It isn’t a secret that people struggling with substance use issues are not living a healthy lifestyle. Substance abuse leads to a number of unhealthy habits, including creating unhealthy diets. A bad diet is the common experience of many people struggling with addiction. They may eat too much or they may not eat enough, but either way, addiction prevents people from practicing proper nutrition. That lack of good nutritional habits is why diet is such a big focus in recovery. Many people … [Read more...] about Supporting a Healthy Recovery with a Healthy Diet
Back to Basics
Tips to Finding an Ethical Addiction Treatment Center
One of the most common things people looking to recover from drug and alcohol can do is enter an addiction treatment center. The ability for a person in recovery to insert themselves into a safe environment away from their triggers can be a real boon to their physical and mental well-being. However, no one should commit to a treatment facility without doing their due diligence and finding one that has their best interests at heart. Any person seeking help for their addiction should know the … [Read more...] about Tips to Finding an Ethical Addiction Treatment Center
When You Love an Addict
When you love an addict, it is a painful and confusing journey. The effects of addiction are like a stone being thrown into a pond. There seems to be no ending to the spillover of pain, drama, intensity and insanity. The whole family system is imprinted, and we all suffer. Concepts of recovery for family and loved ones include: Understanding the basics of how addiction wires the brain. Gaining some clarity of how addiction affects personality, mood and behavior. Taking inventory … [Read more...] about When You Love an Addict
Back2Basics Outdoor Adventures Benefiting Men During Times of Change: Part 1
Now, more than ever, with our world in a new chapter of uncertainty and routine as we knew it, we are facing change. We seek the often-overlooked gifts of fresh air, sunshine, blue skies, quiet and a glimpse of calm between binge watching Netflix and staying current with coronavirus statistics on the news. The prescriptive use of adventure experiences by health professionals has shown to result in significant improvements in the regulation of emotions and behavior. Numerous studies point to … [Read more...] about Back2Basics Outdoor Adventures Benefiting Men During Times of Change: Part 1
Healing, Growing through Outings in Nature
The prescriptive use of adventure experiences by health professionals has shown to result in significant improvements in the regulation of emotions and behavior. Numerous studies point to the many benefits of outdoor experiences including self-disclosure and awareness and enhanced attention span and problem-solving skills, as well as many brain functions important in the acquisition of a balanced life. Invigorated by the beauty of nature and the challenges it presents, many develop a lifelong … [Read more...] about Healing, Growing through Outings in Nature
Understanding the Importance of Relationships in Recovery
Life is complex, and as human beings, we rely on others to learn and build our confidence and capacity to cope with changing situations. As a result, it stands to reason that the challenges of life are best faced when we surround ourselves with others who demonstrate healthy behaviors. For the recovering addict, this means inviting people into his or her life who will encourage, motivate and inspire the individual to be the very best version of himself or herself. All types of relationships – … [Read more...] about Understanding the Importance of Relationships in Recovery
Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Living
People who demonstrate a sense of well-being possess nine essential characteristics: balance, resilience, contentment, goal setting, flexibility, self-confidence, support, gratitude and connection. Back2Basics views addiction as a whole-person crisis, building those characteristics into every aspect of the experience to strengthen the well-being and enhance the overall sense of self of every resident. This whole-person approach of addressing the mind and body as one is purposefully embedded in … [Read more...] about Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Living
Understanding Addiction as a Brain Disease
The mere fact that relapse is more common than uncommon sheds light on how difficult it truly is to break addiction. No one enters rehabilitation with the intention to fail; rather, they enter a treatment program hoping in their heart they can stop using for good. The problem with this approach is that addiction doesn’t happen in the heart. It happens in the brain. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic, underlying, largely genetic brain disease, … [Read more...] about Understanding Addiction as a Brain Disease
Mindfulness: What it is, How it Works
Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being fully present. In our day of technical addiction and multitasking, this is actually more challenging than ever before, which is probably why mindfulness is becoming so mainstream. There is a desperate need to feel more connected and content. For some, this practice comes naturally. Those who are really present in the kitchen, preparing loving meals and eating with consciousness already do this practice instinctively. Those who immerse themselves … [Read more...] about Mindfulness: What it is, How it Works
Exploring the Process of Change
We are now a month into 2019 and many have contemplated making changes as a component of a new year’s resolution. Identified changes may be orchestrated to become healthier by increasing physical activities or an effort to eat a well-balanced diet. You may have attempted these changes in the past, with limited success. In order to create change in your life, you must first understand the process of making sustainable changes. The Transtheoretical Model, also known as the Stages of Change … [Read more...] about Exploring the Process of Change
