The holiday season is upon us, and those of us who are lucky enough to have a break from work during the weeks ahead might be searching for some entertainment options. If it seems like you’ve exhausted your Netflix watchlist in COVID-19 quarantine, why not try one of these riveting documentaries about addiction and recovery? 1. Russell Brand: From Addiction to Recovery Russell Brand, who played over-the-top rock star Aldous Snow in the comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, made this film to tell the real-life story of his self-destructive path through heroin addiction and how […]

If you’ve accomplished something as meaningful and positive as overcoming an addiction, you probably expect everyone you know to be happy for you. However, you might discover that isn’t always the case. Perhaps you alienated loved ones during your active addiction to the point that they’re still angry at you. Or, maybe your toxic or dysfunctional family members are part of the reason you started drinking or using in the first place. Though having supportive family members could help your recovery go more smoothly, you can learn to grow and thrive with these strategies. 1. Keep Your Distance Since addiction […]

We’ve all had the occasional night where we toss and turn, plagued by intrusive worries or anxiety nightmares that keep us awake. However, if you have insomnia night after night, it can severely affect your quality of life and your overall well-being. Perhaps it’s time to ask yourself if your pre-bedtime activities might compromise your ability to get a refreshing night of sleep. Think about creating a routine that includes these relaxation techniques. 1. Go Tech-Free Your phone, tablet and laptop can provide endless entertainment, but they can also interfere with your sleep cycle. These devices emit blue light that […]

November’s arrival has many Americans looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends. However, this year is quite different due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is still running rampant throughout our nation. COVID-19 has forced us all to significantly change our lifestyles to prevent the transmission of illness in our communities. As a result, Thanksgiving 2020 could be a holiday like none other. The risk of contracting the novel coronavirus is still very real, and you should weigh that carefully when making your holiday plans. What are some top tips for safely celebrating Thanksgiving during the current spike in […]

People who have developed a long-term addiction to drugs or alcohol experience a range of withdrawal symptoms when they quit using or drinking, including nausea, chills, vomiting, body aches, insomnia, mood swings and even hallucinations. Though these symptoms can be intense, they rarely last longer than a couple of weeks, especially when you undergo medically supervised detoxification in an accredited treatment center. While this initial withdrawal phase is short-lived, some people in recovery experience a prolonged recurrence of symptoms known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Not everyone undergoes PAWS, but those with a lengthy, severe relationship with drugs or alcohol […]

Have you ever tried to start getting into the habit of meditation, only to quit after a week or two because you found it too intimidating? You aren’t alone. Many people think they can never get the knack of meditating because they’re too fidgety or easily distracted and have trouble quieting their mind. The good news is that there are as many ways to meditate as there are types of physical workouts – perhaps even more. As long as you’re focusing on your breath and using it to guide your awareness inward, there’s no wrong way to meditate. Experiment with […]

Making mistakes is part of being human. We all do it, and often, our stumbling blocks provide a valuable learning experience. Why, then, is it so challenging to forgive ourselves for errors we’ve made in the past, and how can we move on? 1. Own Your Emotions Thinking about past mistakes can be painful and unpleasant. It’s tempting to gloss over complex problems or try to assign blame to someone else. However, owning your feelings is crucial to developing emotional maturity. Instead of denying or ignoring how you feel, take time to examine the situation and unpack why it is […]

Once you’ve started working on your long-term recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, you’ll hear many common concepts come up time and again. One of these is the idea that recovering addicts should live their lives one day at a time. While this phrase can be reassuring, it’s more than a mere platitude. As we continue to observe National Recovery Month all September, what are some tips you can use for bringing the “one-day-at-a-time” philosophy into your life? 1. Be Present in Each Moment Learning to be more mindful can benefit anybody, but it’s especially helpful for people who are […]

Since the disease of addiction affects everyone a bit differently, it can be a valuable component of recovery to learn from others’ experiences in battling substance abuse and emerging stronger on the other side. As we get ready to celebrate National Read a Book Day this Sept. 6, what are some advantages of reading for pleasure, and what are our top picks for books that can enrich your recovery? Benefits of Reading for Adults If you don’t regularly read in your free time, you might be having trouble getting into the habit. Here are some reasons to explore reading as […]

If you’re contemplating getting treatment for a substance abuse problem, you’ll need to prepare for the ups and downs you’ll encounter. To give you a better idea of what early recovery is like, let’s take a look at some common obstacles you might experience on your journey. 1. Forging New Relationships As challenging as it can be to make new friends as an adult, it’s even more difficult when years of substance abuse drove a wedge between you and the people closest to you. If alcohol and drug use caused your relationships to deteriorate, or if your only friends were […]