December is here, which means the holiday season is in full swing. The holidays represent a time of celebration and joy for most families. It is a chance to share time with great company and enjoy time off in a stress-free environment. However, this experience is not universal for everyone. The holiday season can be incredibly stressful for individuals in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. This time is also stressful for their friends and family members, who are a big part of the recovery … [Read more...] about How to Talk About Addiction During the Holidays
relapse
Destigmatizing Relapse and Addiction
Substance abuse is the cause of thousands of deaths every year, affecting the lives of the people suffering through addiction and their loved ones. Treatment experts deal with these facts every single day. Treatment for substance use has come a long way, with a variety of options to help people achieve sobriety. However, these treatments don’t reach enough people who deal with substance abuse issues. One of the reasons for this is the stigma around addiction and relapse that still exists. We … [Read more...] about Destigmatizing Relapse and Addiction
Why Relapse Doesn’t Mean You Failed in Recovery
For many people working on their sobriety, relapse is part of the process. At the time of a relapse, it will feel like a failure, but it doesn’t have to be. Many people who experience a relapse will come back and maintain continuous sobriety for months and years to come. Like everything else that goes into recovery, it is about having the right tools to overcome setbacks. Change Your Mindset About Relapse Addiction relies on guilt, self-loathing and shame to keep a grip on your life. … [Read more...] about Why Relapse Doesn’t Mean You Failed in Recovery
Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
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 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, making … [Read more...] about Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
