Everyone needs purpose and meaning in their lives. Recovery from substance abuse involves addressing these needs by focusing on ongoing personal growth. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “ Personal development focuses on different ways you can grow in different areas of your life.” Alumni services motivate people to continue moving forward inRead More
Detoxification is an important step on your journey to recovery. Through detox, you have medically managed support to help you safely withdraw from substances. As the Journal of Substance Use & Addiction notes, one-fifth of admissions to an addiction treatment program are for detox. However, addiction treatment must go beyond detox to be effective forRead More
Maintaining motivation is essential for individuals in aftercare or ongoing recovery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Motivation for change is a key component in addressing substance misuse.” On the flip side, a loss of motivation is a common risk factor for relapse. Motivation can wane when alumni experience challengesRead More
Sleep quality impacts your emotional and physical health during recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). Many people with SUD and dual diagnoses have co-occurring sleep issues caused by chronic substance abuse. According to the Medical Clinics of North America, “[S]leep dysfunction in the context of substance misuse may contribute to increased severity of substance useRead More
Healing in nature can be one of the most powerful things you can do as you overcome trauma and addiction. As the weather begins to change this fall, you’ll find a perfect backdrop for exploring healing in the fresh air. The Benefits of Healing in Nature The great outdoors has some of the most powerfulRead More
Values and attitudes make up your mindset. Learning ways to change your mindset may help you navigate around life’s obstacles. During treatment, you had to learn to change how you thought about yourself and all the things you’ve been through. Now that you are in recovery, the goal is to continue manifesting positive thoughts aboutRead More
Addiction and the idea of recovery have historically been tied to criminality and immorality. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), stigma about substance use disorder (SUD) stems from flawed beliefs that addiction is a character flaw or a moral failing. As a result, generations of people have been stigmatized with harmful labelsRead More
If you’ve experienced substance use disorder (SUD), you’ve probably developed many unhealthy habits. Once you start recovery, however, it’s more important than ever to create healthy alternatives. In fact, replacing bad habits is one of the most powerful things you can do for recovery success. Healthy Alternatives: New Habits, New Routines When you’re struggling withRead More
Even deep into recovery, getting caught up in negative thought processes is easy. You may find that these thoughts come out of nowhere. For instance, you may see a photo and suddenly think about your past, glamorizing the fun parts you remember. You may feel lonely, left out, or regretful that you can’t “party” anymore.Read More
As you reflect, you may realize that many people have guided you along your path. Perhaps you remember when you first entered treatment and struggled to breathe a breath of sobriety. You may remember a person who made a difference during that time. Maybe you have one person for whom you feel grateful now thatRead More