Research studies about the role of social connections in substance abuse recovery have been conducted by interviewing thousands of people who have recovered from substance abuse. While using drugs and/or alcohol, many people reported that they experienced isolation, relationship problems and a lack of a support system. Through recovery, people who developed supportive relationships with …
Addiction is a national epidemic. It is considered a chronic, progressive condition, meaning that symptoms will worsen over time if left unaddressed. This disease affects your brain and behavior; over time, you may notice that your life has changed significantly to protect and preserve your substance use. Lying, spending large amounts of money, and drinking …
Cravings are powerful desires to use alcohol or drugs that can trick us into sabotaging our recovery journey. As our brain continues to heal from substance abuse, it is important to learn strategies for managing them in order to prevent relapse. Identifying triggers that cause cravings and having a plan in place to get through …
Mindfulness meditation is the practice of being completely present in the moment without any judgement. It may sound simple, but as the old adage goes “simple is not to be confused with easy”. Incorporating mindfulness as part of your recovery journey is especially helpful. In the past, specific behaviors or thoughts may have contributed to …
Substance Abuse triggers are emotional or physical stimuli that we all experience whether in recovery or not. They are feelings such as depression, anxiety, boredom, guilt, regret, or any other emotional feeling that motivates a particular action. They can also be physical such as seeing something on tv or social media, a holiday or event …
Experts continue to learn more about the science of addiction, recovery, and the brain. They have studied the effects of different substances on the physical body and mind and have learned that it is possible to for the brain to repair itself and heal. Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. …
As the new year approaches and before the holidays are upon us, many of us are starting to think about getting healthier and beginning to make positive changes for the upcoming year. Sober October is a chance to embrace positive changes or even begin a new journey. This article provides you with some tips to …
In our series explaining the things you will learn through substance abuse recovery, the next topic we will cover is what we mean by powerlessness. It is not to be confused with weakness. Powerlessness in recovery means admitting that no amount of trying or practicing or self-control is going to change the way that drugs …
In our series explaining the things you will learn through substance abuse recovery, the first topic we will cover is what neuroplasticity is. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new pathways and connections. It used to be thought that the brain could not repair itself once damaged, but breakthroughs in neuroscience have …
