If you’ve experienced a traumatic life event, recovery is essential to help you manage your symptoms and return to normalcy without being overwhelmed by intrusive flashbacks, terrifying nightmares and unwanted emotions. Some of trauma’s defining characteristics include a loss of control and feelings of helplessness and isolation. The overarching goal of trauma recovery is to reestablish your empowerment and safety. It’s helpful to break this process into stages. Trauma Recovery Phase 1: Regain Your Sense of Security Traumatized people are in a near-constant state of hyperarousal. While most people’s fight-or-flight response only activates in response to a genuine or perceived […]

One of the classic characteristics of substance use disorders is a loss of connection. When drinking or using becomes an overriding priority in your life, your other relationships tend to deteriorate – including the one you have with yourself. Therefore, a significant part of the recovery process involves getting to know who you are when drugs or alcohol aren’t standing in the way. Here are our top tips for learning about yourself after rehab. 1. Forgive Yourself If you’re involved in a 12-step program, you already know that the tenets of AA include a directive to make amends to people […]

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in America, affecting nearly 20% of the population every year. Despite anxiety disorders being so widespread, people who struggle with anxiety might be afraid to talk openly about it for fear that others will misunderstand them or make light of their concerns. That could partially explain why many people living with anxiety fail to seek help, even when they know it could improve their quality of life. As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, how can you tell if you have anxiety, and what are some healthy ways of […]

People who frequently feel lonely or sad may start using drugs or alcohol as an escape mechanism. However, once self-medication evolves into a substance use disorder, it often becomes even more isolating as formerly enjoyable hobbies and relationships wither under neglect. Once you are sober, it’s essential to surround yourself with friends and family members who appreciate and support your goals. They can help motivate you through the ups and downs of early recovery and remind you why you chose to walk this path. Here are some tips for overcoming loneliness in addiction recovery. 1. Apologize to People You Harmed […]

Alcoholics Anonymous is the world’s longest-running support group for recovering alcohol abusers, operating continuously in countries around the globe for more than 80 years. If you find the 12 steps of AA resonate with you, you’ll want to integrate the program’s teachings into various facets of your life. Often, people who enjoy the supportive nature of 12-step communities continue participating in meetings for many years after getting sober. Since the program emphasizes helping others, you may also choose to pay it forward by sponsoring a fellow group member. Because the 12 steps are so well-known and have helped thousands of […]

Bringing a new life into the world comes with a range of powerful emotions, from excitement to anxiety. For some people, it can also cause a form of depression. May is Women’s Health Month, Mental Health Month and National Maternal Depression Month, which makes it an excellent time to talk about postpartum depression and steps you can take to manage this condition. Many new mothers and even some brand-new fathers can become severely depressed after the birth of a baby. However, women who go through challenging or unplanned pregnancies or who have a history of mood disorders may be more […]

The term codependency refers to specific behaviors and emotions that interfere with your ability to form healthy relationships. When one partner in a relationship has a substance abuse disorder, codependency can also involve enabling. After you’ve worked to put drug and alcohol use behind you, how can you overcome codependent tendencies and enjoy mutually beneficial relationships? How to Recognize Codependent Tendencies Codependency can take many forms, but its characteristics often include one partner’s compulsion to help or look after the other. Someone who wants to feel loved, needed or appreciated may be more likely to take the “martyr” role in […]

Though researchers are still working to unravel all the interwoven threads that might lead someone to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol, we have learned addiction is a disease that causes various mental, physical and psychological problems. Self-isolation is one hallmark of a worsening addiction, making people take extreme measures to hide their behavior from their family, friends and colleagues. Why Do Substance Abusers Self-Isolate? Over time, drug and alcohol use can chip away at the foundations of even your most stable relationships. Becoming reliant on these substances to feel “normal” fosters a mindset of chasing the next drink […]

Ritalin and Adderall are many people’s first experience with potentially addictive prescription medications. While doctors commonly prescribe these drugs to help ADHD patients focus and achieve mental clarity, they are stimulants, which makes them Schedule 2 drugs – the same category as cocaine and opioids. Once you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, you’ll want to avoid taking Ritalin, Adderall or any other risky medications that might threaten your sobriety. However, if you have ADHD and need help managing your symptoms, you might worry about how to do so in a way that doesn’t jeopardize your health. What […]

Nobody deliberately starts drinking or using drugs intending to develop an addiction, but many people get caught in the vicious cycle. Understanding how intoxicating substances impact the brain explains why some people continue to misuse alcohol and drugs despite a cascade of adverse life effects. The Brain’s Role in Addiction Substance abuse disorders develop because drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants jump-start the production of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which stimulates the brain’s reward center in the prefrontal cortex. The dopamine rush leads to pleasurable feelings, creating an unconscious association between drug and alcohol use and satisfying experiences. Once that connection […]