Newfound sobriety is a precious gift; it is the most valuable gift you will receive this holiday season. A fresh lease on life, a clear mind, and a healthy body make getting free from the grip of substance use well worth the effort. Since recovery exists on a lifelong continuum, it is important to safeguard […]
Recovery
What Are Co-Occurring Disorders?
How a Mental Health Issue Can Lead to a Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder, or Vice Versa Anyone who has suffered through a bout of depression, survived an acute trauma, or has struggled with extreme mood swings or anxiety can easily grasp why there is a desire to escape that emotional pain. Whether subduing chronic anxiety, […]
The Value of Connection in Recovery and its Role in Mending Divisiveness
As Americans we are shocked and dismayed at the spate of recent mass shootings, resulting in the loss of dozens of lives. Although our country has been exposed to these horrific events for more than twenty years now, there is no doubt that the incidents are increasing in frequency. This has spurred conversations about the […]
Early Signs of Relapse to Substance Use
No matter how committed someone is to their recovery from substance use, the risk of relapse is an ever present threat. Even individuals with decades of sobriety under their belt are not bulletproof. Anyone in recovery can succumb to the lure of that misguided notion—It’s safe to have “just one beer”—and find themselves mired in […]
What is a Relapse to Substance Use?
Successfully completing an inpatient treatment program for substance use feels good. Going through treatment is a pretty intense process involving much self-reflection, and a sustained effort to make lasting changes in unhealthy patterns. When receiving the discharge paperwork on that last day, it is common to feel a real sense of accomplishment, and much hope […]
Protect Yourself and Your Career Before Entering Residential Treatment
One of the most impenetrable barriers to getting help for a substance use disorder is the fear of potential consequences for taking that action. Concerns about losing a job, or other far-reaching consequences to career or reputation, as a consequence of seeking treatment, are common and understandable. The stubborn stigma surrounding addiction and mental health […]