If you have a family member or a friend who has a dual diagnosis, it can be challenging to know what you can do to help. Many people don’t know what dual diagnoses are, let alone the kind of treatment they require. A dual diagnosis needs specialized medical attention. The more informed you become about … Read more
Have you ever experienced the peaceful and renewing power of immersing yourself in nature? Do you know that nature has healing powers that can benefit people who are recovering from substance use disorder (SUD)? Experts call it nature therapy or ecotherapy, a way of connecting individuals to a bigger scope of the natural environment. This … Read more
You probably have heard a lot about the 12-Step groups that many people use to achieve and maintain sobriety from alcohol and drugs but you might not know much about them. Do you know why they are considered a highly effective approach to support recovery? Who invented the program? How do they work? These are … Read more
Have you experienced an eventful day with stress and confusion pulling you in different directions? When these stress responses happen, you may find yourself enjoying the here and now less. Mindfulness practices can help you cope with stress and rekindle your love for life. It has also proven effective in helping people recover from the … Read more
These days, many treatment centers claim that they offer “holistic” treatments but not everyone knows what that means. The term comes from “holism,” which refers to the “whole” of something as more than the sum of its parts. A holistic approach to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment cares for the whole person, including the body, … Read more
If you are supporting a loved one who is dealing with substance use disorder (SUD), you should first examine whether your relationship has been enabling or codependent. Knowing how to detect the warning signs can help your loved one reverse course and maintain progress in recovery. Time to Re-Examine Your Relationship SUD always impacts relationships. … Read more
What has been the most challenging part of your recovery journey? For many recovering individuals, it is rebuilding trust with family and friends. This is challenging because many people in recovery have previously done things that hurt their loved ones and broke the trust between them. Like all necessary steps of addiction treatment, rebuilding relationships … Read more
For people going through recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), the importance of good peer support cannot be overstated. One reason is that addiction can be very isolating, a feeling which often intensifies the need for substances. The COVID-19 pandemic has created more social isolation and thus led to more substance use problems. Another reason … Read more
Substance use disorder (SUD) doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it; it affects whole families. Those dealing with SUD need to understand the family as a social system when it comes to their disorder. While the family might have been the place where substance use originated, it is also a space for ultimate healing. What … Read more
People who struggle with substance abuse disorder (SUD) may know very well about the prevalence of stigma in society that comes with addiction. People tend to use negative language when referring to people with SUD. Many times, family members and friends also succumb to judgments and assume that addiction has mostly to do with moral … Read more
