Category: Chronic Relapse

Nutrition and Recovery from Addiction

Nutrition and Recovery from Addiction

When we think about getting clean and sober, we are likely to imagine treatment facilities, counselors, and twelve step meetings—each undoubtedly a significant part of recovery. Often overlooked is the vital  roles diet and nutrition play in our ability to recover. Yet there is an impressive amount of research to

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8 Ways to Handle Drug and Alcohol Cravings

8 Ways to Handle Drug and Alcohol Cravings

Dealing with cravings is one of the biggest challenges when recovering from addiction. Considering this, surprisingly little is known about cravings, what causes them, and how long they last. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4041083/] We do know they are typically linked to certain cues–people, places, and things we associate with drugs and alcohol. We

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5 Common Dual Diagnoses

5 Common Dual Diagnoses

Most people who struggle with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health issue, or a dual diagnosis. According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 3.3 percent of all American adults had a dual diagnosis of addiction and another mental health issue. [https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FRR1-2014/NSDUH-FRR1-2014.pdf]

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4 Reasons to Practice Gratitude in Addiction Recovery

4 Reasons to Practice Gratitude in Addiction Recovery

Recovery from addiction is about much more than abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The strongest recovery is one based on living a happier and more fulfilling life. That requires making changes in your relationships, habits, and outlook. One way to significantly improve the quality of your life is to make

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Why Making Comparisons is Bad for Addiction Recovery

Why Making Comparisons is Bad for Addiction Recovery

It’s normal to feel a bit disoriented when you enter treatment for the first time or enter a specific program for the first time. The way most people respond to this kind of uncertainty is to start looking around at what others are doing. As a social species, we are

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Ending the Legacy of Addiction

Ending the Legacy of Addiction 

Addiction runs in families, of this much we are certain.  While almost everyone has at least one relative that has been touched by addiction, it seems that people who struggle with addiction themselves can usually name a few addicts in their family, and at least one immediate family member.  Because

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7 Reasons to Find a Sponsor in Recovery

7 Reasons to Find a Sponsor in Recovery

The concept of a sobriety sponsor has been popularized through Alcoholics Anonymous and many references to the 12-step-program made in popular culture.  If you are considering entering a treatment program for the first time, or returning to treatment after relapse, you may be wondering if it is the right time

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5 Reasons Long-term Aftercare is Critical to Addiction Recovery

5 Reasons Long-term Aftercare is Critical to Addiction Recovery

Many addiction recovery programs and treatment centers have evolved their techniques and strategies exponentially over the past decade to incorporate new research and methods that prove successful for clients with addictions.  One clear factor in determining success in lasting recovery is the availability of quality aftercare for people who have

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