Benefits of a Holistic Approach

Although addiction is an illness, it isn't an entirely physical disease. Many factors combine in the development of addiction and these factors can be psychological, emotional and physiological. To truly combat addiction, a holistic approach is best. A holistic approach to recovery embraces a wide range of treatment methods for comprehensive and lasting freedom from addiction. Addresses the Root Cause of Addiction A holistic approach to recovery is one that takes every aspect of health into consideration. It is not enough to help patients achieve sobriety. The goal is to help patients stay sober for a lifetime and enjoy health and wellness while staying sober. To do that, it is important to address the root causes of addiction. There are thousands of potential factors in the development of a drug or alcohol addiction. Every individual is different and it is certainly possible that multiple factors contribute. Through individual and group therapy, it may be possible to reveal what sparked addiction for an individual patient. In some cases, it could be genetic, where parents or grandparents also struggle with addiction. Other patients have a mental illness or have a history of trauma. Whatever it is, treatment can resolve and eliminate it from negatively impacting recovery. Focus on Mental Health Addiction is often classified as a substance abuse disorder, which is technically a mental health condition. Although there are clearly physical side effects of addiction, it is absolutely an illness that impacts mental health. There is an undeniable connection between psychological well-being and addiction. In many cases, mental health concerns can lead to addiction. Individuals with undiagnosed mental illnesses may feel overwhelmed and try to self-medicate using drugs or alcohol to feel better. Other patients may develop an addiction and then find themselves struggling with a mental illness as a result of substance abuse. Clearly, both issues have to be dealt with for maximum recovery. Dual diagnosis is the process of addressing mental health and substance abuse at the same time. This approach is key to a holistic strategy for addiction treatment. The goal is for all patients to complete treatment and have better mental health that will enhance their recovery, not be an obstacle leading to relapse. Reducing Reliance on Lifelong Medications Not all addiction treatment centers have a holistic approach to recovery. In these programs, the emphasis might be on pharmacological care. While medications can be helpful for some patients, a holistic approach reduces the use of unnecessary prescription medications. For some individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, medications will be a helpful way to restore a chemical balance. However, not all patients require medication. Sometimes, drug addictions are treated with a secondary substance that is also addictive. This just perpetuates the cycle of addiction. A far better approach is to explore some of the non-medical ways to address addiction. Often, a comprehensive holistic approach can deliver successful results for those in search of lifelong sobriety. Patients are Treated as Individuals Another benefit of holistic recovery plans is that patients are treated as individuals. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to addiction. While templates and timelines can be a great first step, there has to be the opportunity for flexibility and customization. Often, the treatment plans with the most flexibility are those that embrace a holistic approach. Rather than forcing patients to follow a set plan, there are options to explore new opportunities. Some patients may find fulfillment in practicing yoga daily, while others might thrive with frequent acupuncture. Acknowledging the uniqueness of every individual patient can be one of the keys to finding true and lasting recovery. The End Goal is a Fulfilling and Satisfying Life The goal of addiction treatment is not to churn out patients that have reached sobriety but not grown in any other meaningful way. The objective is to help people live healthier, better lives. The first step is helping patients break free from their chemical dependence on drugs and alcohol. After that, holistic approaches can lead to a fulfilling life. Often, this includes some element of spiritual development. Addiction recovery doesn't have to be religious, but yoga, prayer and meditation can also offer incredible whole-person benefits. Patients also appreciate the stress relief and confidence boost that regular exercise can bring. Offering opportunities to lift weights, practice yoga or exercise in a fitness facility are just some of the ways that a rehab center can facilitate recovery. A holistic approach also asks patients to determine what they want from life. Setting goals and finding meaning can offer true satisfaction, not just sobriety. Patients are Empowered to Control Their Own Destiny Addiction can make people feel like they don't control their own lives. This is frustrating, and also untrue. Once you can break free from your addiction, you will control your own future. A holistic program reinforces this fact by offering choices throughout recovery. In everyday life, individuals in recovery will need to make all kinds of decisions. Although routine can help, you'll still need to choose sobriety on a regular basis. Offering choices in rehab, even if they are small, can set the tone for a lifetime of healthy decision-making. A Holistic Strategy Can Prevent Relapse More than half of all patients who complete some form of addiction treatment end up relapsing. Holistic recovery approaches may be successful in preparing patients to fight back against the risk of relapse. To start, a holistic approach encourages healthy hobbies. Including activities like yoga or tai chi can go a long way in reducing stress. Stress relief, in turn, makes it easier to resist cravings. Holistic programs also emphasize the need to listen to your body. To avoid relapse, that might mean thinking about the acronym HALT, which stands for hungry, angry, lonely and tired. Although it might sound simple, addressing these four common feelings can go a long way in standing strong against temptation and relapse. Clearly, a holistic approach to recovery can offer a number of benefits. It might be the right choice for those who want lasting recovery and the ability to resist relapse for a lifetime.

Does Family Therapy Help Someone in Recovery?

To overcome addiction, it takes a support network. Often, patients already have a support network waiting in the wings–family. Even family members who want to help won't necessarily know the best way to address addiction issues and fight relapse. That's why family therapy is such a helpful tool during the recovery process. Families Can Learn About the Disease Model of Addiction It is estimated that one in four families deals with addiction in some way. Even if a family member struggles with an addiction, however, many people don't really understand what addiction is or how it develops. Some family members, even those that mean well, still think of addiction as a decision or a moral flaw. Through family therapy everyone can explore the disease model of addiction. The disease model of addiction identifies that addiction is an illness. Specifically, it is a combination of a chemical dependence and changes in the brain. Understanding addiction as a disease, much like cancer or diabetes, helps family members see their loved one in a new light. During family therapy, participants can also learn a little more about why addiction develops. Often, it is a combination of factors such as mental illness, trauma and genetic predisposition. Often, this information is a surprise to family members. Once again, this new information can help family members be more sympathetic and understanding about the process of recovery. Loved Ones Can Help Resolve Past Conflict One of the negative effects of addiction is that it can cause all kinds of conflicts in the family. Family members might be upset that a person abusing drugs or alcohol brought turmoil to their lives. Those struggling with addiction might feel like their family members were to blame in the first place. While it is normal to experience conflict as a result of addiction, it is unhealthy to let it linger. A big part of recovery is being able to let go of past conflict and move forward. This is true for the person struggling with addiction and the family members who were involved. In family therapy, a third party can help facilitate conversation and resolution. Through therapy and treatment, families will begin to heal from the wounds that addiction can bring. Family Members Will be Able to Learn Common Relapse Triggers There are hundreds and even thousands of triggers that can spark a relapse. These are often very personal. One person might be very tempted to use drugs when they see a bar, while others might be tempted when they are on their own and bored. During family therapy, everyone can learn about the patient's triggers and how best to avoid them. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the patient to learn to resist triggers and develop coping mechanisms. However, family members can still be an important line of defense. The actions of a family member could be the difference between continued recovery and the risk of relapse. Some patients might be triggered because of overwhelming stress, financial worries or pressure from family members. Others might be triggered by certain locations or by too much alone time. Knowing the specifics can go a long way in helping patients stay on track with their sobriety. Children, Parents and Spouses Can Discuss Recovery With a Trained Professional It's important for close family members to understand what recovery looks like. Family therapy is a great opportunity for a patient's children, parents or spouse to meet with a trained professional and learn more about the process of true recovery. To start, family members can get a rough timeline of withdrawal, rehab and aftercare. Recovery isn't an overnight process, and it may takes weeks or months of ongoing treatment before independent living is possible. Family members can also learn about the lifelong reality of recovery. Once someone has struggled with addiction, there is no such thing as moderate use. An alcoholic can't go through recovery and then start drinking socially again. Family members have to know and believe this, because they can be instrumental in stopping loved ones from making a mistake and relapsing. The Whole Family Can Create a Plan for Lasting Recovery Addiction can feel very isolating, and so can recovery. Often, patients aren't actually alone, they just feel that way. Recruiting the whole family can show patients that they have plenty of support, love and care. Family therapy is also a great chance to work out a recovery plan that involves everyone. Patients will likely rely on their family members substantially in the weeks and months following rehab. Family members, for the most part, are usually eager to help. Both parties will feel better about the arrangement, however, if they know what to expect. Family therapy is the opportunity to plan for the future. While no one knows exactly what the future holds, having a plan in place can be critical to recovery. Some patients and their family members can collectively decide that advanced education and living at home is the best route for the next year. Making these decisions with the help of a trained counselor can ensure a positive resolution for everyone involved. Enabling Can be Identified and Avoided Without family therapy, enabling might be an ongoing problem for patients in recovery. Enabling is defined as ignoring or encouraging negative behavior in any way. Unfortunately, many family members want to show love and end up enabling instead. In the context of recovery and life after rehab, enabling might include fear of speaking out, unlimited financial support or prioritizing someone else's needs above your own. For example, helping to pay for detox and rehab is helping. Offering unlimited cash to a person with a history of addiction is almost certainly enabling. In therapy, family members will learn which of their actions are helping and which are ultimately harming their loved one’s recovery. The recovery process involves the entire family. That's why family therapy can be such a valuable tool for those in recovery as well as their loved ones.

Helpful Hints to Combat a Season of Holiday Triggers

The holiday season is here, and while Christmas and New Year’s festivities can be a joyous time, this time of year also brings its own set of stressors. And those stressors can trigger substance use.  Identifying what might drive you to relapse - and having an action plan against those temptations – are the foundational pillars of a successful prevention plan. With that in mind, let’s look at three holiday-oriented triggers you need to consider as we head into the season.  Trigger #1 - Holiday Stress One of the top relapse triggers during the holiday season is stress. And many people who struggle with addiction end up turning to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to cope with it. During the holidays, family gatherings can be a significant source of stress. Some relatives can elicit strong emotions. Some are just plain toxic, ultimately leading to unnecessary fights and arguments. Other family members can cause you to relive unpleasant memories from the events of the past.  Another source of holiday stress comes from the general hustle and bustle of the season.  Maybe it’s the financial strain that goes along with Christmas shopping for everyone on your list, or maybe it’s organizing a holiday get-together for friends and family. Whatever the reason, it’s not uncommon for your holiday “to-do” list to become overwhelmingly stressful at some point.  Here’s how to combat this trigger: Evaluate what you’re experiencing and determine the people, places, and things that cause you excessive stress. Then plan ahead to avoid these situations, or at the very least, limit your participation.  Stick to your normal daily routine as much as possible. This means that, no matter how stressful the holiday season becomes, you still make a point to get plenty of rest, practice good eating habits, go to 12-Step meetings, and exercise regularly. Basically, you have to make “me” time a priority.  Talk it out. When life starts to feel too heavy, find an outlet to release that stressful weight off your shoulders. Opening up to those you feel close to – instead of bottling up your emotions – can be therapeutic. Giving your feelings a voice can help to make the stressful situation you’re dealing with feel a lot less consuming.  Trigger #2 – Holiday Loneliness This time of year has a way of bringing out feelings of loneliness, especially if you’re not spending the holidays with your loved ones. It can seem like everyone else is happily soaking up every precious minute with their friends and family, especially on social media and on TV commercials. So, when you’re feeling down and lonely, it’s easy to get bogged down in negative feelings and resort to isolating. Here's how to combat this trigger: Keep your support system close. Feelings of loneliness, depression, and isolation can prompt you to pick up a drink or use drugs, so make the extra effort to reach out to your support network during this time. If you’re unable to spend the holidays with loved ones, it’s a good idea to take advantage of virtual platforms, such as Zoom or Skype, to stay connected face-to-face. Or simply pick up the phone and make a call – it’s surprising how much comfort you can feel from simply hearing your loved one’s voice.    Get involved in the community. Giving back those who may be less fortunate is a great way to shift the focus off of yourself and eliminate those negative feelings you may be experiencing. It’s also a guaranteed way to get into the spirit of the season and remind yourself of everything you have to be thankful for.  Rely on tried-and-true, healthy ways to release negative emotions and boost your mood. This might include journaling, meditating, working out, or just going for a walk outside.  Trigger #3 – Increased Access to Alcohol From December to January, the holidays filled with Christmas parties, holiday get-togethers, and celebratory New Year’s social gatherings. And that means alcohol is typically available and flowing at these events, which can be pretty tempting to those in recovery.  Additionally, there’s a good chance the friends and family members around you might be drinking as they’re socializing. This kind of party atmosphere can be triggering enough to send you into a spiral.     Here’s how to combat this trigger: Go in armed with a plan. If you’ll be attending an event where alcohol is served, it’s crucial to have a game plan. If you go into the situation unprepared, you’re more likely to cave to your temptations. What will you do when you get a whiff of wine? How will you respond if someone asks, “Can I get you a drink?” Having specific, planned-out responses to each of these situations can help keep temptations at bay.    Bring an accountability partner. Avoid going to holiday parties alone if you know you’ll be tempted. Instead, find someone you trust – someone who respects your recovery - and bring them along. Their support can go a long way in avoiding these potentially triggering situations.  Play the tape all the way through. When you’re surrounded by people who are drinking and laughing, you may feel pangs of yearning for the “fun” of your old life. But it’s important to pause for a minute and remember all the destruction your addiction caused in the past. Instead, focus on the new life you’re building and the changes you’re making. Sometimes thinking, rather than reacting, is all we need to do in order to get through a tempting situation.  Enjoy the Holidays With Your Recovery Intact Remember, it’s perfectly normal – and expected – to encounter triggers in recovery, but the key is how you respond to them. By being prepared for the unique challenges presented during the holidays, you’ll be better equipped to stay strong and continue moving forward in your recovery.  Happy holidays! By: Natalie Baker

Fighting America's Opioid Crisis

According to the National Center for Health Statistics (2019)  there were over 70,000 deaths from drug overdoses with over 50,000 of those deaths being opiate related. The nation is experiencing an opioids epidemic which can be combatted by finding help in a residential rehab facility. America is so lucky to now have more drug treatment options available. It is one of the most powerful routes to prevent and find continued long lasting recovery from opiate addiction.

How to Aid Your Loved Ones Through Withdrawal

Withdrawal is and can be a difficult part of the recovery process because it presents various physical and mental obstacles for the individual. Relapse rates are currently as high as 50% during and after the most intensive treatment, so it remains a major issue for addiction recovery programs. Preventing a relapse is the most essential task in addiction recovery and involves several factors such as therapy, medication, monitoring, peer support, and other emerging interventions. Peer support is a social component that's crucial to your loved one's recovery. Your help and support throughout their withdrawal will be pivotal to their success. There are various ways to offer effective and lasting support, including the following: Provide emotional support People going through withdrawal need somebody to rely on during the more difficult times. This is because the process of recovery can often be a lonely and difficult road. Knowing you are there to provide words of encouragement and a comforting presence can make the situation easier for your loved one. Providing emotional support starts with learning about substance abuse, particularly about the withdrawal process. Only then can you take part in empathic listening, shared problem-solving, and display compassion and understanding. But don’t forget to put your well-being first to ensure that you are fully capable of supporting your loved one during this difficult time. Facilitate routine and a productive schedule Addiction often leaves individuals with little to no control over their lives, which is why establishing a routine is so important. It helps to have someone else facilitate these routines, which should include setting a productive schedule. This way it provides a sense of structure, stability, and a new normal for the recovering individual. Start by encouraging set patterns for your loved one’s basic needs such as their sleep, mealtimes, and physical activity. Then you can add productive activities, such as work, recreation, support meetings, and time with friends and family. The most important part is providing them with a predictable and reliable system and room for creativity and agency. Work with a trusted healthcare care provider Rehabilitation is a medical process, so working with rehab healthcare providers is an essential part of your loved one’s recovery. By collaborating with the rehab team, you can get expert advice on the appropriate steps to take. You’ll be working with substance abuse nurses who will serve as your main point of contact, especially considering the prevalence of telehealth today. Professionals with BSN credentials, in particular, are trained to work in home healthcare settings. These nursing practitioners also treat specific health conditions, focusing on disease prevention and health management measures that are personalized for the patient — including addiction and recovery. This ensures that your loved one’s unique needs are met by trusted professionals who are experts in their fields. Minimize or remove obstacles During withdrawal, your loved one is sure to experience mental and physical difficulties that will prove challenging. They may be placed in situations where their past habits could be triggered. This can make typical responsibilities including work obligations, financial problems, and relationship issues difficult to handle on top of fighting cravings. Aiding your loved one may mean taking charge of those responsibilities in the meantime. Help them avoid triggering situations when they're not ready yet. This way, they can focus on the recovery process without added difficulty. The better they become, the more they will be able to take on the usual challenges that life throws at them. Supporting your loved one through withdrawal will almost certainly be challenging. It might even mean taking on extra responsibilities as you take on a more active role in their recovery at the very start of their journey. It also involves having the right resources handy, whether it’s a link to sign up to NA or the contact details of your dedicated physician. By doing this, it will make the entire journey much easier until they fully recover. Piece specially submitted to blog.sober.com Submitted by: JBurk

Choosing a Drug Rehab

When choosing a drug and alcohol treatment center it is important to find the best care that will fit your needs. Some of the following factors will help guide you in choosing the right facility and type of care for you or your loved one! Location of the addiction rehab facility: Do you need to get away from people, places, and things? Are the stresses within your local environment feeding your drug & alcohol addiction? If so, getting somewhere away from home to be in a safe & stabilized addiction care facility will be your best option. If you are required by law or need to stay close to home due to employment, family, or other reasons then an addiction outpatient facility would be a better choice. Types of Care: Depending on what you need, there is something for everyone. There are programs that have designated their levels of care by having separate programs for men and women. Women’s issues for drug and alcohol addiction can be quite different than what a man would experience. Or you may feel more comfortable by being surrounded by the same sex to recover from addiction, trauma, or mental health issues that may arise. Therapy: They level of care that you consider would be the best program that helps to get your needs met. For example, having a one-on-one therapy session, several group therapy sessions, holistic wellness options such as equine therapy or acupuncture would all be considerations when choosing the best addiction rehab facility for your needs. After considering several components that can factor into different addiction treatment options, the worst thing you can do is stall. If you are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, please find help today! No matter where you come from, or what you’re abusing, there’s hope in finding recovery today! Browse through the Sober.com directory to find the best facility to meet your needs and don’t forget to #GetSoberStaySober