Feeding your Health in Recovery

Drugs and alcohol not only affect your brain and mental health, but they can take a toll on your physical health as well. These substances are hard on the body and can contribute to a wide range of problems including malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, and a weaker immune system. Eating a healthy diet is an important part of recovery and relapse prevention. When you are feeling stronger and healthier, it can boost your mood and help you make better choices.

Substance misuse can have a serious impact on your appetite. Alcohol is filled with empty calories that make you feel full but offer no nutritional benefits. Other drugs can leave you feeling not hungry at all, which is also detrimental to your health. Your body needs well-balanced meals to give you energy and keep your organs functioning effectively. Even if you are trying to eat fairly well, drugs and alcohol can prevent your body from properly absorbing the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that it needs.

In recovery, you want to fuel your body with healthy foods that help to stabilize blood sugar, reduce cravings, and give you the energy you need to keep going. It’s important to try to keep a regular schedule with meals and snacks and not to skip out. Pick a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to snack on and whip up as flavorful side dishes. Make sure that you’re incorporating lean proteins, whole grains, and complex carbohydrates as well. If your body is struggling with vitamin deficiencies, you may benefit from taking supplements until you’re able to gain control through diet. Slowly your body can begin healing and becoming healthier.

It’s also important to make sure you are drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration and getting adequate sleep to allow your body to recover and recharge. A well-balanced diet, regular physical activity, and plenty of rest can support you in making the most of your recovery and preventing relapse.

Above It All equips clients with nutrition education and strategies to make healthier decisions as they progress in recovery. Physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health are all important components of addiction treatment and addressed in personalized treatment plans.

[cta] Share with us some of your favorite ways to make sure you’re eating healthy! [/cta]

Preventing Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drugs are a part of life for many people. We use them to combat infections, to treat mental disorders, and to help overcome whatever ails us when we are sick. Even though prescription drugs can be beneficial, it is easy to develop an addiction, and being addicted to prescriptions can be dangerous. Battling prescription drug addiction is tough, but with the combined effort of physicians, patients, and pharmacists, it is possible to stop an addiction before it escalates. Here are a few tips on stopping this type of addiction at its roots.

Work together. As mentioned earlier, you need to work with both the physician and pharmacist to prevent a prescription drug addiction. Your physician should be screening for signs of drug abuse during routine medical visits. They need to take note of rapid increases of amount of medication required and unscheduled refill requests. Pharmacists must be diligent when checking out prescriptions in case there are forgeries or other false documentation.

Consider healthy alternatives. In many cases, prescription drugs can be a big help in the fight against illnesses. That does not mean that they are your only choice. Consider other options before you go on prescription drugs. Work out regularly, eat healthy, and take multivitamins. Meditation has also been proven to help with treating anxiety and depression, two diseases that often require prescription drugs, which could eventually lead to addiction down the road.

Educate yourself. Never be afraid to ask questions about prescription medication. You should always ask your doctor and your pharmacist about side-effects and likelihood of addiction. It is their job to prevent you from abusing your medicine, so don’t hesitate to seek their guidance. The more you know about your prescriptions, the less likely you are to abuse them and become addicted to them. Be forewarned: it is best to consult with a medical professional about prescription drug addiction. Do not rely solely on information on the Internet.

Prescription drug addiction can be very dangerous. If you or a loved one is facing this issue, you will want to contact a treatment center right away. These prescriptions are meant to help you, not harm you. Don’t let a prescription turn into an addiction.

[cta] Do you have any healthy alternatives to using prescription drugs? Share your thoughts below! [/cta]

Keeping a Positive Attitude in Recovery

Recovery from addiction is an active process. It is not a time when you can just sit idly by and hope for the best. It is something that you have to work on every day. This can be stressful. You may be stressed out that things are not moving as quickly as you would like them to, or think they should. It can be hard to break old routines and move on from negative friendships. This is all the more reason why keeping a positive attitude in recovery is so important.

Life is full of ups and downs, and how you deal with them can make a big difference in your recovery. If you let every little thing bother you, it may be more difficult to keep moving forward. Instead, try to turn your attitude and perspective around.

Keep a gratitude journal. Write down things that you are thankful for and things that make you happy. Maybe it is seeing a rainbow after the storm or the smile on your child’s face when you pick them up from school. Go back and read through your journal when you are having a rough day for a little pick-me-up.

Look for the silver lining. There are (at least) two sides to every situation. Choose to look for the positives. Instead of focusing on the things that went wrong, consider everything that went well.

Decrease your stress. Activities like yoga, exercise, and meditation can all decrease your stress and boost your mood. Find things that make you happy and help you to relax.  Taking time for yourself and not getting too overwhelmed can enhance your positive attitude.

Take life one day at a time. You cannot change the past or predict the future, so focus on the here and now. Make today the best day it can be and take challenges in stride.

All of these things and more can support you in long-term recovery and warding off relapse. Above It All can equip you with the strategies and resources you need to feel more confident in your addiction recovery and create a healthier lifestyle.

[cta] Let us know what strategies you use to boost your mood and see the bright side in recovery. [/cta]

Building Stronger Families Through Recovery

Addiction is not a solitary disease. It has a widespread impact that reaches far beyond the person misusing drugs or alcohol. Family, friends, colleagues, and communities are affected as well. Family members struggle with their own challenges when it comes to coping with addiction and how it affects them and their life.

When a substance use disorder is present, it can contribute to many breakdowns in the family. Getting everyone to participate in the addiction treatment and recovery process can have a positive effect on the entire family and build a brighter future.

  • Improves Communication: In family therapy you can learn how to talk to – and listen to – each other more effectively. This can help with understanding each other’s perspective and opinion. It can support the rebuilding of trust and respect that may have been damaged during active addiction.
  • Creates Healthier Relationships: Learning how to talk to and interact with one another in more constructive ways can improve family connections. You can take the time to get to know one another and appreciate each person’s strengths. In addition, you will be more prepared to work through challenges together.
  • Supports Problem Solving: Family therapy can teach you how to work through problems together and come to a mutual agreement. Instead of one person becoming upset and the other shutting down, you will have more effective strategies of coming to a solution. This can be applied throughout many aspects of your life.
  • Promoting Prevention: When you create a drug-free environment and practice healthier routines, you are setting a positive example for everyone in your family. You are creating an environment that protects against substance abuse and opens lines of communication for honest discussion.

Building a stronger family can take time. Everyone will have changes and adjustments to make and adapt to. Having patience can pay off as you see your family changing for the better and appreciating one another. Above It All can help you get on the road to recovery and rebuild relationships with your family through comprehensive addiction treatment.

[cta] Leave a comment and let us know how recovery has strengthened your family relationships! [/cta]

Anxiety and Addiction: A Vicious Cycle

May 2-7 marks Anxiety and Depression Awareness Week. These are serious issues that people face every day. They can also be linked to substance use creating more complex challenges. Sometimes people self-medicate using drugs or alcohol as a way of trying to calm their anxiety and relax. While this may provide temporary relief in the short term, it can actually end up making symptoms worse in the long run. When the drugs wear off, anxiety may return with a vengeance. This can lead to increased substance use which may develop into addiction.

At the same time, substance use can also trigger feelings of anxiety. It can exacerbate underlying conditions that may not have been as problematic before. Anxiety and addiction can become a vicious cycle as both of these conditions feed off of one another. It can become a difficult cycle to break.

Coping with Addiction and Anxiety

Understanding the interrelated nature of these two conditions is important for recovery. They should be treated simultaneously through a dual diagnosis program. Treating only one at a time may increase risk of relapse because the cycle can still continue.  When you recognize how your anxiety and addiction impact one another, you can be more proactive in addressing issues as they arise and minimizing triggers.

Typically a combination of therapy, counseling, medication, and holistic activities are used to support recovery. You develop healthier routines and coping mechanisms that do not involve substance abuse and help to keep your anxiety better controlled. Recovery can be more challenging for those with a dual diagnosis, but change is possible.

With comprehensive care from Above It All, you can improve your physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health.  You can also take steps to prevent relapse and establish a healthier lifestyle that aligns with your personal goals and needs.

[cta] Join the conversation on Facebook and tell us your tips for keeping calm in recovery! [/cta]

Exploring the Power of Laughter in Addiction Recovery

Although addiction recovery is a very serious topic, which does not mean that there is not room for some humor too. Allowing yourself to laugh and look the bright side of things can keep you moving forward and increase your motivation. Laughter can have a positive impact on both your body and your mind.

When you start laughing, the effects are felt throughout your body. Laughter can increase your blood pressure and improve the circulation of oxygen throughout your system. It can also lower your stress response, allowing you to feel more at ease. Stress has a tendency to build tension in your muscles and suppress your immune system, but a good dose of humor can alleviate these responses and boost your health. It should come as no surprise that your mood may also improve when laughing; it may stimulate the release of dopamine and activate your brain’s reward system.

Even if you start out faking laughter and happiness, it commonly develops into something real. Before you know it, you cannot help but smile and stress starts to melt away. It is no wonder that many people have a few optimists and comedians in their circle of friends – these people make you feel good about yourself and look at the world from a new perspective. They can spin the negative into something positive and give you reason to smile. Here are a few other benefits of laughter in recovery:

  • It can help to diffuse tense situations and calm everyone down.
  • It is a way to connect with others and break the ice.
  • You do not need any special equipment or tools. You can find laughter among friends, in books, in the movies, on television shows, or out in the community.
  • It can ease stress and reduce muscle tension.
  • It can brighten your mood and outlook on life.

Incorporate a little humor into your day and find out what a difference it can make. At Above It All, we’ll help you find both laughter and serenity in recovery. Contact our team today for more information.

[cta] Let us know some of your favorite ways of finding humor in recovery by sharing on Facebook! [/cta]

The Best Things In Life: Making Amends and Rebuilding Relationships

The old saying that “the best things in life aren’t things” often rings true for those in recovery. You can have all of the material possessions in the world, but if you are not surrounded by people who love and support you, your life may still feeling like it is missing something. Building these relationships and appreciating the people in your life who have stood by you can be very motivating and encouraging. However, before you can appreciate these things, sometimes you have to make amends first.

Step nine of the 12 steps is all about making amends. In step eight you identify everyone you may have harmed, but step nine involves taking action. Making amends is more than saying you are sorry; it is about showing that you have changed and trying to restore what was damaged. This may mean paying back money borrowed, replacing objects that were broken or stolen, or making a conscious effort to change your ways such as through volunteering or signing up to be an organ donor. You may not always be able to make direct amends or repair the damage done, but there is always the opportunity to make a positive change moving forward.

The people you connect with have a positive impact on your recovery. They are the ones you can turn to when things get tough and the ones you want to celebrate your successes with. They are people who have seen you at your best and also at your worst, but who love you just the same and want to see you succeed. They are new friends who give you the drive and motivation to keep going, who you share new interests and goals with. They are also old friends who you may have unintentionally hurt but are making a conscious effort to rebuild trust with and develop a stronger relationship.

Take the time to value the positive people in your life and those who have stood by your side. Above It All can help you develop the skills and strategies you need to make amends and discover what the best things in your life are.

[cta] Join the conversation on Facebook and share your insight on the best things in life and making amends! [/cta]

How Does Alcohol Damage Your Body?

It is no secret that alcohol is bad for you and your body, but many people do not understand just how damaging it can be. Drinking excessively can lead to long-term, sometimes irreparable effects on a person, which is why you should stay away from it. It is important to learn about alcohol and its negative effects, and what better time to do it than Alcohol Awareness Month? Here are just a few of the ways alcohol is slowly affecting your body.

  • Alcohol interferes with your brain activity, the central hub of your entire body. Drinking excessively impedes the communication flowing through your brain, which can affect your concentration, your coordination and your behavior.
  • Your liver, which possesses enzymes to break down the alcohol, is especially susceptible to alcohol damage after excessive consumption. Drinking too heavily can cause steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Although the liver is designed to heal itself, too much alcohol can eventually damage it beyond repair.
  • Your immune system starts to suffer after too much alcohol makes its way into your body. Alcohol weakens your overall immunity, leaving your body vulnerable to diseases. Chronic drinkers are often much sicker than those who do not drink, and even drinking on a single occasion can have negative effects on your immune system.
  • Alcohol takes a major toll on your heart as well. The more you drink, the higher the risk for cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, strokes, high blood pressure and multiple other heart-related diseases. Too much drinking can also trigger an irregular heartbeat, which could lead to a heart attack.
  • Finally, alcohol can increase your likelihood of developing several types of cancer in various areas of your body such as your mouth, throat and liver.

There are countless ways that alcohol can negatively affect your body and your mind, but it is understandable that many people cannot simply quit drinking. The best option is to go through a professional detox program. Fighting alcohol dependency can also affect your body in a negative way, so it is wise to seek professional help to assist you with the journey. The ultimate goal is to completely end your addiction with as little damage to your body as possible, and the best way to achieve this is with a caring and compassionate detox and counseling program. You too can start the healing process today, call the Above It All team to learn more about our alcohol rehab.

[cta] What other negative effects have you seen or experienced due to alcohol? Let us know below. [/cta]

Relapse: Getting Back Up After Falling In Recovery

There are many challenges to face when you are on the road to recovery. One of the biggest obstacles is the chance of relapse, which can have a devastating effect on the process. Falling during recovery may lower your morale and make you feel like you’ve failed, but you need to have the courage to push forward. Relapse is another obstacle to overcome, and with the right support and methods, you can get back on the road to recovery. Here are a few tips for helping you get back on your feet after relapse.

  • Let it all out. If you’ve relapsed, it’s okay to come to terms with what has happened and to let it out with a good cry. Bottling up your emotions inside can be harmful, both physically and psychologically. Take a few minutes to simply let your feelings come out, whether it’s done in private or with a close friend or family member.
  • Speak with someone. Few things are as difficult as trying to overcome addiction or relapse alone. Find someone to confide in who will boost your morale and who will offer support on the road to recovery. It’s also a good idea to get professional help from client advocates with extensive experience and knowledge within the field. You will need that assistance to keep you from falling once again.
  • Don’t view relapse as failure. You shouldn’t consider your relapse as a failure, but rather as a bump in the road. According to statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction relapse follows the same trends as any other chronic disease, such as Hypertension and Type 1 Diabetes. Relapse doesn’t mean failure; it means that treatment needs to be modified and adjusted.
  • Learn from your mistakes. What exactly caused you to stumble? Did you expose yourself to certain factors that triggered the relapse? As with any mistake in your life, it’s crucial that you take relapse as a learning experience. Find out who or what caused you to fall, and work on not letting it happen again in the future.

People who fall in recovery must remember that relapse is not an end-all scenario. It may take some time, but with the proper support and treatment, it’s very possible to get back on the right track and to work towards complete recovery.

[cta] What are some methods for motivating you to get back on the road to recovery after relapse? [/cta]

Tossing and Turning: Substance Abuse and Sleep Disorders

Sleep is an integral part of overall well-being because it allows the body to heal itself and recharge for the next day. Poor sleep not only leaves you feeling exhausted the next day, it can also have a negative impact on your health and make you more susceptible to illness. Some people turn to drugs or alcohol as a way of self-medicating and helping themselves fall asleep, but substance abuse can actually make sleep disorders worse and cause substance-induced sleep disorder.

Stimulants can make it harder to fall asleep and result in insomnia or increased sleep latency. Your body and mind have difficulty relaxing and entering into restful sleep. On the other hand, while depressants can make it easier to fall asleep, you may find that you wake periodically during the night and do not feel as rested in the morning. You are not getting quality sleep or experiencing regular REM cycles, which are the deep sleep your body needs. As a result, you may be overly tired during the day but then still have trouble falling asleep at night.

Sleep disorders can put you at higher risk for relapse because they can be frustrating and stressful. It is hard to relax and feel energized the next day when you are tossing and turning all night or waking frequently. Addiction recovery can help to alleviate some sleep disorders, but it can take time for your body to return to more normal circadian rhythms and overcome the impact of substance abuse.

Activities such as meditation, exercise, progressive muscle relaxation and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can all support more restful sleep. Setting a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine, and creating a dark, cool environment to sleep in can also help. If you are having trouble sleeping because of substance use, contact Above It All Treatment Center to find out how we can help you rest easier.

[cta]Join the conversation on Facebook and tell us how addiction recovery has helped you overcome sleep problems.[/cta]