Articles
The effects of illicit substances and alcohol alone should be reason enough not to use them. But even more troubling is the fact that they…
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape for all areas of health care. People enrolled in intensive outpatient programs have been…
Intensive Outpatient Programs were developed to cater to unique individuals who might not be able to commit to living in a treatment facility. Ideal for…
Transitions are perhaps the most important aspect of any treatment program. While an individual might achieve significant success during one phase of their recovery journey,…
No two substance use problems are ever the same. People come from different backgrounds, struggle with different problems, and have different motivations when it comes…
The substance use treatment landscape is ever changing, adapting to the many different needs of individuals in recovery. That’s because not everyone responds the same…
One of the reasons why individuals suffering from substance use disorder tend to shy away from treatment is because they fear it might be too…
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are a dynamic drug rehab style that aims to help a person towards sobriety without the need for a startling and…
No one really wants to get tangled up in the mess that drugs and alcohol can bring. But when a person struggles with stress, baggage,…
Financial troubles seem to commonly come hand in hand with substance use disorder. As the addiction overrides all other priorities, individuals become less careful when…
All eyes are on the COVID-19 pandemic, which is today considered the most prominent health crisis of our modern age. But while COVID-19 sweeps across…
As research on addiction continues to develop and widen our understanding of substance use, so too do the many different treatments evolve. Back in the…
The teenage years can be particularly precarious. With ever changing hormones and risks like bullying and peer pressure, it comes as no surprise that drug…
‘Continuum of care’ is a phrase used in addiction treatment, but it isn’t common for clients to understand what it really means. An integral concept…
The road to sobriety is different for everyone. That’s why health care professionals and service providers have developed various methods of treatment that adapt to…
There are few things as painful as watching a loved one destroy their life with drugs. And as their addiction develops and worsens, you’ll find…
Humans are naturally wired to protect their ego, which is why we’ve developed a range of different defense mechanisms that guard our psyche against potential…
It takes serious effort and unwavering dedication to recover from drug abuse. For the most part, that’s because drugs can alter brain chemistry and even…
According to surveys conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 47% of teenagers in senior high school have tried illicit substances at least…
According to recent statistics, 14.1 million Americans aged 18 and over suffer from alcohol use disorder, while 19.7 million struggle with substance use disorder. And…
Anxiety, depression, stress, and suicidal thoughts have been at an all time high since the start of the pandemic. Many of these symptoms are associated…
It’s hard enough to date under normal circumstances. But add in the complexity of substance abuse and you’ve got a recipe for even more confusion…
Substance use disorders (SUDs) can be immensely complicated all on their own. But according to statistics, between 57% to 84% of people with a substance…
The History of Sober Living Sober living homes have increased in popularity over the past decade. As a transitional housing arrangement, sober living homes provide…
Building Self-Esteem During Recovery and Sobriety One of the reasons why it’s so hard to recover from substance use disorder is because of the negative…
Why Should People in Early Sobriety Go to Sober Living? Those first few months of sobriety are the most critical period of substance use disorder…
Chronic Relapse - How to Break the Cycle The road to sobriety is riddled with obstacles, potholes, and detours. And while some people might think…
What is EMDR Therapy and What Does It Work to Treat? Developed in the late 1980’s, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is a distinct…
The Role and Limitations of Medication Assisted Treatment Roughly 20.2 million people in the United States suffer from a substance use disorder. And because the…
The History of Alcoholics Anonymous With their popular slogan “one day at a time”, Alcoholics Anonymous aims to provide recovering alcoholics the support, guidance, and…
Facts and Life in Dallas, Texas The hyper-modern metropolis that is Dallas sits at the northern end of the state, and houses some of the…
Defined as the conscious effort to care for one’s self and promote well-being, self-care is an essential component of living a healthy life. Unfortunately, statistics…
Teen and adolescent substance abuse is a growing problem worldwide. In the United States alone, roughly 7% of all of those admitted into a drug…
Statistics highlight that about 31 million adults struggle with addiction, but only around 10% seek medical treatment. That says a lot about the nature of…
Changing the entire landscape of life as we know it, the COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to various stressors that might feel new and unfamiliar…
There can be any number of factors at play when someone is beginning to address their own relationship with alcohol. Cultural and personal influences may…
Recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol is an incredibly taxing experience, both on one’s body and mind. There can be any number of stresses…
For someone in recovery, one of the major goals they can set for themselves is getting back into the workforce, following a career path they…
There are a lot of factors at play for someone in recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol. It can be incredibly difficult to try…
A large part of recovery from any addiction, whether it be to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sugar, or anything else, involves addressing the various associations that…
Telemedicine has become more and more essential with the continued progression of the coronavirus, and many recovery and treatment centers are turning to digital appointments…
Resentment is a common feeling among those in recovery from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, as well as their families. Resentment can be a…
Each day in recovery comes filled with stressors, whether someone is just beginning their journey in the detox phase or employing their own coping skills…
Recovery from an addiction to drugs or alcohol is a complicated affair, with ongoing trials, stresses, and emotional turmoil. However, even though the difficulties of…
Experiencing trauma at any age can be a harrowing experience that can inform someone's worldview and mental health. However, trauma is often discussed in broad…
As people in recovery begin to move forward, they regain some of their independence. For most people, this means moving out of sober living or…
There are a large number of anxiety-inducing moments in recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Each step of one's recovery journey has its own…
Family is an integral part of the recovery process. Loved ones can be the motivating factor behind someone going to recovery for an addiction to…
Addiction recovery is a very personal journey. No two recovery journeys will look the same. As someone begins their journey towards sobriety, they must find…
Recovery from an addiction to drugs or alcohol comes with an innumerable amount of trials on a daily basis. During recovery, each person is working…
The ability to sleep during recovery from drugs or alcohol is both incredibly important as well as incredibly difficult. Withdrawal symptoms or urges can surface…
Addiction is an immensely complicated topic that envelops every aspect of a person’s life. There are biological, mental, and emotional components that all go into…
The role of the family in recovery is one of the most impactful sources of support during addiction recovery. However, this can be both beneficial…
People should always aspire to be the best that they can be in their lives. For some people, this can mean reaching great professional heights,…
Addiction affects every aspect of someone’s life. There are emotional and biological components that each person needs to address in addition to the social elements…
Alcohol holds an interesting place in society. On one hand, it is often present in celebrations and times of merriment, while also being used by…
Recovering from an addiction of any kind is never an easy feat. There are many peaks and dips, with people needing to employ various strategies…
People have taken large strides in understanding how addiction is a medical disease rather than a moral failing. However, there is still some social stigma…
Recovery is a very personal journey; no two people will suffer from addiction in the same way. Each recovery process and therapeutic strategy will influence…
Recovery isn’t just one thing. What it means to “overcome an addiction” can mean a lot of different things for a lot of different people.…
There are many different phases of recovery, as well as programs created to help people through each step of addressing their addiction to alcohol, drugs,…
Different techniques work for different people through recovery. While some coping and life skills may work wonders for one person, that doesn’t mean that they…
Many recovery treatments will focus on certain words or phrases. For some, this can be an in-depth exploration of voice, or looking at “all or…
There are many changes that someone experiences when going through recovery to an addiction of any kind. Especially as someone moves from an inpatient or…
Recovery from an addiction of any kind involves a lot of internal struggles. Each person has to re-conceptualize the world around them and challenge the…
There are a lot of changes that someone will undergo through the course of their recovery from addiction. Even as steps are made, there can…
In addiction recovery, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is an important step. When moving from residential to an IOP, someone can see the most drastic changes…
Recovery of any kind is never a solo journey. Despite the feelings of isolation that addiction recovery is often paired with, there are always many…
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are designed to create time for one’s own life in addition to the multiple weekly meetings for treatment. However, that doesn’t…
For someone moving from an inpatient or residential treatment to an intensive outpatient program (IOP), there are a lot of changes to look forward to.…
The path to recovery from addiction looks different to everyone. For some people, having dedicated one-on-one sessions with a professional can yield the best results.…
The challenges presented by outpatient therapy are numerous, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Each phase has a number of hurdles to overcome, but…
Each part of the recovery provides new challenges and obstacles. No part is easy, but understanding the purpose of each different phase – as well…
Treating addiction isn’t the same as treating a broken bone, nor is going through therapy for addiction or mental health the same as physical therapy.…
Recovering from an addiction of any kind involves a lot of difficult steps, from detox to residential to outpatient. When moving from residential to outpatient,…
Being off-kilter in our daily lives can lead us to be off-kilter in our recovery. Of course, it can be difficult to always have a…
Here’s the truth: no matter how hard we try, we can’t have it all. Nothing in life is perfect, so it’s to your benefit that…
All of us sweat the small stuff at one point or another. When we do, we strive for control because we want everything to be…
Mindfulness is a great tool to have in your recovery toolbox. Some may think that mindfulness is a difficult thing to master that takes long…
Is there one secret to happiness? This is the question all of us have tried to answer at some point in our lives. We seem…
We’ve all been under stress from school, work, and family life. Stress can feel like the plague, especially when it hits when you least expect…
So, you’ve completed an inpatient rehabilitation program and you’re looking for an aftercare program that can fit your needs. You’ve heard about our programs…
Over time, we have created our comfort zone to fit our needs. Whether it be in relation to our physical health, mental health, or emotional…
Now that we’re familiar with what boundaries are, let's talk about how to establish and set them. Boundaries tend to be complicated at times, especially…
National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, NAATP, has been the addiction service profession’s vision, voice, and thought leader…
Let’s talk about boundaries! What are they?! What is an emotional boundary? A material boundary? How do you set them, and furthermore, how do you…
Many people diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder or addiction also suffer from a co-occurring behavioral or mental health disorder. In fact, according to the…
A quick look at who makes up the Sober Living community, what their journeys entail, and the success they find along the way.
Meditation is becoming more and more available as a holistic treatment for substance abuse. Meditation is a very simple yet extremely powerful technique with many…
A critical piece of the sobriety puzzle that many people forget, is there is no cure for addiction or alcoholism. Once treatment is complete, that…
During these unique times of quarantine and shelter-in-place orders, many addicts are unable to get to 12-Step recovery meetings, sponsor meet-ups, and fellowship outings with…
One thing most addicts will agree on is that addiction thrives in the dark. Isolation and loneliness are two of the biggest relapse triggers that…
If you’re heading to a Sober Living Program or considering joining a community, here are just a few of the lessons and skills you’ll be…
Living & staying sober is more than a lifestyle choice, it’s a mentality. Here are a few mental best practices for maintaining your sobriety.
Here’s a look at the typical addiction recovery timeline to see how long each of the most common types of recovery treatment programs take to…
Understand the difference between inpatient treatment and sober living to make the decision that best suits your current needs.
The recovery process can be challenging, but don’t lose hope as bumps along the road are expected. Here are 3 ways to support your loved…
How to stay sober after rehab? Ensure your success in staying sober by following these 5 crucial tips for staying clean and sober after addiction…
It is never too early or too late to seek treatment for your addiction. Here are 5 signs that it’s time to seek treatment for…
What is Sober Living? Lighthouse Recovery explains the 5 most important things to know and understand about Sober Living.