What is the Key to Long Term Recovery?

Recovering from an addiction is a process that involves so much more than the few months you might spend in a rehab center. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to managing the symptoms over the course of a lifetime. People who achieve long term recovery have set up their lives in a way so that they can remain sober at all times.

Relapse rates after treatment can be high because people struggle to find the right routine and to learn the skills to help manage their addiction. It is an unfortunate reality that many people have to return to treatment more than once to get back on track. Sober living is a challenge that can take a long time to get the hang of especially if you have had a serious substance abuse problem.

The most important keys to long term recovery involve the need to feel positive, motivated and to find happiness and meaning in sobriety. In order to cultivate these things a person in recovery must learn to develop good habits that make them feel better and keep them fulfilled. Positivity and an effective sober routine are essential for long term sobriety and avoiding relapse.

Understanding Addiction and Replacing Habits

There are certain reasons that people seek out drugs that they themselves may not even be aware of. They may use drugs or alcohol as a way to feel positive emotions, have heightened experiences, connect with others or discover meaning in life. If someone in recovery feels that they are missing these aspects of drug use then they may feel more inclined to relapse.

Recovery means finding fulfillment and positive experiences without the use of drugs. People in treatment need to learn how to find positive emotions and build those up so that they are not looking for happiness in substances. They can develop positivity through regular therapy, support groups and good habits like meditating often.

During treatment or even in their time after returning home, former addicts can try to find new activities or hobbies that make them feel happy. They might enjoy writing, playing music, running, swimming or playing sports with their friends. Anything that provides them with a positive experience that they look forward to can help them cultivate feelings of happiness.

The important thing is to replace old habits with new activities that are healthier and boost your mood without causing problems. There are infinite possibilities to find something that truly makes you feel good and pursuing these hobbies is a good way to focus on positivity. Making time for things that you enjoy can create lasting happiness in life and works as an effective strategy to prevent relapse.

Connecting with Others

One of the reasons that people abuse substances is that it can lower their inhibitions, making it easier to be social and connect with other people. Alcohol or drugs may make them a experience a feeling of connection that is hard for them to find in their normal life when they are sober. In recovery, creating a lasting sense of connection can help minimize the desire to use drugs as a way to feel closer to people.

In recovery it is crucial to make high quality connections with others so that you can avoid feelings of loneliness, isolation and withdrawal which are all very dangerous to addicts. Making close friends through a sponsor or through peers in your treatment program and twelve step group can help get you through difficult times. It is important to feel like someone will be there to help when you are struggling with sobriety.

Feeling connected can also mean resolving issues with family or repairing broken relationships that were damaged by drug use. Attending family therapy and working on communication skills can help a person in recovery fix some of the problems in their life that may have made them feel more isolated. Having close connections with others is an essential part of living a positive and meaningful life in recovery.

A Healthy Sober Routine

In many cases people end up relapsing because they have been neglecting to do the things that keep them sober. Everyone in recovery develops their own sober routine that they know will make them feel healthier and more positive about their life. This could include a healthy diet, exercise routine, spending time with friends, meditating, and getting involved in hobbies or classes.

Once you know the sober routine that works for you it is a good idea to maintain it the best that you can. Long term recovery not only means creating a new lifestyle, it also means investing in these healthy habits for the rest of your life. If you need help with long term recovery or avoiding relapse, find a twelve step group in your area that can help you work on maintaining sobriety.

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Will Gen Z Be the Most Sober Generation?

Post-millennial youth are proving to have very different values than previous generations, returning to more traditional and less rebellious behavior. Generation Z or those born after 1996 are focusing more on sobriety, good grades and spending time with family rather than partying. While the previous generation of millennials helped boost the alcohol market, this new generation is drinking significantly less.

The younger generation now is hooked on other things like social media which is taking over their time and attention. They see going out and drinking as too repetitive and time consuming when they could be creating and consuming media online. It has even become somewhat of a faux pas among generation z to drink socially.

Younger people instead have small get togethers where they might play video games or simply spend time together. Sober dance parties are also becoming popular among young people who are encouraged to feel good off of natural chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. In general young people are looking to connect with each other and find that alcohol doesn’t provide them with what they want out of life.

Changes in Drinking Habits

Millennials were known for having a common pattern of heavy drinking a few years ago. In 2016, millennials drank 42 percent of of all the wine sold in the U.S., topping every previous generation. However, with the younger generation of post-millennials now reaching drinking age their tendency to remain sober may affect these numbers dramatically.

Craft beer experienced a recent boom because of the millennial generation but with falling sales and an oversaturated market many breweries are now closing. With a younger generation less interested in alcohol, some of the alcohol market is likely to slow down and fail to see the type of growth that it has in previous years. The use of marijuana and cigarettes has been steadily declining as well with younger kids choosing sobriety and avoiding partying.

The generational shift in substance use has been mainly due to changes in personal values that have been slowly taking place. Post-millennial young people no longer see getting drunk as cool because they care more about their health, their integrity and understand that substances are simply a way of escaping. They have a much deeper education about physical and mental health than previous generations and focus on nourishing their bodies with superfoods rather than consuming toxic chemicals.

A Different Lifestyle than Previous Generations

There are many reasons why generation z chooses not to consume alcohol but one may be related to growing up online. They are much more aware of how they can be perceived by other people by living their lives publicly on the internet. They choose to portray themselves in a more conservative way so they won’t be shamed for getting drunk or being messy around others.

Their presence online has also allowed them to see themselves as being connected to the whole world and that they are part of a global community. They are more concerned about the political state of the world and issues that affect everyone rather than escapist substance abuse. Young people are also aware of the economic issues that may affect them and their future in spite of working hard and getting an education.

Generation z has to work harder than any previous generation in order to reach their career goals. Many understand how rare it is to be able to purchase and own a home now compared to older generations. They have to focus their values on achieving a comfortable life and drinking doesn’t coincide with any of their goals.

The younger generation tends to socialize online and get their feeling of connection through social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. They can communicate with large groups of people and document their life in a way that they will want to remember. Being constantly connected feels more fulfilling for young people and they don’t feel the need to bond over alcohol.

Avoiding Addiction and Focusing on Health

Post-millennials may have learned more about health and know how to practice healthy habits. They understand that altered states will only cause more problems and will do nothing to resolve feelings of stress. Young people are more conscious of other options such as a healthy diet and meditation in order to cope with personal issues.

As more young people lose interest in alcohol it may be good news for the overall mental and physical health of the nation. In the future there may be less strain on recovery resources, less money spent on treatment and addiction statistics may improve over time. The direction that this new generation is taking may indicate a positive change for the values of young Americans who choose hard work, health and well-being over partying and substance abuse.

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How the Opioid Epidemic is Affecting Different Age Groups

The opioid crisis has been devastating to the health of our nation and has led to many tragic deaths due to overdose. The epidemic has not affected everyone the same way however, as certain demographics have been hit harder by the wave of addiction. Young millennial adults and the baby boomer generation are the ones that have been struggling with opioid dependency more than other age groups.

These age groups may be more vulnerable to opioid addiction for a number of different reasons and they are also experiencing higher rates of overdose deaths. One of the problems with opioids is that they are very easy to obtain even among young people who can find it from friends or even easily obtain their own prescription. For baby boomers it can be even simpler to ask their doctor for pain medication because of their age.

Young adults tend to struggle more with heroin overdose while older adults are more likely to be dependent on prescription painkillers. These findings indicate that is is important to expand education about the dangers of opioids across all ages but to specifically target certain groups that are struggling more. Helping teens and baby boomers to avoid developing an addiction may help reduce the climbing numbers of the opioid crisis.

Young Adults, Baby boomers and Opioids

Researchers studied overdose deaths related to opioids between the years of 1999 to 2014 and found that people born in the late 50s and early 60s, or baby boomers as they are commonly called, were 27 percent more likely to die from a prescription opioid overdose. They were also one third more likely to die from a heroin overdose.

Studies also found that younger adults of the millennial generation (those born between 1979 and 1992) had high rates of heroin overdose. Millennials were 23 percent more likely to die from a heroin overdose compared with those born in the late 70s. These younger adults are vulnerable to both prescription opioids and heroin but tend to use heroin more often than older adults.

One of the reasons that baby boomers have higher rates of addiction to opioids is because they were middle aged during the rise of prescription painkillers in the 1990s. Opioid medications like Oxycontin were heavily advertised as being safe and non-addictive during the 90s. Baby boomers were also the primary target for advertising opioids during that period of time.

Young adults may be more likely to abuse heroin because it has become a cheaper alternative that is easier to obtain on the street. Many people become hooked on prescription opioids first and then switch to heroin because it is more affordable. Millennials tend to have less economic security compared to baby boomers and may choose heroin abuse as a result.

Prevention and Treatment for Specific Age Groups

The biggest obstacles in starting to resolve the opioid crisis are the need for education regarding opioids and increasing access to treatment. For the baby boomer generation, they may not understand how dangerous opioids are because they grew up in a time when drug culture was normal during the 60s and became adults when painkillers were considered safe. Their attitudes about drug use may lead them to end up becoming addicted to opioids before they realize it.

Baby boomers may also have obstacles with getting into treatment because they experience a deep sense of denial. They may believe that because of their age and health they need to use prescription medication more than others. Older adults that live alone can also find it easier to keep their addiction hidden and avoid being confronted.

Millennials may have other issues regarding getting help because of their age group. Since they are still young they often feel that getting sober will lead to a more boring life for them. There is also a greater stigma among young people about going into treatment for an addiction.

When baby boomers are able to get into treatment they tend to have high success rates because they find it easier to follow the rules. Millennials that are able to get treatment can prevent some of the physical and mental health problems that tend to develop over years of abuse. Getting help early can be crucial to avoiding serious risks including overdose.

There are many steps to take in order to minimize the effects of opioid addiction on these and all age groups that are affected by the growing crisis. Increasing education as well as making it easier to access treatment programs may help these generations recover from addiction. Breaking down the stigma behind addiction and discussing these problems openly can be one of the keys to getting more people help.

If you or someone you love is addicted to opioids, contact a local treatment center for recovery as soon as possible.

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Customized Addiction Treatment

 

When a person enters recovery, they need to have as many options as possible to help them get through the process of treatment. Every individual has unique needs as they are attempting to quit an addiction and having personalized care can be critical to their success. Rehab treatment centers that offer customized treatment programs are able to provide every patient with the tools they need to become sober.

Although addictions can be similar in some ways and many people experience shared feelings and situations, every story is unique. Not everyone responds to treatment the same way and people in rehab all have different types of addictions, related mental or physical health problems and personal histories that can impact their recovery. Treatment facilities that cater to a wide variety of problems and create custom treatment plans are typically more effective for patients.

From the outset of treatment it is important for a rehab facility to assess each patient and be aware of all the personal factors that could influence their recovery. A rehab center that creates a customized plan will look at every aspect of the patient’s well being and help them improve in different areas. Making a complete recovery relies on many factors, but a personalized plan can make it much easier to achieve.

Treating Different Types of Addictions

One of the reasons that a customized plan is so important is that many people attending rehab are dealing with different kinds of addiction. The recovery process will be much different for someone addicted to alcohol from someone who is addicted to cocaine. They each have unique withdrawal symptoms, different triggers and issues that they need to work on.

Someone with multiple addictions will also have specific problems in recovery that may be different from someone with just one addiction. They may need extra care and attention in order to become abstinent because they are going through more volatile cravings. They are also more likely to be vulnerable to relapse and will need to learn how to cope with their own triggers.

Every patient entering rehab will also have their own unique history with addiction. They may have been through rehab before or tried to quit on their own and relapsed. They may have been using drugs heavily for many years or were able to get help after only a few years of drug use.

The length of time a person has been abusing drugs, the level of their abuse and their own relationship with addiction are all things that require custom treatment. Addressing an addiction is never a one size fits all situation because each person has a different pattern of substance use.

Social Issues and Mental Health

In addition to a patient’s personal history with abuse they may also have their own unique health problems that may impact their recovery. It is very common for people with addictions to also suffer from a mental illness that is very closely connected to their substance abuse. Treating both problems and the way that they relate to one another is crucial for a full recovery.

Mental health issues that co-occur with addiction can range from problems like depression and anxiety to very severe disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Each type of mental illness will require a custom treatment plan so that the psychiatrists and counselors can work to reduce the patient’s symptoms. Patients need to be treated with a dual diagnosis program that adapts to their needs in recovery.

Even for someone that hasn’t been diagnosed with a mental illness, they may have many personal or social issues that still affect their recovery. They could have issues with their family life, problems with past trauma that they need to address or be dealing with toxic relationships that all influence their habits of addiction. Resolving these issues in therapy and incorporating them into treatment are still important in order to become successfully sober.

Every patient has unique emotional needs that need to be met because they may cope with recovery differently. Some may feel bored and restless, others might feel angry or resentful and some might feel isolated and depressed. Everyone reacts to their sobriety a certain way and having staff members that are attentive and able to help them on a personal level can be comforting and more effective for long term recovery.

People need personalized treatment plans because no two people are alike especially when it comes to addiction. The disease of addiction in itself is so complex and there are so many factors connected to it that a generic treatment plan is not the best option. Customized treatment gives patients a chance to address every specific issue that they need in order to stay sober.

If you or someone you love needs to recover from an addiction, contact a local rehab center that offers customized treatment.

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In Addiction Rehab Do You Get What You Pay For?

For people in difficult situations who need to quit an addiction, any type of treatment can be helpful in getting them started on the road to recovery. However, it is important to understand that there are many differences between each type of rehab what they offer to their patients. The services and amenities that a specific rehab offers can determine the ultimate cost of treatment.

There are plenty of options for free and affordable rehab treatments but they might not have the kind of services that a more expensive treatment center would offer. Many people looking for recovery options are willing to pay more to get the extra amenities that they feel they would need in order to be comfortable. Rehab options can range from free treatment centers to luxury or executive rehabs designed for people in high paying or powerful careers.

Although the cost of rehab centers can vary dramatically, it does not mean that a person cannot fully recover with a less expensive treatment program. These options are available simply for people that want an extra level of comfort and have the financial means to pay for higher quality. Any type of treatment can be life-saving and free or affordable addiction recovery still has the potential to change a person’s life around for the better.

Factors Affecting the Cost

There are a few different reasons why an addiction treatment program might cost more or less depending on specific details of the facility. Rehabs can range from a few thousand a month to as much as 120 thousand a month for a very high end program. With such a drastic range it is helpful to understand the differences that can impact the cost of treatment.

One of the main factors affecting cost can be the services that a facility provides for its patients outside of the main therapy sessions that make up the foundation of treatment. Some programs can offer a wide variety of services such as yoga, acupuncture, art therapy, life coaches and many other options at a higher price. A more simple program might focus mainly on therapy and only a few other services such as fitness activities.

Another aspect of treatment that can greatly affect the cost of rehab is the length of stay that a patient is offered. A short term stay will cost considerably less than a longer 90 day stay in a treatment program. For people with more severe addictions, however, a longer stay may be recommended for more effective recovery and relapse prevention.

The location of a treatment center can also factor into the overall cost because some more scenic, remote locations may be more expensive. An affordable program might be in a more standard, local program in the city but a higher end, luxury program may be close to a beach, on an island or in the mountains. Some patients prefer a more desirable location and are willing to pay more to be in this kind of natural environment.

Amenities, Comfort and Therapy

More expensive rehab programs tend to have higher quality amenities in every aspect of the facility. They usually have comfortable, private rooms while a less expensive rehab may have small beds in shared rooms. While this type of comfort is not always necessary for recovery, some patients prefer to have the added amenities because they believe it will help them focus on their sobriety.

Higher cost rehabs also tend to have higher quality, gourmet food that may accommodate special dietary needs for the patients. Luxury rehabs can sometimes provide food through room service as a resort hotel would for its guests. Other amenities can include swimming pools, tennis courts or even in some treatment centers golf courses for patients.

An important thing to consider with the cost of a rehab center is what kind of therapy you are getting through the program. Although a more affordable therapist may still be effective, higher cost treatment will usually have more experienced staff members that have spent years working in addiction treatment. People that are looking for the best level of therapy that they can get may be willing to pay more for experts in the field of addiction recovery.

When it comes to addiction treatment it is true that spending more can give you a different experience but for those without the financial means, they can still get what they need from a more affordable treatment center. Some people may feel that they need more from their program in order to do their best while others may be fine with a standard program. Extra services and amenities can provide comfort but in the end what matters most is the individual patient’s commitment to getting sober and the effort that they put into recovery.

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AA Meetings When You Hate Public Speaking

Twelve step groups can provide a great support system for people that are on the road to recovery from an addiction. However, one of the foundations for recovery and main strategies of groups like AA is speaking to the rest of group of about personal issues. People who have problems with public speaking may feel intimidating by the idea of talking in front of a group about private things that they are dealing with.

Speaking in front of a group of people can seem frightening to some that are more introverted or socially anxious in that type of situation. Although they might want to do the work of recovery the concept of talking in front of people could deter them from attending AA meetings which could hinder their progress. If you are nervous about public speaking it can be something that you work on to overcome in order to focus on the highest priority which is getting sober.

Even though you dislike public speaking, if your goal is to do everything you can to quit your addiction then you may be able to adjust the feeling of speaking in front of a group. Over time you will get to know many of the people in your AA group and will become more comfortable talking to them as friends. The important thing to remember is that no one is there to judge you either on your personal issues or your speaking abilities but they are there to provide support, compassion and care for one another.

Take Steps to Become More Comfortable

If you feel overwhelmed by having to speak in front of others it can be helpful to break the process down into smaller steps. Before you gather up the courage to speak in front of the group you can find a smaller group of one or two people at the meetings to talk to first. You can practice talking about your addiction and introducing yourself to a few people at a time.

As you get to know more people at the AA meetings you might slowly be less intimidated by speaking because you will feel that you have more friends and people that care about your progress out in the audience. Instead of speaking in front of a room full of strangers you can have a few people in the group that you can focus on to boost your confidence overall.

Another important part of speaking in front of others is being prepared with what you want to say. Although speaking spontaneously can be comfortable for some, others who struggle with public speaking often feel better about the situation when they know exactly what they are going to say. You can even rehearse what you are going to say beforehand so that you don’t end up stumbling or feeling embarrassed in front of the group.

As part of the initial steps of speaking in front of the group you can make your first public introduction very brief and eventually expand on what you say the next time you decide to talk in front of the group. A short introduction can help you get your feet wet and adjust to how it feels to talk at meetings.

Understanding the Purpose of Sharing in AA

As you take steps to increase your comfort level with speaking it can also be helpful to understand what speaking at AA is all about. It is not the same as a public performance or a presentation where you will be judged on your effectiveness. In fact, no one in the audience will judge you because they are all going through many of the same feelings and want to support you no matter what.

Sharing during AA is not about being entertaining, interesting or even being a great speaker. It is about relating personal stories that you may have kept secret from others because they felt shameful. Speaking at AA is about a cathartic release of emotions and finally being honest with others about your experiences with addiction.

You can think of AA as a place where you can feel safe to be yourself and talk about the things that you felt afraid to share for years. It can be like a kind of group therapy where you are able to get support and feedback from people that want the best for you. When you understand the need for speaking at AA you can consider it as a healing opportunity and not something that you need to feel nervous or embarrassed about.

Public speaking is a common fear that people deal with in different situations but in AA it should not stop you from sharing with other people in the group. Speaking in AA can potentially be a life changing experience and you should never avoid it because of your fears.

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Do Celebrities Help Break Mental Health Stigma?

Although mental health issues are a common problem in the U.S. there still remains a significant stigma surrounding disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and many other problems. People find it hard to open up about their struggles with mental health and may even avoid getting treatment because they fear being judged by others. However, in recent years more celebrities have told stories about their personal struggles with mental health which many believe helps the public become more comfortable about dealing with their own issues.

There are different opinions regarding the effectiveness of celebrities breaking down the mental health stigma in this country. While some may feel that any kind of public story can be useful in reaching out to people that feel isolated and ashamed of their problems, others feel that celebrity stories may not be relatable enough. A high profile celebrity lives in a very different world than the average person struggling with depression or anxiety and some people feel that this makes celebrity stories less effective for people with everyday problems.

There are many aspects to mental health issues that need to be addressed and although celebrities may be making some positive change, there is more work to be done in breaking down the stigma. Mental health is a topic that people rarely discuss in their daily lives and it is important for the average person to overcome their fears of opening up about their own disorder. Celebrity stories may not help everyone but they do make it possible for mental health to become a more public issue.

Celebrities and Mental Health

While celebrities lead lives that seem distant from ours, their public discussion of mental health can be inspiring for some. Mental health still remains a taboo topic and rarely gets media attention in spite of the millions of people suffering from mental health problems every day. Celebrity disclosures can help get more media attention on mental health and open up discussions about certain topics that may otherwise be ignored.

Some of the criticisms of celebrity disclosures however is that they have a very different experience of mental illness than the average American. A celebrity is less likely to end up jobless, homeless or become socially marginalized due to their mental illness. These are situations someone in a different social status may have to face while a celebrity will be applauded for their honesty.

Celebrities may also have easier access to high quality treatment, life coaches and others options that may allow them to become stable more quickly. The average person may have barriers to treatment such as being put on a waitlist, not being able to afford care or having to choose a more affordable program that may not offer as many services. A celebrity will usually have no problem paying for treatment and get the best care possible.

Drawing Attention to Mental Health Issues

Although celebrities may have an easier time with recovery and their issues may not be as severe in many cases, their ability to bring these issues to the public eye may still be valuable. Mental health issues of any kind are often shrouded in shame and secrecy in a way that can stop people from seeking the help they need. If someone hears a celebrity speak about their struggles with depression or any other disorder they may feel less alone in their problems.

When celebrities talk about their mental health issues it brings to light the fact that people from all walks of life can be diagnosed with a disorder. Even highly successful, creative people can become ill in spite of all that they have achieved in life. Understanding this can help spread the notion that mental illness is not an individual failing or weakness but a disease that can happen to anyone.

Celebrities also offer a perspective counter to the many news stories or movies which may sensationalize mental illness as leading to violence and crime. People in Hollywood with mental illnesses can still function, contribute to society and remain highly competent in their field. When the average person sees this it may give them hope that they can be open about their problem, seek help and still lead a normal life.

Even though some people may believe that celebrity disclosures about mental illness are not relatable enough, the reality is that they can do some good in many cases. With the stigma surrounding mental illness any kind of disclosure is brave and heroic no matter who the person is and it can inspire others to do the same. The more personal stories come to light, the more people will feel comfortable sharing their issues publicly and start to overcome their fears about being judged.

Mental health stigma is a problem that needs to be addressed and celebrities are doing their part in any way they can.

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