Effective Sober Coping Strategies in Recovery Coping with stressful circumstances is a psychological and emotional skill. If you are in addiction recovery, you’re aware that using substances was your way of coping with environmental, emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. Now that you are sober, learning how to manage change in a healthy way requires practice […]
Core Christian values could be widely disputed, but it’s probably safe to say that the foundation of Christianity is based on loving God—a higher power—and loving others as you love yourself. Forgiveness is also an essential aspect of Christianity; the Bible states that you should forgive those who have wronged you, including both enemies and
From a mental health perspective, a toxic relationship is any type of sustained interaction with someone that leaves you feeling poorly understood, taken for granted, attacked, unsupported, or looked down upon. Because so much negativity is produced by toxic relationships, they often disorient you and whittle away at your mental, emotional, psychological, and even physical
While completing St. Gregory’s addiction treatment program is an awesome achievement, sustaining your sobriety relies on community engagement for the best outcome. That’s why we specialize in bolstering your success with our intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) that include—but aren’t limited to—a wide range of services like group therapy, recovery coaching, and outreach opportunities to give
When it comes to barriers to success and recovery, women face more of them than men. But that doesn’t mean recovery isn’t possible. It may mean that women have to work a little harder in some areas and, like anyone in recovery, be part of a strong support network. In addition, women can commit to
As meditation has become more widely taught and practiced in the U.S. over the last decade, it has become a valued tool for addiction recovery. When cravings for drugs or alcohol arise, or when stress starts to overwhelm, meditation provides an opportunity to focus and turn inward. By giving attention to just one thing –
Every September, National Recovery Month celebrates everyone who is in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health disorders. This month is a time for the discovery and promotion of innovative scientific advances in addiction treatment approaches—along with the formal recognition of the country’s recovery communities. Sobriety isn’t possible without a recovery community, and
Americans across the nation are dealing with a spike in the number of overdose-induced deaths. According to the CDC, we’ve seen a 16% increase from 2020 to 2021, and in 2021, over 75% of drug overdose deaths were linked to opioids. Illegal opioid, synthetic opioid, prescription opioid, and heroin-related deaths have all increased—with synthetic opioid
Is Addiction a Mental Problem or a Spiritual Problem? Addiction is a mental disease marked by compulsive drug-seeking and self-destructive behavior. It has nothing to do with lack of self-control or moral failing. You may have made poor choices that opened the door to addiction, but millions of fine, upstanding people make poor choices and
While alcohol and heroin are two of the most commonly abused substances, several other substances, both legal and illicit, can lead to addiction. We review below seven substances that can cause addiction and that often require professional treatment to stop using. Alcohol Alcohol, socially and legally accessible to millions, presents a unique challenge. The 2019
It’s a normal experience to see alcohol used in excess, especially in times of celebration, relaxation, and socialization. However, excessive alcohol consumption, including binge drinking, can lead to a range of negative health effects. What is Binge Drinking? Binge drinking involves consuming a large quantity of alcohol in very little time, about 5 drinks for
In traditional 12-step addiction recovery models, a sponsor is a person who has completed the steps and has achieved a level of sobriety where they no longer feel compelled to consume alcohol or drugs. They’re also usually stable in their work and relationships and practiced at managing their emotions effectively. A sponsor assists someone new
Although it’s relatively common to see celebrities and big names in the entertainment industry check in to rehabilitation centers around the country, is Hollywood the only industry with a high rate of substance abuse disorders? It’s a good question, and the answer is no. Some industries are especially rife with substance use triggers: high stress,
At St. Gregory Recovery Center in Iowa, we believe that the values of honesty, competence, perseverance, passion, respect, and teamwork all culminate to create the life skills you need to thrive after graduating from our Recovery Program. When you work on building essential life skills in your recovery journey, you’re increasing your chances for a
It can be frustrating to have a loved one who is clearly showing signs of drug or alcohol addiction yet refusing to get the help they need. You may have exhausted yourself from emotional battles with your loved one that you always seem to lose. If you’re feeling stuck, consider the following suggestions to help
Despite the fact that substance use disorders are, very simply, a chronic medical condition, the stigma that surrounds addiction is powerful and can hinder treatment. Studies demonstrate that stigma can actually prevent people from understanding how to get better. Stigma can also make it less likely that an addicted person will receive support and encouragement
Have you or a loved one recently been considering entering treatment for Xanax use disorder? Perhaps you’ve recently seen a medical professional for your mental health, and they’ve prescribed you this popular drug. While it can provide very helpful short-term relief for certain conditions, its addictive properties make it risky, especially when used outside of
Some people consider themselves “spiritual” while others do not. But spirituality in its broadest sense–the search for connection to something greater than ourselves and/or the search for meaning in our lives–plays a role in all of our lives. In the addiction recovery context, developing one’s sense of spiritual connection can be especially powerful in sustaining
It’s March, and it’s action-packed: Women’s History Month, Disability Awareness Month—National Reading Month! It’s also the month of a famous holiday filled with pride (and drinking): St. Patrick’s Day. The nature of this Irish American holiday is clear to everyone who knows about it. On St. Patty’s Day, it’s a given that alcohol will take
Drug or alcohol addiction rarely results from an easily identifiable root cause. Factors playing a role in addiction can include genetics, epigenetics, neurobiology, psychology, cognition, and environment. But regardless of what leads a person to develop substance dependence and addiction, everyone can make the decision to take back control of their health and reach out
In December of 2022, The New York Times republished an article about a large group of people that is ignored in the addiction recovery context: senior citizens. Nearly a million people 65 and up struggle with opioid and alcohol abuse—and it’s not something we talk about very often. It can be hard to accept that
When someone becomes physically dependent on a drug—whether it be a prescription drug, an opioid, marijuana, alcohol, or club drugs—reducing consumption of that substance or quitting it altogether can cause uncomfortable or medically significant adverse effects. These effects are called withdrawal. At times, withdrawal effects can be so painful or shocking that a person needs
Many doctors report that their patients feel attacked or harmed by the labels that family, friends, and society assign to them in addiction recovery. Words like “addict” tend to make people with substance use disorder feel reduced and diminished. The words and labels we use matter, especially when we are in recovery or supporting someone
Hitting rock bottom means different things to different people. For some, it’s losing a relationship, a job, a home, or a beloved possession. For others, hitting rock bottom entails losing access to a privilege, such as driving or traveling—or the chance to perform or engage in a creative endeavor. Whether hitting rock bottom spells out
You are probably familiar with the expression “forgive and forget” –or perhaps more so with its variation, “forgive but never forget.” Whether forgetfulness should be paired with forgiveness or not, the truth is that forgiveness is important for our health and plays a huge role in addiction recovery. Before we dive into the science of
Before entering an addiction recovery program, you may learn that the program consists of both individual and group therapy. If you haven’t participated in it before, you may wonder what to expect. What will you “have” to talk about in individual therapy? What if you don’t like or trust the other people in your group?
St. Gregory Recovery Center is proud to present a new therapeutic program for residents: equine therapy. Since its official inception in the West in the late 1940s, equine therapy has gained increasing popularity. People suffering from a variety of substance abuse issues who engage in this therapy report finding some degree of mental relief, life-skills
Participating in any holiday during a recovery journey to sobriety can require some complex navigation. If you’re feeling nervous when it comes to planning your Thanksgiving this year, know that you’re not alone. Many people recovering from substance abuse disorder report feeling overwhelmed and triggered when the holidays roll around. Attending family parties, planning large
Iowa is one of the most proactive states in the country when it comes to preventing and treating addiction. For most of its residents, Iowa recognizes and readily provides substance abuse treatment and support in over 125 treatment centers. But just because Iowa reports lower substance abuse rates than other states does not mean that
It’s always a little awkward to have to tell someone older than yourself a hard truth. Maybe a young employee has to train an older newcomer. Maybe a teacher has adult students older than herself. Or maybe a teenage or adult child needs to have a difficult conversation with their parents about childhood trauma, finances,
While some may view having a brain as a blessing, others see it as a curse that leads to overthinking, unhappiness, and poor learned behaviors. Philosophy about consciousness and self-awareness aside, everyone has a brain, and everyone needs to keep it in good shape to sustain addiction recovery. What’s most important to remember: A healthy
When we think about mental health treatment, the word “prescription” may come to mind. Doctors often prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, and other medications to help stabilize a patient’s mental health. This is called a “prescriptive approach,” one that involves diagnosis, medication, and not much else. Take prescription antidepressants as an example. According to Scientific American,
For some people, trading in one evil for a lesser one makes sense. For example, a person who quits using marijuana might compulsively engage in online shopping or late-night snacking instead. Or maybe someone finally breaks a heroin addiction only to take up sleeping pills or compulsive gambling. A substitute addiction isn’t limited to a
It’s no secret that music can be good for the soul. Psychologists testify to the healing properties of listening to music. Some of the perks include: Subtle, calming effects on the environment An energy boost, depending on the genre and time of day Improved sleep patterns Calmer driving Improved mental capacities Reduced anxiety For those
When dealing with addiction, entering an accredited, high-quality treatment program is more effective than trying to go it alone. Treatment programs provide medical and therapeutic professionals to help heal the body, mind, and spirit. Residential (inpatient) treatment typically involves a 30, 60, or 90-day stay at a facility, while outpatient treatment allows the client to
Even Hollywood recognizes the quest for a higher power. One of the most touching films from recent years explores substance abuse, its devastating consequences, and the intriguing notion of a higher power in recovery. Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot stars Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, and Roony Mara. After a terrible car accident
It can be intimidating after a residential or outpatient stay in recovery to head back to work or to begin a job search. Feelings of apprehension, stress, and self-doubt are normal when transitioning back to a full-time work week while managing sobriety. The good news: it’s possible to achieve a satisfying and balanced occupational experience
Measuring success in recovery can be tricky. Is success one substance-free day, following the “one day at a time” philosophy of many recovery programs? Is it months or years of sobriety? What about relapse? After all, addiction is a chronic disease, and chances for relapse are high, between 40 and 60%. We would argue that
Summer Vibes Can Bring Anxiety in Sobriety Summer is an important time to be active, get all the Vitamin D that you safely can, and relax. But, what happens when you’re newly sober? How can you combat the anxiety that summer vibes might transmit? For many, these vibes might mean beers, hotdogs, and baseball. For
Who Uses Meditation & Why? What do Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Jerry Seinfeld, and Hugh Jackman all have in common? Well, aside from being successful entertainers, ridiculously lucky, and incredibly wealthy, all four of these stars experience a lot of stress! It was this mind-altering, physically aggravating presence of stress that drove these celebrities to
Identifying Unsupportive Relationships Long-term, successful sobriety requires strong, supportive relationships. In many ways, getting sober is a group effort: of the person in recovery, their treatment team, their family, and their recovery community. Many clients, when they first arrive in treatment, hold a lot of resentment, grudges, and residual hurt from close relationships. These feelings
Comorbidity, Co-occurring Disorder, & Dual Diagnosis: What’s the Connection? While the three terms above are sometimes used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between them. The term comorbidity refers to a diagnosis of any two or more diseases or disorders, like chronic insomnia and diabetes, or Parkinson’s and heart disease. While the diseases do not have
Study Drugs When someone hears the term “study drugs,” several things may pop into their mind. Perhaps the prescription drug Adderall comes to the tip of their tongue. Or maybe someone thinks of that uncanny movie with Bradley Cooper, Limitless, which was inspired by the use of study drugs like Adderall. In the movie, Cooper
Addiction Has a Ripple Effect Substance abuse does not just affect the person using drugs or alcohol: it has a ripple effect that often touches friends, parents, partners, and, unfortunately, children. Children who live with parents who struggle with addiction experience adverse effects in adolescence and adulthood. If you are a parent struggling with substance
Nutrition: What’s the Big Deal? On a very basic level, without proper nutrition the human body just doesn’t function well, if at all. People need to eat well and diversely, exercise regularly, and sleep peacefully every night in order for their bodies to work optimally, repair themselves, and fight off sickness. If the body does
The Power of Essential Oils If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably dodged more than one essential oil (EO) sales rep rattling on about how lavender changed their life. And, like me, you’ve probably decided that anyone who would spend hundreds of dollars on scented oils to lose weight or lengthen their attention span isn’t
More Than the Marketing If your main exposure to yoga has been through advertisements for yoga clothing or the latest online class, you might view it as just another health craze that pops up every few months–and one that is primarily for people who are already extremely flexible, strong, and graceful. However, if you ignore
There’s an ongoing misconception that addiction and dependence are one and the same. But while they’re undoubtedly connected, an addiction involves a psychological drive to continue using a substance despite the harmful consequences, while dependence is a purely physical phenomenon. Addiction Versus Dependence Let’s take the consumption of coffee as an example. People may joke
Creativity & Substance Use: Myths There’s this myth that consuming substances like marijuana, psychedelics, or club drugs gets our creative juices flowing. Maybe we can attribute it to all the famous writers–Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Carson McCullers–who struggled with alcoholism. Or perhaps the myth comes from famous musicians who struggled with substance abuse: David Bowie,
Some fifteen years ago, when I was in middle school, I remember how alarmingly popular it was to “cut.” Cutting was the practice, usually carried out by girls, of making small, superficial but certainly painful cuts on the wrists, arms, or legs: all self-inflicted and usually secretive. A friend, parent, or teacher only noticed the