Archives for March 2024

Rediscover Center – a non-profit organization which provides kids, teens, and adults with the resources to engage in creative reuse and self-expression – is opening a new location in Mid City Los Angeles. A special launch event from 11am to 3pm on April 21 for the new imaginative space will coincide with Earth Day (April 22). The new location at 2375 W. Washington Blvd will expand sustainable maker education across Los Angeles and provide makerspace access for youth in Mid City, Koreatown, South LA, DTLA, West Adams, Pico Union, West Hollywood, and beyond.

Featuring shared facilities filled with tools, materials, and a community of makers, the new space features a 2,400 square foot public youth makerspace with an adjacent 3,000 square foot patio for public events. The makerspace offers crafting, sewing, and woodworking facilities that can accommodate up to 50 makers, with toolsets appropriate for 5-8 year olds, 8-12 year olds, teens, and adults. The entire Center is stocked with sustainably sourced “rediscovered” materials, such as cardboard, household recyclables, commercial overstock, and manufacturing offcuts. Rediscover Center is a place for hands-on learning, designing, making, and tinkering.

“This new Mid City location enables Rediscover Center to inspire youth and adults across Los Angeles,” notes Executive Director Jonathan Markowitz Bijur. “We are thrilled to help youth who have never seen the inside of a makerspace use power tools and start building amazing projects.” 

Moreover, Rediscover Center is one of L.A.’s most unique and exciting places for a wide variety of events, including birthday parties and corporate retreats. The Center hosts workshops, camps, field trips, Weekend Family Crafting sessions, tool trainings, upcycled art parties, Scouts badge workshops, team workshops and offsites, and much more.

For more information, please visit http://rediscovercenter.org/ 

Credit: Rediscover Center

There is never a convenient time for someone to have a substance abuse issue. An individual might have one for years, or it might show up if they’re under a lot of pressure. Maybe they’re also hanging out with a crowd that is encouraging them to use illicit substances.

You might also see situations where someone is having a disorder emerge at the same time they’re using substances. This makes sense. The individual might start using drugs as a way to cope with how their condition is making them feel.

Treatment for co-occurring disorders is always possible if someone is struggling with an emerging disorder and substance abuse or addiction at the same time. Let’s discuss a few disorders that are most likely to emerge at the same time as substance abuse.

ADHD

Someone with ADHD may struggle in their daily life if it’s undiagnosed or they are not on the proper medication. They may become argumentative with those they know. They may have hyperactive periods followed by times when they feel very bleak.

The right drugs can even out such a person’s moods in many instances. Don’t be surprised if you see someone struggling with ADHD develop a substance abuse problem, though.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a condition that can completely wreck a person’s life in many instances. In extreme cases, the individual can be a danger to themselves or others if they have it. They may start using substances to try to drown out the voices they hear or visual hallucinations that torment them.

Mood or Personality Disorders

Various mood and personality disorders can start to surface. When they do, the person who’s dealing with them may begin to self-medicate. They might discover a better solution if they speak to a doctor or therapist, but they must first find the motivation to do so.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder can come about if someone gets in a bad car wreck, survives a natural disaster, comes back from active duty in the military, or survives a violent crime. Living with this condition can be hellish, so it makes sense that someone in this situation may turn to substances to try to dull the pain and anxiety that they’re feeling. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder is difficult to deal with. If you live every day feeling that something catastrophic could occur at any moment, that’s not easy. An individual with this condition might easily turn to alcohol or drugs to try and make themselves feel less on edge.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can wreak havoc with a person’s perception of the world. A chemical imbalance in the brain causes episodes of the most intense depression and mania. People with this condition often feel that self-medicating is the only thing keeping themselves under some measure of control. 

Eating Disorders

Someone with an eating disorder is often very unhappy with how they look and feel. Taking the edge off of reality with substances is a reliable way to avoid wallowing in these feelings.

Are you feeling a little off lately? Maybe you’re more tired than usual, your mood’s been a rollercoaster, or even your body’s changing in ways you don’t quite understand. It happens! Sometimes, those changes can be confusing or even frustrating.

But have you ever wondered why these changes occur? Well, one possible culprit could be hormonal imbalance. Yes, that’s right! If your body’s fluctuations are hormone-related, there’s no need to worry because there’s one effective solution called Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT.

Now, this might sound super technical, but it’s actually pretty cool! Curious to know more? Buckle up! In this blog, we’ll explore everything about HRT!

Understanding Hormones & Their Impact

Hormones are like tiny messengers in your body. They travel through your bloodstream and tell different parts of your body what to do. They’re behind the scenes, making sure things run smoothly. But sometimes, they can get a bit out of balance, and that’s when you might start to feel a bit off.

For instance, when you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol. It’s like your body’s alarm system. A little bit of cortisol is okay and can actually help you, but too much can make you feel anxious and have trouble sleeping.

Or consider insulin. If your body doesn’t use insulin properly, it can lead to diabetes.

Which Hormone Imbalances Need Therapy?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a kind of treatment that helps balance hormones in the body. There are a few key situations where HRT can be a big help:

Menopause in Women

For many women, menopause is a time of big changes. As they age, their bodies produce less estrogen and progesterone, two very important ones. This drop can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like feeling really hot all of a sudden, dryness in the vagina, and mood swings. HRT can step in to replace these missing hormones, helping to ease these symptoms and make this transition a lot smoother.

Andropause in Men

Men go through a similar change, often called andropause, where their testosterone levels start to go down gradually. This doesn’t happen to all men, but those who do experience it might feel more tired than usual, notice they’re losing muscle or gaining fat more easily, and have low libido levels.

By using TRT to boost testosterone, men can manage these symptoms, helping them feel more like themselves again. In fact, it was reported that men who got top-rated testosterone replacement therapy in Peak Performax have shown promising results in managing andropause better. And that it helped them gain maximum balance and rejuvenation back into their life.

Other Conditions

HRT isn’t just for menopause or andropause. It can also help people with certain medical conditions that cause hormone imbalances. It could be thyroid disorders or gender confirmation therapy. For those undergoing gender confirmation, HRT is a powerful step. They can achieve this using replacement for estrogen or testosterone to support this transition.

Taking the First Step: Consulting with a Specialist

Deciding to explore Hormone Replacement Therapy is a big step. But before you can start, you need to find the right healthcare provider. Here’s how to make that journey as smooth as possible.

Find the Right Healthcare Provider

Finding a good doctor or specialist for HRT can seem like a big task, but it’s easier if you know where to look. Start by asking for recommendations from friends or family members who have had similar experiences. You can also check with your primary care doctor, who might know a great specialist.

Preparing for Your Consultation

Before your first appointment, make a list of any symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as any questions you might have. This will help you get the most out of the visit. Here are some questions you might want to ask:

• How much experience do you have with HRT?
• What types of HRT do you think could be right for me?
• What tests will I need to start HRT?
• What are the possible side effects or risks of HRT?

Being prepared helps ensure you don’t forget to ask about something important during your appointment.

Understanding the Process

After choosing a healthcare provider, you’ll likely need to go through some tests and evaluations. These tests are important because they help your doctor understand your unique needs. They might check your hormone levels, blood count, and overall health to make sure HRT is safe and right for you.

Wrap Up

Taking charge of your health with HRT isn’t just about feeling better now. It’s about setting yourself up for a healthier, happier future. So, if you think HRT could be right for you, why not reach out to a healthcare provider and start that conversation? Your well-being is worth it, and you have the power to make a change. Here’s to feeling great and living your best life!