Addiction, as most of us know, is a complex issue that affects countless individuals across our great state and nation. Sadly, West Virginia has been grappling with high rates of addiction for quite some time now. But what’s even more disheartening is the stigma that comes along with it. This addiction stigma in West Virginia not only creates misconceptions but also creates numerous barriers for those seeking the help they desperately need. Continue reading
Making the decision to stop drinking or using drugs is something to be incredibly proud of. Sobriety can enrich your personal relationships, provide numerous health benefits, and lead to meaningful self-discovery. Like any major transition, quitting drugs and alcohol takes time and determination. Knowing what to expect can empower you in your first days of sobriety.
Prior to beginning your sobriety journey, it’s important to speak with a medical professional to ensure you have a plan to stop drinking safely. While anyone can achieve sobriety, quitting alcohol cold turkey can lead to alcohol withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous or potentially life-threatening.
Your physician can go over your medical history, drinking habits, and risk factors in order to determine if a supervised alcohol detox is right for you, if it’s safe to immediately proceed with your sobriety on your own, or is a medically assisted detox is more advisable.
Another helpful step to take before you stop drinking is to prepare your environment and support system. Clearing out all alcohol, drinking accessories, and any other potentially triggering items from your space is one of our top tips for early sobriety. Sharing your plan with loved ones, exploring online alcohol treatment, and registering for support groups are also great ways to give your future self as much support as possible.
It might not be surprising that your emotions will be all over the place when you first get sober. Alcohol and drugs numb our emotions and it’s possible you haven’t actually felt them in years. That’s why it can seem overwhelming when we no longer use substances to numb our pain and emotions.
It will take some time for your emotions to balance out and with that, you’ll be feeling a lot of different things. Expect to cry, get mad, mourn your relationship with drugs and alcohol, and at the same time feel relieved and happy.
Taking care of one’s self is often viewed as a selfish act, but there’s a huge difference between being selfish and practicing self-care. Learning to love and care for yourself is one of the most challenging things you will ever do, but having compassion, patience, and love for yourself is a cornerstone of getting and staying sober.
Regardless of where you are on your journey to living a sober life, self-care should be an essential part of your routine.
Your tendency might be to criticize yourself for mistakes you made when you were using and boozing. But beating yourself up on Day One won’t help anything. Instead, if possible, do something nice for yourself: Take a hot bath, go for a massage, take a long walk or stock up on some foods you really enjoy.
It can be extremely comforting to surround yourself with people 100% of the time, but that’s also not a realistic way to live your life. So, while connecting with other people is important, it’s equally as important to take time to just be with yourself. You are a completely different person when you’re using versus when you’re sober, and while at first it can be challenging to be alone, time alone will eventually become time that you value.
Before getting sober, you probably had a group of people you spent a lot of time with that either encouraged your drug and alcohol use, or used with you. When you make the decision to get sober, it can affect the relationships you have with those people. As difficult as it is, cutting off communication with these people is going to help you resist the temptation to go back to using your drug of choice.
During early sobriety, stay hydrated. For many of us, hydration was not a priority when we were using drugs and alcohol. Hydration is very important to keep the body functioning well. Water helps our body transport nutrients within our systems and is also critical for our system to process wastes and toxins. Water keeps your body and brain lubricated and functioning. These tips can help.
People in recovery often say their lives felt chaotic and out of control when they were active in their addiction. But adjusting to all the changes that come with early sobriety can feel just as confusing and overwhelming. Following a consistent schedule can help you combat these feelings of chaos by providing structure and predictability. Try setting up a daily routine that includes regular meal times, consistent sleep schedules, and times carved out for activities such as exercise, support group meetings, work, errands, and chores.
The very first day of a sobriety journey might be full of excitement, nervousness, and many other emotions. Your mind might start racing far out into the future. Remember that all you need to focus on is the day itself. Taking it day-by-day, hour-by-hour, or even minute-by-minute can make you feel more in control.
It can also be helpful to predict what time of day may be most challenging for you and come up with a detailed plan for that time. Many people, they’re most likely to experience alcohol cravings in the early evening. To distract yourself from potential cravings you can try an hour or two-long activity such as taking a yoga class, attending an alcohol support group, or seeing a movie in theaters.
Your first days sober can feel lonely, but you don’t have to go through it alone, whether or not you choose to attend a support group. Some of us tend to isolate ourselves when we’re drinking or using. Friends and acquaintances might be wondering why they haven’t seen you. So even if the idea of social interaction on your first day is terrifying, it probably won’t be nearly as bad as you think and might give you some vital encouragement. Pick up the phone—or if that’s too daunting, fire off a few emails and texts to reconnect with the people you care about and who care about you. You’re probably not as alone as you think.
The first step toward achieving sobriety in recovery is to reach out to one of the rehabs in WV that can get you on the track to recovery. Our admissions team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Give us a call today!
Addiction is a progressive condition, unyielding in its destructive path. As such, the longer one waits to intervene, the more formidable the battle becomes. Understanding the critical significance of early intervention in addiction treatment is pivotal to improving outcomes and restoring lives. Continue reading
Acupuncture, an established therapeutic method rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, has gained recognition as a potential complementary practice in drug addiction treatment. At Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, we embrace a holistic approach to recovery, acknowledging the diverse needs of individuals seeking comprehensive care. Recognizing the potential benefits of acupuncture in drug addiction treatment, we offer this traditional practice across our programs. Continue reading
As you embark on your journey toward recovery, incorporating mindfulness meditation during rehab in Marietta OH could prove invaluable. Many reputable rehabilitation centers, like Harmony Ridge Recovery Center WV, endorse and implement mindfulness techniques to enhance recovery programs. We’ll delve into the multifaceted benefits of this practice and how it can improve your recovery experience and, ultimately, foster resilience, self-awareness, and overall well-being. Whether you’re a rehab participant, a caregiver, or simply curious, let’s delve into the transformative power of mindfulness meditation in rehabilitation. Continue reading
In the serene embrace of the Allegheny Mountains lies the resilient community of Buckhannon, West Virginia, where whispers of hope gradually overpower the insidious grip of heroin addiction. Amidst the valleys and ridges, we embark on a heartfelt exploration of the stages of recovery, where courage meets compassion, and transformation springs forth. From the faint glimmers of realization to the triumphant steps toward restoration, this profound journey unravels the tapestry of human resilience. Within these 100 miles of interconnectedness, we at detox centers in WV encounter the gentle souls who navigate the labyrinth of addiction recovery, weaving stories of resilience, support, and a collective determination to reclaim lives once lost. Here are the stages of heroin addiction recovery in Buckhannon WV. Know what to expect and embark on the journey to a better future. Continue reading
Amidst the towering Appalachian Mountains lies the vibrant city of Morgantown, where hope and healing intertwine to create a haven for those on their journey to recovery. Our experts from the detox center in WV invite you to explore the profound influence of managing emotions on your path to resilience. Recovery is an intricate dance, where the steps may sometimes falter, but it’s the way we embrace and manages our emotions that determines our progress. With compassionate support and creative approaches, we embark on a transformative voyage, harnessing the power of emotions as a catalyst for growth. Discover the art of managing emotions during recovery in Morgantown WV, and enjoy the power of this nurturing community. Continue reading
A significant other is supposed to be a person that acts as a source of strength in hard times. Normally a partner is a person you trust the most in the world but what happens when you’re dating a recovering addict? Addiction is a chronic disease that can make the person you love the most lie, steal, and put your mental health in danger.
So is it worth it? It depends. There are more ground rules when loving a recovering addict that must be followed to keep everyone safe and happy. At the end of the day, recovering addicts are people with medical disorders. Choosing to stay with them is a difficult choice with no right answer. But it’s possible and worth it with the right information.
Recognizing the signs of addiction in a relationship is tricky. Romantic partners may still not recognize that their loved ones suffer from addiction. This is partly due to romantic partners being more likely to trust their significant others and ignore the signs of addiction even though some may be apparent.
It’s important to talk to your romantic partners that suffer from substance use when it gets out of control. Of course, it will hurt. And they might get defensive and angry about it. But, it’s worth the discussion for the well-being of the relationship and the person who is struggling with an alcohol or substance use disorder.
These signs and symptoms of addiction are worth talking about if you notice them:
Loving a recovering addict is possible. However, sustaining a healthy romantic relationship with a recovering addict is impossible if he or she doesn’t get help.
When people find out that their significant others suffer from addiction, it can make them feel deceived. As if the ones that they want to spend their lives with can’t be trusted. It may be easier to cut ties and let go. This possibility is extremely painful in itself.
If individuals recognize that they have a substance use problem and want to fix it, it’s a relationship worth salvaging. The symptoms above may not signal an alcohol or substance use disorder. Though, it’s worth a conversation. If individuals that exhibit these substance addiction symptoms continue to get angry and deny their issues despite multiple attempts to help them, it may be time to move on. Otherwise, give them a chance to redeem themselves.
Dating a recovering addict can be emotionally taxing. Sometimes it’s more important to preserve your mental health and leave them be, while other times it’s best to be a pillar of strength when your significant other needs it the most.
Many people with an addiction also suffer from a mental illness. It’s easy to get depressed and anxious as a result. That’s something that you’ll need to make note of if you choose to support your loved one through his or her addiction recovery journey.
Certain self-care activities and positive behaviors can help people stay positive when they’re dating a recovering addict:
Boundaries are a set of rules that dictate how a person should treat you. There are consequences when those rules are broken. Establishing boundaries is the core of salvaging a relationship that’s been hurt by addiction.
Establish boundaries based on how your significant other communicates with you. If he or she lies to you, what are the consequences? If your significant other takes out his or her frustration with addiction out on you, what will happen?
Additionally, it might be a good idea to set boundaries about personal belongings. Are you alright with your significant other going through your personal belongings? If not, make sure to clearly say so. Boundaries are important because they set expectations about how a significant other should act to maintain a healthy relationship.
When a significant other is suffering from an alcohol or substance use disorder, you might blame yourself. Even worse, your significant other might blame you completely for it. It might be valid to say that you played a part in it. If so, you might need to change your actions to help your loved one get through this dark period in their life.
Still, remember that addiction is a chronic disease that neither you nor your significant other has any control over. Keep this in mind instead of pointing fingers. If your significant other places all the blame for his or her addiction on you without taking any accountability, that person isn’t ready to be in a relationship.
It’s understandable to be worried about a loved one when he or she is recovering from a serious addiction. Yet, being excessively worried won’t help anyone. If you’re up late at night worrying, it could hurt your health. Make sure that you’re getting enough sleep every night to stay mentally and physically fit. Think of negative thoughts as passing cars. Notice them, but watch them pass by and fade away.
Talk to your significant other about your feelings in a productive way without getting angry. Addressing an issue angrily can cause people to get defensive and angry right back. Alternatively, individuals may agree with their angry significant others just to appease them.
It’s tough to actively decide not to become emotional during an emotionally-charged conversation. Expressing how your significant other’s addiction hurts you calmly will be more productive with that extra effort.
Is your significant other agreeing to get help without taking any action? Does he or she get defensive even though they clearly have an alcohol or substance use disorder? In that case, it may be time to let go.
Sometimes it takes a serious ultimatum to make someone see the error of their ways. Set a timeline. If they don’t get help by a certain time, give them the ultimatum.
Eating a healthy diet is important for physical and mental health. So, it’s even more important when a significant other is recovering from an alcohol or substance use disorder.
Encouraging your significant other to eat a nutritious diet by doing so yourself can benefit you both. Make meals full of different colors. Fruits and vegetables can help a recovering addict heal quicker.
Don’t share a journal, but encourage them to process their feelings through writing by doing it too. Journaling is a fantastic way to figure out where negative thoughts arise from and possibly identify triggers. For people dating a recovering addict, it’s a positive way to avoid bottling up negative thoughts and emotions. Writing in a journal as little as 10 minutes a day can help.
Exercise releases feel-good chemicals similar to drugs and alcohol. Although it’s not in the same amount, it can help a recovering addict avoid relapse and feel happy in the process. This is one reason why many addiction treatment centers work exercise therapy into patients’ routines. It’s harder for someone to skip out on an activity if they have someone to do it with.
Talking about negative feelings and emotions is great. But it can only go so far at times. This might be the case when loving a recovering addict. A therapist can help act as a guide and mediator to facilitate a productive conversation.
It’s possible your bad habits aren’t helping your significant other stay sober. Again, an alcohol and substance use disorder is a complex medical condition that nobody can control. However, doing things like drinking a pack of beers every weekend doesn’t help you or your loved one struggling with an addiction. Hold your significant other accountable for their actions, but be ready to do the same.
Dating a recovering addict without professional help might hurt you both in the process. We know that addiction can be damaging to a significant other just as much as the person recovering from an addiction.
Our evidence-based addiction treatment center in West Virginia offers support to those suffering from substance abuse and those that love them. We’re here to support you and your significant other along the road to recovery. Contact us now to get the help you both need.
Addiction is a complex issue that affects millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, negative perceptions and stigmas associated with rehab centers can prevent those struggling with addiction from seeking the help they need. Past negative experiences and misconceptions can deter individuals from reaching out. However, it’s important to recognize the many reasons to give rehab in Clarksburg another chance. From affordable treatment options to comprehensive programs and experienced staff members, the rehab center in Clarksburg WV can provide the support and guidance necessary to overcome addiction and lead a fulfilling life. Continue reading
If you are one of the moms in recovery facing numerous obstacles, know that you’re not alone. From societal stigma to mental help, there are many reasons that explain why mothers have it harder when getting into rehab. This guide is, therefore, here to shed some light on this issue and provide you with step-by-step tips. In addition to the tips in this guide, we also provide specific rehab programs for mothers. As one of the renowned addiction treatment centers in West Virginia, we strive to make addiction recovery efficient and accessible. Don’t hesitate to contact us and learn more about what we have to offer. Continue reading
If you are one of the moms in...
If you are one of the moms in...
If you are one of the moms in...
If you are one of the moms in...
If you are one of the moms in...
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