Lack of motivation can be a major impediment to getting sober. Only about 10 percent of Americans with substance use issues seek and receive treatment. The vast majority of those who don’t seek treatment are just not ready to quit. They might not believe they have a problem, they might fear change, they might fear… Continue Reading How Motivational Interviewing Can Help You Overcome Addiction
Any significant change in life, big or small, doesn’t happen all at once and forever. There’s typically equivocation, trying and failing, trying again, making progress, sliding back, progressing again, and so on. There are typically five stages of change when you’re trying to get from here to there. These can apply to quitting drugs or… Continue Reading The 5 Stages of Change
The majority of people struggling with addiction have another mental health issue too. This is called a dual diagnosis. Often, the other issue is what leads to addiction in the first place. People often use drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with mental health issue, or to self-medicate. Sometimes they use drugs or… Continue Reading The 7 Most Common Dual Diagnoses
During active addiction, people often tell themselves they are fine, even if they don’t feel that way. They often blame other people for their problems. It’s not until they get sober that they see the full extent of the damage addiction caused. Here are some things people in recovery regret most. Alienating friends and family.… Continue Reading What do People in Recovery Regret Most About Addiction?
Gout is a painful form of arthritis. Symptoms of gout occur suddenly and include intense joint pain, usually in the large joint of the big toe. The pain may also be in the ankles, knees, wrists, or fingers. The affected joints become swollen, red, and tender, which may limit your range of motion. An attack… Continue Reading A Lesser Known Risk of Alcohol Use: Gout
Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, is a major risk factor for addiction. More than half of people with bipolar disorder will struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among people with bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is often mistaken for depression and it takes an average of… Continue Reading What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Several recent studies show that the rate of depression in the US is rising. Blue Cross Blue Shield recently released a report showing that among its more than 40 million customers, depression increased by 33 percent between 2013 and 2016. Although women are about twice as likely to suffer depression as men, both men and… Continue Reading Depression is Becoming More Common in the US
Recovering from addiction is not just a matter of abstinence. It requires a holistic approach that includes therapy, medical care, building social connection, and making healthy lifestyle changes. Being active outdoors is one of the best things you can do for a healthier lifestyle. It combines several elements for a whole greater than the sum… Continue Reading How Outdoor Activity Can Supercharge Your Recovery
Everyone knows step one of AA: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. The very first thing you’re supposed to do if you want to quit drinking is admit you are powerless over alcohol. It seems a bit paradoxical and it is often misinterpreted. It’s easy to think that admitting… Continue Reading What Does it Mean to Say You’re Powerless Over Drugs and Alcohol?
Relapse can happen at any point in recovery. Typically, your risk of relapse decreases as you have more time sober, and the greatest risk is early on. Soon after you detox and can think relatively clearly, it’s a good idea to write down a plan for preventing relapse. Having a physical plan written down and… Continue Reading How to Create a Relapse Prevention Plan
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