“Boundaries need to be set when you’re in recovery from addiction, and that includes setting boundaries with your parents and family,” explains Deidre Lockhart, Outpatient Clinical Director at The Guest House. The idea of setting boundaries in relationships (especially with your loved ones) may sound uncomfortable. However, when you’re trying to prevent relapse and maintainRead More
Trauma can produce a tidal wave of negative effects throughout your life, from attachment issues and self-defeating behaviors to mental health disorders and substance abuse. Yet there’s one byproduct of trauma that often hides in the background, and its damaging influence on your life (and your healing) is profound: shame. At The Guest House, weRead More
If the fear of relapsing when you’re on your own in the real world keeps you up at night, know that you’re not alone. When you’re navigating recovery from addiction to substances — especially through the lens of trauma — it’s common for people to have apprehension about falling back into addiction, of going backRead More
On the surface, it’s easy to separate the body and mind into wholly different categories. You might even believe the emotional pain you’re facing is unrelated to any physical struggles. The truth is, matters of the heart (and mind and soul) are much more powerful than you’d think. If you are just starting your journeyRead More
Millions of people with substance use disorder (SUD) have trauma-related mental health issues. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Violence, abuse, neglect, and family or social conflict are among the traumatic events and circumstances that are linked with the risk of developing a substance use disorder.” Additionally, SUD and related mental healthRead More
Many people who are recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) rely on structure and routine to manage this condition. Unfortunately, spending time away from home for a vacation may disrupt essential routines. According to an article in the journal Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, free time can pose risks to sobriety. The authors explain thatRead More
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), only 39% of adults in the U.S. feel emotionally close to others. Historically loneliness and isolation have been associated with older adults. Typically older adults are more likely to lose contact with loved ones due to death and their adult children are preoccupied withRead More
Those who are recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) often turn to the 12-Step philosophy to find healing and motivation for personal growth. These types of groups offer peers a safe space for discussing their recovery journeys and uplifting one another. According to the journal Social Work in Public Health, “Self-help groups based on thisRead More
If you’re pursuing an education after completing treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), you may face unique challenges. According to an article In Focus: Journal of Life Long Learning in Psychiatry, “U.S. college campuses have witnessed a national increase of cannabis, stimulant, and illicit drug use among students over the past decade.” The authors continue,Read More
If you’ve been diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD), treatment is the start of recovery rather than the end of your journey. After treatment ends, you’ll need to find ways to remain motivated and focused on maintaining sobriety. Tracking your progress and celebrating milestones can provide this motivation. What’s more, a variety of healing modalitiesRead More