After treatment, we need to make a lot of adjustments and lifestyle changes for lifelong recovery. We face many challenges that put us at high risk for relapse. Developing structure in your daily routine will help the recovery process and get you through difficult situations. There are ways to make the transition to sobriety easier. […]
When we are struggling with addiction, recovery can seem impossible. It can be hard to understand the root of addiction, why the drug or alcohol use continues, and why we cannot stop. Addiction affects family, friends, and loved ones. Feelings of hopelessness and despair can be overwhelming. The process of recovering from our addictions challenges […]
Addiction is a long journey of loneliness, frustration, and learning. There can be a lot of advice from well-meaning people on how to help your loved one who suffers from addiction. Coping with a loved one’s addiction is very overwhelming and stressful for family and friends. Addiction is complicated, but there are ways you can […]
Addiction is a complicated brain disease that changes the way your brain functions. When we use drugs or alcohol, we are at high risk of growing dependent on them. Using drugs or alcohol more frequently and in higher doses puts us at risk of becoming dependent on them. Eventually, drug and alcohol dependency can lead […]
Anger is sometimes a good thing. When we see someone do something unfair or unethical, anger is the healthy response. However, anger can easily become toxic. If you always get angry at others, you end up hurting others and alienating yourself. You may start to carry around your anger in the form of resentments, which […]
Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a class of medications typically prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, and muscle tension. Benzos, such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and other anti-anxiety medication, are designed for short-term use, usually a few weeks or months because they are highly addictive. “After four to six months, they generally stop working which is […]
Social connection is one of the most important parts of recovering from addiction. People who feel like they have friends and family they can trust, rely on, and confide in tend to feel less stress and generally happier. So it’s important to be socially active and nurture those connections. However, we also live a culture […]
Many people argue that marijuana is safe because the withdrawals are not as intense as they are with other substances. There is also a misconception that marijuana is not addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018), “marijuana use disorder becomes an addiction when the person cannot stop using the drug, even though […]
Getting enough quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your recovery and to improve your life in general. Deep sleep is when your body heals from injury and illness and it’s when your brain sifts through everything that happened during the day, turning the important stuff into long-term memories and […]
Addiction does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone from any background, social status, race, and gender. When you are addicted, it can be difficult to understand why you developed an addiction in the first place. Some people are at a higher risk of developing an addiction than others are. There are factors that contribute […]