Many people have the experience of going through the difficult process of detoxifying their body of alcohol and drugs, only to relapse quickly after leaving treatment. It is not an uncommon situation– about 85% of people who seek treatment relapse on drugs within one year after discharge. This is because there is no cure for…
DetailsThe decision to seek help for addiction is the most important decision we will ever make. There are many psychological blocks that keep us from taking this vital step toward recovery. We often feel too ashamed or guilty to admit that we have a problem and open up about our struggles. Yet, once we are…
DetailsMany people view the disease model of addiction with skepticism. They may assume that people who are addicted to drugs are making the conscious decision to continue using simply because they enjoy the feeling. In the beginning stages of drug use, this may be true. However, as addiction develops, it entirely changes the brain in…
DetailsAlthough overshadowed by the growing opioid epidemic, the rates of benzodiazepine abuse in the United States have skyrocketed. Often, benzodiazepines are taken along with alcohol, opioids, or other depressants, causing a potentially lethal combination of substances. Many people look to the pharmaceutical industry to blame or the media and entertainment for introducing a younger generation…
DetailsPrayer and meditation are suggested in the 12-step program of recovery. However, they an be effective tools regardless of what recovery program we choose to follow. Although prayer and meditation sound like religious practices, we can benefit from them whether we are religious or not. The great thing about prayer and meditation is that they…
DetailsThe greatest thing about recovery is the vastness and inclusivity of the recovery community. No matter where we are, we can almost always find a meeting close by or reach out to someone in the recovery community for support. There are even recovery meetings that take place online if we are unable to find one…
DetailsThe initial wave of the baby boomer generation turned 65 years old in 2011. Currently, older adults make up 30% of the population in the United States. The rates of older adults are increasing, and so too are the rates of alcoholism and addiction among the older generation. However, many older adults are unwilling to…
DetailsWhile countless recovery programs provide very specific directions on what needs to be done to achieve and maintain sobriety, not everyone will have the same experience with recovery. For some, the process may be easy, but others may require multiple attempts and face unanticipated struggles on their journey of recovery. There is no single treatment…
DetailsRecovery is an extremely fulfilling and rewarding process, but it can be difficult in the beginning. We may face all sorts of mental, physical, and spiritual problems during the beginning of our journey. However, if we can get past the common stumbling blocks of early recovery, we will find that it become much easier. Our…
DetailsPassing judgment on others is a negative defense mechanism that ultimately makes us feel worse. On the other end of the spectrum, feeling like we are being judged can cause all sorts of negative emotions and reactions to arise. We can use judgment in positive and productive ways, but we can’t let it reach a…
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