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 →
Today, there are millions of people living with alcohol and substance use disorders. And while much attention is given to how many people have substance use disorders (SUD), not much attention is given to those who have overcome their alcohol use disorder and SUD and are in recovery. With more than 20 million people in recovery, the need for resources for this group has never been greater. Once the fun and novelty of being in recovery wears off, you can be left feeling bored. After all, much of the entertainment and socializing you did was centered around alcohol and drugs. Now that this is gone it can feel like you are living a boring life. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you are beginning to feel sober and bored in recovery, consider these ideas to keep your recovery journey on track!
Redefining Fun in Long-Term Recovery
When you think of your days in active addiction as “fun” and sobriety as a “drag,” you downplay the negative consequences of your substance abuse and disqualify the positive results of quitting, and you may begin to show the signs of early relapse. Sober and bored is nothing more than a mentality.
Research shows that when people expect to have fun, they usually have fun, and when they expect not to, they usually don’t. Cognitive-behavioral therapy during treatment and through your recovery program helps you learn to redefine fun and dash your misconceptions that using is “fun” and not using is not fun. Learn to think about fun and pleasure in a whole new way, and this will go a long way toward preventing a relapse.
Dangers of Sober and Bored Spare Time
Boredom and spare time are not beneficial to those in recovery and can lead to relapse. Boredom is considered the most common relapse trigger. It can lead to depression, irritability, anger, and isolation which can lead to an increase in cravings and thoughts of reusing.
The better way to look at boredom is that it is not a problem, it is, in fact, an opportunity. A chance to rediscover who you are and adjust to your changed circumstances.
Healing Power of Hobbies
Studies have shown that participating in hobbies and other fun leisure pastimes is associated with better health. The health benefits of having a hobby include:
Enhanced sense of well-being
Less depression
Lower blood pressure
Decreased body fat
Reduced risk for dementia in later life
When you’re recovering from an addiction, there may be other benefits as well. Hobbies help fend off stress and boredom, and they can give you a sense of purpose. As a result, they may reduce your risk of relapse. A word to the wise: It’s possible to go overboard, becoming so obsessed with a hobby that it starts interfering with the rest of your life. For example, you might spend so much time on a hobby that you slack off at work or neglect your family and friends. Or you might spend so much money on your hobby that you get into a financial bind. As with so many things in life, moderation is important.
Sober and Bored – Where to Find Enjoyment
Having fun in recovery may not come naturally right at first, but it won’t take long before you begin enjoying yourself, finding pleasure and fun in a variety of places. If you’re not sure how to go about having fun in recovery, consider the ways you used to have fun before you began using drugs or alcohol. Those activities may be worth a revisit.
Finding new hobbies is another way to ensure you’re having fun in recovery. What kinds of activities have you always thought you might enjoy? Now is the time to give them a try. You can also find out what your sober friends are into, and join them in their hobbies. Maybe you’ll discover a love for kayaking, or photography, or baking or sports.
Hobbies to Strengthen Your Sobriety
The reality is there are plenty of exciting things you can do with this newly available free time. Here are helpful hobbies that are not only fun, but that can also strengthen your sobriety and help you fight sober and bored as well.
Active Activities
The great thing about hobbies that involve physical activity is that they improve your level of fitness and general health – they also help to keep your weight under control. If you are not active in recovery, it can soon lead to symptoms of depression, low energy levels, obesity, illness, and a reduced life expectancy. Here are some of the active hobbies you might want to try now that you are sober:
Walking is suitable for almost everyone and can improve your mood while reducing your risk of asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke – it is recommended that you walk 10,000 steps a day to enjoy these benefits.
Running is an easy activity to take up because all you really need is a decent pair of trainers.
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise because it involves so many muscles while not putting pressure on the joints.
Cycling is a nice way to explore the surroundings while keeping fit.
Joining a gym offers an opportunity to socialize as well as improve fitness.
Relaxation Hobbies
The inability to manage stress can be a real problem for those in early recovery. Relaxation hobbies offer a great way to unwind and improve your ability to deal with stress in the future. Some of the most popular activities in this category include:
Mindfulness meditation does not only improve the ability to handle stress, but it has also been shown to be a powerful tool for dealing with addiction cravings
Tai chi is a type of moving meditation as well as a martial art – it is perfect for those who do not like the idea of sitting down to meditate
Yoga involves graceful stretches that improve health and help combat stress
Minimalism is a way of life as well as a hobby. The idea is that reducing possessions simplifies life, thus reducing stress.
Journal writing is an excellent way to let off some steam and feel more in control of life.
Do volunteer work. There are many organizations that can use a helping hand. Visit VolunteerMatch.org to find organizations seeking volunteers. Type in a few words in the search box about your interests or choose from the categories listed on the website (Animals, Arts and Culture, Computers and Technology, Education and Literacy, Environment, Faith-based, Sports, etc.) You have the option of choosing between volunteering at a local organization or virtually.
Mentally Stimulating Hobbies
Solve a puzzle. Mentally stimulating hobbies — such as solving crossword or Sudoku puzzles, playing chess or cards, reading or writing — help keep your mind sharp at any age. As you get older, research suggests that such hobbies may help protect your brain against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
Open a sketchbook. Drawing, painting, sculpting and other visual arts offer a way to express feelings that might be difficult to put into words. Having an outlet for self-expression may ease stress and anxiety.
Study a new language. Pick up language-training CDs at the local library or look for free websites and apps that can help you learn a foreign language. If you have already had some language training, you may want to start with something you are familiar with and build on it. Once you have gained some skill with a second (or subsequent) language, you can look at adding another one.
Skill classes. Many people don’t realize they have untapped creativity waiting to be released, and art isn’t limited to paint and canvas. Cooking, crafting, woodworking, leather making, pottery, car restoration – the options are limitless!
Brainstorming Ideas and Questions To Ask
What did you enjoy before your addiction?
Are there any activities you abandoned that could bring you joy?
Are there any activities you always wanted to try?
What were your childhood interests? What made you stop?
Do you have any role models? Why do you look up to that person?
Use the internet to research new hobbies
Ask friends and families what their hobbies are.
Are there any local classes you are interested in?
Could you volunteer your time for a good cause
Forget Sober and Bored – Have Fun and Enjoy Your Long Term Recovery!
Having fun in recovery reduces your risk of relapse. With these helpful tips you can beat sober and bored. The important thing is to stay open-minded and maintain a positive attitude. Give activities a chance, and give yourself a chance to have fun doing them. Eventually, you won’t feel that you need to drink or use drugs in order to have fun or enhance your fun. You may even begin to wonder if the “fun” you had while you were under the influence was really fun at all.
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.
Signs Your Partner Has An Addiction
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:
Pawning valuable items, like a wedding ring
Lying about their spending habits
Making up vague reasons for why they need more money
A sudden change in physical appearance or personal hygiene
Losing friends because of their alcohol and drug use
Becoming friends with individuals who constantly drink and use drugs
Increased irritability
A drastic change in sleeping and eating patterns
They are randomly energized and talkative followed by a depressed mood
They start to exhibit signs of mental illness
When to Continue Dating a Recovering Addict
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.
How To Preserve Your Mental Health Dating a Recovering Addict
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.
Self-Care and Positive Activities for Your Mental Health
Certain self-care activities and positive behaviors can help people stay positive when they’re dating a recovering addict:
Check-in with yourself. Try to do this every day to see where your mental health is at. Just like addiction, it’s necessary to catch failing mental health early on to make sure it doesn’t get any worse than it already is. If it’s getting worse, take action to make sure it gets better.
Talk to loved ones. Addiction can make a person feel lonely. The same can be said about someone who chose dating a recovering addict. Reaching out to friends and family can help preserve mental health in trying times. They are there for you and can act as a source of strength when your partner doesn’t have the ability to.
Take time every day to do things that make you happy. Part of maintaining mental health is self-care. Self-care doesn’t always mean spending lots of money and eating out all the time. Instead, it means taking simple pleasure in small, enjoyable activities. That could be taking a bubble bath or setting aside some time in the morning to read a book. It might be helpful to physically schedule time for you to do things that you enjoy.
Consider natural mood boosters. There are essential oils and supplements that can help ward off anxiety and depression. It can help individuals get through a rough time without side effects.
How To Set Boundaries When 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.
The Don’ts of Dating a Recovering Addict
Don’t Blame Yourself For His or Her Addiction
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.
Don’t Lose Sleep Over It Every Single Night
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.
Don’t Keep Feelings Bottled Up
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.
Don’t Stay In the Relationship If They’re Not Putting In Any 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.
Ways To Help Without Enabling When Dating a Recovering Addict
Make Nutritious Meals Together
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.
Journal With Them
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 Together
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.
Attend Couples Therapy
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.
Hold Each Other Accountable For Bad Habits
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.
Don’t Suffer Alone—Harmony Ridge Can Help
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.
Recovery from mental health conditions, addiction, and physical illnesses can be a long and challenging process, often requiring a multifaceted approach. While medical treatments and therapies are crucial, the role of emotional wellness in recovery should not be overlooked. EWe will explore the crucial role of emotional wellness in recovery and discuss practical strategies for improvement to support the recovery process. Whether you are currently in recovery or supporting someone who is, understanding the impact of emotional wellness can make a significant difference in the journey to healing. Continue reading →
Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is a disease that affects people from all walks of life. Experts have tried to pinpoint factors like genetics, sex, race, or socioeconomics that may predispose someone to alcohol addiction. But it has no single cause. Psychological, genetic, and behavioral factors can all contribute to having the disease. One of the major obstacles to recovery from alcohol use disorder is having to deal with cravings for alcohol. Cravings are response patterns that are programmed in people and appear as a result of environmental conditions, changes in mood, stress, or other types of triggers that prime these response patterns. Although sometimes cravings may appear to simply come out of nowhere, they are most often triggered by some environmental situation, feeling, or memory that one has about former alcohol abuse.
From sugar to caffeine to opioids, anyone who has quit an addictive substance understands how tough it is to get through cravings. Knowledge is power, so here’s some basic information on cravings to help you understand what’s happening in your body and mind when the urge to drink, use, smoke, or grab a brownie hits.
Can you see the signs of alcoholism?
Alcohol addiction can be difficult to recognize. Unlike cocaine or heroin, alcohol is widely available and accepted in many cultures. It’s often at the center of social situations and closely linked to celebrations and enjoyment. Drinking is a part of life for many people. When is it common in society, it can be hard to tell the difference between someone who likes to have a few drinks now and then and someone with a real problem.
Some symptoms of alcohol addiction are:
increased quantity or frequency of use
high tolerance for alcohol, or lack of “hangover” symptoms
drinking at inappropriate times, such as first thing in the morning, or in places like church or work
wanting to be where alcohol is present and avoiding situations where there is none
changes in friendships; someone with an alcohol addiction may choose friends who also drink heavily
avoiding contact with loved ones
hiding alcohol, or hiding while drinking
dependence on alcohol to function in everyday life
increased lethargy, depression, or other emotional issues
legal or professional problems such as an arrest or loss of a job
As an addiction tends to get worse over time, it’s important to look for early warning signs. If identified and treated early, someone with an alcohol addiction may be able to avoid major consequences of the disease.
How addictive is alcohol?
Alcohol can be a highly addictive substance, especially when consumed in large amounts within a short period of time. Alcohol addiction develops in several stages. The process of addiction may begin with the first drink, with physical and mental factors that can escalate quickly. Like any other addictive drug, alcohol affects the brain’s chemistry. When a person drinks alcohol, the drug causes their brain to release the neurotransmitters, which are chemicals responsible for signaling (among other things) pleasure and reward. In the brain, alcohol increases the effects of neurotransmitters that slow the body down while also decreasing the effects of neurotransmitters that speed the body up. The combined effect results in many of the intoxicating effects of alcohol.
What are triggers for alcohol cravings?
Triggers and cues are different names for the same type of situation that leads to a priming or activation of a craving in an individual. They can be very personal and subjective in nature, or they can be quite generalized and occur over many individuals. The effects of cues and triggers produce both physical and mental changes that eventually are interpreted as a craving.External triggers are more obvious to recognize and control than internal ones. Alcohol abuse treatment strives to help patients understand the initial warning signs of relapse and acquire healthy coping skills to prevent a possible relapse.
External Triggers
External triggers are objects, places, people, and activities that evoke cravings linked with alcohol use. Patients in recovery can be sheltered from the risks of external triggers by producing strategies to avoid triggers that prompt their prior alcohol use. Patients should also be able to fight their alcohol cravings when they’re in triggering circumstances.
People
People who are closest to the alcoholic could be a cause of cravings that ultimately lead to relapse. It is unsafe for patients in recovery to be around friends and family who are consuming alcohol.
Even peers who refrain from alcohol can be hazardous. Offering alcohol to a former addict could trigger emotions that urge an alcoholic to use again.
Places
High-risk places remind former alcohol abusers of the times they engaged in drinking to get drunk. Driving or walking through areas where alcoholics used to drink may spark a recollection related to alcohol use.
Situations
Those who are at risk of relapse should avoid stressful circumstances that could urge them to start consuming alcohol again. Individuals can find different ways to avoid high-risk situations such as happy hours or events where they previously would hang out and binge drink.
A person can identify the feelings that could trigger a relapse by questioning themselves:
How do I feel before consuming alcohol?
How do I want to think before drinking alcohol?
Within the last week, how did I feel when craving alcohol?
Patients in recovery must be conscious of the internal triggers they struggle with most and have a method ready to seek support.
Dealing With Triggers
Once you are aware of your triggers, you can decide how you want to deal with them. For some triggers the best plan is to avoid them, especially in the beginning. For example, some people find that they need to avoid social gatherings with alcohol.
Other triggers, like stressful life events, cannot be avoided. However, you can take control over unavoidable triggers by anticipating ways to handle them. If you are faced with a trigger that causes a craving you can:
Reach out to a sponsor or other sober support.
Attend a 12-step or other recovery meeting such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Use distraction by changing the scenery or engaging in a hobby.
Avoid stressful situations during an intense craving.
MAT (Medically Assisted Treatments) for Alcohol Cravings
Medication-assisted treatment programs exist to help individuals remain substance-free when entering and throughout recovery. For severe addictions, detoxification is often the first stage of recovery. During a medically supervised detox program, individuals rid their body of substances and prepare for inpatient treatment. This process may involve the use of medications to ease symptoms or help taper off the use of substances. Medically assisted treatments (medications) attempt to address cravings by affecting the actual physical process associated with the craving and then eliminating the strength of the craving in the person. There are numerous medications that have been used to address cravings for alcohol.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances in the nation, and many people are high-functioning alcoholics or people who live with heavy alcohol use disorders every day. These people may have been abusing alcohol for years, which makes treatment for alcohol dependence more complicated. Medications can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and ease cravings so a person can remain fully focused on healing and committed to recovery.
What is the outlook for alcoholism and alcohol cravings?
Early treatment of alcoholism is most effective. Addictions that have gone on longer are harder to break. However, long-term addictions can be successfully treated. Friends and family members of people who have an alcohol addiction can benefit from professional support or by joining programs like Al-Anon. Someone with an alcohol addiction who has remained sober for months or years may find themselves drinking again. They may binge drink once or drink for a period of time before getting sober again. But a relapse doesn’t indicate failure. It’s important that the person get back on track and resume treatment. Ultimately, sobriety is the responsibility of the person who has the alcohol addiction. It’s important to not enable destructive behaviors and to maintain appropriate boundaries if the person with the alcohol addiction is still drinking. This can mean cutting off financial assistance or making it difficult for them to fulfill the addiction.
Managing Alcohol Cravings and Addiction with Harmony Ridge Recovery Center
You don’t have to go through recovery alone. Many people who struggle with alcohol addiction find it difficult or impossible to quit without the help or support of others. There are many professionals and support groups designed to get you the help you need. Increase your chance of a full recovery with the help of a dedicated treatment center. Contact our team today to learn more!
Recovery from addiction or any other mental health issue is a challenging and long journey. It requires a lot of support, patience, and understanding from friends and family. Supporting a friend in recovery can be a rewarding experience for both the person in recovery and the friend offering support. However, it can also be difficult, especially if you are unsure of what to do. In this blog post, we will explore various ways in which you can support a friend in recovery. Continue reading →
