How and Why to Fuel Your Recovery
While there are definitely some organs that take the brunt of the harm addiction does, drugs and alcohol negatively impact your whole body. Reversing the effect of toxic substances is no small task, but the right nutrition can help. If you’re in the process of recovering from drug or alcohol addiction and you’re wondering how food can help, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’ll share how healthy eating and addiction are related, plus some tips to get started towards building habits that will heal your body and mind. Eating and addiction While each substance and [...]
Signs that You’re Conquering Alcohol Addiction Every Step of the Way
Sadly, there is no miracle cure for alcohol addiction. While there are proven treatments that can help you get sober for good, recovery from any substance takes time. The short answer is that recovery timelines vary for everyone. Individuals committed to treatment, who have access to the right services, will see progress more quickly than someone who needs to participate in rehab several times before getting sober for good. The stages of recovery Detox: The first stage of overcoming alcohol addiction is the withdrawal period, best managed in a licensed detox facility where you have access to pain relief and [...]
Why Taking Care of Yourself is Essential in Recovery and How to Do It
Recovery is a demanding process. While you’re putting your best effort into treatment there can be responsibilities and important needs that fall by the wayside. Even when we know it’s in our best interests, we can still be taken aback by the amount of time and energy getting sober takes from our personal lives. Whether your house has become a mess, you’ve neglected to take care of your body or you’re not getting the necessary time to decompress, identifying and fulfilling unmet needs can help you in your recovery. When you add treatment to your schedule The first days [...]
Medication vs. Supplements: Which are Better for Drug Recovery?
If you’ve ever wondered about medication vs supplements, you’ve come to the right place. While medications are commonly prescribed to help people overcome addiction, natural remedies and methods can enhance their effects. In this article we’ll look at the benefits of natural supplements and medication assisted treatment, and why a combination might be right for you. Benefits of natural treatment options There’s been a growing movement towards decreasing synthetic and artificial components in everything from household cleaning products to the way we approach healthcare. While medication can surely help in addiction recovery, supplementing your treatment with natural alternatives is [...]
Building a Support Group in Seven Steps
Are you on the road to recovery and learning how to build a support group? Your own personal support network will become vitally important to your recovery. Although sobriety is a personal endeavor, you do not need to do it alone. Having the support of your loved ones will motivate you and keep you on track towards your pursuit of a long, happy, healthy and sober life. Identify trusted friends and family members Your closest friends and family members are likely already aware of your addiction and recovery journey. To that end, they will be happy to hear that you [...]
5 Coping Skills that Make Sobriety Possible
Recovery and sobriety can be stressful and isolating processes, full of peaks and valleys. Even when you know that sobriety is the best option for you, it’s healthy to acknowledge when you need a bit of extra help on some days. These tools and skills can help you cope with the weight of addiction and recovery while keeping you hopeful about your sobriety. 1. Practice mindfulness every day Mindfulness is a powerful practice that can keep you in tune with your thoughts and feelings. It is particularly useful in recovery, as it can help you identify and work through negative [...]
How to Overcome Alcohol Withdrawal in Your Recovery Journey
We won’t sugar-coat it. Alcohol withdrawal is no easy battle. The side effects are severe and the process is dangerous, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. What is withdrawal? A person who regularly consumes drugs or alcohol will experience withdrawal when consumption suddenly stops. The body and brain become accustomed to the intake of a substance and this abrupt change results in numerous physical, mental and behavioral consequences. According to the American Addiction Centers, brain chemistry that has been rewired by addiction is interrupted by sudden cessation, resulting in a hyper-aroused state and a variety of [...]
How You Can Get Back to Your Social Life Without Compromising Your Recovery
Staying strong after alcohol recovery is no easy task. Family parties, work events, weddings and casual gatherings are all bound to have drinks available. You’d practically have to become a hermit to avoid situations with alcohol completely. It’s unreasonable to expect yourself to avoid every social event in order to guard your sobriety. Although some events will need to be avoided if the triggers are too hard to overcome, having a healthy and well-rounded social life is actually a great protective factor against relapse. What do you do then, when socializing is important, but could bring on the temptation to [...]
7 Tips to Avoid Drug Relapse After Recovery
The choice to confront your addiction is a big one because the recovery journey is made up of tons of little decisions in the right direction every day. It’s important to remember that addiction is a disease and, as with other diseases like hypertension or multiple sclerosis, the possibility of relapse is real and challenging. Although recovery sometimes feels like a never-ending cycle of peaks and valleys, the ability to avoid relapse and ultimately reach sobriety is within you. By constantly pushing yourself to make healthy decisions and engage in positive, healthy coping mechanisms, you can keep yourself on track [...]
Outpatient Group Therapy: Adopting Skills for Long-Term Recovery
Sustained recovery isn’t easy. Every day can be a battle when both your mind and your body are craving drugs and alcohol, and triggers seem to be all around you. Achieving long-term sobriety is a difficult task, so you might be wondering if it’s worth the effort. Although it is an arduous journey, long-term recovery is possible with the right tools and support. Here are all the reasons you’ll want to pursue long-term recovery as well as how to get there. How to start your journey towards long-term recovery One of the most widely-practiced forms of treatment for substance use [...]
Returning to the Road after a DUI
We can all remember that sensation of freedom after getting a driver’s license and being able to drive alone the first time. The world feels like it’s at your fingertips, knowing you can drive virtually anywhere you want at any time. Driving offers independence, convenience and an outlet from daily stressors. The privilege of driving, however, can be taken away in a moment. A DUI charge can drastically impact a person, bringing about social, legal, financial and emotional consequences. Driving again after a DUI can come with all kinds of emotions. Relief at being able to drive again, guilt over [...]
What Will Sobriety Look Like in 2021?
We can’t predict the future, but we know for sure that sobriety is going to look different this year than it has in the past. The COVID-19 pandemic has had drastic effects on our social, emotional and physical well-being, factors that will continue to impact our lives throughout 2021. The way we socialize and live our daily lives has shifted more quickly than perhaps at any other time in history. There is no doubt that this has taken a toll on our mental health and the ways we cope with stress, including our use of drugs and alcohol. Here are [...]