The Role of Nature in Healing Can Bring Some Peace to the Journey

Healing from addiction is not easy. The journey is filled with challenges. Even when a person is mentally positive, they might need an extra boost to get some support. Getting outdoors has some benefits. Nature is a great way to experience peace and calming after a challenging day or just to get outside. The mental health benefits are being touted right now as a way to get people off screens into nature, spending time outdoors, and thinking more positively about what they want for their recovery. Find out why and how nature works in this way and ways to tap into it for yourself. 

Read More

What Families Should Know About Relapse and How to Help a Loved One Cope

Relapse is not inevitable but it does happen to many people. Knowing what to do when it happens can help you get on track in recovery. Substance use disorder is a chronic disease, so it has to be managed on a daily basis. Triggers, cravings, and other things will set it off and the brain will want to gravitate towards those things. Don’t get too comfortable in sobriety or let healthy routines slip away. Find some support from family and know you’re not alone.

Read More

Healthy Boundaries Keep Your Recovery Healthy: Here’s How to Do It

New year, new you, or so they say. It is hard to feel renewed in your mind, body, and spirit when you are in recovery. Everything is shifting, moving, and growing. Healthy boundaries are one of the hardest things to learn in recovery. It is necessary to deal with learning them to avoid getting hurt (or hurting others) but learning how to do it takes time. Try these tips on for size when thinking about creating healthy boundaries.

Read More

Is Workaholism Getting in the Way of Recovery?

When it comes to being active and busy, our culture does a great job of that. From sun up to sundown, people are busy running, going places, working, and spending their days going every which direction. Some people actually cut hobbies and everything else out of their schedule to work harder and harder until that seems to be all they do. Technology is partly to blame for this, in that, they are on their phones, computers, and accessible at all hours of the day and night. Professionals who are in recovery can struggle with workaholism to cover up for the challenges they face not doing drugs or drinking. They may also have struggled with it before as a reason they sought treatment, along with other addictions. Find out why workaholism can harm recovery and how it gets in the way of healing.

Read More

How Does Suboxone Tapering Work?

Doctors who prescribe Suboxone usually do it to help people, especially with dependence on opioids. Buprenorphine is used to bind the receptors in the central nervous system. The medicine works to suppress opioid cravings. Naloxone is also present in this prescription medication, used under the name Narcan. It is an anti-opioid overdose medicine used by the police and medical professionals to save lives. Naloxone found in Suboxone remains dormant unless someone messes with it. Suboxone is one of several drugs used for opioid detox. 

Read More

What is a ‘Scarcity Mentality’ and How Does it Impact Recovery?

When you look out and view the world in recovery, you may not realize how deeply the impact is felt. If you think about negative things, it may be harder to choose positive ones as you struggle to cope. A tendency towards a brighter view of yourself and how you exist in the world can help. A ‘scarcity mentality’ is one where people don’t think they have (or are) enough. Find out why people think this way and how it, ultimately, impacts recovery. 

What is ‘Scarcity Mentality’

Scarcity mentality is the tendency to hold a negative perspective, rather than one of abundance. Basically, people in these situations tend to think they do not have enough or are not enough as they are. It leads them down some narrow pathways, even towards addiction. Some key things that people with a scarcity mindset think about:

  • You are the victim and feel disconnected from being in control of your life
  • You limit your breath, clench your jaw, and generally feel tense all the time
  • You pull energy and focus to yourself and problems so that you feel powerless, angry, frustrated, and impatient with yourself and others
  • You are rigid rather than flexible and look at things from different angles rather than seek to solve problems

There are plenty of resources to go around, but addiction feeds into the scarcity mindset. It is not enough, there is not enough, I am not enough. The perceived need for more of the drug never goes away and the mental and physical aspects of addiction loom over a person’s head. The opposite of this is an ‘abundance mindset’ which does not automatically take over when a person has become sober or quit using drugs.

Where it Comes From

A scarcity mindset is one that develops over time, almost as a protective mechanism. There is learned behavior that teaches you resiliency is not an option and you struggle to bounce back after hardship or crisis and keep going. As you are learning, you realize your ability to be open and learn new ideas and concepts is challenged. You may limit your resources and the pathways you are on so you can heal and grow. Ultimately, stress can lead to higher cortisol levels and increased behavioral stress response when you think with a scarcity mentality. Stress levels are lower when a crisis arises and it is easier to assess the situation and respond rather than making the situation worse.

Develop an Abundance Mindset

An abundance mindset is for everybody. It is not just a big term that is focused on having more or doing more. It is about being present to what you have and being grateful right now. Some ways you can start doing this in recovery:

  • Be grateful: when you are focused on the good things in life and not problems, you are living in abundance
  • Expand your view: instead of believing there is no way to fix a problem, consider it from many angles and find one that works
  • Don’t assume you know anything: let your mind be flexible on how to handle things

When you live with abundance in your mind, your body and lifestyle will follow. It sounds simple, but takes daily practice, and daily experience to get moving towards this way of life. The goal should be to find a way to bring healing to your journey of recovery by thinking positively about how you want to be in the world. From this place, you should move forward and begin to heal your life from the inside out.

A Step in the Right Direction provides quality care for clients seeking support for addiction recovery. We teach people how to live a sober life through programs, therapeutic support, and evidence-based therapies. Our recovery program is staffed by people who understand the power of addiction. For more information on sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702

Read More

What Are Some Things to Keep in Mind About Finances in Recovery?

Money is always important to people, no matter who they are. People need money for all kinds of things; to buy goods and services, to pay bills, to maintain housing and quality of life. Finding a way to budget and manage finances is another thing, altogether, in recovery. Quite often, people are used to someone else managing their finances because they were not capable of it while under the influence. There may be those who were high-functioning but are no longer able to keep up managing their finances. There may be those who gambled and, of course, lost money on addiction as it costs a lot to keep up. In recovery, it is important to budget well and find a way to build a healthier relationship with money.

Keep a Budget

The worst word in the world to anybody is ‘budget.’ This word simply means finding a way to live within your means, based on what you earn, your bills, and lifestyle. With a simple sheet, you just write down your expenses and income sources for the month, estimate costs, and figure out how to pay those bills monthly. Some key things to consider when keeping a budget:

  • Tracking is important, so make sure to know what bills are due when and how much is left to pay off any outstanding debt
  • Speak with a professional who can help create a balanced budget
  • Write down every dollar that is spent to see where it all goes
  • Apps can be helpful in tracking spending, making categories to see where it goes and giving you an idea of how much is being spent on entertainment, dining out, etc
  • Connect with recovery budgeting groups that are working towards the same financial goals
  • Set goals for how to use money like paying off a big debt, saving for sober trips, etc

Things to Consider

When working out a budget, there will be hiccups. It is not easy to work off a zero-sum budget if you are not used to dealing with every dollar, penny, and red cent you earn. It may even be that someone else is helping pay your way right now as you find your footing in recovery. Perhaps you are a student living on student loans. It is hard to figure out where to spend, save, and put money aside when it can feel like you have so little. However, you are sober and that is a huge accomplishment. You can focus on that when you begin to feel frustrated by budget progress. Here are some other things to consider as you wind your way through the budgeting process:

  • Little bits add up. If you love that certain coffee brand, get a coffee maker or machine. This cuts down on the number of times you ‘drink out’ and spend money on those sweet beverages
  • Old debt comes back to haunt: don’t let old debt become bad debt. If it lingers, it could ruin your credit and make it harder to get car loans, mortgages, or any other type of financing for school and other things down the road
  • Pay off small debt first and celebrate when it is done. It may seem like a small thing, but remember how many sleepless nights you had worrying over that money every month before it was paid off
  • Stick with cash: keep one credit card with a zero balance and low credit limit for emergencies like a major car repair you can’t pay out of pocket. Save the cash for most things and don’t get used to swiping a card where it is easier to overspend
  • Saving money is key to feeling safer in recovery: when you have money in the bank, you feel like you can save for that rainy day when things get bad in an emergency or a friend needs help

Get Stronger

The key to growing in recovery is learning principles for daily living. Not only are you dealing with sobriety and recovery, but you are learning how to live more simply every day. Buy less, do more. Connect with others who are working on this and discipline yourself to get focused. When you create balance in this area of your life you are more likely to feel balanced out elsewhere in recovery and begin to make progress towards your goals.

Step in the Right Direction helps you focus your recovery on you. When you need help, we are here to support you. Our goal is to provide the best level of care possible. We give you the tools you need to be successful, whether it is in budgeting or for navigating the challenges of recovery in other ways. Call us to find out more about our sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702

Read More

Why ‘Becoming’ is Not a Finish Line in Recovery

For some people, there is a tendency to think that life is complete with a finished set of goals that are accomplished. Being ‘set for life’ is what some people ascribe to become, while others look at it as an everyday awakening, a becoming, that they gradually move into. Becoming is not a finish line in recovery. It is much like that awakening to the everyday mundane, the step-by-step process of naturally growing into who you are. Find some ways to consider what becoming means in recovery and how to navigate this time of your journey.

Going on a Journey

One of the best ways to become more of who you aspire to be is to think about ways to meet all your needs. Early on in recovery, your needs are simple: stay sober, don’t relapse, focus on recovery. As you progress through, you will want to think about wider, larger goals and how you might accomplish them. Some of the needs you might consider looking at include:

  • Safety: what makes you feel secure
  • Love: what makes you feel loved and connected in relationships
  • Esteem: what self-esteem has to do with your accomplishments and recognition from others
  • Physiological: what is needed to survive, including food, water, and shelter

How to Get There

The steps you need to make the right changes are going to vary. When you know you are ready, you will take the necessary steps to shift away from where you’ve been to where you are going. Some ways to consider how to meet your higher potential:

  • Be ready to change: if you are not ready, nothing will change. It is hard to step out in faith that what you want is available to you, especially after many  missteps in addiction and recovery. Even misery can feel safer than change
  • Belief in yourself: when it comes to recovery, you have to believe in your own ability to change. Once you’ve decided to get clean, you have to have a conviction to do it
  • Support: interpersonal support is key to recovery. It is not easy to maintain sobriety and recovery, especially without support. It is important to be surrounded by people who understand you, know what you’re going through and are willing to stay by your side. 

The final way to consider how you might become more of who you want to be in recovery is to lead a balanced, structured life. Active addiction is very unstructured with people being all over the map, unstructured, and unpredictable. To get to your goals and be successful, you need to have help building a consistent routine you can stick with that will give your life a sense of order that is amenable to life’s changes, but gives you focus and intention for the future. 

Don’t sell yourself short in recovery. Find help from mental health professionals who have experience with addiction. You are not alone.

A Step in the Right Direction provides quality care for clients seeking support for addiction recovery. One of the things we teach people is how to be consistent in recovery and build a healthy routine. Life after addiction is hard, but it does not have to feel impossible to manage. For more information on sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702

Read More

Valium Withdrawal is Challenging but There is Hope for Healing

Diazepam is a commonly recognized drug, also called Valium. When used to treat anxiety, it can be helpful. Over time, however, people who use it too long or not as prescribed may find it causes withdrawal and health issues. Due to the high potential for abuse and addiction, it is no longer the choice of medication to treat anxiety, even though it is used in other settings. Find out why people become addicted to Valium and how to offer support to a loved one who needs help quitting. 

Abuse and Addiction

Benzos like Valium are considered to have the potential for abuse and development of physical dependence. They have considered Schedule IV controlled substances, indicating these are purchased legally with a prescription. Valium has been a professionally used drug for a long time. Benzos have a bad name for being responsible for polydrug abuse and addiction. They are often mixed with alcohol, narcotic pain meds, and other drugs to enhance the euphoric effects of other drugs. Mixing benzos with alcohol can cause serious health crises. This opens up the potential for adverse reactions to drugs, including potential for overdose. Fatalities from benzos in the United States have risen sharply between 2011 and 2014. Benzo abuse is a growing health issue. Valium and other benzos may produce physical dependence in those who take them for a long period of time. 

Withdrawal

Physical dependence is a condition where people grow tolerant of the drug and need more of it to feel the same effects. With higher doses, the person inches closer to the risk of overdose, even though the body does not recognize this is happening. It is commonly associated with drug-taking for several weeks or months before this occurs. It is not easy to just quit using these drugs. A person can develop a dependence on the drug at any point, but not all drugs produce withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal from Valium follows pretty much the same progression in each person. Withdrawal has been described as classical symptoms of benzo withdrawal. There are two stages:

  • Acute: about 1-4 days after last use, the person will experience symptoms that include psychological and physical issues like anxiety and depression
  • Headaches, nausea, cramps, cardiovascular symptoms, and other physical issues
  • Neurological symptoms like confusion and seizures for people in serious withdrawal
  • Cravings and mood swings, depression, and rebound anxiety may kick up
  • After a period of 3-4 days, symptoms may abate a little but last for 10-14 days in most cases. During this time, the person will experience increased cravings for Valium, depression, anxiety, and flu-like symptoms. 

Following the withdrawal, people will stabilize but may experience issues with anxiety and depression. The person may feel out of sync and out of time. This is just the body’s way of stabilizing and bringing some peace to an otherwise difficult time for the entire brain and body to comprehend. 

Treatment 

Tapering can be helpful for people with Valium addiction. This means the person will experience a slow tapering off of the medication to help their body adjust better. Other medications may be used to help, including melatonin for anxiety and sleep issues. Anticonvulsant meds can be used for seizures and muscle relaxant baclofen to reduce cravings. The most important thing is a person is able to get help from a certified treatment facility that understands withdrawal. They should not feel like there is no hope on the other side for them in recovery. There is support in the right places for people who go looking for the treatment of their challenges with addiction. 

A Step in the Right Direction helps you face your fears around treatment and provides you with the best service with professionals who understand addiction. We tailor programs for you so you get the most out of treatment to move forward in a healthy way in recovery. For more information about sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702

Read More

What Are Some Steps to Begin Rebuilding Trust After Addiction?

Life has its ups and downs. It is hard to think clearly sometimes about what to do. Often, the top priority is to regain the trust of loved ones. It is important to make amends with family and friends while having them feel you are worthy of trust. This is no easy feat. your loved ones may feel hurt enough to not want to have anything to do with you, but you have to consider their feelings, too. Your loved ones want to trust you. It can happen, with some patience and effort. 

Mind Your Words

What you say matters. Everyone will be watching closely to see what you say and what you do match up. Without follow-through, people will not believe anything you say. This is your chance to demonstrate every day you are going to keep your word. Keep up with post-treatment plans and show them how you take this very seriously. Also make sure to attend meetings, show up for work, and be a person they can look up to again. It takes work but is worth it to build trust again (and regain those relationships). 

Communicate Openly

It is hard to talk to someone with an addiction. They are not likely to be able to speak openly about their issues and face the challenges head-on. Until they go into recovery, you are not likely to be able to feel communication lines are open. When you share feelings, thoughts, hopes, and ideas, you are putting yourself out there. Family counseling is one way to find support for dysfunctional dynamics, but also to provide the family with tools that encourage healthy, positive communication. 

Be Consistent

When you are consistent, it shows. It shows to employers, loved ones, and new friends that you are serious about recovery. Addiction makes people very inconsistent. They are spiraling out of control one minute, and telling people they have it all under control the next. You can make a commitment to rebuilding your health and be serious about recovery by sticking with routine and being consistent. 

Be Patient

Nothing happens overnight. You will not rebuild trust with loved ones or regain lost friendships quickly. It takes patience and understanding. It takes a mindset to heal and restore trust with loved ones over time. Feelings may be hurt, but over time, those memories subside and make way for newer, happy ones. It is going to be a lengthy, but worthwhile, process, to earn trust back. Work at it one day at a time and you will reap the rewards. 

A Step in the Right Direction supports people with addiction. We offer individual and family counseling for those in rehab. Our goal is to provide you with tools that help you navigate recovery and find healing for broken relationships. For more information on sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702

Read More