Recognizing drug or alcohol abuse or addiction in oneself, a family member or a friend can be more complicated than it seems, filled with obstacles and requiring a deep well of resilience to overcome. An addiction is a chronic disease that impacts the brain’s motivation, reward and memory functions. Common signs of addiction include…
Given the common obstacles in early recovery many individuals face, a person battling a drug or alcohol dependency or addiction may acknowledge that a problem exists and recognize the need to reach out to a mental health professional and seek detox. Consulting an expert can be beneficial because many people may have difficulty ceasing substance…
Mentally preparing for a life in recovery can look a lot like stalling. Ruminating on what’s to come, the process of how you will move through each step and the emotions it’ll surface is overwhelming. Have you decided you’re ready to do the work? Then let’s take a look at all the invisible work that…
The elements of emotional intelligence have more going for them than the alliterative way they dance off the tongue. Using the facets of emotional intelligence is vital to assess and create safe spaces to process and protect yourself from threats to your recovery. What’s emotional intelligence? Much like intellect, emotional intelligence (EQ) measures your…
Recovery should feel like hope. But for many who live with addiction, the magnitude of the unknown in recovery can be paralyzing. Uncertainty about what your future holds can stop you from breaking free of the chains of addiction and seeking the supported treatment you deserve. Fear of what your future may hold, or…
Overcoming any addiction is challenging. Feelings of regret or remorse will surface, and a desire to revert to old behaviors will emerge. Often, the relationships, lifestyle, and livelihood of one’s life are stripped away – it can be hard to forgive yourself. When engaging in recovery, it is common to yearn for what was lost.…
Learning about the benefits of an alumni program is immensely helpful in the prevention of relapse, Essentially, an alumni program is an aftercare program that has no time-specific limits. You are able to keep in touch with the treatment facility where you were treated, with its staff, and, ideally, with at least some of the other…
Everyone in recovery from drugs or alcohol at a substance abuse treatment program fears relapse. And while relapse is a valid threat, it is not something that simply happens overnight. Contrary to what many people think, relapse is a three-stage process that takes time to develop. Consequently, relapse prevention techniques will help keep you from progressing…
There are several different types of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options today. Most people will find one or more that can help them to achieve their goals of living a healthy life by getting to recovery. Yet, it’s hard to know when any program can help. One of the most common is the 12…
If you recently completed addiction treatment, congratulations! You have gotten over a major hurdle and set a good foundation for a sober lifestyle. As you progress through your recovery process one day at a time, consider incorporating each of these seven positive actions or elements of recovery to help you create, and live, a better-than-normal…