In early sobriety, when are brains are healing from the damaging effects of drugs and alcohol, we usually have to deal with problems relating to memory and concentration. Early recovery is a difficult time because we have so much to learn, but may still feel mentally “foggy” for a long time. Here are three tips…
Addiction is powerful. We can put together some time sober, but inevitably the urge to pick up a drink or a drug strikes us. In early recovery, this is a constant source of anxiety, agitation, and worry. We must remember that cravings are temporary. If we can get through the moment of obsession without drinking…
“A grateful alcoholic never relapses” is a common saying in the recovery community that has been shown to be true. Approaching each day with a sense of appreciation puts us in much less danger of ruminating on the bad things in our lives and helps us maintain our sobriety. Here are three tips to practice…
Inhalants are a class of drugs abused by inhaling as the sole route of administration. Solvents, aerosol sprays, gases, and nitrites may contain certain substances capable of producing psychoactive effects when inhaled. Inhalants generally have brief short-term effects, but produce long-lasting damage to the brain. Inhalants cause large amounts of toxic chemicals to enter into…
Many people, especially men and women entering treatment, do not have an in-depth understanding of the disease of addiction. Instead, their knowledge about addiction comes from common misunderstandings and myths about the disease. Here are four common myths that may change your mind about addiction: You Can’t be Addicted if You Take Medication as Prescribed…
Addiction diminished our ability to properly communicate with others. When we enter into treatment, we may feel overwhelmed by strong emotions and unable or unwilling to properly communicate our needs. If we want the best possible outcome from our time in treatment, however, we must be willing to open up and effectively communicate with others.…
Health is rarely a consideration when we are living in active addiction. Intravenous drug users, specifically, are at a greater risk for these health complications. When we inject drugs, we create the potential for serious damage to our circulatory system that can cause irreversible damage. The circulatory system is a network of organs and vessels…
We were always playing a character in our addiction. Our walls went up and we chose what to let other see, rarely giving anyone a glimpse at our true self. Alcohol and drugs allowed us to feel comfortable with ourselves for a brief moment in time, but when we were not using, we could rarely…
In a state of active addiction, we tried and failed to control our drug and alcohol use. No matter how hard we tried, we could not face the reality of the fact that we had lost control of our ability to use substances without our lives spiraling out of control. Surrender and acceptance go hand-in-hand.…
An entire subgroup of therapy has sprouted from an understanding of the potential for emotional growth through human-animal interaction. Equine therapy, which utilizes interactions with horses, has been proven to be effective in helping to treat ADD, anxiety, autism, depression, trauma, and many other behavioral and mental health issues. The therapeutic benefits of horseback riding…