How To Identify and Deal With Emotional Triggers
Our emotions are complex. They change all the time based on what’s happening in the world around us. When someone is in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse, one of the obstacles they face in situations in life that cause the urge to use again. Known as triggers, they can be the result of a […]
Relapse Risk Factors, Stages, and Next Steps
When it comes to recovery, getting sober is hard – but staying sober is the real challenge. Though it would be nice, it’s not realistic to expect everyone in recovery to leave their substance abuse behind them for good on their first attempt. Many will turn back to their old ways multiple times before finally […]
How to Overcome Negative Thoughts in Recovery
Recovering from a substance use disorder is as much a psychological process as it is physical. Those in recovery often find themselves battling within their own minds with negative thought patterns. Feelings of worthlessness eat away at one’s self-esteem. Often, negative thoughts can fuel crippling anxiety and depression, driving many people back to drugs. People […]
Most Common Non-Drug Addictions
There are types of addictions other than drugs or alcohol that wreak havoc in people’s lives. Some of the most common addictions in the world don’t even involve substances. They involve things like addiction to social media or sex addiction. These are known as process addictions. Most people who suffer from a process addiction never […]
How to Overcome Shame and Guilt in Recovery
Shame and guilt are two self-conscious emotions that are typically seen as negative experiences. That being said, all people experience them. In fact, shame and guilt are incredibly common in addiction and recovery. It’s important to know about each emotion and how both can impact your sobriety. Understanding the difference between shame and guilt—and how […]
Building Emotional Intelligence In Recovery
Emotional intelligence (EI) is a key part of recovery because it helps you process emotions and build healthy relationships. In general, emotions play an incredibly large role in the decisions people make. In early recovery, your emotions may feel all over the place. Many in recovery learn the hard way that you can’t be fully […]
7 Ways to Make Pain Work for You in Recovery
Pain often serves a purpose — physical pain can remind you to take a break between workouts, for example. Emotional pain also serves a purpose. For instance, it can allow you time to grieve the loss of a loved one and honor their memory. However, for a lot of people, pain can linger for months, […]
How to End the Cycle of Addiction in Your Family
Substance abuse is a healthcare crisis in the United States and can often run in families. While it can be challenging, it is possible to end the cycle of addiction in your family.
How to Take Care of Yourself During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Taking care of yourself during the pandemic is critical to your physical and mental health—especially for people in recovery. Most of the world is still learning how to handle the pandemic that’s been a part of life since 2020. By now, one thing is clear—you are either your greatest ally or your own worst enemy […]
What is Addiction Relapse and Can Making a Plan Help?
Recovery can be a hard and lonely road to walk. Sometimes it can be tempting to seek comfort in old habits, even if those habits are bad for you. Those in recovery from substance abuse sometimes do this, “falling off the wagon” and using their old substances again. This is known as an addiction relapse. […]