Recovery Pitfalls and Common Sense Ways to Get Past ThemRecoveryBy Promises AustinNovember 23, 2010Most individuals entering recovery from substance abuse or addiction to various behaviors are well aware that life isn’t going to be a breeze for the first few months or so. If you’re about to enter or have just entered recovery, you’re probably pretty familiar with the litany of pitfalls that you might encounter. What you… Details
The Origin of AddictionDrug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinNovember 17, 2010The addiction to illicit substances such as drugs and alcohol can be a life-threatening disease. There is no cap to the age of people who abuse illegal substances as it can range from young adolescents to the elderly. With the number of drug and alcohol abusers continuing to rise among Americans, it becomes a curiosity… Details
Tips to Support Recovery During the HolidaysRecoveryBy Promises AustinNovember 16, 2010Holidays can be stressful for anyone, particularly for those in recovery. Besides the temptations to party hearty that seem to be everywhere, there are also the feelings of depression and being left out to contend with. Don’t let the holidays get you down or cause you to slip. Here are some tips to support recovery… Details
A Love Affair With AddictionDrug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinOctober 28, 2010A great deal of people think that the majority of drug and alcohol users are young adolescents and college students when in reality, a large number of 30s-50 year olds are experiencing addiction problems as well. Studies have shown that deaths from illicit drug over doses have risen 800% since 1980 and that is due in large part to the immense amount of prescription drug abuse that often fills the homes of suburban families. For the middle-aged, drug and alcohol abuse not only exists because of past experiences or genetics, but many use substance abuse as a mask to numb the pain from major life changes such as losing a job, getting a divorce, or experiencing some sort of trauma. These changes bring with them an intense load of stress, and often times the people who experience these situations cannot handle them and they turn to substance abuse to handle the depression they are feeling. So the question becomes: is there a connection between depression and substance abuse? Details
How to Handle Rules and Emotions After Treatment For Substance AbuseRecoveryBy Promises AustinOctober 18, 2010Probably the first thing you want to do after completing treatment is just take a deep breath of fresh air. Probably the last thing you look forward to doing is starting in with a slew of rules designed to keep you on the straight and narrow. Then, there are all those pesky emotions that start… Details
Pace Yourself in RecoveryRecoveryBy Promises AustinOctober 10, 2010Anyone who’s ever embarked on an endurance run knows the importance of pacing. The simple fact is that you can’t run flat out and expect to still be standing – or even make – the finish line. The same concept holds true in recovery. To be successful in long-term recovery, you simply must learn how… Details
Exercise May Help Ward Off Addictive TendenciesPersonal ResourcesBy Promises AustinSeptember 29, 2010Everyone knows that going to the gym and working out helps to build up energy, and get your body in shape, Exercise is an important part of the Spirit Lodge’s addiction recovery treatment.but did you also know that exercising might help prevent an addiction to drugs or alcohol? According to the Associated Press, recent studies are displaying clues which imply that physical activity may trigger those areas of the brain that can get hijacked by substance abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that teens who exercised daily were half as likely as their friends to indulge in smoking and 40% were less likely to experiment with marijuana. Details
PTSD and Dual DiagnosisPTSD & TraumaBy Promises AustinSeptember 27, 2010Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an Anxiety Disorder caused by exposure to a traumatic event. It is characterized by symptoms of hyperarousal, re-experiencing of the trauma, emotional numbing, and efforts to avoid reminders of the adverse events. PTSD can be a brief and acute condition or a more chronic and persistent one. Considered a… Details
What Does Marijuana Do to Your Brain?MarijuanaBy Promises AustinSeptember 15, 2010Marijuana is perhaps the most widely used illegal drug in the world. It has been used for a wide variety of purposes for thousands of years and in many different cultures. The plant itself is used for everything from clothing to paper. Today, marijuana as a drug form is primarily used recreationally. However, it is… Details
5 Comedians Who’ve Recovered from AddictionRecoveryBy Promises AustinSeptember 10, 2010In honor of Addiction Recovery month and the upcoming Addicted to Comedy shows in Austin on Friday September 24th, 2010 being put on in part by the Promises P.A.T.H here is a list of comedians who have recovered from their addiction to drugs, alcohol and other substances. Robin Williams Robin Williams has appeared in more… Details
