Dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy, and it's even more difficult when you're also struggling with mental health problems. Dr. Kurter says one of the main components to really helping those with addiction is addressing those mental health issues.
There are two thoughts often preceding a relapse - it's a special occasion or this is the last time. Both sentiments come from what Dr. Shahram Heshmat calls a "momentary perspective." This perspective favors immediate gratification over the long term satisfaction that comes from a "big picture perspective." The major takeaway is realizing that while one relapse may not cause a great deal of harm there will absolutely be damage from the repeated pattern.
There is nothing more painful than seeing someone you love, suffer from the disease of addiction. It can be overwhelming. Not only do you feel the need to help them, you forget to help yourself. Understanding the disease of addiction, can help you to deal with the journey of recovery. Listed in the attached article, you will find information that will help you to understand the realities of addiction and how to cope. There is hope.
Jean H. Moral, SAC-IT
West Grove Clinic staff discovered a unique website founded by Paul Henry, a researcher of the neuropsychology of addictive behaviors, who is also a recovering addict. The site features a collection of articles discussing what the creator and his writing team believe about addictive behavior, neurobiology, and the relationship of stress/emotional regulation to addiction. The site offers information and support to both people experiencing addiction, and those who simply wish to learn more about the addiction.
Click below to check it out:
Happy reading!
What do meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have to do with recovering from addiction? They have a lot to do with the recovery process. According to Taite and other researchers, regular meditation has an impact on the brain, yoga has many mental health benefits and can help your overall well-being, and acupuncture can help balance the energy in your body. Here at West Grove Clinic, we take a holistic approach to treating addiction. We not only integrate things like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and other forms of holistic treatment into our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), but we also have a variety of clinicians who specialize in a holistic treatment modalities.
Check out the link below to learn more about how holistic treatment relates to recovery. Enjoy!
Sara Saunders BA, SAC-IT
Is spirituality the same as religion? And what does spirituality have to do with addiction? Religion and spirituality are different. Spirituality is a path taken to discover who we are and what our life is about. This knowledge can be used to guide individuals in their recovery from addiction. Spirituality leads to our moral compass, our values and beliefs about ourselves, and even our perspective on ourselves and others. We don’t have to be religious to be spiritual. Spirituality can be an important aspect of recovery from addiction. Look at the article below on spirituality and addiction to get more information.
By: Jean H. Moral, SAC-IT
