Let’s be honest: if you need substance abuse treatment, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. It’s always going to be a challenging, life-changing decision. During the holidays, we often associate an idyllic greeting card experience with resolving all of our problems. We extend a lot of “if onlys” wishes upon the wonder...
At any time, someone may become so overwhelmed by certain emotions they revert to unhealthy habits. For someone previously addicted to drugs or alcohol, this tendency isn’t greater or worse—just different. Resiliency has a lot to do with how we react to negative circumstances. The definition of resilience is “the capacity to recover quickly from...
No matter how nonjudgmental of a person you may be, finding out that the person you’re dating is in recovery can be a tough truth to navigate. It Raises Several Questions Depending on your background and how much you understand about the disease of addiction, reactions will vary. For some people, finding out that the...
Our fast-paced, immediately-accessible lifestyles can present easy distraction from the things that matter most. For this reason, Willingway doesn’t allow personal electronic devices (PEDs), such as cell phones, laptops, or smart watches, during inpatient rehabilitation. On your initial journey to sobriety, you’ll experience a number of mental, emotional, and physical changes necessary to break the...
To help continue a solid road to recovery, your counselor’s continuum of care plan may include transitioning you from inpatient rehabilitation to an extended stay or sober living program. While your initial treatment helped you achieve a chemically-free baseline, there are still aspects of behavior, environmental influences, and perhaps even more complex medical issues that...
A common question about substance abuse is whether it’s hereditary. Yes, there can be a genetic predisposition to substance abuse. In fact, the American Psychological Association (APA) states that “at least half of a person’s susceptibility to drug or alcohol addiction can be linked to genetic factors.” However, understanding the other half of that equation...
While many people overcome their fears to triumph over drug and alcohol addiction, recovery can also be a frightening experience. Choosing a Sober Life Choosing a sober life requires perseverance. Your decisions to stay the course are authentic, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be moments when you feel isolated. Creating a network of resources...
Although it may be hard to admit, your adolescent son or daughter, or another teenage loved one, may have a substance abuse problem. Typical Teen or Trouble? It’s important to know the difference between indicators of drug or alcohol use and typical teen behavior. Early detection and intervention are two critical tools to helping young...
When you’ve completed rehabilitation for substance abuse disorder, it’s a major life event. Does this mean that everyone needs to know about it? That’s totally up to you. There are many reasons why you may need to reveal this transition, and yet other situations don’t require any explanation. You’ll have to evaluate each circumstance and...
At the end of the day, all you may need is a good forest bath to help you stay well. Forest Bathing A topic that made national news not too long ago, the concept of forest bathing is just one of many back-to-nature practices that provide therapeutic benefits. And there’s no time like the present...
