order. Today, we’d like to offer another key solution for the time of COVID-19: a positive mindset. By deciding to practice positivity in your daily life, you can overcome the stress … Continue reading Practice Positivity | How to Keep a Positive Mindset During COVID-19 →

The Cumberland Heights family is reflecting on the life and legacy of a man who meant a lot to our recovery community over the years. Tim Tull, former Chief Financial Officer passed away April 7, 2020 at the age of 66.