Parenting in normal times is already challenging, and the challenges are only amplified when we add recovery into the equation. In addition to caring for your child’s growth, academic work, and social life, you also need to minimize the negative effects of your past substance use history on your child. Creating a stable home environment by rebuilding familial relationships is another aspect of parenting in recovery.

Communication to Children About Substance Use

If you have been in residential treatment for a while, your child might wonder about the reason for your absence at home. Instead of denying the problem, use this as a teachable moment to educate your child about how substance use can develop into a treatable disease. While your child does not need to know every detail of your recovery, you should take enough time to explain your situation in an age-appropriate manner. This also helps dispel some stigma related to addiction.

The importance of open communication in parenting cannot be over-emphasized. By speaking openly about your own challenges and sharing your vulnerabilities, you will gain a lot of trust from your child. This also encourages our children to share their feelings and thoughts with you. There is nothing more precious than keeping an open channel of communication with your child. They will learn how to express and manage emotions by sharing with the trusted people in their life.

Making Amends in Family Relationships

Addiction affects everyone in the home. When you achieve sobriety, invest time in repairing your relationships. When you take ownership of your past mistakes, including substance addiction and many related emotional issues such as anger, you are showing your family members that you are ready to start anew. Make sincere apologies to your family and children for the harm you have brought them while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Parenting can be easier if you have more stable relationships. Consider your spouse or co-parent, if you have one, as a key part of this new transition. Ask for help when you need a moment to destress from caring for your children. Explain how health professionals have coached you to prevent relapse by managing emotions and reducing stress. As parents or caregivers, if you can both prioritize your sobriety around the many challenges in the home, you will feel more supported on this journey toward recovery.

Rebuilding Healthy Boundaries in the Home

Substance addiction and parenting share one common challenge: maintaining healthy boundaries. Apart from your sobriety, this should be another guiding principle when you transition back to family life — for example, many parents in recovery like to overindulge their children because of guilt. However, a responsible parent should set limits to encourage healthy behaviors in children.

Disciplining your child is another area many parents find difficult. The key, again, is setting healthy boundaries and sticking with them. You should balance warm acceptance and rule-setting so that your children know how to take responsibility for their own behavior.

Integrate Self-Care Techniques Into Parenting

Maybe you have been so overworked before that you rarely took time for family activities. In recovery, you can slow down and rebuild your family life around meaningful and fun activities, including exercises, outdoor time, new hobbies, and arts and music. These align with what recovery specialists coached you on how to practice self-care. Building relaxation activities into family life can help create fun memories with your children. You will find this space very energizing too.

If your children are old enough, include them in your meditation and mindfulness exercises. Teach them to identify stress in daily life and use these techniques to relax the body and the mind. Explain to them that these activities help you recover. Also, consider getting involved in community service where you can give back to your neighborhoods.

Rely on a Strong Support System

In recovery, you still need to depend on an external support system as you are caring for your family. Surround yourself with sober friends who enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Attend your peer support groups regularly. Having external support can provide an extra outlet for venting about your challenges and frustrations with parenting when you need it. Exchanging advice with your sober peer group can help you become a better parent. There you will meet people who are in similar situations as yours.

Relapse prevention should always be a part of your ongoing recovery. With parenting responsibilities, stress may likely build into cravings. This is when you need to rely on trusted recovery experts you once worked with. Maybe begin outpatient therapy again to get through this challenging phase. Remember to be honest with your family and do not lie or hide your situation. Trust among family members is a foundational building block. With enough support, you will regain hope and motivation to press onward with recovery.

As you transition to family life after rehab, you still need to depend on an external support system. In your role as a parent, you especially need to keep up with relapse prevention measures. This is because parenting-related stress may likely build up until you are struggling with cravings. This is when you need to rely on the trusted recovery experts you once worked with. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA, we take pride in our holistic path, which is incremental to sustainable and long-term recovery. We focus on each stage of recovery, both in terms of physical health and mental health. Our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs offer unmatched benefits. We provide excess comfort with an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden during your sobriety journey. With Capo Canyon Recovery, you can rely on us to help you achieve long-term sobriety. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

Have you ever enjoyed a walk in nature that leaves you re-energized? Many people get away from their busy lives by immersing themselves in a more natural setting, whether a remote cabin in the woods or just a hike in a park. Nature provides calmness and tranquility that is unrivaled during times of stress.

For people who are going through recovery from addiction, it is good to incorporate nature or outdoor therapy into their daily routines. Placing yourself in green spaces can restore your mental and emotional health while helping you feel connected to a bigger picture of delightful existence.

The Power of Nature Therapy

Healers and religious traditions around the world have long pointed to the healing power of nature. Many integrate the sight or sound of nature (e.g., running streams) into their meditative, immersive experiences. People who participate in nature therapy tend to have lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and happier moods. Nature also presents signs of wonder and awe that distract from negative self-talk.

Nature’s healing power is almost too mystical to be explained. There are, of course, identifiable health-boosting elements such as natural light, fresh air, pleasant sounds, and uplifting stillness. These sharpen our sensations and help balance our body and mind. For people in recovery, spending time in nature can give a sense of renewal. Watching the sunrise brings hope for a new day. Seeing green leaves growing reminds us of the resilience of life.

Benefits to Physical and Mental Health

Outdoor time usually involves more active moving of the body than a sedentary lifestyle. Whether it is running, hiking, swimming, or skiing, exercise helps the brain increase the production of endorphins, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. For people who have achieved early sobriety, the time spent outdoors allows the brain to re-learn natural ways of finding pleasure.

Not everyone has easy access to green or blue spaces. Still, nature therapy also includes farming-related work, animal-assisted activities or playtime, adventures such as water rafting, wilderness experiences, and forest sensory observation. Some of these activities can be formally guided by trained therapists and counselors. With time constraints, you can also add small-scale nature therapy to your home and workplace. These include adding green plants, decorating with photographs of nature, or downloading apps of soothing nature sounds.

Nature therapy also boosts the immune system and regulates our biological clock. Feeling in sync with nature, we experience a boost in mental and emotional wellbeing. Even a short time spent outdoors can reduce stress levels and calm the mind. The awareness of our symbiotic relationship nature can be fulfilling and therapeutic in its own right.

Taking Nature Breaks for Your Health

Nature is never dull. There are different ways to integrate nature therapy into your daily recovery routines. For example, you can plant a rooftop or balcony garden, even if you live in the city. You may consider joining a community agriculture group and enjoy the company of other nature-lovers. You can stargaze outside on summer nights.

Mindfulness can be incorporated into nature-watching. Notice as many different species of plants and animals as you spend time outside in nature. Embrace a loving-kindness from nature to you. Affirm your own worth as part of Mother Nature. Be content with simply being.

Embrace A Broader Vision of Life

People with substance addiction tend to live in a narrower scope of life. The central focus is on acquiring and using substances for pleasurable effects. They often not only ignore family and friends but also what nature has to offer. Recovery grants them another lens through which to appreciate small and simple beauties in the surrounding environment. Appreciating these simple joys is a marker toward improved emotional and mental health.

Recovery is a unique opportunity to restore a natural rhythm in life. Consider the time you spend in front of a computer screen each day. With the global trend toward urban living, many of us are increasingly removed from our natural environment. Now, we need to intentionally get out into the natural world to enjoy these health benefits. Immersive experiences in nature help restore a sense of wholeness against the fragmenting trends of modern urban life.

Nature restores a sense of true happiness. For children and teens who are recovering from substance use, spending time in green space or with animals may help heal them from psychiatric disorders that co-occur with substance use. Connecting with the earth and its various beings can harmonize our internal system. We can humbly acknowledge and affirm our place in the entire ecosystem. This positive outlook may motivate your recovery progress.

Do you know the full spectrum of benefits from nature therapy? Many people know from experience that nature restores a sense of true happiness. For those who are recovering from substance use, spending time in green space or with animals may heal them from psychiatric disorders that co-occur with substance use disorder. At Capo Canyon Recovery near Mission Viejo, CA, we offer a tranquil environment with all the benefits of nature therapy. You can benefit from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient long-term care programs. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, you will feel relaxed and begin healing here. Our team also serves gourmet food, made by our in-house chef, for you to enjoy. If you long for reconnecting with nature and with yourself, you will not find a better place than Capo Canyon Recovery. Call us at (800) 804-8714 today. A fresh beginning is here.

Many people describe their decision to begin treatment as having hit “rock bottom.” This phrase refers to the end of the road where a desperate situation makes one resolve to get well. It is a moment when some people finally realize the harm of substance addiction. A rock bottom situation may describe a mental breakdown, or a near-death overdose situation when they feel completely overwhelmed and broken.

The Necessary Moment of Awakening

Breaking down is sometimes the beginning of waking up to reality. When people with an addiction do not listen to advice and hit rock bottom, this can cause them to pause on their path to more self-destruction and have a moment of reflection on whether there are alternatives. This moment is when they decide to seek help.

It is true that many people hit rock bottom and even then, they don’t ask for help or decide to change. Many overdose deaths happen that way. With enough self-awareness, rock bottom can be avoided. Family and friends may detect signs of a person’s physical and mental deterioration and decide to intervene.

A rock bottom moment may also refer to a sober turning point in one’s decision to quit substance use. It does not need to be a desperate or dramatic event. Simply an internal shift in one’s outlook on life can serve as a moment of awakening. Over-emphasizing that you need to hit rock bottom before coming to a sober realization of the harm of addiction can be a dangerous narrative by itself.

Many Types of Rock Bottom

For people who have a substance addiction, the consequences are external and internal. The first category may include losing a job, family disintegration, financial insecurity, homelessness, legal issues, and social isolation. All of these events may be rock bottom for someone. Many people do end up realizing the harm of addiction and decide to begin treatment.

Some internal consequences can also be rock bottom for people. These include chronic depression, worsening mental health, a feeling of hopelessness and disconnection, and emotional breakdowns. These feelings can be as dramatic as external tragedies. In sum, hitting rock bottom is a personal experience that defies over-generalization.

No Need to Wait for Rock Bottom

It has become a myth in the field of recovery that one has to hit rock bottom before he or she seeks treatment. However, this is not a prerequisite for getting sober. Sometimes, family and friends can pull off a successful intervention before a person’s addiction progresses further. Some people may find any excuse to continue denialism, and using this “hitting rock bottom” rationale to justify continued substance use can be harmful.

As explained above, that turning point may look different for everyone. The journey of recovery is more demanding than just going through detox treatment. Even after one achieves sobriety after hitting rock bottom and beginning treatment, the danger of relapse is still there. Surviving rock-bottom moments do not make them immune to ongoing triggers in life.

Stages of Recovery From Addiction

Instead of using the myth of “hitting rock bottom,” experts in the field of recovery offer another way of looking at the process by stage. First, people who live in denialism and would not consider treatment are in the pre-contemplation stage when there is a lack of insight into the harmful impacts of substance use. Second, a change happens when they gain contemplative readiness in the contemplative stage. Still savoring pleasure from using substances, they are now more open to suggestions.

The next stage is characterized by a sense of urgency regarding one’s desire for sobriety. This preparation stage is vital because people’s agency has been awakened. Some take actions toward quitting or improving their lifestyle toward sobriety. There can be a reversal into stage two (contemplation) or stage one (pre-contemplation) before one finally decides to seek help from recovery professionals.

State five of addiction recovery is characterized by action. A person is committed to change and seeks external help to achieve sobriety. This is often when treatment begins. Medically monitored detoxification needs to be complemented by counseling and coaching of self-care techniques while individuals achieve early sobriety. Then, the most challenging phase is the maintenance stage when the risk of relapse is always present. Treatment centers design relapse prevention plans and expect clients to follow through.

The Importance of Maintenance and Aftercare

Substance addiction is a chronic disease that requires significant lifestyle changes to maintain sobriety. Complacency after the maintenance stage often proves risky. One needs to build a strong aftercare and support system to practice what they have learned during detox treatment. These include individual therapy, support groups, or outpatient treatment for ongoing mental health needs.

Aftercare may continue for months and even years after detoxification treatment. You can work with your treatment center to design a comprehensive aftercare plan which involves using resources in your local community and the support from family and friends.

Are you or a loved one struggling with a substance addiction that is related to mental health issues? You should not wait for a “rock bottom” moment before realizing the need for treatment. Early intervention is key to recovery. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA., we believe in providing a holistic approach to sustainable and long-term recovery. Our trained health care professionals have experience treating every stage of addiction. We know what our clients need, both in terms of physical health and mental health. Joining us for your recovery will ensure you benefit from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we offer comfort and support during your journey. At Capo Canyon Recovery, you can feel confident in our methods and your own strength. Start your journey with our experienced recovery experts today. Help is here. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

To some people, gratitude is feeling joy for the people and things they have in their lives. They naturally feel grateful when loved ones are doing well and circumstances improve. The power of gratitude shows most when in a new lifestyle for those who are recovering from substance addiction. It is a new mindset of a positive outlook on life in general. Practicing gratitude with intentionality can help recovering individuals focus on the hopeful side of life and re-energize them toward progress.

The Harm of Negative Thinking Patterns

Gratitude is the antidote to negative thought patterns that can be very common among people with substance use disorders (SUDs). They rely on drugs or alcohol for pleasure because life does not offer much joy. They find it hard to reach a state of peace and contentment in life without the help of substances. Whether due to past trauma or ongoing relationship conflicts, they find few things to be grateful for. Even during recovery, many people might struggle with negative self-talk and self-doubt.

Negativity and stress shape a lifestyle full of tension, guilt, and shame. These stressors may increase the risk of relapse, even after people achieve early sobriety. The mind needs to detox negative thought patterns the same way as the body did with substances. A lack of gratitude or a positive outlook will not get you far on the journey of recovery.

Gratitude does not happen naturally for recovering individuals; it is a rational choice that requires practice. One must experience a shift in perspective to accept gratitude as a guiding light moving forward. Many treatment facilities integrate the coaching of gratitude into therapies. You are encouraged to look at life differently. A peer group can also help you achieve this mindset shift.

The Benefits of Gratitude

A harmful lifestyle is made up of many small unhealthy moments. When you choose to lean on a new lifestyle of gratitude by minimizing these unhealthy moments, the benefits are multifold. First of all, a lifestyle of gratitude will improve your emotional and mental health by diminishing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Second, practicing gratitude positively affects the immune system because it destresses the body against inflammation.

With gratitude being the theme of your lifestyle, your relationships will improve. The gift of this shift in perspective can increase self-compassion as well as sympathy for others. It allows you to see the good in people, and you will be more motivated to engage in meaningful relationships. Gratitude helps you heal socially.

With the help of a recovery-supportive therapist, you can learn gratitude-guided meditation techniques. They will not only help calm your mind but also create a space for you to connect with your inner self. That is where the sustainable power of gratitude comes from. In a word, a stronger self-identity makes gratitude more sustainable for you.

Techniques to Practice Gratitude

You should start with giving thanks for small things in life, like a sunny day, fresh air, a nice meal, or good physical exercise. None of these should be taken for granted. Realize that you are still fortunate to be alive, breathing, and functional despite the past of addiction. This mindset will nurture itself and expand your vision incrementally.

You should consider keeping a gratitude journal. Pick a time of the day when you can be quiet and focused on writing. Write down at least five things you are grateful for during this day. As time passes, this “counting the blessings” practice can reshape how you see things. You can read back on these journal entries and see how your list of things has evolved.

Gratitude also means verbalizing your appreciation to those who value and support you. Consider calling or texting family members to thank them for their continued support. Connect with your peer group and express gratitude for their openness in sharing. Show appreciation to your therapists. These small gestures of thanksgiving will circle back to you and improve your emotional health.

Showing Gratitude to Yourself

Lastly, be thankful for your very being on this earth. Embrace yourself as who you are. The relationship you have with yourself is a building block on which many other relationships depend. Celebrate small victories you have had so far, including accepting treatment, having repaired some family relationships, and beginning to enjoy sobriety. Focus on what you have succeeded in, not what you have not achieved.

Take time to look back and look into yourself. Pat yourself on the back and thank yourself for trying again. Be kind to yourself and give yourself daily self-affirmations. Allow a hopeful spirit to arise in you as you continue your recovery journey.

Practicing gratitude with intentionality can help recovering individuals focus on the bright side of life and re-energize them toward progress. Gratitude is a helpful antidote to negative thoughts that can be very common among people with substance use disorders. Many people might struggle with negative self-talk and self-doubt during recovery, but health care professionals can help coach you to a healthier mindset. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA., we help clients practice gratitude during their recovery journey. We know how important it is during treatment, both in terms of physical health and mental health. The benefits you can get from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient long-term care programs are unmatched. At Capo Canyon Recovery, you can trust us to help you achieve long-term sobriety. You need a lifestyle modification, and we are here to make that happen. We also coach you on self-care techniques so you can face life with confidence. Call us at (800) 804-8714. 

If you are familiar with the 12-Step group, you will notice the emphasis on letting go and forgiving when it comes to long-term recovery from substance addiction. Why is forgiveness important in this journey? Many people with addiction face relationship difficulties. Freeing oneself from resentment and letting go of past relationship conflicts is key to maintaining positive mental health.

The Value of Forgiveness

Although we have been taught the value of forgiveness from a young age, its concept can still be difficult to grasp. In the context of addiction recovery, forgiveness becomes even more complicated and challenging. Addiction can be caused by trauma and abuse by significant others in the past. It is hard to forgive people who have harmed you in such deep, life-changing ways.

Recovering individuals who want to achieve sobriety and emotional wellness need not only detox the body of substances but also the mind of various emotional distress. Many deeply harbored emotional pains can be traced to past wounds. This requires a person to practice letting go as a way to maintain emotional sobriety.

Letting Go the Emotional Pain by Forgiveness

Recalling past wrongs done by others can invite resentment, anger, and emotional stress. When locking someone up in the jail of your painful memory, you are also becoming its prisoner because resentment robs you of peace and joy. Some people develop substance addiction because they used drugs or alcohol to self-soothe from past trauma or wounds. In the process of treatment and recovery, it is essential to address that pain from the past.

Forgiveness of others is a necessary step toward emotional wellness and true healing. If one fails to let go of grudges, the emotional stress may continue, leading to relapses. From a health perspective, forgiveness is the only way to release unhealthy emotions that have built up over time. Meanwhile, forgiveness does not mean forgetting about the past. It begins with acknowledging the pain and how it affected your emotions and then allowing yourself the space to move on without carrying anger or hostility toward others.

In recovery, forgiving others is more about taking care of yourself. We cannot control the actions of others, but we can learn to buffer our emotions from being disturbed by those actions. Take toxic or abusive personalities in the family, for example. It would be futile to try to change their behaviors or even make them aware of the emotional pain they have brought you. However, you don’t have to suffer the consequences of their abusive actions. Find a way to take care of your emotions and thrive even in the face of these adversities.

The Importance of Self-Forgiveness

Sometimes forgiving oneself is more complex than forgiving others. People who have substance addiction generally live with low self-esteem. They tend to blame themselves for any issues in the family. The inability to control their use of substances only adds to that psychological burden, manifested in increasing guilt and shame. They need to learn self-forgiveness on the path of recovery because that can offer peace of mind and release them from self-blame and stress.

For people whose addictions have caused harm to their loved ones, there can be immense guilt and self-loathing. However, letting go of the past is key since things have already happened, and you cannot reverse the harm. You can only overcome it by living and thriving to your best abilities. Self-forgiveness can lead to a second chance in re-establishing relationships.

Practical Advice on Forgiveness

Recovery from substance addiction is an opportunity to begin a new phase in life, starting with physical and emotional sobriety. Practicing forgiveness allows you to identify any new emotional suffering you are inflicting on yourself. The trick is how to do it. The first step is to accept the past. Nobody can change the past, but you can gain insight by becoming more self-aware and reflexive on human behaviors.

Recovery journaling can help you verbalize and express residual emotional pains caused by past events. You cannot put these emotions to rest properly unless you have taken a deep look at them. Write down these thoughts of resentment, anger, and frustration, and get them off your chest. By directly facing the past and processing these thoughts, you create a safe space for emotional healing.

There are many other benefits of recovery journaling. You can gain more insight into how you perceive present situations and adjust your emotional responses. You can also work with experienced therapists who understand the role of past trauma in recovery. They can help you build healthy habits of showing self-compassion.

For recovering individuals who want to achieve sobriety and emotional wellness, they need not only detox the body of substances but also the mind of various emotional stresses. Many deeply harbored emotional pains can be traced to past wounds. This requires a person to practice letting go as a way to maintain emotional sobriety. If you struggle with forgiving others, there are professional therapists who can help you. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA., we believe in a holistic, incremental path to sustainable and long-term recovery. We treat each stage uniquely, both in terms of physical health and mental health. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we’re here to help you on your journey to sobriety. With Capo Canyon Recovery, you can rely on us to help you achieve long-term sobriety. We coach you to cope with relationship challenges. Start your journey with experienced recovery experts today. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

A big part of recovery from substance addiction involves clearing your mind by calming the noises, distractions, and intense emotions. Journaling is an excellent way to achieve this goal. By writing down daily occurrences, experiences, emotional reactions, and reflections, the mind finds a space to process and declutter noises that would otherwise cloud your judgment.

Journaling may not be a natural tendency for many people. However, you do not have to be a good writer to keep a recovery journal. Once you experience the emotional benefits of journaling during recovery, it may become a habit quicker than you expect. It is not only a safe space to vent but also a powerful tool to help maintain your sobriety.

The Benefits of Journaling

Early sobriety can feel great, but your negative emotions may also begin lurking. Some people experience mood swings during this time. Some people find it helpful to talk to someone because it is soothing to verbally articulate emotions. Writing down your thoughts and emotions on a daily basis can also help you release this emotional tension by simply expressing them.

When you begin daily journaling, be honest about your stressors and triggers. They can be people, places, objects, behaviors, or emotions that stress you out. Journaling gives a good venue to recognize, understand, and manage your personal triggers. Venting on paper about these can relieve stress and anxiety.

Journaling is also a good way to connect with yourself. Recovery is a journey to rediscover who you truly are. Your addiction does not define you. Keeping a journal can serve as a pathway for self-discovery and reconciliation. Reflecting on growth or setbacks is a good way to achieve personal stamina.

The Relationship Between Journaling, Emotional Health, and Mental Health

Medical research has shown that positive affect journaling (PAJ) is a simple and cost-effective intervention for people with traumatic distress. As a form of expressive writing, journaling improves many indicators of physical and mental health. Because the inability to express emotions (or “expressive disorders”) often predict negative outcomes, journaling or other forms of expressive writing can help mitigate and even improve emotional expressivity.

Journaling can be especially helpful to young people who are going through addiction treatment. It promotes self-introspection, reflection, and change in perceptions. Young people can articulate their thinking and build problem-solving skills. Reflective journaling requires them to reflect on what is happening, their perceptions of the experiences, and how changes can be made. Journaling can also be combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in helping people achieve more self-efficacy and control. Self-efficacy refers to one’s belief about their own ability to initiate, persist in and succeed in certain tasks.

Recovery Journaling as a Form of Meditation

We all need a space to connect with ourselves, including our mind, emotions, and bodily movement. Recovery journaling creates that kind of space. Even when we are not engaged in expressive writing, our mind has inner dialogues that may affect our mental health. By writing self-defeating thoughts or negative self-talks down, you gain more self-awareness by re-examining how poorly you have been treating yourself. This is why journaling is a self-care practice.

Do you believe that keeping a journal can prevent you from relapsing? Recovery journaling can prevent relapse because by expressing yourself on paper, you can take a deeper look into the desires in your heart and the triggers that can cause you to relapse. Journaling gives you the space to relax and focus on these emotions and events that may otherwise be bottled up. In sum, journaling can become part of your recovery and prevention regimen with significant emotional and mental health benefits.

Practical Advice on Recovery Journaling

There is no right or wrong way to journal during recovery. Just find time and start writing down what comes to mind. Do not expect perfection. If you need some structure, you can decide whether you want to write daily and whether this is a spiritual, gratitude, or goal journal. The most important thing is to set aside 10-20 minutes every day and stick with the ritual.

You may also use journal prompts designed for helping with self-esteem or releasing stress during recovery. Examples include “What makes me feel stressed are…” and “What I wish others knew about me is… .” Remember to celebrate small victories. Keep your journal entries honest because your thoughts and feelings are private. From time to time, read back on past entries to gain a better understanding of yourself and your recovery journey.

We all need a space to connect with ourselves, including our mind, emotions, and bodily movement. This is especially needed when you or a loved one is going through addiction treatment. Recovery journaling creates that safe and expressive space. Recovery experts and interventionists can coach you on how to integrate journaling as a self-care practice into your recovery regimen. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA., we have experience treating addiction and can help you and your loved ones. We are invested in the long-term recovery and well-being of our clients. That is why we do not give up. You can benefit from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we’re here to help you on your journey to sobriety. With Capo Canyon Recovery, you can rely on us to help you achieve long-term sobriety. Call us at (800) 804-8714 today.

Recovery from substance addiction is not a sprint but a marathon. With the body and mind readjusting to the absence of substances, you will likely experience changes that differ from stage to stage. Every adjustment to a new phase takes a shift in perspective. Being open to a shift in perspective may be beneficial to your recovery.

In the addiction recovery field, recovery is defined as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” This definition recognizes that recovery may take place through many pathways. A holistic approach always involves a shift in perspectives on the part of the recovering individual.

Stages of Change in Addiction Recovery

Recovery experts have identified four main stages of behavioral change for people recovering from substance addiction. The first is known as a pre-contemplation stage, when people still live in denial about the harmful consequences of using drugs or alcohol. Enjoying the pleasurable side of the experience, they are not open to advice or entering treatment.

A shift in perspective happens when people move into the next contemplation stage. This is when they begin to think about cutting down or quitting their substance use. Seeing increasing negative impacts on their physical and mental health, people are open to learning about the possibility of treatment. However, some might be in this stage for many years before moving to the next one.

The contemplation stage is critical for early intervention. People in this stage typically benefit from non-confrontational and non-judgmental information from family, friends, and professional interventionists. Confrontational methods often worsen the situation and shut down the communication conduits.

The third stage begins when a person plans and prepares for treatment. They are actively thinking and making decisions about cutting down on their substance use. Finding a counselor or recovery interventionist to work with is an excellent strategy to shorten the learning curve.

The next stage focuses on taking action and making a real change. With good preparation and a strong support system, this can be an exciting time to finally achieve sobriety. This may happen in a treatment facility where medically monitored detoxification is provided. Meanwhile, this is also a stressful time, as recovering individuals battle withdrawal symptoms, urges, and cravings.

Lastly, the most uncertain stage is about maintaining progress and preventing relapse. People who have achieved early sobriety may grow complacent with time. They might relax and lose alertness about certain triggers and stressors. The old lifestyle can catch up with you, eroding your guardedness. Sometimes relapses happen, and one returns to the stage of action again.

Each transition between stages takes a shift of perspectives, which happens only when you are informed by more education about the effects of substances and how your body and mind react to them. This is why patience and humility are needed. There is so much the medical community has learned about the brain science around addiction. Being open to the many proven methods used by professional interventionists is always the best strategy.

Experiencing a Paradigm Shift in Recovery

The major paradigm shift in recovery from substance addiction is that you move from a single-dimensional lifestyle to a multi-faceted one. Recovery changes an individual’s whole life system, including body, mind, spirit, and community. You learn self-care practices, family relationship skills, self-determination in education and career, and how to seek help from health professionals.

A well-planned and diligently-implemented recovery plan involves using many resources such as trauma-informed care and gender-specific treatment programs. A strong recovery community provides the best repertoire for this kind of paradigm shift. You should participate in mutual aid groups by sharing your experiences that may help others. Giving back to the community helps further boost your self-esteem and chance of long-term recovery.

A New Perspective on Life

In time, you will gain a whole new perspective on life in general. You are again empowered to be in control by making choices to uphold your sobriety and participation in the community. You learn to forgive yourself and not be ashamed of your imperfections. Your actions are guided by honesty and humility. Learning to celebrate small victories, you embrace a positive outlook on life.

This long journey has much to offer apart from a positive mindset. It allows you to re-establish meaningful relationships built on sharing of human vulnerabilities. Together, you and your loved ones will experience the mystery of life when brokenness is woven into beauty.

People who are going through treatment and recovering from addiction are likely to experience changes that differ from stage to stage. A holistic approach always involves a shift in perspectives for the recovering individual. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA., we believe in a holistic, incremental path to sustainable and long-term recovery for our clients. Our trained health professionals have experience treating addiction at all stages. We know what each stage requires, both in terms of physical health and mental health. Depending on your needs, you can benefit from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we’re here to help you on your journey to sobriety. With Capo Canyon Recovery, you can rely on us to help you achieve long-term sobriety. We coach you to cope with upcoming challenges. Start your journey with experienced recovery experts today. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

Substance addiction may bring on several negative effects, including emotional flatness and social isolation. Since many people with addiction tend to hide their actions from family and friends, these relationships may gradually disintegrate. Deception and lies also erode interpersonal trust.

A lifestyle of addiction is characterized by a disconnection from meaningful relationships. For individuals going through recovery from addiction, re-establishing a connection with others can be a challenging task, as one needs to face past mistakes and invest in these strained relationships. However, these connections in a support system, including a connection with yourself, are necessary steps toward long-term recovery.

Connecting With Yourself

People with substance addiction often suffer from low self-esteem and may even harbor self-hatred. They are generally not able to connect with themselves in a healthy way. This deep-rooted sense of self-alienation contributes to many mental health issues.

Recovery means reconnecting with yourself in a healthy way. If anything, your painful past of addiction should have taught you about how vulnerable you can be. In recovery, you get another chance to explore your desires, needs, and things that bring you joy. With the help of health professionals, you become more aware of your own emotional pain by identifying the root causes.

In addition to common methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), meditation and mindfulness can also help you achieve a higher level of self-awareness. You will begin to feel more awake, emotionally stable, and balanced in your thinking patterns. Self-awareness can improve your coping skills such as problem-solving, memory retention, and concentration.

As you reflect on how your addiction has impacted family and friends, you also learn about how much your very existence means to them. Now is the time to learn how to repair those relationships that ground you deeper into who you are. Your symptoms of depression will decrease, allowing you more time to focus on the positive side of life.

Connecting With Family Members

In recovery, you may begin to feel the need to reconnect with concerned family members. This shows that you are gaining control of life. By repairing relationships with your significant others, you show them that you want to face the past. This is a necessary step to move forward. Although there has been emotional pain in the past, your family will surely commit to supporting your recovery.

Research shows that family support can significantly boost one’s chance of recovery from addiction, especially for young people or young adults. However, a strong and recovery-supportive family does not happen overnight. There might be relationship dynamics that can potentially trigger stress and relapse. Some recovery facilities offer family-based services to help with these issues while coaching family members on recovery-supportive techniques at home.

The Benefits of Social Connection

Since infancy, human beings have thrived on love and belonging. Having meaningful relationships with others indicates a healthy and happy life. Social connection boosts physical, emotional, and mental healing because we are given the opportunity to share and grow with each other. Sharing our pains and joys can be extremely affirming and fulfilling.

This social connection may happen through physical touch, conversations, shared interests, or community involvement. These experiences help us temporarily jump out of the loop of negative self-talk that happens so often when we are isolated.

In the recovery community, we embrace an uplifting ethos that is bigger than ourselves. Across age groups, strong social relationships can alleviate stress, strengthen the immune system, and enhance self-esteem.

Rebuilding a Recovery-Supportive Connection

In early sobriety, choose activities, social contacts, and locations with intentionality to avoid triggers. At this stage, you cannot handle high-risk connections or events. These include friends that still use substances and occasions that might present potential substance use.

Meanwhile, you can explore new healthy hobbies and new friends who live a sober and balanced lifestyle. Experiences of successfully navigating new friendships can boost your self-esteem in a time of social re-entry. Try to apply healthy boundaries to these relationships by avoiding, for example, showing too much attachment.

You should also consider joining a 12-Step group and deepening connections with other recovering individuals. Peer groups in a strong recovery community can provide you with great support. Another way to build a social connection is by getting involved in community services. You may find opportunities in such work to help others and make new friends.

To deepen the connections with your family and friends, you need to work on these relationships according to the principles of honesty and intentionality. Invest time in bonding with them during family activities. While doing these, remember to practice self-care by tending to your own emotional needs.

People who live a lifestyle of addiction dwell in a reality of disconnection from meaningful relationships. When going through recovery from addiction, they are faced with the task of re-establishing a connection with others. That can be very challenging, as one needs to confront past mistakes and invest in these strained relationships. However, these connections in a support system, including a connection with yourself, are necessary steps toward long-term recovery. At Capo Canyon Recovery near Mission Viejo, CA., we have experience helping recovering individuals rebuild their social life. We also coach people on how to re-connect with themselves through self-care methods. You can benefit from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient long-term care programs. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we’re here to help you reintegrate into your family and social circles. Do not delay treatment. Reach out now. Call us at (800) 804-8714 today. A new beginning is here.

The first dual diagnosis was identified in the 1980s among individuals with co-existing substance use disorders and mental health disorders. In the field of addiction recovery, a dual diagnosis is also known as a dual disorder or co-occurring disorder. This refers to a person having both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder. Because these two conditions can heighten or worsen each other’s symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose which developed first or had the most impact.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), around 17 million Americans experience both substance use disorder and mental health disorders simultaneously. Both conditions may seriously jeopardize a person’s normal functioning in life. If untreated, the dual diagnosis can even become life-threatening.

Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

Depending on the substance a person is addicted to and the specific mental health disorder they are struggling with, there can be many combinations of dual diagnoses. Their symptoms can vary, but they can include some common behavioral patterns. These include:

• Dependency on drugs and alcohol to function
• Withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit
• Alienation of family and friends
• Risky behaviors
• Compulsion
• Deception and lying
• Anxiety and depression
• Sudden mood changes
• Suicidal attempts

Take alcohol addiction, for example. Common dual diagnoses include alcohol addiction and a range of co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and schizophrenia. Because of the difficulties around detecting symptoms of these various illnesses, a dual diagnosis can be hard to pin down. It is not always clear whether a client is under the influence of substances or has a mental illness. Medical professionals need to find the root causes to treat a dual diagnosis.

Why Do Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Disorders Co-Occur?

The causal relationship between a co-occurrence can be complicated. First, both disorders can come from shared risk factors, such as genetics, trauma, and stress. Secondly, mental health disorders can often contribute to the onset of substance use disorder because people use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. When addictive habits form, mental health disorders may condition the brain to turn these habits into an addictive lifestyle.

The causal loop can also work the other way around. Substance use disorder may also contribute to the development of a mental illness. The former can change and rewire the neurological pathways in the human brain. Long-term and repetitive substance use can cause anxiety, depression, and stress-related environmental triggers.

Treatment After Dual Diagnosis

Someone who has been given a dual diagnosis should be treated for both conditions. For the overall treatment to be effective, one not only needs to stop using drugs and alcohol, but their mental health disorders also need to be treated. Otherwise, the presence of mental health issues can pose a high risk for relapse even after one achieves short-term sobriety.

A dual diagnosis requires a holistic or integrated treatment plan that cares for both the body and the mind. The client needs to receive care for both their substance addiction and their diagnosed mental illness. It is the mandate of a dual diagnosis that both conditions are treated simultaneously. This often involves inpatient detoxification, medications, psychotherapy, support groups, and aftercare.

It is essential to know that those with a dual diagnosis are considered high-risk clients. Because of the complexity of these conditions, it can be challenging to treat them for long-term recovery effectively. Moreover, not many treatment facilities are adequately equipped to handle clients with dual diagnoses. Effective treatment requires a facility with in-house psychiatric staff and mental health experts specializing in dual diagnosis and treatment.

The Importance of Integrated Treatment

Facilities that offer integrated treatment for dual diagnosis tend to have more extensive programs that provide various psychotherapeutic interventions. Their goal is long-term recovery, and they are open to inspiration-based treatment methods. Staff at these facilities also focus on community outreach, and they try to build a strong support system for clients.

Complex difficulties facing treating dual diagnosis clients include backsliding, hospitalization, and other co-existing diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis C. Facilities specializing in treating dual diagnoses factor these in. As a result, they often proceed at a specific rate, making programs highly individualized. Sometimes clients with a dual diagnosis also need options such as trauma-informed care and gender-specific programs.

Integrated dual diagnosis treatment often involves an interdisciplinary team, including social workers, psychotherapists, counselors, medical staff, and case managers. Each of them needs to understand what dual diagnosis means and what treatment is required. Take social workers, for example. They benefit from understanding how comorbidity increases the severity of all conditions and aim for better intervention.

If you or a loved one struggles with both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder, it is best to seek professional help that treats both conditions simultaneously. Because these two conditions can heighten or worsen each other’s symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose which developed first or had the most impact. At Capo Canyon Recovery, we have experience treating dual diagnoses and designing treatment plans around them. Near Mission Viejo, CA, our treatment center is a complete medical facility. You can benefit from our inpatient residential care and outpatient long-term care programs. We also provide a comfortable environment to facilitate clients’ recovery. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we’re here to help you no matter what kind of dual diagnosis you may be struggling with. You do not need to struggle alone. For more information on our program, call Capo Canyon Recovery today at (800) 804-8714.

Meditation is possibly one of the best-known holistic practices. However, not everyone knows how meditation can help a person achieve long-term recovery from addiction. Here we take a closer look at meditation can act as a powerful tool for people overcoming substance abuse at all stages of recovery. Research shows that meditation and other mindfulness practices are extremely effective in addressing the emotional issues that often drive substance abuse.