Semi-sober trends like #CaliSober and #SoberLite may be something you’re familiar with if you follow celebrity influencers on social media. Although these trends may seem like positive wellness trends, the messages they carry can be dangerous and detrimental to people who are highly susceptible to addiction.
Being able to identify what you are feeling, what those feelings mean, and how those emotions impact your behavior (and others) are essential skills in addiction recovery. This is called emotional intelligence (EI). Unlike cognitive intelligence, which is one’s ability to learn and remember, emotional intelligence has a huge impact on your ability to stay sober.
One of the primary ways people can sustain their recovery after treatment is with the help of peer support. Peer recovery services are a type of non-clinical assistance to support recovery from substance use disorders. Just like many people use business coaches or life coaches to guide them through various aspects of their lives, many people in recovery also rely on the services of peer recovery coaches to help them stay sober.
The start of a new year is a chance to re-evaluate your life and your recovery. If you haven’t yet given any thought to where you are now in your recovery journey and where you’d like to be, this is a good exercise in self-improvement and discipline that will help you fully enjoy the benefits of a stable and sober life.
Every December on New Year’s, many people overindulge and binge on alcohol to celebrate the upcoming year. In America, this behavior is often an annual tradition that people don’t think twice about before doing. However, if you’re sober, it doesn’t have to be your tradition and there are many other ways to celebrate.
The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, not just for people in recovery. And with stress being one of the main factors that increases the risk of relapse, it’s easy to see why relapse might be more common during the holidays.
Many addiction recovery programs require complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol in recovery while others recommend moderation management instead. But what’s the difference between the two? Which one is better? And what are the benefits of complete abstinence from addictive substances?
The final step of the 12-Step Program requires you to carry the message to others and put the principles of the program into practice every day of your life. To help you learn how to do this, we’ll review this step in more detail below.
The holidays can be a tricky time to be in recovery, especially if you’re newly sober. With more travel, pressure-filled social engagements with family and friends, and increased financial strain, all the stress can quickly build up and make you more susceptible to relapse.
It’s not all that uncommon to have hyper-realistic dreams about relapsing that leave you sweaty and anxious upon waking. Relapse dreams can be scary and unsettling because they feel very real. Although they can have a lasting impact, they don’t necessarily mean you’re going to relapse.
Research studies have shown that LGBTQ+ men face distinct recovery challenges. The LGBTQ+ community endures unique psychological and social issues that can fuel addiction and give rise to isolation. Despite these challenges, it’s crucial that no one feels alone in their recovery journey.
Learning how to deal with drug and alcohol cravings is one of the biggest challenges you’ll likely face in the early stages of recovery. Although cravings can be powerful motivators for relapse, you don’t have to let them control your behavior, and there are effective ways to cope.
Are you working Step 11 of the 12-Step Program? This step focuses on deepening your connection with your Higher Power as you cultivate your spirituality through the practice of prayer, meditation, or some other type of spiritual practice.
Watching a loved one relapse is extremely painful. Unfortunately, relapse happens sometimes. It’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions, such as anger, confusion, sadness, and hopelessness. Despite it being a challenging situation, there is still hope for your loved one. A relapse doesn’t mean they can’t fully recover from addiction.
Perhaps you’ve completed rehab, and now you’re starting to resume a normal life. Indeed, there are many more challenges to overcome. So, how do you cope with everyday challenges and emotions? What do you do if you feel an urge to use drugs or drink alcohol?