Category: Articles

Everyone starts their resolutions with good intentions, but how many people actually follow through? After a week or two, or even a month or two, are you as committed as you were at the start? It’s not uncommon for people to start slacking off because they haven’t adequately planned and prepared to make their resolution a long-term change. This is exactly why your recovery and health should be a priority, not a resolution.

You only get one body and one life to live, so you’d better make the most of it. Drugs and alcohol take a major toll and can leave lasting damage. You increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, liver failure, and a plethora of other issues. While it is beneficial to start the year off strong eating a healthier diet, drinking more water, staying active, and getting plenty of sleep, these are changes that should be continued all year long. If you revert back to old routines and habits come February or March, you’re undoing all of your hard work.

Instead of thinking of your recovery as a resolution, consider it a lifestyle change. Invest in maximizing your results by seeking professional help and building a solid support system so you can keep pushing forward. By making your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health a priority, and equipping yourself with diverse tools and resources, you can make changes that last. Eating better, reducing stress, exercising, and coping with challenging situations more effectively will become part of your new routines and something you can stick with.

If you realize part way through the year that you’re not making the best decisions for your health and have developed a dependency or addiction, don’t put off seeking help. There’s no reason to wait until next year rolls around when you can make a difference now. Recovery is a gift you can give yourself that can last the rest of your life.

[cta]Join the conversation on Facebook and let us know how you’ve made your health a priority.[/cta]

Sobriety is a road that addicts do not know much about until they begin to travel down it. Will I make it? Can I stay sober? Will I lose everyone in my life that is important to me? Who will understand me emotionally? If you are looking to improve your health from a physical and mental point of view while going through rehabilitation programs and maintaining your forever sobriety we have a few tips to offer you.

1. You will lose “friends.” You know who we are talking about—the friends who were really just emotionally draining people in your life that wanted you to use drugs and alcohol with them. It is ok to lose these “friends”! Surround yourself with friends who are loving, compassionate, and understand that your sobriety is a defining factor in your road to recovery.
2. You will be emotional from time to time. You are only human! All humans feel emotional and even more so when fighting to stay sober. Some days you will feel like the whole world is against you and will not understand why you are feeling like this. That is when it is important to remember that you should continue going to support group meetings and lean on people who will be there to comfort you when you get emotional.
3. You will meet people in life who will judge you. They will judge you for being sober, they will judge you for not wanting to party the way you used to, they will even judge you for being a former addict and getting your health in order. Let them, hold your head up high and continue to stay healthy and happy.
4. You will feel a strong desire to help others in your situation. Once you are sober you will look back and remember how you felt in the moments you started on your path to recovery. You will meet others who are in the same place you were a short time ago and you will reach out to help. Sobriety will make you both more empathetic and caring. You have been there, you have done that, and you are better off for it. Others will see this and look up to you in their own path to recovery.
5. You might become complacent or lazy following your rehabilitation days. Do not fall into this trap. Write, stay physical, go to support groups. Do whatever it is that you need to in order to stay sober and healthy.

Remember that when you embark on the road to sobriety it will not always be easy, but it will always be worth it. You will never regret living a healthy and productive life. Others who have not come to terms with their substance abuse issues might make you feel that way but their burden is not yours to carry.

[cta]Let us know what you’ve learned about sobriety by joining the discussion on Facebook.[/cta]

The holidays are often a time of joy, merriment, and celebration with family and friends. But for those struggling with addiction, they can be a dangerous and trying time. The holidays can mean increased stress and temptation. They can dredge up feelings of loss or depression. All in all, it can be a difficult time for both those in active addiction and their loved ones. While it may seem counterintuitive, going to treatment during the holidays can actually be just what you need to get on the road to recovery, and here’s why:

1. Holidays can make substance use worse. You may feel the need to drink or use drugs more frequently to cope with stress, anxiety, or overwhelming expectations.
2. Treatment teaches you how to deal with stress and challenging situations in a healthier and more effective way. You’ll be better prepared to deal with upcoming holiday festivities.
3. Temptation will be reduced because you are in a safe environment and not surrounded by people who are drinking or using drugs. There is no access to these substances and you can safely detox.
4. You will be surrounded by others who have similar goals and are also working to overcome addiction. At home, not everyone may be supportive of your efforts.
5. You can put your focus and energy toward recovery. A change of scenery can be good and give you clarity and increased motivation.
6. You can avoid awkward situations at family get-togethers. Perhaps in years past you embarrassed yourself or others while under the influence, but now you are on your way to making changes.
7. It can be easier to get away during the holidays because schools are on break and businesses close or have slower periods. It is not unusual for employees to take time off.
8. Putting off treatment doesn’t make the problem go away. In fact, it can become more serious with all of the events of the holidays, so it’s better to be proactive.
9. Start the New Year on the right foot in sobriety. Get a fresh start and begin working toward your goals.
10. Give yourself a lasting gift. You are deserving of treatment and another chance. Do what’s best for you this year.
11. It could save your life. No one plans on overdosing and it happens unexpectedly. The next time you use could be your last, so enter treatment today so you can enjoy the future.
12. You are ready for change. If you’re not happy with where your life is headed, it’s time to do something about it. It’s not too late to get the help you need and turn your life around. A rehab program can be exactly the change you need.

[cta]Let us know what motivated you to get treatment by joining the discussion on Facebook.[/cta]

Thanksgiving is just that – a time to show thanks and gratitude. You haven’t gotten to where you are today without the help, support, guidance and hard work of many others. In turn, you have helped others to get where they are today. No matter your career, think about the impact that it has had on how others live. Think about your family and what you mean to each other and the people around you.

Giving back and helping others through acts of service is one way to show your gratitude. It can give you a greater sense of purpose to know that you are making a difference. As you see the results of your actions, it can make you feel proud and boost your mood. This can be very important in recovery. You want to stay positive and keep yourself active. Through acts of service, you can show your thanks for those who have supported you along the way.

Ways You Can Give Back

How you choose to give back is up to you; acts of service look different for everyone. Think about what is meaningful to you and how you feel your time and talents could be of the best use.

Choose a charity or non-profit: Your community is probably filled with organizations looking for volunteers. Find a project you are passionate about, whether it’s sorting donations at the food bank, serving meals to the homeless, caring for animals at an animal shelter, or fundraising to protect the environment. Not only will you be giving back, you’ll be learning new skills, making friends, and spending your time in a productive way.

Help a neighbor: You don’t have to look far to find people who could use a helping hand. Raking leaves for an older neighbor is something they might truly appreciate. Bake cookies or a casserole to give to a single parent or a family in need. You might also donate clothing, toys, books, or other things to help out, be it for a neighbor or a community organization.

These are just two ideas to get you started. You can show your gratitude in many ways and your actions can inspire others to do the same. Use your recovery to motivate you to make a difference and keep a positive attitude.

[cta]Continue the discussion on Facebook and let us know how you give back.[/cta]

Drug and alcohol addiction affect everyone differently. While in some people the addiction may be more noticeable, others do a good job at hiding it. Oftentimes those struggling with addiction are in denial that they have a problem because they fail to see how it is impacting their lives and the lives of those around them. Or, they may think that their family and friends are oblivious to their use.

Knowing the signs of addiction can help you to get a loved one the treatment they need before the situation becomes more serious. Many programs also offer support for families to begin rebuilding relationships and making positive changes that enhance recovery.

Warning Signs That May Indicate an Addiction Problem

If you notice the following changes in your loved one, it may be a sign that they are struggling with substance use and could benefit from treatment:

• Changes in behavior: Drugs and alcohol can make people become more irritable, aggressive, anxious or depressed. They may also be unusually energetic and then become more lethargic. If your loved one is acting out of the ordinary and you cannot attribute it to an event or situation, it may be the result of substance use.
• Becoming withdrawn: In an effort to hide their drug use, people may isolate themselves and become more withdrawn. They disappear without notice or for long periods of time. Or, they may have excuses for not wanting to spend time together or go out. Being surrounded by others can make it more difficult to use drugs without raising suspicion, so they tend to keep to themselves.
• Loss of interest: Your loved one may stop engaging in hobbies and activities they once enjoyed. Whereas previously they may have looked forward to golfing, book club meetings, or getting together to bake, now they are skipping out. They become more focused on their substance use and put less priority on other things.
• Financial problems: Are they always asking to borrow money or never seem to have enough to make ends meet? Addiction can be very expensive, especially as tolerance builds. If you notice that you are always lending money, helping to pay bills, or buying groceries, stop to consider where their income is going.
• Physical changes: You may notice that your loved one has blood-shot eyes, their personal hygiene has deteriorated, they have lost or gained weight, or they have unusual sleeping patterns. Substance use can also affect their memory and coordination.

These are just a few of the changes and signs of addiction you may observe that raise a red flag. If you are concerned that your loved one may be struggling with addiction, encourage them to seek treatment at a professional addiction treatment center.

[cta]Continue the discussion on Facebook and learn more ways to strengthen the road to recovery.[/cta]

Families often struggle when they watch a loved one go through addiction and they do not know how to help. Sometimes family members are too afraid to speak up and encourage their loved one to enter rehab. If no one confronts the person, however, the addiction will continue to develop and worsen.

In the best interest of everyone involved, families should address the problem, and offer to help in any way possible. Confronting a family member can happen in several different ways. Sometimes it takes a simple conversation with the person in need of rehab. Other times, families reach out to professionals for added support in confronting a loved one during an intervention.

In a recent case, Above It All was mentioned on OWN’s Iyanla Fix My Life where one sister called on host Iyanla Vanzant to provide some healing to a family in crises and to support her sister in getting help for her drinking problem.

Whether your family has held an intervention for you, or someone has simply suggested you go to rehab, how should you react? Below are some things to think about if your family has concerns about your substance use.

Listen. The first thing you should do is listen closely to your loved ones. Hear what they are really saying. Families often agonize over how to approach a loved one — they want you to know they love you and care about what happens to you. They do not want to see you struggle with addiction any more, so they have taken the difficult step and confronted you.

Examine Your Life. Your family has made some observations about your life, your habits, and your needs. Now it is time for you to evaluate your situation. Taking to heart what they share with you, look at your life and consider your drug or alcohol use. Could they be right? Have they seen something even you have not noticed, or could you be in denial that you have a problem? Be honest and take action if necessary.

Use this Opportunity. If there is any chance you could be addicted to drugs or alcohol, accept help and enroll in rehab. Look into the benefits of rehab, and start preparing for a new, sober life. This is the opportunity to go to rehab, seriously consider taking advantage of that opportunity. Use this as a wake-up call and let your family serve as motivation to get sober.

You can do this, and with the help of a treatment program like Above It All and your family’s support, you will soon be on your way to recovery.

[cta]Continue the discussion on Facebook and learn more ways to strengthen the road to recovery.[/cta]

Lamar Odom is recovering from a possible drug overdose, and while many are wondering what this means for the athlete, his family is hopeful about his progress so far. News of the former NBA star’s hospitalization shocked the country, but the athlete is making strides toward recovery.

It was just one week ago when an unresponsive Odom was rushed to a hospital in Las Vegas for an apparent drug overdose and later transported to a Los Angeles hospital. The basketball player’s condition has been kept confidential, but friends and family are pleased with his “miraculous progress” so far.

Odom, like many professional athletes, has struggled with substance use in the past. Two years ago he was arrested for drunk driving, and has been in and out of treatment for drug and alcohol use. Also like many athletes, Odom has reportedly continued to use substances even after treatment. Now, as his condition is as serious as ever, many are wondering if it will be possible for Odom to ever really recover from drug and alcohol abuse.

Recovery Is Possible

The answer is that with the right kind of treatment, Odom, like anyone, can recover. There is hope, even for the most “hopeless” individuals. Recovery is possible, even for those who have not been able to succeed in recovery before.

What it takes to recover is an individualized treatment plan with skilled therapists at a professional facility. It takes long term care that will help prevent relapse. It also takes the support of family or friends who can provide encouragement and support when days are tough.

At Above It All, our thoughts are with Odom and his family, and we are wishing for his full recovery. We know the road might be long and difficult, but we also know that Odom has what it takes to beat this. We are hopeful that he will get into a rehab program that will help him get and stay sober.

[cta]Continue the discussion on Facebook and learn more ways to strengthen the road to recovery.[/cta]