Coping with the Fallacy of Lost Time
By
Admin
Nov 27, 2020
Addressing one’s relationship with an addictive substance or behavior and all of its challenges takes time. Recovery isn’t something that has an end date - those who have suffered from addiction in the past may still be dealing with urges for the rest of their lives. As someone identifies a need for change in their lives, they may also begin to feel guilty about past mistakes or see their past as shameful. However, needing a change in one’s life doesn’t mean that they have wasted time. The idea of time lost in recovery is a fallacy, and each moment in someone’s life can be an opportunity for growth and context with which someone can establish their changing future. Regardless of how long someone spends in recovery, time is never wasted. Seeing one’s actions as the important events they are can help someone cope with this fallacy.
Balancing Roles as Both Peer and Role Model as an Alumnus
By
Admin
Nov 24, 2020
After completing a recovery transformation, many alumni go on to give back to the community that has helped them work towards their goals. However, joining an alumni program and continuing to share in one’s journey through sobriety can be a stressful venture. Someone may feel torn on balancing their position as a role model for those just beginning their recovery and establishing themselves as a peer. While these roles can seem to stand in stark contrast to each other, balancing these approaches can help someone continue their healthy lifestyle while giving back to their recovery community through an effective alumni program.
Balancing the Need to Stay Connected with the Difficulties of Social Media
By
Admin
Nov 23, 2020
Social media can have negative and positive influences, especially for those going through their recovery journey. It is crucial to find ways to stay connected with other people to continue to develop social skills and support systems. However, social media can also cause difficulties in the recovery process. Social media should be monitored to ensure that someone maintains a healthy relationship with their devices and support systems. Moderating social media use and its potential dangers can help someone balance their need to be connected to others in their support circle while maintaining overall mental health through the recovery process.
How Does Luxury Affect Recovery?
By
Admin
Nov 22, 2020
Each person will respond differently to various kinds of approaches in recovery. When deciding on a program, someone may often question what types of therapeutic approaches are used or what communities are built. However, having access to a luxurious environment can also be hugely beneficial for those looking for extra comfort and focus. Luxury in recovery may have many amenities and systems in place centered around comfort, but the purpose isn’t just to look like a vacation home. Being able to address one’s recovery while feeling comfortable and supported through the process can provide needed feelings of security and community that are important to effectively address their struggles and goals. Recovery is an incredibly uncomfortable experience, and a luxurious atmosphere may be appropriate for those looking to confront their vulnerabilities while finding comfort wherever they can through the process. What Does a Luxurious Program Mean?
Moving From Sobriety to Self-Acceptance
By
Admin
Nov 19, 2020
The journey through recovery is a difficult one. It can be hard to identify all of the stressors that someone may experience and continuously be vigilant in recognizing risky situations and behaviors that may compromise one’s sobriety. However, sobriety isn’t the only goal in recovery. Depending on the goals someone sets for themselves, their recovery will look much different from others around them. Recovery is the gateway to accepting one’s identity and self-worth, and programs are in place to help someone cope with the daily stresses so each person can chase their long-term goals in self-actualization.
Who Should I Tell About My Recovery?
By
Admin
Nov 18, 2020
Talking about recovery can be stressful. The anxiety produced by stigmas surrounding words like “addiction” or “recovery” can make even bringing up the topic intimidating. However, talking about the stresses and progress that someone is making is crucial at any phase of the process. Learning who to tell about one’s recovery and how much information is appropriate for each person can be a delicate process. Talking about recovery will always be up to the individual who is going through the process themselves. They cannot only decide when and how to bring up the topic, but they can also choose for themselves who they are willing to discuss it with and what social circles may not benefit from knowing about their situation. Having several trusted individuals to discuss recovery with is essential, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has to know everything, or anything, if it may not benefit the situation.
Finding the Strength to say “No”
By
Admin
Nov 17, 2020
Saying “no” is a difficult thing to do, especially in recovery. Cognitive dissonance can occur in the brain as someone struggles with their urges to re-engage with an addictive substance or behavior or work to balance their fear of guilt surrounded by responses to the word “no.” However, learning how to express one’s control under challenging circumstances is essential for maintaining a healthy, sober lifestyle. Learning to say “no” can take practice, but it can result in more than avoiding unpleasant situations. It also means learning to project one’s agency and control their time, days, and future recovery.
How Do I Know if a Recovery Community is Right for Me?
By
Admin
Nov 15, 2020
Deciding to search for a recovery community is a significant step in a profound transformational process. However, it can also be where most people meet their first big hurdle on their path to recovery. Finding the individual’s ideal recovery community is essential and will impact much of their journey to recovery. Finding a recovery community that is right for each person may take some searching, but there are things that each person can look for when interacting with a community. Finding the right community can lead someone down a transformational path that helps them reach the goals they set for themselves beyond recovery. Taking steps to surround oneself with like-minded and supportive individuals is the first step in this transformation.
Finding Consistency in Times of Change
By
Admin
Nov 14, 2020
Recovery is filled with change. From the moment someone takes their first step into recovery on to the days and years after completing their program, change can be a constant. While creating a healthier lifestyle is the goal, it is also incredibly stressful to feel like everything is always in motion. As someone moves on to live independently in the “real world,” there can be an excessive number of challenges that each person faces. Learning how to find consistency and control in one’s life daily amidst this transformation can help reduce stress and promote a healthy, manageable plan for continued sobriety.
Explaining Recovery
By
Admin
Nov 12, 2020
Talking about recovery can be a challenging thing to do. Discussing one’s journey to sobriety can be stressful, especially if someone doesn’t know how others may respond to hearing about addiction recovery. As a result, some alumni simply tend to avoid the topic altogether. While this is certainly an option available, there may still be situations where someone wants or needs to address the matter. Knowing how to approach the topic of addiction can help each person not just explain the transformations they have made in their lives but also help begin to deconstruct the stigma that unfortunately surrounds words like “addiction” and “recovery.”