What is Relapse? Relapse is defined as the recurrence of a disease – in this case, the disease of addiction – after a time of marked improvement. In this context, it refers to a return to drug use after a period of sustained sobriety. This is normal and happens to...
It’s safe to say that everyone knows that exercise is a cornerstone of your health – studies show time and time again, that a focus on physical fitness can improve all aspects of your life, including your mental health and self-esteem. However, many people may not know just how...
Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease and it can be fatal if not treated. For the past 32 years, the month of April has been designated as Alcohol Awareness Month by The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (now Facing Addiction with NCADD). The organization has worked...
Addiction and poor sleep are bedfellows for several reasons. Prior to recovery, you may have relied on alcohol or drugs to lull you to sleep. Substance use disorders have also been study-proven to interrupt your sleep-wake cycles, making it harder to drift off and stay asleep throughout the night. People...
When we think of spring cleaning, we picture organizing drawers and closets or prepping our yards — but what about clearing our mental and emotional space? Just as it can feel cathartic to dust and declutter your home, a mental spring cleaning can provide a sense of relief as...
While it’s perfectly healthy to strive to do your best, searching for perfection is a surefire way to sabotage your recovery. After all, one of the gifts of recovery is knowing that some days you might mess up, and that's alright because we're trying. This is the gist behind...
It’s normal to want things to happen immediately – after all, smartphones have made us accustomed to instant gratification with just one click of a button. What’s more, when you’re in active addiction, you become used to a cycle of wanting and quickly scoring your drug of choice. This...
As with any chronic disease, relapse is a reality. In fact, roughly 40 to 60 percent of people who complete addiction treatment will relapse, especially within the first crucial year. This is why so many drug rehabs make relapse prevention a top priority. Relapse is complicated — and it...
Whether your go-to beverage is coffee, diet coke or energy drinks, too much caffeine consumption can be harmful to your recovery. Believe it or not, caffeine is the world’s most common mood-altering drug. It increases your mental-emotional stress by generating a soar-and-crash effect – and it can even turn...
When you’re in recovery, you make resolutions each day as you work to replace the self-destructive bad habits of active addiction with healthier, pro-sobriety ones. But which daily habits will really make you happy and ensure that 2019 is filled with sobriety, success, joy and fulfillment? Here are some...
