“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).” Addiction is isolating and for those who suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as PTSD or depression, the feelings of […]
Category Archives: Recovery
25
May
May
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ativan are typically prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, muscle tension, and seizures. Benzos are mainly intended for short-term, occasional use. If you use benzos daily, you can develop a dependence in a matter of weeks. Every time you up your dosage to feel the effects, you make […]
20
May
May
Returning home after treatment is a tricky time for both the person in recovery and the family. Everyone wants things to go well but no one is really sure what will happen next. Your loved one may have been away for months and although you have probably been in contact, living under the same roof […]
15
May
May
It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of exercise in recovery. It produces endorphins and helps balance your neurotransmitters, which improves your mood. It strengthens your prefrontal cortex, which improves your self-control. It strengthens your cardiovascular system, helping to heal the damage done by alcohol and other substances. Regular exercise is one of the best things […]
15
May
May
Breakups can be stressful under the best of circumstances and they can be especially trying when you’re recovering from addiction. Not only are they fraught with conflict and feelings of rejection, but there may be practical complications involving child custody and property, which only add to the stress. This is one reason experts typically advise […]
10
May
May
Social media connects in ways that were never possible before but it also has some pretty significant drawbacks if you let it control your behavior. Social media platforms intentionally make their products as addictive as possible, which can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression. At least two studies have found that Facebook, instead […]
05
May
May
Therapy, both group and individual, is one of the most important parts of addiction treatment. The majority of people with substance use disorders also have a co-occurring mental health issue. Common co-occurring conditions include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, autism spectrum disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. For a variety of reasons, these […]
03
May
May
If you’re doing a 12-step program, it helps to have a sponsor. A sponsor is like a mentor or coach, someone whose recovery is strong and can help you figure things out. While the group can listen and give advice, a sponsor can give you more attention. A sponsor is also someone you can call […]
Special thanks to John Bruna and The Mindful Life Program for a wonderful training this past weekend on Mindfulness in Recovery.
29
Jan
Jan
Three weeks in, and we are off to a great start at Valiant Living’s new detox center. We officially opened and began serving clients on January 7th. This “interventional detox” approach creates a safe landing place for clients struggling with chemical addictions and co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Our full treatment team […]