Scientists and counselors often used a life course paradigm to categorize the entire spectrum of recovery into five stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. However, within the action stage, when you enter into treatment, this part of recovery can also break down into four additional stages: withdrawal, honeymoon, the wall, and adjustment. Among these, … Read more
Addiction recovery is a long journey. It is certainly not a linear process but rather one with bumps along the way. Based on research and holistic treatments, generally, there are a few distinct stages to address challenges in recovery. They are known as “the stages of recovery.” These stages help highlight the different factors that … Read more
As human beings, we need to be social. However, each of us has experienced periods of loneliness in life. For people with mental health or addiction issues, loneliness can be a common occurrence. The Cigna U.S. Loneliness Index indicates that younger generations experience higher levels of loneliness, leading to many mental health and behavioral problems. … Read more
Drugs and alcohol affect the brain’s neurological pathways. Further, addiction is considered a brain disease. Like injury done by other chronic diseases, the physiological damage of the brain by substance addiction is indisputable. Therefore, you might wonder, can it be cured? The good news is, yes. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganize synaptic connections and … Read more
Scientific research on addiction and the human brain has long revealed that the biochemistry and anatomy of neurons alter their pathways when a person uses substances frequently. Some drugs may even have a long-term or permanent impact on the brain. However, some scientists and healthcare professionals contend that this neurological theory is deterministic or fatalistic … Read more
In our daily language, “hitting rock bottom” means reaching your lowest point. In the area of addiction and recovery, “rock bottom” may refer to a moment when you have come to your rope’s end as a result of your substance use habits. You might experience thoughts such as, “my life is totally out of my … Read more
When you stop using drugs or alcohol, your impulses and cravings to use do not immediately go away. They will linger and make you uncomfortable. Such a response happens because, when you are using these drugs and alcohol regularly, they have reshaped the physiological structures, thus causing a reward response from your brain when you … Read more
Why are some people more likely to become addicted while others are not? Does this have to do with genetics? For years, scientists have discussed the biological link between genetics and their influence on addiction. Thanks to more recent genome sequencing techniques, there is more information to help shed light on the connection between genetics … Read more
Do you realize the need to rebuild your life after deciding to enter a recovery program? Do you wonder what it looks like to embark on this rebuilding journey? The word “rebuild” may indicate a big project, and in some ways, it is. From managing your cravings to use to healing the social relationships that … Read more
Families are places where loving relationships and trust are meant to flourish. However, in reality, destructive patterns abound in families, and some get passed down from one generation to the next. Tragically, dysfunction in one generation can beget dysfunctions in the next. Unfortunately, the human community continues to produce fractured families. However, this does not … Read more
