Jean Moral has been nominated for Januarys Provider Spotlight. Jean has been with West Grove Clinic since May 2017 and we are so lucky to have her. Other providers and staff highlighted that she is warm and welcoming, goes above and beyond, is a team player and is thoughtful.
Coping with the holidays
The holidays are often a very tough time for those that have struggled with addiction. The celebrations that occur can be very triggering and cause people to experience intense cravings. It can be very difficult to avoid being surrounded by substances during this time as many family gatherings choose to celebrate with drinking, smoking, etc. In order to help protect your recovery, it is important figure out ahead of time how you are going to navigate family gatherings and any potential events that could put your recovery at risk. So, here are some tips on how to navigate situations like that, as well as how to potentially avoid those situations. These include:
Start each day with a plan to fend off a relapse.
Evaluate each situation.
Bring the party with you.
Know your triggers.
Don’t forget to eat.
Keep stress under control.
Distract yourself.
Rehearse responses.
Learn to move past your cravings.
Lean on your support system.
For more information on this topic, click here
Positive Emotions
Positive emotions are one of the most enjoyable parts of being alive! Have you ever wondered what positive emotions are and what kind of effect they have on our lives? Also, how do we experience more of those positive emotions?
In the article, 4 of the Most Important Positive Emotions and What They Do written by Tchiki Davis, Ph.d she explains that positive emotions can be defined as pleasant multicomponent response tendencies and may contribute to positive health outcomes.
What are positive emotions?
They involve more than just our internal feelings, they also include changes in our nervous system, hormones, facial expressions, thoughts, and more. Positive emotions are short lived and are the result of an experience. Positive emotions are also closer to the forefront of our consciousness.
Benefits of Positive Emotions:
The benefits of positive emotions contribute to longevity, improved immune functions, less pain, and improved well-being. Positive emotions may even be considered synonymous with happiness.
Examples of positive emotions are:
Excitement: A feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness.
Delight: To take great emotional pleasure in something.
Astonishment: A feeling of great surprise and wonder.
Happiness: Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.
Pleased: A feeling of pride or satisfaction.
Content: A state of happiness and satisfaction.
Relaxed: A state of being at rest or ease.
Calm: Not excited or upset.
For more on positive emotions click here.
Grace Nye, Intern
Podcast Interview - Dr. Kurter
Dr. Selahattin Kurter
Executive Director of West Grove Clinic
Our Executive Director, Dr. Kurter talks about the current state of mental illness and addiction within the country. He goes into detail talking about what he has witnessed and seen during the current pandemic and why it may be causing more people to seek out treatment. He also tackles ways on how we can improve the lives of people both physically and mentally. Make sure to give it a listen!
West Grove Clinic is committed to stopping the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. We want to make it known that we are here for our clients every step of the way. No matter if you are just starting out, or you are one year into recovery, we will continue to provide guidance and support. If you or someone you know is looking for mental health and/or addiction support, then please contact us right away. Your healing journey begins now!
How to Maintain a Social Life When You're Quitting Drinking
In today’s society, it seems like in order to have a social life one has to drink, but that is not the case! Quitting drinking does not mean one has to give up a social life at all. There are so many different things that people can do for fun that do not include drinking. If a person does find themselves at a social event that offers alcohol, there are certain measures one has to take in order to maintain sobriety, especially early in recovery. People are often going to ask questions about why one may not be drinking or if one would like to have a drink etc. So, here are some tips on how to navigate situations like that, as well as how to potentially avoid those situations.
These include:
Having an honest talk with your friends
Being prepared for people’s reactions
Going places that don’t serve alcohol
Developing a few go-to responses
Having a non-alcoholic drink on-hand
Thinking “fun”
Creating an exit excuse
Planning a productive morning after
Trying new things with your friends
Seeking out people who don’t drink
Learning from your experiences
Click this link for more information: verywellmind.com
Marissa Duncan, Intern