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5 Common Dual Diagnoses

Most people who struggle with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health issue, or a dual diagnosis. According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 3.3 percent of all American adults had a dual diagnosis of addiction and another mental health issue. [https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FRR1-2014/NSDUH-FRR1-2014.pdf] Some mental health issues can multiply your risk of developing a substance use disorder by several times. 

A preexisting mental health issue can increase your risk of addiction, addiction can increase your risk of developing a mental health issue, or both may be caused by some other factor, such as abuse, neglect, or trauma. Many people struggling with addiction aren’t even aware they have an untreated mental health issue. Unfortunately, unless the mental health issue is treated concurrently with addiction, it’s very hard to overcome a substance use disorder. That’s why it’s crucial to find a treatment program that has the staff and expertise to integrate addiction treatment and mental health treatment. The following are some of the most common mental health issues that require treatment along with addiction.

Anxiety disorders

According to the National Institute on Mental Health, nearly 20 percent of Americans will experience an anxiety disorder in any given year and more than 30 percent of Americans will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder.shtml] One reason anxiety disorders are so common is that it’s an umbrella term that includes many conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, phobias, and others. 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, about 20 percent of people with an anxiety disorder or mood disorder also have a substance use disorder. [https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/substance-abuse] In other words, having an anxiety or mood disorder more than doubles your risk of addiction. Many people with anxiety disorders use drugs or alcohol to relieve their anxiety. For example, one common pattern is for people with social anxiety disorder to drink to relieve their social anxiety and eventually become dependent on alcohol. And benzodiazepines, a common anxiety medication, are extremely addictive and can lead to dependence in as little as two weeks of daily use.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is technically an anxiety disorder but it increases your risk of addiction by so much that it deserves special attention. About seven or eight percent of people will develop PTSD at some point in their lives. [https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp] About half of people seeking help for a substance use disorder meet the criteria for PTSD. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3466083/] That’s about five times the national average for substance use disorders. PTSD has a number of symptoms, including intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and insomnia that people try to treat with drugs or alcohol, especially alcohol. 

Depression

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than seven percent of American adults, or more than 17 million people, experienced an episode of major depression in 2017 and that number has risen in recent years. [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml] According to the World Health Organization, depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide. [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression] As with anxiety, depression can lead to a substance use disorder or vice versa. Among people with lifetime major depression, 16.5 percent have had an alcohol use disorder and 18 percent have had a drug use disorder, both of those rates are significantly higher than average. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851027/] 

Women suffer from depression at about twice the rate as men but men are more likely to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, less likely to seek help for depression, and more likely to die by suicide, making a dual diagnosis of depression and addiction especially dangerous for men. Since depression is so common in general and a common result of addiction, treating depression along with addiction is frequently necessary.

ADHD

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is another condition that is highly correlated with addiction. One survey found that about 15 percent of people with ADHD also had a substance use disorder, about twice the national average. [https://www.additudemag.com/the-truth-about-adhd-and-addiction/] People with uncontrolled ADHD often have racing or intrusive thoughts, poor mood, or insomnia and about 70 percent of people with ADHD and substance use issues say they try to reduce these symptoms with the aid of drugs or alcohol. Many adults with ADHD aren’t even aware they have it, since the hyperactive aspect tends to diminish with age. However, the other symptoms can persist, so treating addiction requires getting ADHD symptoms under control.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is typically classified as a major depressive disorder but there’s such a high correlation between bipolar and substance use disorders that it deserves special mention. Of people with bipolar disorder, about 56 percent developed a substance use disorder at some point. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851027/] And bipolar isn’t as rare as most people believe. About 2.6 percent of Americans will develop bipolar disorder and about 83 percent of those cases are severe. [https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/bipolar-disorder] What’s more, bipolar is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions, often mistaken for depression, and it presents special challenges for addiction treatment, especially during manic episodes. 

 

Burning Tree Ranch specializes in treating chronic relapse in people with chemical dependency. We provide long-term support through residential and extended care programs that help our clients break their old patterns of addiction and learn new skills to support a healthier life. Our Dallas residential treatment program is focused on providing premium substance use treatment at an affordable cost. Contact us today for more information.

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4 Reasons to Practice Gratitude in Addiction Recovery

Recovery from addiction is about much more than abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The strongest recovery is one based on living a happier and more fulfilling life. That requires making changes in your relationships, habits, and outlook. One way to significantly improve the quality of your life is to make a habit of practicing gratitude. 

Gratitude improves your relationships.

Gratitude is good for recovery in many ways. One of the most important is that it improves the quality of your relationships and the quality of communication with others. Practical experience tells us that people like to feel appreciated and that’s exactly what you’re doing whenever you express gratitude to others. However, there’s also quite a bit of research showing that gratitude improves relationships. Studies have found that expressing gratitude can strengthen relationships, improve relationship satisfaction. It can also increase your willingness to forgive others, promote conflict resolution, and foster mutually beneficial behavior. [https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-research/] Strong relationships are crucial for a successful recovery because they give you a sense of connection and purpose, reduce stress, and increase accountability. Therefore, practicing gratitude helps your recovery by improving the quality of your relationships. 

Gratitude makes you happier.

Gratitude is also good for your recovery because it is one of the best ways to make you happier overall. There have now been decades of research connecting gratitude and wellbeing. In one study, Robert Emmonds and Michael McCullough, two leading gratitude researchers, divided participants into three groups. Each of the three groups was asked to write just a few sentences each week. One group was asked to write about daily irritations or things that displeased them. The second group was asked to write about events that had affected them but the researchers didn’t specify whether these events should be positive or negative. The third group was asked to write about things that had occurred during the week that they were grateful for. After 10 weeks, the group that had written about things they were grateful for each week felt more optimistic and better about their lives. As unexpected bonuses, they also made fewer trips to the doctor and exercised more than the group that had written about irritating experiences. [https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier] 

A positive outlook and a general sense of well-being are significant factors in a strong recovery because they help prevent relapse. Relapses don’t typically happen spontaneously but rather in stages–emotional, mental, then physical. Emotional relapse is characterized by negative emotions, bottling up emotions, focusing on other people’s problems, and neglecting self-care. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553654/] Fortunately, the emotional stage of relapse is when it is easiest to turn things around. One way to do this is by practicing gratitude. It improves your outlook and it also makes you more willing to communicate openly and forgive others, as noted above. 

Gratitude connects you to a higher power.

Connection to a higher power is a central part of the 12-step approach to recovery. While many people think of the higher power as God, what really matters is feeling connected to something bigger than yourself. For some people, that might be nature, or humanity, or a cause they feel strongly about. What matters most is the sense of connection and purpose. Practicing gratitude is a way of deliberately acknowledging the role a higher power plays in your life. No one is entirely self-sufficient. We’ve all benefitted at some time or other from the kindness of others, from nature, or from just dumb luck. When you take a moment to acknowledge these things by expressing gratitude, it affirms that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, which is an important part of working the steps. In fact, you could say that prayer is essentially a way of expressing gratitude for the good things that are beyond your control.

How to be more grateful

Although there are compelling reasons to practice gratitude, it is often easier said than done. When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, it’s hard to see anything but problems. The good news is that there are research-backed ways to adopt a more grateful attitude toward life. Positive psychology pioneer Martin Seligman has tested several different methods of increasing feelings of gratitude and found two especially powerful. The first is to keep a gratitude journal. Similar to the study that asked participants to write about the week’s positive experiences, a gratitude journal is just taking a few minutes each night to write down two or three things that you’re grateful for that day. It’s much better to be specific about why you are grateful for one or two important things than just to list a lot of things you’re grateful for. After the first week or so, it’s usually a good idea to switch to writing about gratitude once a week because the mood-boosting effect tends to wear off when you do it every day.

An even more powerful method of increasing gratitude is writing a gratitude letter. Think of something you feel you never properly thanked someone for and write a letter to that person. Detail what you’re grateful for and why. Then deliver the letter in person, if possible. Participants in one study who wrote gratitude letters reported feeling happier for a whole month. And it perhaps goes without saying that writing someone a gratitude letter strengthens your relationship.

 

Burning Tree Ranch specializes in treating chronic relapse in people with chemical dependency. We provide long-term support through residential and extended care programs that help our clients break their old patterns of addiction and learn new skills to support a healthier life. Our Dallas residential treatment program is focused on providing premium substance use treatment at an affordable cost. Contact us today for more information.

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Why Making Comparisons is Bad for Addiction Recovery

Why Making Comparisons is Bad for Addiction Recovery

It’s normal to feel a bit disoriented when you enter treatment for the first time or enter a specific program for the first time. The way most people respond to this kind of uncertainty is to start looking around at what others are doing. As a social species, we are strongly influenced by the opinions of others. We don’t want to be thought of as odd, lazy, weak, unfriendly, or any number of other essentially relative adjectives. It’s also normal to enter treatment feeling anxious. After all, treatment is a big commitment of time, money, and effort and a lot depends on the outcome. There are families anxiously waiting to see how their loved ones will do, whether they may have finally reached a turning point. With so much at stake, we look for signs to see how well we might be doing and unfortunately, many people assess their progress by comparing themselves to others. Making these kinds of comparisons in treatment and recovery is not only misleading but ultimately counterproductive. Here’s why.

Comparisons are bad for your mental health.

There have been many studies showing that social comparisons are bad for your mental health. One study found that people who made more frequent social comparisons had many negative mental health outcomes, including more feelings of guilt, envy, defensiveness, and regret. They were also more likely to lie, blame others, and have unmet cravings. [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-12888-004] Much of the research on social media and mental health has found that social media use increases feelings of depression and isolation and several studies have found that this increased risk of depression is likely a result of social comparison. 

One study [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S174014451730517X#!] found that women who were asked to engage on social media with peers who they judged as more attractive than themselves–perhaps predictably–reported lower self-esteem. However, another study [https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2014.33.8.701] found that people who made frequent comparisons on social media felt more depressed whether they judged themselves as better or worse off than the people they compared themselves too. Yet another study [https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a731/22d8d46b4dc71441219954ccc5228d5dbc69.pdf] found that social comparison, but not total time spent on social media, correlated with depressive symptoms. This suggests that it’s the act of comparison or judgment rather than failing to measure up that makes us feel bad.

This research is especially important for people recovering from addiction because there is significant overlap between depression and substance use disorders. People often develop substance use disorders as a way of coping with the symptoms of depression. Sometimes it goes the other way; addiction leads to feelings of shame and hopelessness, which can turn into depression. It’s also common for people recovering from addiction to experience post-acute-withdrawal syndrome during their first year. This is often described as emotional numbness or depression. In short, anything you can do to reduce your risk of depressive symptoms can only help your recovery from addiction.

Comparisons are almost completely meaningless.

Another major reason to avoid making comparisons in addiction recovery is that comparisons are mostly meaningless. Addiction and recovery are complex and personal and no two people will have exactly the same experiences. Everyone enters treatment with a different personal history and a different addiction history. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. There’s no way to meaningfully compare two people in recovery. 

What’s more, you never know what someone else is really going through. You mostly only know what other people let you know. This is especially true of recovery, where so much happens inside your own head. Someone who appears to be making fast progress and generally have it together may secretly feel like she’s struggling, falling behind, or on the verge of collapse, while someone who appears to be a complete mess is actually more willing to be vulnerable and rely on social support to get her through rough times. Most importantly, neither the person who seems to have it together or the person who is a complete mess has any influence over how well you will do in recovery.

Recovery is not a race.

There’s no prize for being the first person to graduate from a program. What milestones there are in recovery tend to be chunks of time. For example, your risk of relapse usually falls significantly after your first year sober, then again at five years sober. However, everyone takes exactly the same amount of time to reach these milestones. If someone accomplishes something you would like to accomplish, it doesn’t take anything away from you. In fact, it might help you.

Cooperation matters more than competition.

A competitive mindset can undermine what’s really important in addiction recovery: cooperation. Social support is one of the best predictors of a successful recovery and having the attitude that you’re competing against everyone else undermines that sense of mutual support. Addiction recovery is a positive-sum game, which means that all participants do better by working together. When someone in your program or at your 12-step meeting succeeds, it shows that you can succeed too. It makes good possibilities seem more real.

Only compare yourself to where you were yesterday.

There is only one kind of comparison that is meaningful: comparing yourself to you from yesterday. Every day in recovery is up and down, especially in the beginning, but you can always try to do a little better than you did the day before. It doesn’t have to be a big thing; it could be trying to be a little kinder to yourself or a little better listener. These small improvements accumulate over time and will eventually lead to a strong recovery.

 

Burning Tree Ranch specializes in treating chronic relapse in people with chemical dependency. We provide long-term support through residential and extended care programs that help our clients break their old patterns of addiction and learn new skills to support a healthier life. Our Dallas residential treatment program is focused on providing premium substance use treatment at an affordable cost. Contact us today for more information.

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5 Tips for Talking to Your Spouse About Their Drinking Problem

Living with a spouse that abuses alcohol can be very stressful and emotionally draining.  If you have tried to confront your spouse about their drinking, only to find that it leads to a fight or seems to make the situation worse, you are not alone.  Talking to a loved one about addiction is awkward and requires a delicate balance of compassion and strength. If you believe your spouse may need professional help to stop drinking, you may be wondering how to best approach them about a recovery program.  While you can’t force someone to seek help, there are ways in which you can best support them in their decision and avoid making them feel attacked.  

Pick the Right Time

There is never a perfect time to have the awkward conversation of confronting someone with their addiction, but there are inappropriate times.  Do not try to talk to your partner about their problem when they are drunk. This is when they are most likely to respond combatively, and it is unlikely you will be able to effectively make your point.  You also run the risk that they won’t remember the confrontation the next day. Choose a time of a relative calm in your household, possibly during a quiet morning. It is also important to consider what other stressors your partner may be dealing with, and try choosing a time when they have a bit less than usual to worry about.  This does not mean, however, waiting for months for the right opportunity to present itself. The sooner, the better.

Consider Talking to Someone Else First

It can be helpful to rehearse your conversation with a trusted friend or an addiction counselor before going to your spouse.  Just by saying the words out loud to a friend you may be able to hear ways in which you should restructure your language, and get some feedback on your word choice.  An addiction counselor is experienced in facilitating interventions and will be able to provide you with great tips for how to talk to your partner in a compassionate but effective way.  Regardless of who you choose to talk to, this rehearsal conversation can also be a great way to vent all your anger and frustrations before having the conversation with your spouse, so that you can enter into open communication without becoming overly emotional and adding to the drama. 

Be Direct

When it is time to have the conversation, be as straightforward as possible.  Start by stating what recent and specific actions of theirs most concern you, and how they make you feel.  If you have children, you can point out the specific ways in which your partner’s drinking affects them. It helps to focus in on the most recent incident that involved drinking, and explain how their actions have consequences for the entire family.  Try to refrain from listing every alcohol-induced episode, but instead be direct by pointing out that the problem is reoccurring. They may still respond defensively, or not respond at all, but you can eliminate excess drama by simply stating the facts.

Don’t Give an Ultimatum

A common misstep in addiction intervention is the presentation of an ultimatum.  For example, you may be tempted to tell your partner if they don’t seek professional help, you will ask for a divorce.  Unfortunately, this strategy usually backfires by making your spouse feel cornered and defensive. This tactic will make anyone immediately put their guard up and often begin verbal counterattacks.  The goal is to open the lines of communication and facilitate a conversation where both parties feel heard. The first conversation doesn’t need to result in any definitive plan or an “or else” scenario, but can just be a direct expression of your concern, followed by a cooling off period for your spouse to process the situation.

Contact a Quality Treatment Center

The professionals at a recovery center can help you in every step of the process.  It can help to get as much information as possible beforehand about the options available to you and your spouse, and to educate yourself about addiction and the process of recovery.  You shouldn’t approach your spouse by attempting to force them into treatment, but after you have had the initial discussion regarding your concerns about their drinking, you may be able to come back to the conversation with information for them to consider about treatment options.  It is important that your spouse understands that a recovery program is not some form of punishment for their behavior, but is a necessary step in taking responsibility for their own health and happiness, as well as the wellbeing of their family.  

 

At Burning Tree Ranch, we specialize in long-term care that produces real results, especially for those who have experienced relapse.  Here you will find a team of qualified and compassionate professionals, ready to help each client through a customized treatment program that addresses all aspects of addiction, including the identification of co-occurring disorders.  We know that the journey towards recovery doesn’t end with the conclusion of an inpatient program, and therefore we provide extensive aftercare programs to best support our clients during their transition into lasting sobriety. We also know that addiction affects the whole family, and therefore loved ones are encouraged to participate in the recovery process and take advantage of all our support resources.  For more information, call us today at 512-285-5900.       

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7 Ways to Support Your Loved One During their Inpatient Addiction Recovery

Watching your loved one struggle with addiction can make you feel helpless and heartbroken.  When they finally decide to seek professional help in the form of an inpatient recovery program, the emotions surrounding that decision can be very complex for everyone involved.  While you will surely be proud of them and hopeful for the future, it can be hard to know how best to support them during this time, and what your role is now that you aren’t seeing them every day.  Even though the situation has changed, there are still steps you can take while your loved one is in recovery to help them stay positive and ultimately succeed in their battle against addiction.

Educate Yourself

One of the best ways you can empower yourself to support and encourage your loved one through addiction recovery is to inform yourself about the science of addiction, as well as some of the techniques that may be used to help your loved one begin to recover.  By creating a better understanding of how drugs and alcohol effect a person’s behavior, and of how addiction continues to affect the brain for many years into sobriety, you can begin to reframe the way you perceive your loved one and their addiction.

Ask About Family Programs

Many treatment centers encourage the active participation of supportive family members in their clients’ recovery journey.  Not only do family programs help you deal with the emotional ups and downs of having a loved one in recovery, and help to establish realistic expectations of the process, but your involvement will also increase your family member’s chance of success.  Additionally, but joining a support group for family members of those in recovery, such as Al-Anon, you will get to know other people going through the same difficult time, and have a safe space to openly discuss the way addiction has affected you and your family. 

Seek Out Individual Counseling

Therapy is a great addition to anyone’s self-care plan, but it is especially beneficial to people who have experienced the trauma of a loved one’s addiction.  One of the best ways you can support your loved one’s recovery is to take the time to focus on your own healing. By working through any pain and anger you have as a result of your loved one’s actions, you can take responsibility for your own mental wellness and lessen the burden on them.  

Write Letters of Support

In addition to visiting your loved one while they are at an inpatient recovery center, you should write them encouraging and supportive letters.  Let them know that you are proud of them for their decision to get help, and that you are also taking this time to learn more about addiction and work on your own healing.  You may ask for the guidance of your therapist in composing a letter, to be sure that you stay positive and refrain from any accusatory language. 

Change Your Environment

This is especially important if you typically live with the person who is now in recovery.  While they are away, it can be a good time to consider the environment and lifestyle they have to come home to. For example, you can start to create a healthy lifestyle for yourself by improving your diet and keeping junk food and sweets out of the house.  You may also start to become more active so that daily exercise becomes a normal part of your routine. A holistic treatment center will encourage your loved one to improve upon their nutrition and activity to support their recovery, and by doing this for yourself you are contributing to your own wellness while also creating a lifestyle more conducive to their recovery.

End the Stigma

One of the biggest obstacles for people who experience addiction is getting past the heavy stigma of the disease.  Often, families will conceal their loved one’s battle with addiction out of shame or embarrassment. By acting as if your family member’s decision to get help is something to be ashamed of, you are increasing the stigma surrounding addiction and taking away the empowering aspect of recovery.  End the stigma by being honest with others about your loved one’s battle with addiction (with their consent), as well as by being openly proud of them for choosing to get sober.

Stop Enabling

If you have participated in enabling behavior in the past, your loved one’s inpatient recovery is a great time for you to wipe the slate clean and stop all co-dependency.  If your loved one will eventually be returning to your residence, make your home a strictly substance-free zone, and make a commitment not to financially or emotionally support decisions that will be detrimental to their recovery.  

 

At Burning Tree Ranch, we specialize in long-term care that produces real results, especially for those who have experienced relapse.  Here you will find a team of qualified and compassionate professionals, ready to help each client through a customized treatment program that addresses all aspects of addiction, including the identification of co-occurring disorders.  We know that the journey towards recovery doesn’t end with the conclusion of an inpatient program, and we provide extensive aftercare programs to best support our clients during their transition into lasting sobriety. We also know that addiction affects the whole family, and therefore loved ones are encouraged to participate in the recovery process and take advantage of all our support resources.  For more information, call us today at 512-285-5900.      

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Ending the Legacy of Addiction 

Ending the Legacy of Addiction 

Addiction runs in families, of this much we are certain.  While almost everyone has at least one relative that has been touched by addiction, it seems that people who struggle with addiction themselves can usually name a few addicts in their family, and at least one immediate family member.  Because people with substance use disorders often come from families with addicted parents, grandparents, or siblings, people have long assumed that addiction is caused by a genetic predisposition that can be passed down through generations.  This is only partially true. As with many other aspects of genetics and disease, there are many factors that influence whether a person will develop an addiction, genetic makeup being only one of them. By understanding what factors combine to create the perfect storm for addiction to manifest, we can begin to work towards ending the legacy of substance abuse that plagues far too many families.

Everyone reacts differently to drugs and alcohol depending on their body’s natural chemistry.  Just as some medications work for one person but make another person sick, different substances can create euphoria for one person and an unpleasant feeling for another.  In most cases, drugs and alcohol work to stimulate the reward system in the brain so that you receive a rush of endorphins when you use them. Over time, this process creates new neural pathways that encourage you to keep using the substance that gave you that rush, and an addiction begins to take hold.  Scientists theorize that about 10% of the population have an especially efficient reward system in their brain, and these people are more likely to experience addictions and to develop them earlier in life.

It is likely that this efficient neural reward system is a genetic trait just like any other trait we inherit from our parents, and therefore if your parent experienced addiction, it might mean that you are more inclined to develop one as well.  Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. People who do not have this heightened reward system can still develop addiction just by choosing to use substances in excess over an extended period. These people would not carry the genetic predisposition to addiction and therefore would not pass it to their children.  Adversely, many people who do have the genetic predisposition will never become addicted because they choose not to ever use drugs or alcohol. While genetics clearly plays a role, it can’t seal your fate or the fate of your loved ones on its own.

If you are a parent who has struggled with addiction, it is likely you have spent a good deal of time and energy worrying about your children’s susceptibility to the disease.  For the many of us that were raised by addicted parents, it can feel as if we were doomed by our inheritance, and we are destined to do the same to the next generation. Fortunately, we have a lot more power than we tend to believe when it comes to influencing our children’s future, and preventing the continuance of a familial cycle of addiction.  Environment plays a huge role in a person’s susceptibility to addiction, and living with a parent that frequently uses drugs or alcohol is one of the most accurate predictors of future substance abuse. The best choice you can make for your children’s future is to seek professional help and get sober.  

If you know you have caused your family pain due to your addiction, you may be wondering if the damage on your children’s future has already been done.  While there may be a great deal of healing and making amends that needs to take place, there is also a good chance your relationship with your children and their perception of you is salvageable through recovery.  Seeing someone you love successfully beat addiction is one of the most inspiring things you can ever witness, and by committing to sobriety and holding yourself accountable for your recovery, you will prove to your children that they too can overcome any obstacle.  

One of the greatest advantages we have over the generations before us when it comes to addiction is our access to information.  By educating yourself on the science of addiction and the way it changes your brain, you will not only empower yourself in your battle for sobriety, but also be able to share that information with your children so that they know what to avoid.  By explaining to your children that they may be genetically predisposed toward addiction, you can arm them against the inevitably difficult choices they will have to make one day regarding drugs and alcohol. Addiction does not have to be passed down from generation to generation forever.  We can end the cycle now by first taking care of ourselves, and then empowering our children to make better choices.  

 

At Burning Tree Ranch, we specialize in long-term care that produces real results, especially for those who have experienced relapse.  Here you will find a team of qualified and compassionate professionals, ready to help each client through a customized treatment program that addresses all aspects of addiction, including the identification of co-occurring disorders.  We know that the journey towards recovery doesn’t end with the conclusion of an inpatient program, and therefore we provide extensive aftercare programs to best support our clients during their transition into lasting sobriety. We also know that addiction affects the whole family, and therefore loved ones are encouraged to participate in the recovery process and take advantage of all our support resources.  For more information, call us today at 512-285-5900.    

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7 Reasons to Find a Sponsor in Recovery

7 Reasons to Find a Sponsor in Recovery

The concept of a sobriety sponsor has been popularized through Alcoholics Anonymous and many references to the 12-step-program made in popular culture.  If you are considering entering a treatment program for the first time, or returning to treatment after relapse, you may be wondering if it is the right time for you to seek a sponsor, and what that extra support will mean for your recovery.  While sponsorship isn’t always necessary to achieve and maintain sobriety, there are many benefits to having a sponsor in your corner in your fight against addiction.

They’ve Been There

One of the best reasons to find a sponsor is to have access to the wisdom of someone who has been exactly where you are.  A good sponsor has lived through the horrors of addiction and found redemption on the road to recovery. They most likely have experienced relapse and dealt with the complex ways in which life can interfere with recovery.  Nothing you can say will surprise them, because they’ve lived it.

They’re a Concrete Example of Success

Having a sponsor that has survived addiction and successfully built a life of sobriety can help you to see, even in the darkest of times, that recovery is possible.  Sometimes after witnessing others struggle with addiction during treatment, it can feel as if everyone around you is struggling and failing, and true recovery can begin to feel like a myth.  A sponsor is there to remind you that conquering addiction is possible, and they are living proof! You can look to them for inspiration and pep talks when you feel like giving up. 

They Will Hold You Accountable

Learning to hold yourself accountable for the actions of your past and the choices of your future is one of the most important aspects of recovery.  It can help to have a compassionate but stern sponsor to remind you of that accountability. It also helps to find a sponsor that you like and respect, so that the desire to make them proud can become another motivator to maintain your sobriety.  A good sponsor will hold you accountable to yourself and all those that love and care about you. 

You Can Lean on Them

While a good sponsor will be honest and direct about your choices and responsibilities, they can also become a shoulder to cry on when the path towards recovery inevitably becomes dark and emotional.  Overcoming addiction will be one of the toughest obstacles you will face in life, and there are bound to be times of depression, frustration, anger, and loneliness. A sponsor can be there to listen without judgment and with true empathy, because they too have felt all those emotions.   Sometimes in recovery you may feel the need to cry, yell, or just sit in silence with a trusted friend, and a good sponsor will be willing to be there for all of it.

They Will Keep You Grounded

Often in early recovery, we can feel invincible against our addiction and turn down opportunities to utilize extra resources and support.  Early sobriety is exhilarating, and for good reason. Living a life free of drugs and alcohol can feel like a heavy burden has finally been lifted off your shoulders and you are capable of anything.  While this positivity is great, it can also lead to laziness and over-confidence when it comes to continuing to work the steps and remain diligent in your recovery. A good sponsor will have most likely experienced this honeymoon phase of sobriety themselves, and they may recognize the signs when you begin to neglect your responsibilities and put yourself in risky situations.  Having a sponsor keep you in check when you are feeling a bit too self-assured can get you back on track and prevent relapse.  

You May Make a Lifelong Friend

Sponsors will be there through some of the most difficult parts of your life, and will also be there to witness you find happiness and accomplish goals.  It is natural that a good sponsor will eventually evolve into a good friend. In early sobriety, it may be important to create boundaries in your relationship with your sponsor so that it feels more like a mentorship than a friendship.  But after some time, when your recovery is doing well and life is finding balance, sponsors can become the best friends you will ever have. They have seen you at your worst and understand you better than anyone.  

You Can Pay It Forward Someday

One of the greatest parts about experiencing the benefits of a good sponsor is that you may be able to follow in their footsteps someday by becoming a sponsor yourself.  After you have achieved lasting sobriety and feel confident in your knowledge of recovery and the 12 steps, you may be able to pay the favor forward by helping to lift someone else out of the darkness of addiction and into a fulfilling life.

 

At Burning Tree Ranch, we specialize in long-term care that produces real results, especially for those who have experienced relapse.  Here you will find a team of qualified and compassionate professionals, ready to help each client through a customized treatment program that addresses all aspects of addiction, including the identification of co-occurring disorders.  We know that the journey towards recovery doesn’t end with the conclusion of an inpatient program, and therefore we provide extensive aftercare programs to best support our clients during their transition into lasting sobriety. We also know that addiction affects the whole family, and therefore loved ones are encouraged to participate in the recovery process and take advantage of all our support services.  For more information, call us today at 512-285-5900.    

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5 Reasons Long-term Aftercare is Critical to Addiction Recovery

5 Reasons Long-term Aftercare is Critical to Addiction Recovery

Many addiction recovery programs and treatment centers have evolved their techniques and strategies exponentially over the past decade to incorporate new research and methods that prove successful for clients with addictions.  One clear factor in determining success in lasting recovery is the availability of quality aftercare for people who have recently completed an initial inpatient recovery program. Inpatient recovery should not be rushed, and it is important to find a program that continues to offer inpatient options for as long as they are beneficial to the individual.  But eventually everyone who struggles with addiction must return to their families or careers, and at this point aftercare becomes critical to the maintenance of sobriety and wellness. While the process of recovery is different for everyone, there are universal benefits to an aftercare program that greatly increase the chances of achieving long-term sobriety.

Aftercare Helps You Make Changes that Last

All too often, people with addictions enter recovery programs in order to detox in a safe environment, only to return to the environment that fostered their addiction in the first place without the tools to make any lasting change.  While detoxification and an initial intensive recovery program is an essential first step in the process of attaining lasting sobriety, a quality aftercare program gives you the tools you need to apply your newly acquired skills to everyday life, and prevents you from falling into old habits.  Sobriety during inpatient care is relatively straightforward, but coping with the complexities of fresh sobriety in everyday life requires the proper resources.    

You can Lean on the Support of Community

Participating in an aftercare program means you aren’t alone on your recovery journey.  It can be extremely jarring to suddenly transition from an inpatient recovery program in which you are surrounded by peers and professionals, and into “real life” without the support of a recovery team.  An aftercare program prevents feelings of loneliness and isolation that can lead to relapse, while also keeping you in touch with mentors and sponsors that will hold you accountable and keep you on track.  An aftercare support group meeting, for example, can facilitate discussions that help you learn how to overcome obstacles to your sobriety that may present themselves in everyday life. Without proper aftercare, it can be hard to know who to turn to for advice and reassurance in early sobriety.

You can Customize Your Care

Aftercare is often a bit less structured and rigid than inpatient recovery, and it allows you to choose the type of care that best suits your individual needs.  Some people feel they benefit more from group support meetings than from individual counseling, while others prefer a combination of both. Everyone’s experience with addiction and recovery is different, and it is important to have options and diverse resources available to you while you create a sober lifestyle.  Aftercare options that fit your schedule and accessibility are also important in maintaining consistency and accountability, so that you can remain committed to your sobriety going forward.

Your Can Focus on Your Mental Health

Identifying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders is an essential part of addiction recovery. Unfortunately, without proper aftercare, past trauma and mental illnesses can go untreated after the initial inpatient recovery is complete.  Mental health requires consistent care, and in many cases, healing can last a lifetime. Without the right attention and professional help, mental illnesses like anxiety and depression can trigger addiction relapse. While sobriety should be your number one priority in recovery, aftercare should address all aspects of your wellness so that you eliminate additional stress and find as much peace of mind as possible.  Proper aftercare can also help you to identify potentially problematic situations and relationships in your home life, and help you to create the kind of change that most honors your emotional wellbeing.  

You can Begin to Work Towards Physical Wellness

Substance abuse can create lifelong health issues and physical deterioration.  This can occur directly as a result of damaging chemicals entering your body on a regular basis, as the indirect consequences of living a life that was not conducive to healthy choices or regular physical activity.  Quality holistic aftercare can help you address the physical repercussions of your addiction by teaching you proper nutrition and encouraging an active lifestyle. It may also be necessary to screen for additional health issues and identify any medications you may need to support your health during and after detox.  Research continues to prove that paying attention to all aspects of your health in addiction recovery can make the creation of a sober lifestyle easier to achieve, and more likely to last.  

 

At Burning Tree Ranch, we specialize in long-term care that produces real results, especially for those who have experienced relapse.  Here you will find a team of qualified and compassionate professionals, ready to help each client through a customized treatment program that addresses all aspects of addiction, including the identification of co-occurring disorders.  We know that the journey towards recovery doesn’t end with the conclusion of an inpatient program, and therefore we provide extensive aftercare programs to best support our clients during their transition into lasting sobriety. We also know that addiction affects the whole family, and therefore loved ones are encouraged to participate in the recovery process and take advantage of all our support resources.  For more information, call us today at 512-285-5900.    

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7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Psychotherapy

7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is one of the most important parts of addiction treatment. At least half of people with substance use disorders have a co-occurring mental health issue, and many believe the figure is closer to 80 percent. Issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders significantly increase your risk of developing a substance use disorder. These co-occurring issues must be addressed to give you the best chance of a successful recovery from addiction. Many people are not even aware they have a co-occurring disorder; they may just know they feel bad and drugs or alcohol make them feel better. Discovering and treating underlying mental health issues is crucial to addiction recovery. Although you don’t have to know anything in particular before entering therapy, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you get the most out of your time with your therapist.

Think of therapy as a collaboration.

Therapy is not like bringing your car to the mechanic; your therapist can’t just fix your mind. It’s not even like going to the doctor, to whom you describe your symptoms and receive feedback. Therapy is a much more collaborative process. Your therapist only knows what you share. Your therapist is an expert on human behavior, but they don’t know your history, what bothers you, and what you want to accomplish. For a therapeutic relationship to work, you have to do your part. Think of your therapist as an expert consultant who can help you live a better life.

Set goals for therapy.

If you’re in therapy as part of addiction treatment, your general goal will clearly be staying sober. However, there are many other efforts that might support that goal and give you some indication whether you’re making progress. Try to identify these goals- for example, you might want to feel less anxious in social situations or you might want to have a healthier relationship with your parents. You don’t have to choose one goal to focus on, but making a dream board, or penning gratitude lists can serve as tools to measure your progress. Chronicling movement towards your goals tells you whether or not therapy is working, and seeing your life improve gives you extra motivation to stay engaged in the process.

Speak freely.

Being open is crucial for therapy to work. You have to be honest about what you’re thinking and feeling, and sometimes this is a process. Some things are hard to talk about and you have to work up to it gradually. Typically, your therapist won’t push you to talk about something before you’re ready. However, if there’s something you don’t want to talk about yet, it’s better to say so than to lie.

Therapy is also different from normal conversation in that it’s fine to say whatever happens to pop into your head. Tangents, random associations, and seemingly irrelevant thoughts can sometimes be helpful. You don’t have to know exactly what you want to say before you try to say it. Sometimes our most powerful emotions are the hardest to articulate.

Your therapist is one of the safest people to share your innermost thoughts with, as they are required by law to keep anything you say private. The only exceptions are typically if you plan to harm yourself, others or if there is a child in danger. Another benefit of the confidentiality between a therapist and a patient is a lack of pre-existing bias- you get to tell your story, in your voice.

Do your homework.

Therapy isn’t just about talking to your therapist for 50 minutes once or twice a week. If you really want to get the most out of therapy, you have to make a conscious effort to apply what you talked about. Sometimes this will be open-ended. For example, maybe you’ll realize you’re overly sensitive to criticism so you make a special effort to be aware of that when people give you feedback in your day-to-day life. Sometimes your therapist will specifically give you homework, perhaps something like expressing appreciation to someone important to you or writing about episodes of anxiety. Following through on these assignments consolidates what you’ve learned and helps you apply it to your real life. Even if you don’t get homework, it’s a good idea to keep a therapy journal and write down what you talked about and how you felt about it.

Ask questions.

Therapy is your time and if there’s anything you don’t understand or are curious about, just ask. It doesn’t matter if it’s something about therapy, psychology, your therapist, or your own situation. Any information you get will help you orient yourself. Knowing why you’re doing something can also be motivating.

Use therapy for practice.

Therapy isn’t just a meta-exercise in understanding your own psychological issues; it’s also an opportunity to practice new skills and try things out. Although therapy is a special kind of relationship, at a fundamental level, it’s just two people talking. It’s a safe space to work on some of the things you’ve been talking about. You can practice eye contact, asking questions, setting boundaries, or anything that gives you trouble in everyday interactions.

Enforce boundaries around therapy.

Although your therapist must keep your sessions confidential, you can talk about whatever you want. However, it’s often a good idea to limit what you say to others about your sessions. For one thing, you have no expectation of privacy once you tell someone who’s not your therapist. Since you often talk about deeply personal stuff in therapy, you might not want it floating around. Second, everyone has an opinion. You might end up getting all kinds of unsolicited advice and some of it might undermine your therapy work. If you do talk about therapy with others, make sure it’s with good reason, to people you trust.

 

 

Burning Tree Ranch specializes in treating chronic relapse in people with chemical dependency. We provide long-term support through residential and extended care programs that help our clients break their old patterns of addiction and learn new skills to support a healthier life. Our Dallas residential treatment program is focused on providing premium substance use treatment at an affordable cost. Contact us today for more information.

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6 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Group Therapy

6 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Group Therapy

Group therapy plays a central role in nearly every quality treatment program and for good reason. Studies show that group therapy is a cost-effective way to treat many conditions, including addiction. More importantly, group therapy offers a valuable opportunity to learn and practice skills that are hard to acquire on your own or in private therapy. For example, group therapy allows you to practice communication skills in a safe environment where a therapist can moderate interactions. Group therapy is also a great way to get many different perspectives on your problems and not just the perspective of untrained peers or your individual therapist. However, like any form of therapy, you only get out of it what you put in. Here are some tips for getting the most out of group therapy.

Be open.

Being open is perhaps the most important part of group therapy and, for some people, the hardest. It can be hard to be honest about your feelings and experiences in front of a group, but the more you share, the more the group can help you. Keep in mind that a group therapy session isn’t like a work meeting, where communication should be clear and concise. It’s fine and often helpful to try to express thoughts or feelings you can’t quite articulate. This also goes for feelings or experiences you probably wouldn’t share in other social settings.

Openness is important for several reasons. First, by being honest about your emotions, you learn to better understand them. Just making an effort to describe how you really feel makes you more aware of your own emotional landscape. Second, it’s often harder to see ourselves clearly than to see others. By being honest with the group about your feelings, you can gain much greater insight into your emotional life. Third, we reflexively protect the places we’ve been hurt and by allowing yourself to be vulnerable, you discover that whatever you’re feeling is okay.

Learn to give feedback.

A major advantage of the group is that you get feedback from others while simultaneously practicing your communication skills. Giving feedback is one of the most valuable skills to practice. Not only is it important in the context of the group, but it is also a valuable skill in other areas of your life, especially when it comes to setting boundaries. It can be tricky to balance honesty and respect. We often excuse meanness by saying, “I’m just being honest.” Honest feedback is important, but it should always come from a place of compassion.

To be effective, feedback should be as specific as possible. For example, it’s better to give feedback specific to something someone said or did rather than how they seem to behave in general. Providing concrete examples is always helpful. So instead of saying, “you’re too negative,” try something more grounded like, “you said just now that you fail at everything, but I think you were overgeneralizing.” Also, be sure to give positive feedback. Let people know when you appreciate something they said or did.

Learn to accept feedback.

Accepting feedback is just as important as giving good feedback. Some people feel like they’re being personally attacked or criticized when they get feedback. This is understandable, especially for people who are used to being attacked or criticized. However, it’s important to manage those feelings constructively. Getting feedback from a group of people you can be totally honest with is a valuable source of information and if you’re overly defensive, you might miss out. If you feel like you’re becoming defensive, it may be a good idea to acknowledge that feeling and share it. In general, it’s good to acknowledge feedback and appreciate that the person who gave it is trying to help. You may want to see if others agree or disagree with the feedback as well. Finally, it’s also helpful to ask for feedback, rather than just wait. This way, you’re actively gathering more information about yourself.

Don’t rely on stories.

It’s tempting to prepare what you’re going to say in advance and especially to rely on stories. However, in the context of the group, that may be counterproductive. Stories are often pared down to be efficient and produce a certain impression. In effect, you may be using a story to project a certain image. This may be a way to avoid being honest or avoid struggling with uncomfortable emotions. It’s much better to be honest and responsive to what’s happening in the group.

Be wary of giving advice.

It’s often tempting to give advice when someone in the group describes a problem they are having. However, it’s usually best to refrain. It’s easy to give someone else advice, but even if it’s good advice, it may not be what they need to hear. A better approach is to listen and ask questions. Try to understand what they’re trying to say and how they are feeling. You can give someone advice if they ask for it, but more often, people just want to feel like they’re being heard.

Pay attention to group dynamics.

There’s a lot going on in a group and you can learn a great deal by paying attention to group dynamics. What kind of discussions make you feel uncomfortable? Which group members are good communicators? Which group members are others drawn to? Which members do people avoid? How does the therapist moderate conflict and misunderstanding? All of these things can help you learn new skills and understand your own position better.

 

 

Burning Tree Ranch specializes in treating chronic relapse in people with chemical dependency. We provide long-term support through residential and extended care programs that help our clients break their old patterns of addiction and learn new skills to support a healthier life. Our Dallas residential treatment program is focused on providing premium substance use treatment at an affordable cost. Contact us today for more information.

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