The past year has been challenging for those dealing with drug and alcohol addictions with the current pandemic. According to the US government, respondents to a survey in May 2020 showed that drug use was up significantly among those surveyed. Additionally, drug test results also show steep increases. When faced with the COVID-19 lockdowns and…
The start of a new year is always a good time to make life goals, and a commitment to kicking an addiction is one of the best goals you can make. However, getting rid of an addiction is a lofty goal that can be hard to reach without small “stepping-stone” goals to help you on…
Life skills are a vital part of addiction treatment because they enable you to adapt to a drug-free lifestyle without any issues. Substance use disorders can ruin different areas of your life, like relationships, work, and school. After a successful treatment, you need these skills to face the challenges you encounter in your day-to-day activities.…
For those in recovery from substance use disorder, the holidays present enormous challenges. The media promotes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve as a prime time for happy families. But many people aren’t that fortunate. Pangs of loneliness may loom exceptionally sharp during what’s supposed to be a merry time of the year. And the…
Those who struggle with social anxiety disorder feel uncomfortable in large crowds or with people they don’t know. As a result, holiday celebrations become sources of frustration and anxiety. Office parties may spark fear, and even something as simple as meeting friends at a local restaurant may cause unusual levels of distress. In its simplest…
Faith plays a huge role in addiction recovery. Even if you’re not a religious person, leaning on God to help you through your recovery is vital. Choosing a faith-based facility for treatment gives you a shoulder to lean on during tough times. It may also help you to reconnect with spiritual beliefs that you’ve neglected…
Your brain is your body’s computer. It uses neurons to send and receive messages throughout the central nervous system, including the spine. Nerves branch out from this central system and run throughout the body. They receive messages from the brain that tell them what to do. Therefore, you know to lift your arm to hail…
Individualization is a guiding principle of addiction treatment. Generally, this means that an addiction rehab program must suit the needs of the individual. What works for your friend may not work for you, in other words. To choose the right rehab program for yourself, explore the many options available, and make your decision based upon…
Online learning is more stressful for some families than it is for others. And when teenagers are the ones learning online, problems often become more frightening than they would otherwise. Teens are notoriously social creatures, and when they must learn from home, they may feel lonely or cut-off from the rest of the world. For…
Structure plays a huge role in recovery from addiction. As a result, when children must transition from a regular school day to online learning, it can throw parents in recovery quite the curveball. When you’re used to waking at a certain time, making breakfast, and putting children on a school bus, sudden changes may be…