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Fatherhood and Addiction Recovery

Fatherhood and Addiction Recovery

As a father, your traditional role in the family is to be the protector and the provider. You're also often expected to provide both financial and emotional support, but knowing how to approach a child who's struggling with addiction can be difficult. It's hard to...

Motherhood and Addiction Recovery

Motherhood and Addiction Recovery

Being a mother is a tough job. Your children look to you for guidance and daily care. This can be tough to achieve if you're under stress and struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. In addition, when a parent struggles with addiction, it affects the family as a...

How to Live in the Moment

How to Live in the Moment

Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is a courageous journey filled with challenges . It's also one rife with profound opportunities for growth and transformation. Studies show that those in recovery who adopt a mindful, present-centered approach to life can...

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Recovery

Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Recovery

Addiction rates are high among individuals with bipolar disorder (BPD), a personality disorder characterized by impulsive behavior and alternating episodes of depression and mania. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report the prevalence of substance abuse...

What is the Johari Window?

What is the Johari Window?

Developed by two psychologists to help people improve their understanding of themselves and others, the Johari Window is a type of heuristic tool that examines the biases and criticisms we may or may not be aware of that motivates our behavior. The Johari Window is...

Developing Patience in Addiction Recovery

Developing Patience in Addiction Recovery

It goes without saying that addiction recovery is no quick process. For most people, it requires a ton of time and emotional energy. That's because addiction is never really a superficial problem — the roots of this disorder often go really deep so untangling them can...

Gardening in Addiction Recovery

Gardening in Addiction Recovery

A form of therapeutic horticulture that has been shown to significantly increase a person's sense of mental well-being and satisfaction, gardening is one of the best activities recovering addicts can use to reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress. Research indicates...

Staying Hydrated in Addiction Recovery

Staying Hydrated in Addiction Recovery

Concentrating solely on your mental health during addiction recovery often leads to forgetting about the importance of staying hydrated during your recovery. While detox eliminates all traces of drugs or alcohol from the body, and residential treatment programs...

What is the Cycle of Addiction?

What is the Cycle of Addiction?

Addiction is complicated. It's a serious mental health condition that causes people to repeatedly engage in behaviors- even if it's harmful and they want to stop. Part of the reason that addiction is so challenging is that it operates in a cycle that is difficult to...

How to Handle Your Career in Addiction Recovery

How to Handle Your Career in Addiction Recovery

Graduating from a recovery program means you have stayed sober for three months or longer. You have received counseling, therapy, relapse prevention training, and many other beneficial services intended to help you avoid using again as you transition from inpatient or...

Keeping It Real: Avoiding Toxic Positivity

Keeping It Real: Avoiding Toxic Positivity

Do you know someone who is always optimistic and upbeat, no matter how dire the situation seems to be? Have you ever been told by a perpetually cheerful family member to "just smile and forget about it" after you have just been informed it will cost $2000 to repair...

What is Dual Diagnosis?

What is Dual Diagnosis?

A dual diagnosis is the diagnosis of two or more health problems existing at the same time. This term is most often used to refer to individuals with substance addiction and at least one mental illness. The clinical word for dual diagnosis is "comorbidity", which is...

Acupuncture for Addiction Treatment?

Acupuncture for Addiction Treatment?

While elements like cognitive behavior therapy and group therapy are crucial parts of any addiction recovery program, holistic therapies can help promote a healthier lifestyle and long-term success for those in recovery. When you're searching for a place to recover...

The Link Between Stress and Addiction

The Link Between Stress and Addiction

Everyone has to cope with stress at times. When stress becomes overwhelming, however, it can cause people to lose emotional and physical control. Some people turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate against the tension they experience either after a traumatic event...

The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction

The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction

The prevalence of childhood trauma continues to be a major contributor to adult addiction and mental illness. It is estimated that two-thirds of children worldwide have suffered at least one traumatic episode by the time they are 16 years old. The most commonly...

How Making Friends Can Help Your Recovery

How Making Friends Can Help Your Recovery

It can feel incredibly isolating to go through recovery. Your friends and family want to be there to support you, but they have trouble relating to you. They can't know what it's like to struggle with addiction and go through the challenges of recovery. That's why it...

How Addiction Affects Siblings

How Addiction Affects Siblings

Much has been written about the emotional difficulties of those suffering from addiction. There's also some information on the effect addiction can have on romantic relationships, friendships, and parent-child relationships. However, the siblings of those struggling...

The Biggest Benefits of Conquering Addiction

The Biggest Benefits of Conquering Addiction

When we talk about addiction, it's often taken as a given that overcoming it is a positive experience and our lives would be immeasurably better once we do so. However, it's not always obvious what our lives would look like once we quit substance use. For instance,...

What is Delta-8 THC?

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC, or Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive substance that can be extracted from the cannabis plant. Its structure is similar to that of Delta-9 THC, which is the chemical that produces a chemical high when using marijuana. Although those two...

How to Use Journaling in Recovery

How to Use Journaling in Recovery

It goes without saying that addiction recovery is a time of great emotional turmoil. People often find that they've been using alcohol and/or other substances as a way to suppress difficult feelings. Thus, once they no longer have substance use to utilize as a coping...

The Difference Between Substance Abuse and Addiction

The Difference Between Substance Abuse and Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction are often mistaken as the same thing, but the two are very different. Both can have negative effects on your health, work, relationships and well-being, however, understanding the difference can help you determine whether you need...

Treat Yourself: How to Relax in Addiction Recovery

Treat Yourself: How to Relax in Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a challenging journey for anybody who enters it and unfortunately, it's a journey that has to be repeated for many. An estimated 40-60% of those who finish recovery relapse. As such, it's important to take time to relax and recharge. Relaxation...

Music Therapy: A Tool in Addiction Recovery

Music Therapy: A Tool in Addiction Recovery

For anyone who's ever made their own mood playlist, it's no secret that music can make you calm, can help improve your mood and can speak to you in ways nothing else can. Seventh century playwright William Congreve once wrote, "Music has charms to soothe the savage...

How to Be Grateful for the Little Things

How to Be Grateful for the Little Things

Many people struggle with addiction due to feelings of inadequacy. Feeling like you're not good enough, that you're somehow fundamentally different from other people, or that you're incapable of building a fulfilling life for yourself are all emotions that often arise...

What is Cannabis-Induced Psychosis?

What is Cannabis-Induced Psychosis?

Cannabis has long been touted as one of the safest illicit drugs there is and because of that, states across the U.S., as well as several countries, have legalized its use and possession. While there are beneficial applications for cannabis, it does have a dark side...

How to Deal with Shame in Recovery

How to Deal with Shame in Recovery

Shame is a common feeling for those in recovery for a variety of reasons, but it can be dangerous: When they're struggling with addiction, some people use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate and "escape" negative feelings and emotions. When shame is prevalent in...

How to Cope with Grief

How to Cope with Grief

Grief encompasses more than the natural reaction to losing a loved one. You can also experience grief when a beloved pet passes away, a marriage ends, or you feel remorseful over making bad choices. Many people in addiction recovery must cope with a sense of grief...

The Best Books to Read in Addiction Recovery

The Best Books to Read in Addiction Recovery

Recovery is by all means a deeply emotional process. Research shows that sobriety is often accompanied with changes in both negative and positive emotions, which can be both disorienting and incredibly rewarding for newly sober people. Reading about others' journeys...

How to Set Boundaries in Recovery

How to Set Boundaries in Recovery

Discipline is important for anyone trying to get their life back on track after addiction. Having clear expectations of your relationships, asserting your needs and desires, and drawing firm lines when needed are all elements of having "strong boundaries" in recovery....

Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

Is Alcoholism Hereditary?

Scientists have debated the relative importance of nature and nurture for hundreds of years. Currently, the broad agreement is the majority of human trains are caused by both genetic and environmental influences. This is certainly true for the predisposition to...

The Best Reddit Communities and Resources for Recovery

The Best Reddit Communities and Resources for Recovery

Nothing can beat help from a professional when you're struggling with a mental health condition such as addiction. But, as you progress into recovery, it can be nice to build a community of support you can lean on. You may want people you can come to for minor...

Sleep Hygiene and Addiction Recovery

Sleep Hygiene and Addiction Recovery

Getting a good night's sleep is important for everyone, no matter what — it improves physical health, focus, attention to detail, and cognitive function, among a long list of other benefits. But, research shows that sleep hygiene can be especially important to keep...

What is the Jellinek Curve in Addiction and Recovery?

What is the Jellinek Curve in Addiction and Recovery?

If you or someone you know has ever dealt with a substance abuse addiction, you know that chaos and the unexpected are typical during the throes of an addiction. Luckily, with recovery comes a lot of routine and structure. However, the journey through addiction and...

Best Drug and Alcohol Recovery Charities to Consider

Best Drug and Alcohol Recovery Charities to Consider

Addiction can impact anyone regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, or more. Approximately 21.2 million Americans have a substance abuse disorder, yet in 2018, only 11% received the treatment they needed. This is particularly sad because addiction is...

What are the Stages of Alcohol Addiction Recovery?

What are the Stages of Alcohol Addiction Recovery?

Certain events will impact an alcoholic's life before they voluntarily enter an alcohol addiction recovery program. Alcohol abusers go to great lengths to avoid seeking professional help until they are jobless, homeless, lost their driver's license, and no longer have...

How Alcohol and Drugs Affect Sleep

How Alcohol and Drugs Affect Sleep

Chronic insomnia drives many people to use alcohol or drugs just to fall asleep. Although a glass of wine, a mixed drink, or prescription sedatives like Xanax may help you fall asleep, chances are you won't stay asleep through the night. Taking any psychoactive...

Alcohol and Aging

Alcohol and Aging

Most people are well-aware that alcohol has something to do with premature aging — but many aren't sure what the exact effects are. Because of this, many frequent drinkers tend to underestimate the severity of the issues alcohol can cause. Here we've summarized some...

Can Medications Help Me Stop Drinking?

Can Medications Help Me Stop Drinking?

Nearly 20 million U.S. adults suffer from alcoholism, binge drinking, and so-called "functional" alcoholism. Beer, wine, and hard liquors are central nervous system depressants that disrupt brain chemistry, damage brain cells, and impair the functioning of all major...

The Connection Between Alcoholism and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The Connection Between Alcoholism and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

It's not uncommon to consume a few drinks before a social event or while out with friends to help you feel more relaxed and to help take your mind off problems and issues. In some circumstances, alcohol can act as a stimulant to make you feel talkative and happy....

How Alcoholic Homes Affect Kids

How Alcoholic Homes Affect Kids

Having an alcoholic parent can and often does leave a deep mark on a child's psyche. The home environment in an addict's home tends to be chaotic and unpredictable which can cause their children to develop some dysfunctional habits and beliefs. On top of that,...

How to Know if You Have a Drinking Problem

How to Know if You Have a Drinking Problem

Has your alcohol consumption become problematic? It's an important question to consider, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), problem drinking can include binge drinking, heavy drinking, underage drinking and...

How to Support a Loved One After a Relapse

How to Support a Loved One After a Relapse

You were so excited and relieved when your loved one entered treatment for their addiction. But now they've relapsed. They're drinking or using drugs again even though they'd maintained their sobriety for some time. The relapse doesn't mean that treatment was...

End the Stigma of Addiction!

End the Stigma of Addiction!

It's hardly groundbreaking to say that alcohol and drug dependency are both heavily stigmatized. Unfortunately, this can have a devastating effect on those struggling with addiction. Many of these people never seek out treatment because they feel ashamed and judged,...

Fun Sober Activities to Level-Up Your Recovery

Fun Sober Activities to Level-Up Your Recovery

When you first enter recovery, you need to make sweeping changes in your life. You're not going to go to rehab, get through a treatment program, and then return to the same life you were living before. The reason for this is simple: that life contains the reasons you...

How to Spot the Early Signs of Addiction

How to Spot the Early Signs of Addiction

It's often difficult to identify when a friend or loved one starts to develop a substance use disorder (SUD), but their are some early signs to look out for. This way, you can offer them the support they need as soon as they need it. The early signs of addiction can...

What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?

Referring to someone as a high-functioning alcoholic (HFA) assumes that the individual is a heavy drinker who does not let their drinking interfere with being financially successful. HFAs have developed a functional tolerance to alcohol's effects over many years of...

How Nature Can Help Your Recovery

How Nature Can Help Your Recovery

No matter where you are in recovery, replacing your negative habits with healthy ones is one of the best ways to nurture and maintain your sobriety over the course of your life. And, experts agree — spending time in nature can provide a great venue for some of these...

Let the Dark Become Light: How to Practice Self Love

Let the Dark Become Light: How to Practice Self Love

Self-love and self-esteem have been established as some of the most important aspects of good mental health. Unfortunately, so many of us struggle to love and celebrate ourselves that it's no wonder that addiction and poor mental health are such common issues. The...

The Benefits of Yoga in Addiction Recovery

The Benefits of Yoga in Addiction Recovery

Yoga is an age-old practice that's been used for millennia to help people achieve balance, happiness, and peace in their lives. In recent years, yoga has also been incredibly beneficial for those recovering from addiction. Yoga can be a powerful tool in the recovery...

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