Recovery

Like music, art is very subjective, making it unique to each individual. Experiencing art is personal, and different pieces or styles of art elicit different responses, depending on the person. The practices of tapping into creativity and connecting to emotions in the present moment through art can be therapeutic, especially for those recovering from mental health and/or substance use disorders.

Music is defined as stringing notes together to create a melody. Like all forms of art, it is up to the listener to decipher its meaning. A piece of music can mean the world to one person, while someone else might find it tasteless and irritating. That is the best thing about art, its subjectivity. For those in recovery from addiction, music can be especially therapeutic because it helps them to connect to emotions and channel energy. Something as simple as someone’s favorite lyrics in a song can remind them that they’re not alone and give them hope that things will get better.

We hear the term “emotional security” quite a bit in 12-Step programs of recovery. Many of us have seemingly placed our emotional security in the hands of others our entire lives. We have based our actions and decisions on what others want and need, as a means of maintaining personal safety. In return, we expect others to do the same for us, putting our security above their own and validating our thoughts and emotions. But what exactly does all this mean? And how do we achieve emotional security independent of others?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-Step program that has helped and continues to help millions of people around the world battling drug and/or alcohol addiction. When AA was first cultivated, it was predominantly made up of people who were above the age of 30. Over time, however, the crowd got younger. Within the last decade, Alcoholics Anonymous has seen members as young as 11 years old. Because of the growing community of young people in AA, groups and committees have been organized as a way of catering to these age groups, promoting a stronger fellowship and age-appropriate activities.

Relapse is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in the recovery community. There is a multitude of reasons and justifications that your mind can come up with that will convince you to begin using drugs and/or alcohol again. It can be discouraging to find yourself obsessing over substances, even after being separated from them for a time. However, there are ways to combat these thoughts and protect your sobriety.

Before coming into AA many of us had burned our relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. By working on ourselves, whether it be through 12-step programs like AA and NA, or simply by taking therapeutic direction, we can begin to rebuild these relationships. We are all social beings and, therefore, crave connection with others, despite how much easier isolation can feel. Only with honest self-reflection can we begin to make restitution to those we have hurt.

Addiction recovery is so much more than just healing physically from addiction. The journey of sobriety provides space for people to get to know parts of themselves that may have been unrealized for years due to drinking and/or using. During this process of self-discovery, many people also uncover passion and purpose, two things that had most likely been missing from their lives prior.

Addiction recovery can be a stressful time. While all change is overwhelming, sustaining sobriety requires massive changes in lifestyle and behavior. Previous studies have found that nearly 4 out of 5 Americans are afflicted with daily stressors. Unfortunately, individuals in addiction recovery have to face these normal daily stressors in addition to those specific to their addiction. These stressors come in many forms, including pleasing family members, ensuring that children are taken care of, paying bills on time and so much more. Often, stress coupled with poor coping skills holds people back in their recovery. Recognizing the ways that stress can negatively impact sobriety is critical, as this awareness can motivate changed behaviors and improve stress management skills.

Note: If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Your life matters and you are not alone.   Borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects millions of people across the United States, with the majority of cases being women. BPD is typically characterized by an intense fear of abandonment, unstable self-image, self-harm, anger and irritability, and more. Many people with this disorder feel alone and misunderstood by others, reporting a sense of inner despair and utter chaos. Unfortunately, death by suicide is a common occurrence as a result, with a suicide rate of more than 400 times the national average – and this was a statistic presented by the government several years ago. Luckily, there are treatment options that have proven quite successful.

Throughout your recovery, you’re going to find that there will always be something new to learn about yourself and what works/doesn’t work for your healing journey. Luckily, you’ll meet a lot of people during your treatment at Avalon Malibu who will help you to identify and practice positive coping strategies. During this process, it’s important to remember that the small choices you make daily add up, and ultimately, they will either propel you forward in your recovery or pull you back from your goals. As you increase awareness around old behaviors and new ways of living, there are a few basic things to avoid during the beginning of your recovery.

While many people associate addiction recovery with physical wellness, the reality is that our day-to-day lives are experienced through our perceptions and how we’re able to handle difficult thoughts, feelings, and situations. When bad moments occur, we can experience several responses, including an increase in blood pressure, anxiety, difficulty focusing, shaking, and increased feelings of sadness, anger and/or irritability. If we don’t have healthy coping mechanisms, we may even do something that we later come to regret. These are experiences that everyone has, not solely those in addiction recovery. However, for those that are in recovery, it’s smart to start picking up on some healthy coping mechanisms. Doing so can improve quality of life, as well as prevent eventual relapse to substance use.

One of the most crucial areas of addiction recovery is learning to practice presence and mindfulness. Addiction has a way of stealing attention from the beautiful pieces that make up a life. Consequently, it’s common to get caught up in altered thinking and miss out on everything beautiful, right now. Maybe you find yourself consumed with the obsession to use drugs and/or alcohol. Perhaps you are constantly preoccupied with concerns as to exactly how you will get your next drink and/or drug. If you’re in the final stages of addiction, you may find yourself flooded with thoughts of hopelessness and fear. Whatever your experience, the result is the same: As the ability to experience awareness of, and gratitude for the present moment decreases, perspective on life becomes increasingly negative.  Choosing a holistic approach to addiction recovery provides you with the opportunity to address the many mind, body and spiritual factors that influence who you are and how you view your life. Reconnecting to your joy by tuning into the present moment supports your ability to thrive in your recovery and your life as a whole.