The effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on families is profound. Because of physical distancing precautions, families have been cooped up for extended periods. Feelings of isolation only added more stress to an already challenging time. Even with family members close at hand, the strain of the COVID-19 crisis has taken a toll. When one […]
Step Four in Alcoholics Anonymous
Step Four of Alcoholics Anonymous states: “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves” The 12 Step Program is an incremental system through which people make the needed changes, in thoughts and behaviors, to overcome a substance use disorder. Each of the steps builds upon the last. Where the first three steps focused on […]
What is OxyContin?
OxyContin (oxycodone) is a potent analgesic in the opioid family of prescription medications. Promoted in the 1990s as a highly effective painkiller with a low likelihood of causing addiction, the brand swiftly became popular among practitioners in the medical and dental communities. In the ensuing years, it became evident that this class of synthetic opioids […]
Five Meditation Techniques to Help Manage Stress
Because daily stress or highly stressful life events are associated with an increased risk of relapse, learning how to better manage our emotional states becomes an essential tool in recovery. Mastering the skill of meditation, using any number of various techniques, can significantly reduce stress levels. Meditation is a holistic practice that allows you to […]
Six Life Skills You Need in Recovery
When you enter recovery, it can feel like you’re starting life over again. Part of the process of shoring up recovery involves dismantling unhealthy habits and replacing them with productive, healthy life skills. Life skills include social skills, as well as psychological skills, that help you adjust and thrive in your new life in recovery. […]
Five Coping Skills to Use in Recovery
Imagine waking up tomorrow and changing nearly every part of your daily routine. This is what it means to be in substance use recovery: you undo old thought patterns and behaviors and replace them with new ones. This is a significant undertaking that requires dedicated skills and recovery tools to be successful. In recovery, stress, […]