You likely know by now that stress management is crucial to your long-term sobriety – and for dealing with the day to day of rehab. Now, new research shows that a little creativity may just be the perfect anecdote to anxiety. Even creating for 45 minutes with simple art supplies like markers and paper can decrease levels of
Especially in early recovery, it’s important to do your best to spend the majority of your time with friends and loved ones who will influence you in a positive way. You may even have heard the common AA catch phrase, “stick with the winners,” that’s meant to encourage you to do just that. Makes sense:
September is an important month for people in recovery – it’s National Recovery Month. A time when those outside of the recovery community are made more aware of the strength, courage and hard work of addiction recovery. It’s a time when you are encouraged to speak up and share your experiences – all in an effort
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to addiction treatment, especially when you take into account the differences between men and women. In general, males and females tend to develop, experience and recover from substance use disorders differently – and that’s why more rehabs are adding gender-specific addiction treatment to their short- and long-term
Empathy, or the ability to step into the shoes of another person and feel what he or she is feeling, is often hijacked by addiction. This is because it’s often difficult to see beyond your own needs while abusing drugs or alcohol. Also, as drug cravings and withdrawal become more intense, the ability to relate
Experts almost universally advise against making any major life changes in the first year of sobriety – and this includes dating or starting a new relationship. This isn’t to say that you won’t one day be able to fall in love and develop a healthy, lasting relationship – but you’ll need to go slow. Jumping
Including family therapy as part of your overall addiction treatment can increase your chances of getting (and staying) sober, according to studies. This is because addiction takes a toll on the entire family and family therapy can help diminish the negative impact and set the stage for healthy and supportive relationships down the road. Together,
If you’re in rehab, it’s likely that talk therapy – between you and a therapist, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist or an addiction counselor – has been part of your recovery plan. You may have also participated in group therapy (in which you meet with a group of other people, often with the same addiction). But
Does your loved one need a “carefrontation” or family intervention? This type of sensitive, guided confrontation may be the first step in getting your loved one the proper treatment he or she needs to begin the journey toward recovery. You’re not expected to confront a loved one on your own – nor is it always
The disease of addiction was prevalent in my life before I ever picked up a substance. I can remember my friends and I riding bikes across town to shoplift from the local convenience store. As my friends distracted the store employees, I stole cigarettes and candy. We had the art of shoplifting down to a
