Self-care in addiction recovery can be mood stabilizing. Whether you read a book, play a sport, or practice meditation, self-care is necessary. Self-care can include anything that helps you relax, enjoy life, or improve your mood. It can be as simple as getting a manicure, going to the spa, surfing, or even yoga. Whatever the […]

How to stop using drugs when you’ve been using every day. Whether you are taking prescription medication or using illicit drugs every day you may have tried to stop using on your own at some point. Drugs in most forms take their toll on individuals often leaving them without hope and with the same symptoms […]

For those new to recovery the idea of taking an hour out of ones day to attend a recovery meeting sounds like a total downer. Who would want to listen to other people talk about their problems? Funny thing is, a lot of people find it incredibly effective in helping tthemselves emotionally and supporting their family […]

Many people who complete addiction rehab programs continue their recovery process in therapy. Working with a therapist post-treatment allows one the opportunity to continue combing through triggers and build upon strengths. One benefit of rehab is that a therapist that specializes in chemical addiction and co-occurring disorders is assigned to you. When you return home […]

For some of you this may be your first holiday sober from drugs and alcohol. Though the habits of addiction may be absent seeing old places and faces can be triggering. In addition, there is a learning curve for your family getting acquainted with the new person you are; someone with different values and interests. […]

As humans we eventually learn that things don’t always go according to plan. As kids we don’t anticipate becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, nor does anyone expect their child to develop addictions. Yet, these difficult things happen to many of us. Part of the process of healing from them is to grieve the loss […]

According to a University of New Orleans study, 81% of mental health professionals believe that the cycles of the moon affect human behavior. In 1987, the Journal of Emergency Medicine claimed to find that 80% of randomly selected nurses and 64% of doctors in emergency rooms believed that lunar cycles affect mental health. As well, […]

It can be difficult to engage in social media in early addiction recovery. Last week we outlined some tools to alleviate the initial anxiety (see article here.) Going forward you’ll need to decide how you’re going to engage with people online while maintaining healthy boundaries. To start, a good question to ask yourself is how […]

Sometimes therapy can feel like a carousel ride. You show-up. Pay a quarter. Have a seat. Take a spin around the mind. Return in a week. Do it all over again. What you may not be aware of is that the carousel ride on the couch is not the main attraction. What happens between the […]

Therapy is crucial to addiction recovery. It reveals the patterns that trigger addiction, creates space to heal, and develop alternatives to harmful behavior. The following are some of the most effective therapies for recovering from alcohol and drug abuse. Some are used simultaneously, while others are added at later stages. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Cognition […]