Understanding Veterans and Alcohol Dependence
Alcohol dependence affects many individuals you will come into contact with throughout your life. Your friend, family member, or acquaintance could be struggling with alcohol dependence. If a loved one you are around was or is an active veteran, there is a higher risk of them dealing with the challenges of alcohol dependence. Understanding why […]
Staying Sober This Summer
As you reach the early days of summer, you may contemplate ways to enjoy the season without jeopardizing your recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). While warm temperatures, outdoor activities, and social gatherings may tempt you to drink or use substances again, you can stay sober this summer with the proper mindset and strategies. Moving […]
Importance of Human-First Treatment
When someone is seeking assistance for a symptom, or symptoms, they are experiencing, the importance of human-first treatment is vital to the success of care. People don’t respond well to labels, stigmas, or judgment. These are key factors addressed in human-first treatment. Seeking care or help is often difficult for people. Wanting to be able […]
Breathing Techniques to Reduce Anxiety
Breathing techniques offer a variety of health benefits, both physically and mentally. When trying to reduce stress and anxiety, introducing some breathing techniques into a daily routine can make a great impact. Utilizing breathing strategies when one feels anxiety rising or the onset of a panic attack can also be an invaluable tool to add […]
What Is Service Work?
When attending a recovery meeting and someone refills a cup of coffee for a fellow, that is service work. If someone notices a spill on the table and wipes it up or loads the dishwasher after a meeting, that is service work. The person who chairs the meeting, the one who unlocks the doors before […]
How to Trust a Loved One in Early Recovery
When people begin their journey in recovery, there are a lot of emotions and healing to unpack and deal with. Learning how to trust and earn trust again is by far one of the hardest things for those in early recovery to work on. Family and friends may struggle with learning to trust their loved […]
What Are Recovery Retreats?
People attend retreats for various reasons, most often to recharge or get reenergized about something. Members of the recovery community attend recovery retreats to center back in their recovery program. Those in long-term sobriety may attend to meet with those they have come to connect with over the years or to share their experience, strength, […]
The Role of Meditation in Relapse Prevention
Meditation is not a new trend or “fly-by” strategy that is now being practiced. It has been around and used for a variety of reasons by people from all over the world. What is more recent, however, is the use of meditation in relapse prevention. Recognizing the benefits on one’s physical and mental health, those […]
Veterans Reluctance to Seek Assistance
The amount of veterans who receive the proper care they need is heartbreakingly low. According to the International Epidemiological Association, about 60% of military personnel dealing with mental health complications do not seek professional treatment. When combined with the fact that military suicide rates are higher than the civilian population, breaking the stigma around mental […]
The Impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) on Addiction
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a mental health disorder and offshoot of depression related to the changing seasons. More specifically, it is a mood disorder in people who typically have normal mental health for the majority of the year. However, during the changing of the seasons, things like reduced sunlight can have a negative […]