Identifying Cues for Addiction, Understanding Relapse and Moving Towards Recovery
We can’t predict what’s going to happen throughout the day, and sometimes upsetting thoughts or situations can occur. We may receive bad news about something that meant a lot to us, we may suddenly feel agitated or depressed, or our thoughts and feelings may occur because of an unknown cues that came up in our […]
Building a Stronger Sponsorship
Sponsorship can be a bit of a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you’ve never had a sponsor before. You’re probably not used to having someone you can talk to and lean on in recovery – and now that you’re beginning the process, it can be a bit overwhelming because of the possibilities and challenges that come […]
Try These 6 Things to Support Better Health and Fitness Around the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for people to get together and celebrate the new year coming and the one behind. Everyone has their own celebrations but it is a tricky balance for people in recovery. You may be wanting to work on overall health and fitness while staying sober, but all the food and […]
Improving Self-Esteem During Recovery
Self-esteem refers to an individual’s confidence in their own abilities as well as their sense of self-worth. Low self-esteem can affect every aspect of a person’s life, from their relationships to their professional success. Research has proven a connection between low self-esteem and substance abuse, which may be better described as a cycle. Those who […]
Willpower and the Brain
If you have ever tried to quit a behavior that was negatively impacting your life, or create a positive new behavior that changes your routine, only to slip back into old habits within weeks, days, or even hours, you may have blamed your failure on a lack of willpower. Willpower refers to the ability to […]
5 Tips for Balancing Work and Addiction Recovery
Getting back to “normal” after completing a long-term inpatient addiction recovery program can be a challenge. Normal might mean something entirely different now that you have committed yourself to a sober lifestyle. You may have to find new friends, new hobbies, and even a new job. Whether you had the luxury of taking time off […]
Addiction Recovery and Child Custody
Child custody battles can be messy and complex, and with the addition of substance abuse issues in one parent or both, the legality of the situation can overshadow the needs of the children. Most parents with substance abuse disorder deeply love their children, and many fear that by seeking out treatment they will be giving […]
Nutrition and Recovery from Addiction
When we think about getting clean and sober, we are likely to imagine treatment facilities, counselors, and twelve step meetings—each undoubtedly a significant part of recovery. Often overlooked is the vital roles diet and nutrition play in our ability to recover. Yet there is an impressive amount of research to back up the idea that […]
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. […]
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 […]
