Addiction is a chronic degenerative disease caused by sustained use of a substance, which often contains psychoactive elements. Addiction is a misunderstood disease because during the United States’ 50-year War on Drugs, first started by President Nixon in 1971, a misconception about the nature of addiction has spread. This misconception places the blame of the […]
Category: Recovery
What is High-Functioning Alcoholism? Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Take a moment to consider what comes to mind when you think of a stereotypical alcoholic: Is it someone who constantly drinks entirely too much to the point of appearing disheveled or not entirely put together, slurs their words, causes embarrassing scenes during social functions or family events, and whose life is generally falling apart […]
Celebrate Pride Month With These Sober Activities in Austin
‘The Live Music Capital of the World’ Has a Place For Everyone Austin is known for its beautiful location in the Texas Hill Country, laid-back atmosphere, and welcoming LGBTQ environment, and is often referred to as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World’ for good reason: the city is home to more than 250 venues […]
The Healing Benefits of Music Therapy in Addiction Recovery
Music therapy, also known as Music Assisted Therapy or MAT, is a form of expressive art therapy that is often used in addiction recovery treatment programs to encourage those suffering from substance abuse disorder (SUD) to come to terms with the underlying issues that may have contributed to their addiction and to provide a constructive […]
Demystifying Addiction Treatment
Drug addiction is a chronic health condition that inhibits an affected individual’s ability to control their behavior and impulses when it comes to their drug intake, despite the negative health and social consequences of their drug use. Drug addiction is such a dangerous disease because the long-term use of the drug affects our brain chemistry, leading to changes in our reward systems.
Is it Possible to Develop an Addiction to Wine?
Is it possible to develop an addiction to wine? Simply put, as with any other type of alcohol the answer is yes. While excessive or binge drinking is more often associated with beer or hard liquor, wine is still a type of alcohol that can lead to dependance and addiction. When evaluating alcohol consumption, a […]
The Importance of Sober Friendships in Recovery
According to a 2020 study by health insurer Cigna, loneliness can be a common challenge for three out of five Americans, and this can be particularly true of those who are in the early stages of sobriety[1]. Many people may find themselves in a kind of limbo – having made the decision to cut ties with […]
How Celebrating Recovery Milestones can Increase Motivation
Achieving and maintaining sobriety requires motivation, determination, and self-accountability. Although those who have never been down the path to sobriety may not realize what a difficult process it can be, fighting addiction is at times an uphill battle, with an estimated 40-60% of those in recovery experiencing a relapse at some point along the way[1]. […]
Setting Realistic and Achievable Recovery Goals
An important part of the addiction recovery process is setting realistic goals that you can challenge yourself to achieve. Having specific recovery goals can give you a sense of direction and help keep you focused on maintaining your sobriety, although they should be kept relatively simple at first and should always be obtainable. You do […]
How To Stay Positive After A Relapse
Because addiction is a chronic disease, relapse can be a very real outcome in the recovery and addiction treatment process. Unfortunately, the likelihood of relapse can also be high. However, if you have suffered a relapse and are concerned about what that may mean for your future recovery, you should know that you are not alone. Through ongoing treatment and other strategies, there are many ways to regain your sobriety and help get you started back on the road to recovery. This article contains ideas about how to stay positive after a relapse has occurred.