Maintaining Recovery in the Summer without Compromising Fun
The summer brings a wave of fresh opportunities and pleasant emotions. The warm weather, the collective excitement and the train of relaxing or active social events makes this time of year something to look forward to. While this season is full of potential, for someone in recovery it can also be laden with triggers to fall back into substance use. If you’re trying to steer clear of drugs and alcohol this summer and need some tips to get you through, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’ll share the top triggers to relapse during the summer, plus [...]
Top 4 Benefits of Using CBD During Addiction Recovery
CBD is the non-psychoactive component in marijuana, that’s why you can find it in states where cannabis is illegal. It’s increasingly being integrated into a variety of medicinal treatments as well as being extracted to create healing oils, tonics, lotions and more. It’s been widely recognized for its ability to calm and de-stress its user, making it a common supplement for those struggling with anxiety or PTSD, but it’s used for much more than that. In recent years, medical professionals have been delving into whether or not CBD can be beneficial to those rehabilitating from addiction, or if it would [...]
Things to Consider Before Talking to Your Boss about Addiction
If addiction was part of your past, you might find yourself wondering how often you need to bring it up in the present. You might feel comfortable sharing your story to help others in recovery, but feel less inclined to disclose that information to an employer. But should you tell them? Is that something to mention in an interview, or is it more of a first month, “Oh, by the way,” conversation? Actually, it’s very much up to you. While that answer might not be entirely helpful at face value, allow us to explain the pros and cons to consider [...]
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 [...]
