Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), first pioneered by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979, is quickly becoming standard practice in addiction recovery programs across the U.S. Initially adapted from Buddhist and yogic meditation and relaxation techniques to support standard psychotherapy as a way to combat and control stress, it’s not hard to connect the dots and understand …
Even with all of the right tools in place, individuals with addiction often find themselves relapsing soon after completing a treatment program for substance abuse. Relapse is a common occurrence, and those attempting to cease using drugs or alcohol can become discouraged as they find themselves in a seemingly endless cycle of recovery and relapse. …
Working Toward a Successful Recovery From Addiction Read More »
Alcoholism and drug addiction are complex conditions that plague millions of people. Recovering from them requires a comprehensive treatment plan. For many recovering addicts and alcoholics, that plan typically includes talk therapy, support groups, and, if warranted, medication. However, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, particularly meditation, can provide a vital source of additional support …
Meditation for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Recovery Read More »
When newcomers try to get sober, one of the hurdles they have to cross is the feeling that they are unique. They think they don’t belong because no one in the room is exactly like them. Have you ever felt that way? Just like there are no two snowflakes exactly alike, there is nobody on …
It takes a village to raise a child, as the saying goes, but a partnership of two committed parents can go a long way toward smoothing out the inevitable bumps in the road. But when one parent has struggled with addiction, those bumps can seem pretty difficult to navigate and can create a legacy of …
Supporting Dad’s Recovery Best Father’s Day Gift Read More »
The word “ritual” is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as: A formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same way. An act or series of acts done in a particular situation and in the same way each time. Many people relate the term to religious practice and most in recovery have …
On May 7, former NBA star Chris Herren will share his personal story of substance abuse and recovery at “Chris Herren Unguarded – It’s Never too Late to Follow Your Dreams,” an educational and inspiring event organized by Child, Adolescent and Family Recovery Center, Promises Behavioral Health, local high school districts 125 and 128, and …
Celebrity status and addiction appear to be natural bedfellows, and in many cases the problem is allowed to continue unchecked until the individual reaches a breaking point. In some cases, the one “rock bottom” moment is enough to shock the star into making a concerted effort to get better. In the case of Jonathan Rhys …
Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ ‘Dracula’ Salary Delayed Due to Addiction Read More »
Whether we’re talking about a new medication or a different psychotherapy technique, at some point you’ll hear the phrase “studies show” that it works. Or you may have read that “research indicates” that a particular intervention (for example, practicing yoga to help improve mood) is effective. Perhaps you’ve wondered about this: what kind of studies? …
Decoding Research Claims: How Do We Know What Works? Read More »
There are two stages of withdrawal that every addict in recovery will have to go through before they can truly move beyond their dependency on drugs or alcohol. First comes the acute stage, which will begin as soon as an addict stops using and will continue for several weeks after that. During this period of …