If you’re in recovery from addiction, working towards recovery, or supporting someone in their recovery journey, relapse might be on your mind. A return to use after a period of sobriety isn’t inevitable, but it is common. Addiction is a chronic disease, like diabetes or asthma, and relapse is a possible part of the journey.…
When the new year rolls around, many people make resolutions to improve their lives. Among these resolutions are often goals related to drug and alcohol use—whether it be quitting entirely, cutting back, or seeking help for addiction. However, sticking to these resolutions can be challenging. Many people struggle with relapses or find it difficult to…
Veterans often face a host of challenges when adjusting to civilian life. Many veterans struggle due to a lack of mental health support, physical disabilities, or as a result of the trauma they may have experienced during service. These struggles can put veterans at significant risk of developing a substance use disorder. When combined with…
As many of you may already know, post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a theory that explores the growth and transformation that can happen following trauma. Developed in the mid 1990’s by Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD, the theory purports that people who endure psychological struggle following adversity and trauma can often see positive growth afterward. According…
Now that the new year has arrived, many people take the opportunity to change their lives and develop healthier habits. Those struggling with alcohol or drug addiction may be hoping to make a fresh start and begin the road to sobriety in the new year. While choosing to get sober is an admirable and important…
When you’re in the midst of a drug or alcohol addiction, getting help can be an intimidating prospect. It can often feel like you have nowhere to turn or that recovery is constantly out of reach. In these situations, a residential treatment program can help. Residential drug and alcohol treatment programs are considered one of…
Despite the fact that the specific issues and the physiological effects of substance use disorders impact women differently than men, behavioral health services, have rarely taken sex and gender differences into account. In order to address this and improve treatment services for women, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) developed a treatment…
The COVID-19 pandemic has created insurmountable challenges around the world. For those seeking addiction treatment, the burden can be even greater due to quarantine restrictions. In the United States, more than 20 million adults suffer from substance use disorder, with those figures rising as quarantine continues. With rehab facilities, treatment centers, outpatient services, support meetings,…
The reality of drug rehab is often clouded with misconceptions. This is especially true when individuals who are addicted to drugs or alcohol fail to acknowledge that they need the help of a professional addiction treatment center. As a result, of the twenty-one million Americans battling addiction, few will get the help they need. By…
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified, what they call, eight dimensions of wellness. The thought is that, if individuals focus on these eight dimensions, they can optimize their health. Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life so it is important to focus on all eight of them.…