The disease of alcohol and drug addiction is not just mental and physical but also spiritual. In the first step of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), we “admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” We certainly have proof of the unmanageability of our lives from our past, our actions, and the mental and…
Having a “sense of identity” is a profoundly psychological concept that is abstract and sometimes difficult to fully understand as the discourse around it starts to unfold in all its complexities. When you hear the word identity, you might think of character traits that you associate with, making you stand out from the crowd (or…
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “one day at a time,” you may have wondered exactly what that means in recovery. At face value, it seems quite simple—we don’t drink or use drugs during our day, without considering whether we will or will not tomorrow. However, “one day at a time” is more complex and…
Deciding to get treatment for addiction means considering several types of treatment programs. Residential rehab is considered a solid foundation for most people with substance abuse that’s moderate to severe. It offers the ability to learn, grow, and heal in an environment that promotes health and support. At Oceanfront Recovery, it is one of the…
Addiction recovery is a long road with numerous bumps to manage. There will be times when a person feels great and able to accomplish anything. Other times, it can be hard to get out of bed. Yet, maintaining sobriety has to be the focus of every day, even when it’s hard to do. You’re not…
What would a sober St. Patrick’s Day mean to you? Any sober holiday is a big deal for men and women battling addiction. It means finding joy in that holiday but not having to turn to alcohol or drugs to do so. That may be what you used to do, but today, you have a…
When a person is faced with addiction and pregnancy, everything seems complicated and impossible. Dependency or addiction means an individual is unable to stop using drugs or alcohol even if they want to do so because the substances have caused changes to their brain chemistry. Without the substance, individuals have extreme difficulty functioning properly and…
Life is challenging, with numerous stressors affecting most people each day. For people with addiction, it’s difficult to manage those stressors without healthy coping skills. Anyone can benefit from developing more effective ways for managing stress, addiction cravings, and mental health disorders. For those in recovery, doing so is even more important. At Oceanfront Recovery,…
Addiction damages relationships in many cases. Friends, family, coworkers, and even people you do not know well can be impacted by what’s happening with your mental and physical health. The things you say and do often contribute to these problems. Relationships in recovery may seem impossible or strained, but that doesn’t have to be the…
If you have recently left inpatient or residential rehab, then you are probably pleased with your newfound sobriety. It can be a major challenge to get sober after dealing with addiction for such a long time. On the other hand, if you would like to protect your sobriety, it is important to focus on learning…