When you've made the decision to seek addiction treatment, it's hard to imagine what your life will be like without drugs or alcohol. Although no two people are exactly alike, this article outlines some of the issues you can expect to deal with during your first year in recovery. Withdrawal The term withdrawal refers to [...]
Every addiction treatment program aims to help clients stop using drugs or alcohol, stay sober, and become productive members of society. However, this doesn't mean that all treatment programs are the same. If you're considering addiction treatment for yourself or someone you love, it's important to be aware of the basic principles that an effective [...]
Job hunting is never an easy process, but people in recovery face some distinct challenges. From the need for a flexible schedule to explaining a spotty work history, landing a new position while in recovery will require careful planning and preparation. Daniel Krasner, Summit Behavioral Healthcare’s Assistant Vice President of National Business Development, has a [...]
By: Aspen Stoddard/staff writer After more than a decade of using substances to avoid my “self,” one of the hardest parts of transitioning into sobriety was learning new tactics for dealing with the cycle of anxious thoughts spinning constantly in my mind. Sure, I understood the idea of living one day at a time, but [...]
Do you remember the first time you held your son or daughter? Becoming a parent is a great joy, but it’s also a great responsibility. You probably felt a weight of responsibility in that moment, not only to provide for your child, but also to guide him to make choices for himself. Guiding a young [...]
I spend a lot of time talking to families determined to find help for a loved one who is addicted to drugs. Inevitably the conversation includes the questions: “Aren’t there some medications that will make them stop?” “I’ve heard about Suboxone, is that the answer?” “Will Vivitrol cure my son’s addiction?” How wonderful it would [...]
The Stations of the Cross is a prayer that facilitates union with God through the passion of Christ. Traditionally, it is a devotion practiced largely by Catholics, particularly on Fridays during the season of Lent. Over the years we’ve come to appreciate this devotion as being far more than a simple recitation of prayers. In [...]
Life in recovery can have many benefits and positive experiences. The key to staying in recovery is to discover the goodness and the fulfillment life has to offer when you are drug-free. People who are engaged in a proactive recovery from addiction: Do things to help them manage stress Work on building and sustaining healthy relationships, especially [...]
One of the principle causes of relapse is thinking that you don’t need help, or that you can manage recovery on your own. We hear lots of people say: I understand how to manage my recovery. I don’t need a counselor or a sponsor.” Relapse begins the moment a person in recovery thinks they can [...]
There is no cure for addiction so the recovering addict or alcoholic must always be on guard against the possibility of relapse. It is very important to know the signs of relapse and take immediate steps to safeguard against temptation. Some of the big triggers are stress, exhaustion, loneliness, boredom, resentment and relationship problems. Addicts need [...]
