There are many reasons why a person becomes addicted to drugs and alcohol. Very often, the reasons lay in stressful situations and circumstances such as family conflicts, financial problems or health concerns. One of the most important aspects of rehabilitation treatment is to prepare people for a long-term recovery. Let’s take a closer look at how stress management can help protect an individual’s sobriety in recovery.

Because of our wider understanding of substance use disorder or addiction, we now recognize it as a chronic brain disease that can be effectively treated. Part of that treatment consists of preparing people for many years in recovery, where they may face a threat to their sobriety through relapse. Relapse-prevention is an integral part of rehab treatment that arms individuals with the tools to cope with triggers or stresses that would otherwise lead to substance use.

When a person has been suffering with addiction illness, their physical health is very likely to have deteriorated as a result. A poor diet, lack of sleep, and lack of exercise combine with the dangers of substance abuse to increase the potential for long-term health problems unless treatment is sought. For this reason, physical exercise is widely considered to be a very important component of addiction treatment.

There are still many misconceptions about people with addiction, which often serves as a barrier to them getting the help they need. It is not surprising then that many individuals in rehab centers committed to treatment only after the intervention of their friends and family. An intervention is a planned event designed to show an addicted loved one that their problems with substance abuse have affected others.

One of the most important achievements in rehab is replacing negative bad habits with new, healthy ones. As part of this process, it is often essential for people to turn their backs on people or places where they may have been enabled to continue with substance abuse before rehab. One of the key things a person in recovery needs to keep foremost in their minds is the state of their physical and mental health.

When a person has worked hard in rehab to overcome an addiction, they can often feel left out from social occasions. This can be because they equate having a good time with taking drugs or using alcohol which makes it hard for them to accept that you can have fun and remain sober. To help avoid this, let’s take a look at some activities that aren’t centered on alcohol that can boost a person’s recovery efforts through the summer months.

Despite our better understanding of addiction as a disease, there is still a considerable amount of stigma surrounding the issue, whether perceived or otherwise. Indeed, many people in desperate need of addiction treatment fear taking the first step for fear of being judged harshly by others. Even if this is not the case, the prospect of coming clean on substance abuse can paralyze many from reaching out for help at all.

Overcoming substance abuse is a process that takes time. How long a person’s recovery journey is depends on their individual needs and circumstances. Addiction develops over a period of time and there is no overnight cure. Here we take a look at the five stages a person experiences as they heal from substance abuse in recovery.

It is exceptionally difficult for some people to face the challenge of telling their children about past drug or alcohol abuse. That said, it is also important to recognize that very often children are negatively influenced by a parent who has dealt with substance abuse in the past. It is not uncommon for children of addicted parents to go on to develop substance abuse issues of their own.

Enjoying the summer isn’t always easy for people in recovery from addiction. Leaving the sanctity of a rehab center to get involved in summer activities like barbecues, beach days, pool parties and summer weddings can be challenging. Here we look at some ways to help you navigate any hurdles you may face in recovery during the summer months.