Willingway Hospital blog articles on the topic of addiction recovery for individuals in recovery from drugs and/or alcohol. Here you will find information and resources on the subject.
In those moments when we feel like no one understands what we’ve been through, the power of story can reconnect us. It’s less reliance on the old adage “misery loves company” and more the importance of knowing we’re not alone in our recovery journey, and that everyone has the incredible fortitude to rise from suffering,...
Few emotions are as complicated as grief, and each one of us deals with it differently. A greater challenge to recovering from grief is when people can’t seem to move through it and choose maladaptive behaviors such as using drugs or alcohol to cope. But there are better ways to heal. What Is Grief? According...
Everyone experiences burnout. Certain life circumstances—such as workplace pressure, caring for a busy family or an ailing senior parent, or consistent financial trouble—can wear you down. If it’s important to maintain sobertity in addition to everything else, it’s only natural to feel stretched thin. So how do you cope with burnout in recovery? Understanding the...
In the U.S., fewer than 10 percent of the 30 million people with addiction seek treatment. Why this statistic rarely changes is complicated, but often hinges on the quality of treatment, the social misconceptions of addiction, and knowing what you or a loved one deserve for essential care. When searching for a rehab facility, here...
Do you know that shame and guilt aren’t the same feelings? More importantly, shame can actually hamper your recovery process, while guilt can create a new path of healing, especially once you’re able to release it. How might this happen? Understanding the Differences Between Guilt & Shame In 2012, professor and researcher Brené Brown, now...
Faith is frequently at the crossroads of addiction and recovery. But is it an all-or-nothing proposition? Will the power of faith, however you choose to define it, reinforce your goals and help make sobriety easier? It depends on your perspective. What Defines Faith? For many people in recovery, participating in 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics...
Ahhhh, sleep! Few things make you feel as wonderful as a full amount of rest that provides energy to spare. Unfortunately, a lot of factors interfere with how well we sleep—and most of the time, we try to ignore them. A better focus on sleep hygiene is worth prioritizing. Sleep: The Giant Reset Button We...
As more states legalize marijuana, especially for medical use, it’s easy to be confused about whether this drug is safe or has risks like many other substances. Here’s the bottom line: just like tobacco or alcohol, marijuana might be legal in some places, but there’s a lot to learn about its impact, especially for people...
We’ll just say it out loud: when you first enter addiction recovery, it’s often overwhelming. Everything is new and different. There’s a rush of emotions. Dealing with everything requires a different set of skills. But after about a month or so, you start to gain important clarity. And that’s when you can set goals for...
Hydrocodone is an opioid medication often prescribed to treat chronic pain. As an opiate, it’s also a popular street drug. Prolonged use, whether as directed by a health care provider or illicitly, can be habit forming and requires professional treatment to reduce the effects of hydrocodone withdrawal. Understanding Hydrocodone Pronounced “high-droe-KOE-dohn,” this drug is a...
