The American Psychological Association defines a dysfunctional family as one in which “relationships or communication are impaired and members are unable to attain closeness and self-expression.” A family is dysfunctional if they regularly meet these criteria in their interactions.

1. INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Members of dysfunctional families find it challenging to listen to each other and express their feelings in a healthy way. Dysfunctional family members may not reach out to each other often, and in extreme cases, they don’t talk at all. Some families may primarily express themselves by starting arguments or giving each other silent treatment. Indirect, unkind, and one-sided interactions are common characteristics of dysfunctional families.

2. LACK OF BOUNDARIES

Healthy boundaries help define relationships and foster trust. A lack of boundaries creates fertile ground for issues like codependency and enabling to take root and thrive. When family members don’t agree on what behaviors are acceptable, take opportunities to speak up for themselves, and ask others to respect their values, it’s a warning sign of family dysfunction.

3. ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR

One of the most prevalent characteristics of a dysfunctional family is addiction on the part of one or more of its members. Often, addiction takes the form of substance abuse, but people can also form addictions to activities like gambling and sex. Self-destructive behavior usually manifests itself in communications breakdowns between family members. It may also create financial hardships and debt. Though adult family members are more likely to experience addiction, substance abuse can happen at a younger age as well.

4. CONTROL

Another hallmark characteristic of dysfunctional families is controlled. This phenomenon is when one family member exerts their will on some or all the other family members, and it usually happens between spouses or from parent to child. For example, a husband may forbid his wife from spending time with friends, or a parent might refuse their teenager’s desire to start dating. Control usually results in emotional stunting and may make people feel as if they can’t be assertive or live independently. Control may be overt, or it could be subtle, causing people to feel guilty for defying set rules.

HOW TO HANDLE A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

If your family has any of these characteristics of dysfunction, dealing with it will require a customized response depending on your specific situation. Steps you might need to take include avoiding family events, severing ties with some or all family members, and setting appropriate boundaries that help protect your well-being. For those who are willing, family support and counseling, paired with individual therapy, may be helpful tools in better understanding your family’s unique dynamic.

At BRC Recovery Services, we know the steps you take after completing a qualified addiction treatment program are essential to long-term recovery. That’s why our aftercare services include a full complement of relapse prevention tools and training. Contact us when you’re ready to learn more.

The post CHARACTERISTICS OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY appeared first on BRC Recovery.

COUNTING DAYS, MONTHS, AND YEARS OF SOBRIETY

Perhaps the most widely-known sobriety milestones rely on the number of substance-free days accrued over time. These are often commemorated through chips, also called sobriety coins, which are available for your first 24 hours sober up through years of recovery.

While this system is optional and not a part of all 12-Step programs, it serves a special purpose. Carrying around a small token of one’s recovery can serve as a tangible reminder of your progress during times of stress or temptation. These personal mementos also provide a constant source of inspiration.

Typical coin milestone colors include:

• White or Silver Chip: 24 hours of sobriety
• Red Chip: 30 days (1 month) of sobriety
• Gold Chip: 60 days (2 months) of sobriety
• Green Chip: 90 days (3 months) of sobriety
• Purple Chip: 4 months of sobriety
• Pink Chip: 5 months of sobriety
• Dark Blue Chip: 6 months of sobriety
• Copper Chip: 7 months of sobriety
• Red Chip: 8 months of sobriety
• Purple Chip: 9 months of sobriety
• Gold Chip: 10 months of sobriety
• Green Chip: 11 months of sobriety
• Bronze Chip: 1 year of sobriety, and each year onwards as well.

As you transition from treatment to your day-to-day life, there will be a significant learning curve. The longer you stay sober, the easier the process will become. Perhaps the biggest cause for celebration is your sober birthday (also called your sobriety anniversary, sober anniversary, or recovery anniversary).

This reminder of progress can be the last day you used, the day after your final relapse, the day you decided to get help, or if you prefer, it can be the date that you first entered treatment. By celebrating this date, you receive an opportunity to reflect on your journey thus far, as well as to thank your mentors, family, friends, and peers in recovery who have helped out along the way.

EMOTIONAL GROWTH

Other recovery milestones aren’t time-based. Instead, they reflect personal growth, particularly in the areas that were previously stunted by drug and alcohol use. This is so common that often, people will say that during recovery, they “got their emotions back.” Thoughts and feelings that were numbed or outright avoided through substance use will surge back into your life again.

This can be a daunting transition, but when handled well, it makes all the difference in your new sober worldview. By working with professionals, including counselors or therapists, you can learn to cope with these newfound emotions in a way that is healthy and that will be the crown jewel of your recovery.

As you cross these emotional milestones, you’ll more fully understand both who you are and who you want to be. Faded interests will reemerge, and new hobbies may be sparked by your sudden zest for life. These changing emotions will benefit you for the rest of your life.

REBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Through sincere effort and clear, honest communication, you can begin to rebuild relationships that were previously devastated by your addiction. Substance use puts undue strain on the people we value most – it can instigate us to behave in ways we never thought possible, even up to the point of betraying or stealing from family and friends. Fortunately, with enough patience and work, it is often possible to repair these relationships.

Forgiveness takes time, but the best way to apologize is through demonstrating changed behavior. Now that you can prioritize loved ones over drugs and alcohol, begin to prove it to them through the choices you make. You should also work with professionals to learn constructive communication methods; this will lay the groundwork for healthy conflict resolution moving forward.

TAKING YOUR LIFE BACK IN SOBRIETY

Another key milestone of sobriety is your return to the personal and professional worlds you once occupied. Whether you’re going back to the career you had before treatment or starting over somewhere else, you may have mixed feelings about a drug-free work experience. While being back in the office may provide much-needed structure and financial structure for those in early recovery, it can also pose challenges with regard to job security, office gossip, and stress levels.

Returning to your career is a major marker of success in your recovery journey. There is no “right answer” to when one should start working again after rehab – this is unique to each individual. If you’re in doubt, speak with your treatment team or other supportive figures, who can advise you about this decision.

SUPPORTING YOUR RECOVERY JOURNEY, ONE MILESTONE AT A TIME

Recovery is an ongoing process that requires dedication, accountability, and motivation. BRC Recovery Support bridges the gap from treatment to independence, providing services from case management to recovery coaching. Through this comprehensive approach, we specialize in aiding those working through their first year of recovery. To learn more, call us today.

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Today, researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine have made massive strides towards resolving this problem. Their recent animal trials have revealed an exciting new possibility: a safe, non-addictive painkiller to fight the American opioid crisis.

A NON-ADDICTIVE PAINKILLER: OPIOID ALTERNATIVE

Called AT-121, Wake Forest and Astraea Therapeutics’ new chemical compound has a dual therapeutic action. This means that it suppressed the addictive effects of opioids while also producing morphine-like analgesic effects in test subjects.

Professor of physiology and pharmacology Mei-Chuan Ko, Ph.D., states that the researchers, “found AT-121 to be safe and non-addictive, as well as an effective pain medication. In addition, this compound was also effective at blocking abuse potential of prescription opioids, much like buprenorphine does for heroin, so we hope it could be used to treat pain and opioid abuse.”

The study demonstrated that AT-121 showed the same degree of pain relief as an opioid medication but at a 100 times lower dosage than morphine. It also blunted the addictive effects of oxycodone at that dose. AT-121 lacks the side effects associated with medications that act solely on the mu-opioid receptor, such as itching, tolerance, dependence, and respiratory depression.

DISCUSSION AND DISCLAIMERS

It’s important to note that this medication is still in the process of primate trials. It has not yet been tested on humans. Additionally, although initial research is promising, further study is required to fully understand the short- and long-term effects of AT-121. No medication should be considered a miracle cure, and it should only be used under the supervision of a medical doctor.

Today, AT-121 is entering the next phase of its vetting. Preclinical studies will begin in an effort to collect safety data before applying it to the FDA for clinical trials with human participants.

WHAT AT-121 MEANS FOR THE U.S. OPIOID CRISIS

In Wake Forest’s study, researchers observed that the primate subjects were no more likely to self-administer AT-121 than saline. This indicates that the medication is non-reinforcing and likely is not acting on the reward section of the brain. Ko says that this is the “first [painkiller] demonstrated in a nonhuman model to have such a promising profile.”

This data has a lot of far-reaching implications. First, those in recovery would have access to a powerful, non-addictive medication for managing their pain. The nociception/orphanin FQ peptide action of AT-121 means that the opioid-like effects (and side effects) are dulled, resulting in safe medication for all.

The other side of this drug is its potential to begin chipping away at America’s opioid epidemic. If AT-121 is approved by the FDA, it could rapidly replace problematic, highly addictive opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl in doctor’s offices. While black market exchanges would still happen, ideally the supply would vastly decrease and those with severe pain would not be prescribed these life-altering medications any longer.

LONG-TERM AFTERCARE SUPPORT

BRC Recovery Support offers ongoing recovery services for those in addiction treatment. From sober transportation to individualized sober counseling, our team will work with you to build a successful life in sobriety. If you or a loved one could benefit from these services, feel free to reach out.

The post A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC | SCIENTISTS DISCOVER NEW NON-ADDICTIVE PAINKILLER appeared first on BRC Recovery.

According to Wikipedia:

“Sober living houses (SLHs) more commonly called sober homes and sober living homes and more rarely sober living environments, are facilities used by people recovering from substance abuse that serves as an interim environment between rehab and mainstream society. “

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sober_living_houses

Sober living apartments are used to help people transition from active addiction and rehab to living back in mainstream society. The transition from a highly structured environment to independence can be challenging, so a sober living home can bridge the gap and provide some structure while allowing a person to regain independence.

What are the Different Sober Living Types?

Traditional Sober Living

Traditional sober living is a place to continue recovery from addiction. The environment is structured and provides recovery support services. This type of environment allows greater freedom than the high accountability version but still provides some structure and support on a daily basis.

Residents are expected to work or go to school and take part in the weekly meetings and house discussions. They are also subject to regular drug and alcohol tests to ensure that they are committed to long-term sobriety.

High Accountability Sober Living

High accountability sober living is a much stricter and often an important step after residential treatment. High accountability sober living provides a much higher level of structure, with a daily schedule and activities that are facilitated by staff.

A high accountability environment is often the best option for someone who has had numerous treatment episodes that were followed by relapse.

What is the difference between sober living and a halfway house?

Halfway houses generally require that residents either have already completed or are actively enrolled in some type of formal rehabilitation treatment program.

Sober living can be attended by people who have not gone through a formal rehabilitation program but simply wish to get help to abstain from addictive impulses.

Halfway houses are usually funded by the government. Also, there is a maximum stay limit which is currently 12 months.

You can stay in sober living for a longer period if required as long as you pay your way with rent and also help with house duties.

What is expected of someone who enters a sober living residence?

• No drugs, alcohol, violence, or overnight guests
• Active participation in recovery meetings
• Random drug & alcohol tests
• Involvement in either work, school, or an outpatient program

What are the expected results from living in a sober living home?

When linked with a 12-step program sober living shows much higher levels of sustained recovery. It is the accountability and support network that helps as it is much more difficult for an addict to stay sober on their own without any further support.

The best results are seen when an addict has transitioned from a formal drug or alcohol rehabilitation program and then goes straight to sober living. The addict then has a follow on support to ensure they can live in long-term sobriety.

Sober Living Study

A study conducted by the Journal of Substance Treatment in 2010 showed that residents of SLHs made improvements in a variety of areas.

To describe outcomes of SLH residents they interviewed 245 individuals within one week of entering SLHs and at 6, 12, and 18-month follow-up. Eighty-nine percent completed at least one follow-up interview. Outcomes included the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and measures of alcohol and drug use.

Regardless of referral source, improvements were noted on ASI scales (alcohol, drug, and employment), psychiatric severity on the BSI, arrests, and alcohol and drug use. Substance use in the social network predicted nearly all outcome measures. Involvement in 12-step groups predicted fewer arrests and lower alcohol and drug use.

If you live in and around the Austin Texas area then please visit BRC Recovery for specialist and expert help.

The post Sober Living Explained appeared first on BRC Recovery.

Children who grow up in enmeshed families often carry similar patterns forward into adulthood, unaware of the cycle they are perpetuating. Recognizing enmeshed family characteristics can help you break the chain.

WHAT IS ENMESHMENT?

Enmeshment is most prevalent in parent-child relationship dynamics. Parents who wish to exert control over their children create various spoken and unspoken rules that govern children’s beliefs and behavior. These restrictions can follow children into adulthood, and parents may find it intolerable if an adult child strays from this narrowly defined path. Adult children who decide to deviate from established family norms may encounter extreme resistance, emotional abuse, manipulation, and guilt from other family members. These issues can compound to create a condition called enmeshment trauma.

Parents in enmeshed families often rely on their children for emotional support, expect them to live nearby, and pursue a specific career trajectory. If you grew up in an enmeshed relationship, you may feel like you do not get to make independent life decisions because your parents place unreasonable expectations on you to follow in their footsteps or live out their unfulfilled ambitions. You might also lack a well-defined sense of self or have trouble maintaining stable relationships due to family enmeshment.

SIGNS OF AN ENMESHED FAMILY

Enmeshed families tend to look to each other for support and solutions to problems, instead of turning to “outsiders.” This habit may stunt their growth as individuals because they often don’t learn healthy communication or conflict resolution skills.

Parents from enmeshed families might put unfair burdens on their children, starting from a young age. Children grow up with the implied message that they should feel ashamed for wanting to prioritize their needs. Other red flags of enmeshment include:

• A lack of privacy between parents and children
• Parents expecting children to be their best friends and always confiding in them
• Children receiving praise for maintaining the family’s status quo
• Parents being overly involved in the child’s life

CLOSENESS VS. ENMESHMENT

There are many mental and even physical health benefits to having a close-knit family. However, enmeshment can be toxic because it requires family members to sacrifice their individual identity or self-esteem for the “greater good.” Hallmarks of a healthy family dynamic include intimacy, support, and unconditional love that do not compromise any member’s emotional well-being.

In these close families, there is always someone to lean on in tough times, but there is no expectation that one family member will assume responsibility for someone else’s emotional well-being. There is also a lack of manipulation and guilt.

A SAFE SPACE TO FOCUS ON RECOVERY

If enmeshment trauma has caused you to develop a substance use disorder, professional treatment can help you gain sobriety and get your life back on track. However, you’ll need a comprehensive aftercare program to support you through the earliest phases of your recovery process.

Having a safe, sober place to live provides much-needed structure and accountability during early recovery, helping you bridge the gap between addiction rehab and a return to the “real world.” To learn more about the sober housing options we offer at BRC Recovery Support, please contact us today.

The post ENMESHED FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS appeared first on BRC Recovery.

1. RUSSELL BRAND: FROM ADDICTION TO RECOVERY

Russell Brand, who played over-the-top rock star Aldous Snow in the comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, made this film to tell the real-life story of his self-destructive path through heroin addiction and how he finally chose sobriety. The documentary touches on Brand’s friendship with singer Amy Winehouse, who died of a drug overdose at age 27. For this movie, he also interviewed leading addiction researchers to provide a more thorough understanding of the disease.

2. HEROIN(E)

This Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary follows three women who live and work in Huntington, West Virginia, also known as the epicenter of America’s opioid epidemic. This city with a population of nearly 45,000 residents struggles with above-average rates of heroin use, overdose deaths and drug-dependent newborns. Heroin(e) bravely depicts the daily realities of life in this community and the impact of addiction. It leaves viewers with the hopeful message that compassionate people can make a difference.

3. A NEW HIGH

Many films about addiction perpetuate the misconception that users must reach a “rock-bottom” point before finally seeking help, so a documentary focusing on everyday people working on their sobriety is an uplifting change of pace. The recovery experience is the central motif of this 2015 movie. Filmmakers followed a group of men and women in Seattle who trained to climb Mt. Rainier under the guidance of former Army Ranger Mike Johnson.

4. DR. FEELGOOD

This documentary tells the story of Dr. William Hurwitz, a physician in Northern Virginia who served a nearly five-year prison sentence for overprescribing pain medications. Hurwitz’s medical office initially thrived because he gained a reputation for providing opioids to his patients, despite the drugs’ high potential for addiction. The criminal investigation of his practice revealed that he prescribed more than 80,000 prescription pain pills to one patient in under two years. Besides showing Hurwitz’s inner turmoil, this movie provides insight into the nation’s opioid crisis.

5. TAKE YOUR PILLS

This 2018 film is a must-watch for anyone who relies on prescription ADHD drugs like Adderall and Ritalin. People often assume these medications can’t be dangerous because they are so common in America, especially among young adults. However, this documentary shines a light on their potential for misuse – particularly the ongoing “study drug” crisis on campuses nationwide.

SOBER LIVING IN A SUPPORTIVE RECOVERY ENVIRONMENT

Regardless of your current understanding of addiction, learning more about the realities of substance abuse can help you become more empathetic to the struggles everyday people deal with in trying to form new, healthier habits. These documentaries about addiction and recovery may rekindle your dedication to your sobriety or inspire you to encourage others to seek help.

If you’re looking to reinforce what you learned in inpatient rehab, BRC Recovery Support is here for you. Our high-accountability sober living facility offers a safe environment for people in early recovery to transition from the structure of a treatment center to the “real world.” Contact us when you’re ready to learn more.

The post 5 FASCINATING DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ADDICTION AND RECOVERY appeared first on BRC Recovery.

25 INSPIRATIONAL ADDICTION RECOVERY QUOTES

1. “If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz

2. “Your best days are ahead of you. The movie starts when the guy gets sober and puts his life back together; it doesn’t end there.” – Bucky Sinister

3. “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis

4. “I got sober. I stopped killing myself with alcohol. I began to think: ‘Wait a minute. If I can stop doing this, what are the possibilities?’ And slowly it dawned on me that it was maybe worth the risk.” – Craig Ferguson

5. “Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

6. “We honor ourselves when we speak out for recovery. We show the world that recovery matters because it brings hope and peace into the lives of individuals and their loved ones.” – Beth Wilson

7. “As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.” – Mahatma Gandhi

8. “I think that the power is in the principle. The principle of moving forward, as though you have the confidence to move forward, eventually gives you confidence when you look back and see what you’ve done.” – Robert Downey Jr.

9. “No matter how dark the night may get, your light will never burn out.” – Jeanette LeBlanc

10. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

11. “Sometimes we motivate ourselves by thinking of what we want to become. Sometimes we motivate ourselves by thinking about who we don’t ever want to be again.” – Shane Niemeyer

12. “One of the hardest things was learning that I was worth recovery.” – Demi Lovato

13. “Rising from the ashes, I am born again, powerful, exultant, majestic through all the pain.” – Shannon Perry

14. “Sometimes you’ve just got to give yourself what you wish someone else would give you.” – Dr. Phil McGraw

15. “If things go wrong, don’t go with them.” – Roger Babson

16. “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” – Albert Camus

17. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Confucius

18. “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard

19. “Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life.” –Brené Brown

20. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

21. “If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.” – Mary Pickford

22. “Amazing how we can light tomorrow with today.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

23. “Don’t let the past steal your present.” – Cherríe L. Morga

24. “If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.” – Buddhist Proverb

25. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

SUPPORTING YOUR RECOVERY

The initial year after completing a treatment program is a crucial time for many people. Personalized aftercare can make all the difference in building recovery that lasts a lifetime. BRC Recovery’s comprehensive approach bridges the gap from treatment to independence, and our programs center around coaching, accountability, and family. If you or a loved one could benefit from additional support, wherever you are in your recovery journey, you can reach out to our team by calling us. We look forward to hearing from you.

The post OUR FAVORITE POWERFUL QUOTES ABOUT RECOVERY appeared first on BRC Recovery.

WHY IS NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER DANGEROUS FOR RECOVERING ALCOHOLICS?

You may gravitate to “near beer” because you don’t like feeling left out during parties and other social occasions where people are drinking. However, it’s better to stick with water or soft drinks at these gatherings. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself that don’t center on getting drunk.

Though it’s nearly impossible for non-alcoholic beer to make you intoxicated, the drink can be a powerful trigger, creating cravings that set up the circumstances for a relapse. The risk is not worth sacrificing your sobriety over.

Consider these dangers of non-alcoholic beer.

IT STILL HAS SOME ALCOHOL

It may surprise you to learn that most non-alcoholic beer still has trace amounts of alcohol. Though some companies advertise an alcohol content of 0%, the alcohol by volume in most near beers is usually around 0.5%, in comparison with the average 5% ABV of alcoholic beer. It’s unlikely you’ll notice any effect from drinking such a minute amount of alcohol, but that doesn’t mean it can’t pave the way to rationalize having a stronger drink.

Giving in to temptation and drinking a non-alcoholic beer can undo years of progress, starting the vicious cycle of desire and destruction all over again.

THE LOOK, SMELL AND TASTE

Aside from the low alcohol content, non-alcoholic beer is exactly like normal beer. The look, smell, and taste of beer – even the fact that the label and bottle are virtually identical – can be a significant trigger for someone in early recovery. The same sensory experiences associated with drinking beer, minus the intoxicating effect, can cause frustration.

Near beer can trigger a condition known as euphoric recall, a form of selective memory in which a recovering addict glamorizes their active addiction while ignoring all the negative effects it had on their life. In the face of extreme cravings, this problem intensifies even more.

IT SERVES AS A BEHAVIORAL CRUTCH

Recovering addicts must work every day to avoid a relapse. That means avoiding the people, places, and things associated with your drinking habit. Once you move out of the structure of treatment, it will be essential for you to establish new hobbies, friendships, and behaviors that don’t revolve around drinking.

For a recovering alcoholic, drinking non-alcoholic beer serves as a slippery slope. Even though you won’t get drunk, the urges and triggers it creates can be too powerful. It’s best to stay on the safe path and avoid non-alcoholic beer.

DO YOU NEED HELP FOR YOUR ALCOHOL ADDICTION?

The desire to drink non-alcoholic beer may signify that you are not as dedicated to your recovery as you should be, and that you aren’t entirely willing to leave the negativity of your addiction behind you. It could also indicate that you have not fully addressed the reasons behind your substance abuse problem, which might suggest the need for an environment that provides additional structure and accountability.

You deserve to find happiness and fulfillment in life. At BRC Recovery Support, we provide high-accountability sober living in the Austin area. Our sober living facilities provide a smooth transition from treatment to the “real world.” When you participate in long-term treatment with a high level of structure, you immerse yourself in recovery culture and set yourself up for success.

Call us to learn how BRC Recovery Support can play an integral role in your journey toward lifelong recovery.

The post THE DANGERS OF NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER appeared first on BRC Recovery.

Hope is defined by Mirriam-Webster as cherishing a desire with anticipation; wanting something to happen or be true. It’s markedly different from simple positive thinking because it requires a clear understanding of the obstacles you’ll face along the way. Just as drugs and alcohol affect the mind, beliefs and expectations release neurotransmitters and affect your brain chemistry.

Hope isn’t a wish, or an attitude, or a feeling. It’s the determination to take control of your life, believe in a better future, and take action in order to achieve your goals.

WHY IS HOPE SO IMPORTANT FOR RECOVERY?

Deanna Daniels, LMFT, explains her view of hope by saying, “Hope opens doors and has the power to sustain us through the most difficult of times and circumstances. Having the ability to look forward keeps us moving forward, and hope plays an important role in this process.” She goes on to state that when people lack this, their problems begin to control their destinies.

When you can clearly see your circumstances, analyze how you got to where you are, and begin to make plans for a brighter future, you are living an authentic, hopeful life. Author and scientist Shane J. Lopez, Ph.D., believes that hope can be learned. He explains that this value boils down to four key beliefs:

1. The future will be better than my present.
2. I have the power to make it so.
3. There are many paths to my goals.
4. None of them is free of obstacles.

5 TIPS FOR KEEPING HOPE IN ADDICTION RECOVERY

It’s one thing to understand what hope is, but keeping it alive in your day-to-day life takes dedication and commitment. We’ve put together five key tips for staying grateful and positive. If you’re feeling overwhelmed…

1. Listen to stories of hope. The more positive stories of recovery you surround yourself with, the more possible it feels to stay sober. By attending meetings and listening to old-timers explain how many days they have – and how radically getting sober has turned their lives around – you’ll feel inspired and renewed.
2. Connect with a sober community. It can be easy to feel alone in your sobriety, especially if your old friends don’t quite understand what you’ve been through. This is why it’s important to get involved with a sober support network. Attend AA or NA meetings, plug into your treatment center’s alumni group – whatever it takes to make you feel like you’re supported and heard.
3. Visualize your sober self. Take a moment to think about how far you’ve come since your days of substance use, and then imagine what the future holds. This exercise reinforces your drive to stay sober and creates an aspirational goal to work towards.
4. Be kind to yourself. Nothing tears down hope faster than rumination, self-loathing, and perfectionism. If you hold yourself to harsh standards and don’t focus on maintaining positive self-talk, it’s incredibly challenging to succeed in recovery. Instead, talk to yourself the way you would a dear friend.
5. Make a list of things you’re grateful for. Gratitude is an incredibly beneficial daily practice. Each night before you go to sleep, write down the parts of your life that you’re grateful for – bonus points if you reflect on how getting sober has brought these things into your life!

YOUR PARTNER IN RECOVERY

At BRC Recovery, we understand that leaving addiction treatment is the first step in your sober journey. We offer a wide variety of long-term aftercare and support services to help you keep hope alive in recovery. Our staff is available 24/7.

The post HOPE: THE FOUNDATION OF ADDICTION RECOVERY appeared first on BRC Recovery.

Both anger and resentment can be harmful to your physical and mental health as well as your recovery. They can trigger a relapse if you’re not careful. What’s more, anger and resentment can make you feel emotionally stuck and unable to move forward in your recovery.

Luckily, there are both immediate and preventative strategies for working through anger and resentment in recovery.

• Practice forgiveness: Genuine forgiveness takes time but it can help you reconnect with another person or community as well as parts of your inner self that may have been overshadowed by anger, bitterness and resentment.
• Think acceptance: A big part of managing your emotions is allowing yourself to understand and accept your emotions. Identify how you’re feeling and allow yourself to feel the emotions without imposing judgement on them or yourself.
• Be present and mindful: Practice being consciously present with your anger and resentment. Observe how you feel and visualize putting a bubble around these emotions and then letting them go.
• Practice healthy expression: Share your feelings with safe, supportive individuals whom you trust; for example, during individualized sober coaching or via group therapy. Other ideas: Journal or write about your feelings or work them out through physical activity (walk or run, go for a hike).
• Use relaxation and self-calming techniques: Managing anger and resentment often means finding ways to relax and find inner calm. This can include meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, yoga or just quiet, unplugged downtime.
• Have an attitude of gratitude: Practicing gratitude and appreciating the simple things in your new sober life can help promote positive thoughts and behaviors that support your recovery. Consider keeping a gratitude journal.

Managing Emotions and More During Recovery
At BRC Recovery, we’ll help you learn how to identify and cope with anger, resentment, stress, and other emotions that can harm your recovery. To learn more about our gender-specific treatment, call today.

The post WORKING THROUGH ANGER AND RESENTMENT IN RECOVERY appeared first on BRC Recovery.