When a loved one announces that they plan to start the New Year sober, it can be an enormous relief. However, cutting back on drinking is just the first step. Recovery is an ongoing process and the support you offer your loved ones is often invaluable during their New Year's resolution.
According to a survey conducted by Yahoo, New Year’s Eve and Christmas are the biggest drinking days of the year in the United States. For those in recovery, it can be a challenge to maintain sobriety throughout the busy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s period with so many parties and celebrations on the agenda. But that’s no reason to isolate yourself from friends and family or avoid the festivities altogether by staying home. There are many sober and safe ways to celebrate.
You might not think that your loved one’s substance use disorder is a family business, but their struggles are a complex battle that come with very real consequences to your family. Substance use disorder is often referred to as a family disease, which is true both from a genetic and social point of view.
You might already understand that there are physical, mental and societal challenges that come with substance use disorders and that jeopardize your family’s well-being. Let’s take a closer look at the true impact substance use disorder could be having on your family:
Stressful situations are inevitable and real, so how do you keep your calm when you feel overwhelmed and more is being demanded of you than you can really handle? Stress levels are rising and a report revealed that more adults are experiencing extreme levels of stress than the previous year. Though many will find it easy to reach for the bottle, alcohol itself causes stress and only provides a temporary relief. So how can you relax without alcohol? Here are some tips to help you unwind without a glass of wine.
If you pine for a cold one, a decantered one, or one on the rocks after a busy day at the office, you’re not alone. Modern professionals have increasing pressures, a shortage of time to properly de-stress and are bombarded with messaging that having a drink is the most appropriate way to wind down, take the stress off and relax. But is having a drink really the best way to reduce stress?
Reducing the stigma associated with alcohol use disorder, the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence (NCADD), founded and sponsored Alcohol Awareness Month. By encouraging communities to talk about alcohol, alcoholism and recovery we can better prevent, identify, and treat substance use disorders as well as support those in our communities who are affected by them.
Positive thinking is an incredibly powerful tool within your reach when it comes to sobriety. Seeking out inspiration can really make a difference to finding motivation as you’re walking your path to recovery.
The difference between who you are now and who you are working towards becoming is made much smaller, and even bridged, by finding people in your life who are positive role models and can provide you with inspiration on a daily basis. Positive people in your life can not only serve as inspiration but as mentors and a personal connection to what you want to achieve during your recovery. Here’s how to find those people and start positively impacting your recovery:
Substance use disorders are not simply physical addictions. Underlying unresolved issues, trauma, emotional, and mental health often co-occur with substance use disorders and at least sixty percent of people who struggle with substance use disorder are also experiencing one co-occurring disorder at the same time. To address your issues is to address your mental (as well as physical) well being. Many find themselves at a loss as to where to start when it comes to mental health but your path to recovery begins with what you’re hoping to achieve.
From re-affirming family ties to creating a healthier lifestyle, your goals for recovery are going to be wide and varied and involve all aspects of your life. There’s no better way to encapsulate these ideas and goals initially than with a vision board.
Relapses and slips are part of recovery, and not necessarily a sign that what you’re trying to do is not working. Still, the question of what to do after a relapse is one that many people don’t know how to answer. Knowing how to overcome a relapse can give you the tools and the confidence to continue your road to recovery and decrease the likelihood that you will relapse again.
As part of our continuing effort to keep offering the highest standards of care during recovery, Aquila Recovery is pleased to announce that we have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation.
