There’s something pure and healing about the natural world. Hiking through the mountains on a crisp fall morning. Sitting on the shore, watching waves crash on the sand. Staring up at the dark night sky. These images evoke powerful feelings within us. Nature therapy for depression and drug addiction is the idea that spending time…
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There’s something about celebrations that call for toasting with friends and family with a beverage in hand. Whether you’re celebrating the Yuletide with a cheery drink or enjoying a chilled refreshment during those hot summer months, drinks are a common way to socialize throughout the year. Just because you’re in recovery, doesn’t mean you can’t…
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Over 19 million people in the United States struggle with substance use disorder. This number represents countless lives impacted by drug and alcohol abuse. Spouses, parents, children, family members and close friends — addiction brings devastation and trauma to everyone it touches. Addiction is a disease that destroys trust and wreaks havoc on the family dynamic.…
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The holidays are upon us once again. This time of gift-giving and generosity is one of the happiest seasons. Sadly, it can also lead to a lot of stress, especially since Christmas is one of the most difficult times on everyone’s wallet. For those in recovery, avoiding stressful triggers is an essential part of guarding your…
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If you’ve ever been to a rave or dance party, you or someone you know may have used club drugs. These chemical substances are meant to stimulate the senses and heighten the experience of the party. Yet club drugs are far from innocent — in fact, they are quite dangerous and even deadly. What Are Club…
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Becoming an athlete takes years of training, practice and endurance combined with a healthy lifestyle and innate talent. Professional sports players are some of the most popular celebrities. But there’s a dark side to the lifestyle of being a star athlete — substance abuse. Many of today’s top athletes have struggled with addiction to drugs or…
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The disease of drug or alcohol addiction can damage healthy, loving relationships, creating trauma and dysfunction. At the same time, dysfunctional relationships can lead to addiction, as people turn to substances to cope with the negativity of those relationships. Toxic relationships and addiction go hand in hand, creating a vicious cycle. Change comes when the addict…
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Rural communities make up 97% of America’s land area, yet less than 20% of the population lives in these smaller communities. Many don’t suspect these seemingly idyllic rural areas are impacted by substance abuse — a disease that wreaks havoc on both individuals and their families. From the early 2000s, the number of substance use-related deaths in rural…
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Most people don’t truly understand addiction. They see an unhealthy dependence on drugs or alcohol, and mistakenly think addicted individuals lack willpower or have some kind of moral failing. Most don’t understand why an addict can’t just stop using. The truth is addiction is a complex brain disease. This means quitting takes more than just…
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Various experts assert that exercise should be a part of substance abuse treatment. While physical exercise cannot be the only treatment for substance use disorders, when it’s combined with other forms of treatment including medication-assisted treatment, recovery is more effective. Here are some of the benefits of exercise in addiction recovery. 1. Reduces Craving for…
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