How to Feel Safe in Your Body this International Peace Day?
Did you know that International Peace Day is on September 21st this year? A day focused on peace is probably what many of us need. The world is in a constant flux of change and there are plenty of circumstances that are cause for concern. In the midst of the chaos, it is essential that […]
Harnessing Technology for Good: Recovery Apps & Wellness Tips
We are currently living in a digital age, where there is infinite information available at our fingertips. At times, this technology can actually worsen our mood or lead to potential triggers. Social media, for example, has the ability to be a supportive influence or a comparison game. Even your contact list straddles the line between […]
Alternatives to 12-Step Programs
Community Support in Substance Use Treatment & Recovery. It is estimated that over 23 million adults in the United States have struggled with some type of problematic substance use at some point in their lives. Some admit that they have a substance use disorder, and others only admit that their bottle of wine or 6-pack […]
The Reward Center: The Brain & Repeated Substance Use
Have you ever wondered about what’s actually going on in the brain when someone uses alcohol or drugs? Most people can recognize the outward signs of addiction like poor decision making, acting on cravings, and impulsiveness, but what changes in the brain due to addiction? These behaviors are actually a symptom of a poorly-tuned reward […]
How to Cope With Social Anxiety in Healthy Ways
We’ve all been there. Whether you’re getting ready for a date, had a rough day at work, or heading out for a ladies’ night downtown, many people turn toward alcohol to relax and unwind in social situations. We long to feel accepted by the group, forget the stresses of the day we had, and summon […]
How to Find a Healthy Friend Group in Recovery
Seeking substance use treatment is difficult but you don’t have to do it alone. Studies have shown that a key aspect of success in recovery is changing your social network to initiate and maintain abstinence. Finding a healthy friend group is a major part of the recovery journey. Outpatient treatment programs are an important part […]
The Way We Talk About Addiction Matters
How we understand addiction has vastly changed in the past several decades, and with it, the way we talk about addiction. Addiction was viewed in the past as a moral failing and that a person simply could “just say no” to drugs or alcohol. We now understand that addiction is a disorder that impacts the […]
Grieving the Loss of Your Addiction
When someone is living with an addiction, their substance of choice becomes their confidant, close friend, and comforter. It’s no wonder that choosing to work towards recovery brings up a lot of emotions as it means saying goodbye to this key relationship. Though addiction brings with it a lot of destruction, often it has also […]