Finding Meaning and Purpose in Recovery
A lasting recovery is about more than just abstaining from the use of addictive substances. Once you're no longer under the influence of drugs and alcohol, it becomes about finding new sources of meaning and purpose. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, [...]
Fighting Addiction Stigma to Promote a Lasting Recovery
Addiction stigma is an often overlooked yet pervasive barrier to healing. For people in recovery, fighting this stigma is not only a matter of breaking free from the burden of drug and alcohol abuse but also from the suffocating grip [...]
Lean on Me: How Your Sponsor Can Help You Stay Sober
Residential addiction treatment centers often incorporate the 12-Step approach into their services, recognizing the historical significance and community support it offers. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 74% of substance abuse treatment facilities in [...]
5 Reasons to Give Yourself the Gift of Sobriety
Amid the nonstop blur of holiday shopping and celebration planning, it's easy to forget the most precious gift you can give yourself—the gift of sobriety. When you're struggling with a substance use disorder, choosing to seek residential addiction treatment and [...]
Mental Health and Creativity in Addiction Recovery
"Creativity is the ability to look at the ordinary and see the extraordinary." ~ Dewitt Jones Recovery is a time of new beginnings. As you break free from the burden of substance abuse, the world around you will start to [...]
How to Avoid a Relapse After Treatment for a Substance Use Disorder: 4 Key Tips for People in Recovery
Substance use disorders are considered chronic illnesses, which means that relapse will always be a possibility. However, certain preventative measures can help reduce your risk of relapse as you transition from residential treatment back to independent living. 1. Understand Your [...]
The Connection Between Exercise and Mood in Recovery
The "runner's high" you may have heard about isn't just a myth. Karmel Choi, a clinical and research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found a 26% decrease in a person’s odds of becoming depressed for [...]
5 Stages of Addiction: Understanding the Development of a Substance Use Disorder
How Does Substance Use Disorder Happen? Addiction doesn't develop overnight. It is a chronic, progressive illness. The signs of a substance use disorder can be easy to miss in the early stages, which is why many people delay seeking treatment. [...]
Understanding the Role of Mental Health in Addiction and Recovery
Mental Health in America According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States struggles with mental illness each year. Mental health issues increase a person's risk of developing a substance use disorder, [...]
How Gratitude Helps Build Resilience in Recovery
Although gratitude takes center stage during the Thanksgiving holiday, reminding yourself of what you're most grateful for should be a year-round practice. Gratitude helps build the resilience you’ll need to tackle the challenges you’ll face on the road to recovery. [...]
