Recovery

Self-care is very important in recovering from addiction. Self-care does not replace clinical treatment, it promotes motivation for a successful recovery. While caught in the throes of addiction, we neglect ourselves. The simplest changes can be stepping stones towards success. Many issues arise when dealing with addiction, whether physical or psychological, and taking care of these issues is one way to begin living a new, healthier lifestyle.

Everyone feels lonely at times. Social distancing and self-quarantine regulations may prevent us from seeing close friends and family members, increasing feelings of loneliness and anxiousness. Experiencing loneliness and being alone, however, are different states of mental and emotional being. If you constantly seek the company of others to avoid spending time alone, reflect on your relationship with yourself. Consult with your therapist about what may be the root of your aversion to being alone. When you have some clarity, look for solitary activities you can enjoy when you allow yourself to be alone.

Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT), “a treatment approach for married or cohabiting drug abusers and their partners, attempts to reduce substance abuse directly and through restructuring the dysfunctional couple interactions that frequently help sustain it.” Alcohol and substance use disorders (AUD and SUD) are too often conceptualized as an individualized condition, but external influences, such as a tumultuous domestic life, often perpetuate abusive habits. BCT allows couples to address doubts, insecurities, and grievances in a supportive environment.

Whether you prefer country music, techno-pop beats, or the dramatic swell of a symphony, the music you listen to can elevate your mood. Recent studies conclude that even “sad” music can be uplifting. When engaged in a therapeutic setting, music has the potential to enhance memory, manage stress, and alleviate pain, according to the American Music Therapy Association. Don’t underestimate the power of your playlist!

Substance use disorder (SUD) wreaks emotional and physical damage, and in treatment, you can learn to balance your diet and reverse the effects of continuous substance abuse.

Alcohol is a popular addition to weddings, birthday parties, dinner celebrations, and other social events. Your journey in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) does not need to circumvent these major events, as long as you are aware of the risks and prepared to face triggers.

Complementary therapies reinforce cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-Step programs, group therapy, and other professionally facilitated forms of treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and comorbidities. These activities engage the mind, body, and soul in unique ways, allowing for creative self-expression and healing. The Department of Health & Human Services of Australia lists aromatherapy, acupuncture, and yoga as some of the most popular complementary therapies, though rehabilitation facilities across the globe offer many different options to fulfill treatment needs for anyone in need.

Relapse is considered a very taboo subject for those in addiction recovery, often because nobody wants to associate themselves with that feeling of “going back,” “failing,” or “being weak.” Despite what you may have heard about relapse, it is a common occurrence for many of us in recovery. It can be used to teach people valuable lessons about themselves and their journey through recovery. As you navigate the experience of healing and sobriety, it’s important to remember that forgiveness – and understanding that you’re human – can carry you through the dark days.

Anorexia nervosa is a type of eating disorder that is characterized by weight loss (or lack of needed weight gain in children). There are different types of eating disorders people suffer from around the world today. At least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the United States. One in five anorexia deaths are by suicide. 50 to 80 percent of the risk for anorexia is genetic. 33 to 50 percent of anorexia patients suffer from comorbid mood disorders, like depression and anxiety. These mood disorders are more common with a binging and purging type of eating disorder, rather than a restrictive one. Nearly half of all Americans know at least one person who suffers from an eating disorder. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of people with bulimia are males. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of mental health disorders. Five to ten percent of anorexics die within ten years of developing this disease. 18 to 20 percent die after twenty years, leaving the remaining 30 to 40 percent fully recovered. Anorexia is very common in young adults and is the third most common mental illness within that age group. 95 percent of people suffering from an eating disorder range from 12-25 years old. 50 percent of children between 11 and 13 with an eating disorder see themselves as overweight. Eating disorders can affect any race — it is seen in countries all over the world. In Japan, it is the leading psychological disorder in young women. Symptoms to look out for include:

A part of addiction recovery that often goes unspoken is the fact that we change as people. We learn more about who we are, we reinvent ourselves, and we create a life that’s more fitting to what we want. In many cases, this involves a change in social networks. The people with whom we used to abuse substances no longer fit into our life anymore and new connections take hold. Life begins to shift more towards a recovery perspective, and this changes everything. Although this will feel like a significant change, it’s something that you should embrace, not fear.

If you are brand new to recovery, you may not know what all the jargon means. Twelve steps are mentioned often, and you know that people go to gatherings that are called meetings, but that might be the extent of your knowledge. To admit that you suffer from substance use disorder is very difficult. It is hard for us because it is a disease that tells you you do not have it in the first place. To get to those first 24 hours sober is sometimes the hardest part. It is important to remember that recovery is a journey, not a race. Everyone does this thing one day at a time, just like the rest of us. Those who reach these milestones are usually awarded a chip that has the amount of time on it.

by Kristin Snowden, LMFT Originally published on Sexandrelationshiphealing.com, January 3, 2020