When you complete detox and achieve early sobriety, you will have a lot of time. How do you spend each day without getting bored or stressed? Keeping a recovery journal might be the best way to help you maintain progress in early sobriety. Journaling can benefit your emotional and mental health in multiple ways. Can … Read more
One of the top risk factors for relapse during recovery is isolation. Many people experience loneliness or purposely isolate themselves during active addiction and recovery. People may not feel they have the support they need to overcome the emotional challenges of life. This can cause them to withdraw from other people. Fortunately, there are ways … Read more
Overuse of social media can be harmful to people in addiction recovery. Social media use can become a non-substance-related addiction that can compromise recovery from drugs and alcohol. Many residential treatment centers do not allow social media use during treatment for this reason. Because smartphones are ubiquitous and social media is free and easily accessible, … Read more
Many people have misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This treatment combines medications with therapy to treat severe addictions such as opioid abuse and chronic alcoholism. Bringing some common myths about MAT to light helps people be more informed about and comfortable with the treatment. Myth #1. Medication-Assisted Treatment Replaces One Addiction for Another Even though … Read more
When it comes to addiction treatment, most people probably only think of things like detox and talk therapy sessions. But are there ways to help people who cannot voice what they are going through? Recovering individuals often find it hard to express their emotions. Some suppress emotions due to shame or fear. This is where … Read more
Substance use disorder (SUD) is unfortunately prevalent in the U.S. today. Among the more severe addictions is heroin overuse. People who repeatedly use heroin may quickly develop a tolerance and strong physical dependence on this drug. Quitting heroin on one’s own can be difficult, even dangerous. Severe withdrawal symptoms may require medical monitoring and intervention. … Read more
Have you ever taken a deep breath and found you instantly felt lighter? Health experts have recommended deep breathing techniques (or “breathwork”) across fields as a holistic means of stress management. The benefits of deep breathing techniques go beyond just feeling relaxed. You can also improve at mastering different kinds of breathwork or deep breathing … Read more
Have you heard of mindfulness meditation? It is a contemplative practice with thousands of years of history. This practice can be an effective treatment method in addiction recovery. It helps restore the mind-body connection while facilitating brain healing. Individuals in recovery can implement this practice to see progress in overall well-being and success in sobriety. … Read more
People have questioned whether addiction is a disease or a choice for many years. Unfortunately, the “addiction as a choice” narrative has perpetuated stigma and discrimination against people with substance use disorder (SUD). If you support a loved one through addiction recovery, it is important to understand addiction as a disease and why that fact … Read more
Paying attention to what you eat is essential if you are in addiction recovery. Substance use may have deprived your body of nutrients while dumping toxins into your system. During recovery, your nutritional intake serves the double function of detoxing the body while replenishing your body with essential nutrients. After medical detox, a diet high … Read more
