Study after study has shown us that addiction is a chronic disease. Successful treatment requires an array of therapeutic approaches that not only address the root causes of the illness, but that also help provide the foundational tools needed to prevent a relapse. Self-management skills are chief among these. How can self-management play a role in your recovery? What Is Self-Management? The term “self-management” refers to any set of tasks people with chronic conditions must do to learn how to live longer, healthier lives. Over time, honing self-management skills is essential for people to gain autonomy over illnesses such as […]

Along your recovery journey, you’ll eventually meet people who won’t understand your addiction. Whether they misconstrue it as a character flaw, or assume it’s possible to “outgrow” a substance misuse problem over time, they need someone to step in and help clear the air. What should you say if you find yourself in the position of having to explain addiction to a non-addict? Here are some helpful things you can bring up. Addiction Can Happen to Anyone Substance abuse disorders are a great equalizer. Addiction doesn’t care about your age, race, upbringing, gender identity or intellect. Nobody starts drinking or […]

People often enter addiction treatment with the misconception that their initial 30- to 90-day stay in rehab is enough to “cure” their disease. In truth, the recovery process extends for many years after someone decides to walk away from drugs or drinking for good. Successfully remaining clean and sober for a lifetime requires careful planning and an aftercare program that addresses the unique needs of people in recovery. What Is Addiction Aftercare? Aftercare programs benefit recovering addicts for several reasons. The most significant of these is that people may still be vulnerable to a relapse even after completing their inpatient […]

The popularity and easy availability of non-alcoholic beer have created a new hazard for recovering alcoholics working to prevent a relapse. Many people assume this option is safe for people in recovery, but substituting one behavior for another is not a healthy way to preserve your sobriety. Why Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Dangerous for Recovering Alcoholics? People may gravitate to “near beer” because they don’t like feeling left out during parties and other social occasions where people are drinking. However, it’s better to stick with water or soda at these gatherings. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself during […]