Are you starting drug use treatment soon? You may feel overwhelmed at the thought. And one of your top questions may be about how long it may take. Treatment length varies from person to person. It can begin with shorter sessions, but it may continue for months or years. Addiction rehab includes everything from…
Where a person lives influences a lot in their life. This includes access to substances and outpatient recovery services. So if you need treatment, what can this mean for you? You face environmental risk factors for addiction every day. Your neighborhood, social group and even the state you live in affects you. And when…
Family and friends who try to help a drug addict get a lot of mixed messages: “You’re one of the single greatest influences in your loved one’s life.” “You didn’t cause it, you can’t cure it and you can’t control it.” The first statement and the “three Cs” of addiction recovery are often both true,…
Recovery is a life-long journey. Anyone who has embraced lifelong sobriety will tell you that there are times where the road gets particularly rocky. Though you may go through periods of your life when you feel clear-headed and ready to take on the world, sometimes events in life can trigger temptations to return to drinking…
For anyone in recovery, one of the most important tools for continued success is a support system for recovery. This can consist of friends, family members, and ideally, other people who are also in recovery. During a patient’s time at a drug and alcohol treatment center, they may meet and develop close friendships with others…
Most of us know “DUI” stands for “driving under the influence.” But the acronym has another meaning, one with consequences that rival the damage done when one gets behind the wheel impaired. Although dating under the influence doesn’t cause motor vehicle accidents, it certainly can run your personal life off the road. One study suggests…
Life after rehab is fraught with risk, but it can also be a joyful time of new beginnings. To avoid the negative outcomes, like relapsing, and to fully embrace your new life of sobriety, it’s important to make a plan. Perhaps the most dangerous way to approach recovery is to wing it. With a formal…
An unhealthy diet or substance abuse problem can quickly derail one’s well-being. But few people understand the relationship between the two. To gain some insight into how a bad diet and substance abuse relate to each other, I spoke with Keith Kantor, PhD, and expert in nutritional science and naturopathic medicine. Dr. Kantor, who frequently…
One of the first things you have to do when you are newly sober is to choose a sponsor. A sponsor is often your closest friend or mentor in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. He or she is the person you are most likely to turn to in order to ask questions or share your…
“When you are not honoring the present moment by allowing it to be, you are creating drama.” — Eckhart Tolle Chaos and drama: Some people thrive on them, seemingly on a mission to find ways to stir them up lest life become boring. Drama shows up in many situations. It can appear as a couple…
