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How to Create Understanding With Family in Recovery

The complexities of substance abuse can be tough to understand. For family members and friends of those struggling with addiction, it may be difficult to relate. This is especially the case if they have never struggled with substance abuse.

A lack of understanding can sometimes create tension or false assumptions. Relationships can be strained due to addiction, even once the journey to recovery has begun. Below are a few examples of how conflict can arise when family members or loved ones are uninformed.

Blame and Guilt

When a parent, sibling, spouse, or friend sees their loved one struggling with substance abuse, it can be easy to assign blame. For example, they may feel as if their loved one is simply making poor choices or lacking self-control. While addiction certainly involves unhealthy choices and a loss of control, it is often impossible for the person to regain control without professional help.

Family members may even assign blame to one another in this situation. One parent may blame the other parent for their child’s addiction. This is especially common when one parent has a history of substance use. It can be expected for blame to be assigned to friends or coworkers with whom the loved one spends a lot of time. Bitterness and resentment can begin to pile up.

The truth is, assigning blame when it comes to substance abuse is not only unjustified but is not helpful. When family members or close friends lack understanding regarding addiction, it can be natural to accuse others of influencing the individual in a way that led to their substance abuse.

Conflict and Distance

Substance abuse can also create conflict and distance among family members. Along with assigning blame and experiencing resentment often comes more conflict and eventual distance. The worry and concern can be very consuming, which leads to trouble with other relationships and affects functioning on many levels.

The burden of supporting a loved one who is struggling with substance abuse is not a light load to carry. Codependency can often form as a result of addiction. This leads to damaged relationships and neglect of the caregiver’s personal needs.

Damaged Trust

Trust is critical when it comes to maintaining and building relationships. Often, when someone is struggling with substance abuse, they lose the trust of those who care for them. Once trust is lost, it can be tough to get it back.

Even once someone has decided to seek treatment and enters recovery, many family members or close friends remain skeptical. It can be tough to mend relationships following addiction if all parties are not informed and involved in the healing process.

Involving Family in Treatment

One of the best ways to create understanding among family members regarding addiction recovery is by involving them in the process. This can be extremely helpful when it comes to repairing damaged relationships and starting fresh after treatment.

At Enlightened Solutions, we offer a family program that allows family members to get involved and engaged in the healing and recovery process along with their loved one. We also provide opportunities for family therapy, which helps develop strong communication and set appropriate boundaries. Some sessions are designed for the family members alone, and others may cater to the individual receiving treatment services along with their family members.

These sessions help family members and loved ones better understand the disease of addiction. This can help resolve feelings of shame or guilt and create an overall understanding of what their loved one is going through. Supporting someone who battles addiction is tough, so getting some insight into the power of substance abuse can help create some empathy.

Enlightened Solutions also invites family members and loved ones to join in on some of the activities provided to clients. This can include yoga and meditation classes, which can be beneficial in healing and reducing tension for everyone involved. We also encourage families to attend support group meetings and stay involved through alumni meetings once their loved one has completed the treatment process.

Benefits of Family Programs

For many, family is everything. So many individuals struggling with substance abuse have family members or loved ones who are involved in their lives and are desperate for help. They likely feel out of control and hopeless. Allowing them to learn more about addiction and develop strategies for healing and supporting the recovery process can be very empowering. Family involvement during treatment also leads to better support and accountability throughout recovery.

Creating understanding for family members and loved ones regarding substance abuse is not always straightforward. It may take effort to find common ground. Inviting them to learn more by getting involved in family programs is a great place to start.

When you are struggling with substance abuse, it can feel very isolating. This is often because many of your family members and loved ones do not understand what you are going through and have no idea how to help. Creating understanding with family in recovery is essential to rebuilding trust, repairing relationships, and moving forward. At Enlightened Solutions, we offer family programs that aim to inform loved ones about the disease of addiction. Our therapists teach healthy communication techniques and boundaries to help family members best support you in recovery. If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, make the choice to seek help and call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

How Can I Give Back During Treatment and Recovery?

What does giving back mean to you? For some, giving back might mean donating to charity. Others may consider giving back as helping someone with their groceries or paying for the coffee for the person ahead of them in the drive-thru.

Whatever giving back looks like for you, it probably gives you a sense of warmth and fulfillment to do it. During treatment and recovery, giving back is essential. Addiction has a way of making you lose your sense of purpose. You may lose sight of your goals and feel disconnected from loved ones and the community.

One of the best ways to reconnect and find your place in society in recovery is by giving back. There are many ways to contribute to your community while healing and recovering from substance use disorder (SUD).

Volunteering/Community Service

Community service tends to have a negative connotation. The truth is, however, that people may participate in community service for many different reasons. One of them, of course, can be to fulfill a court order. Some, however, choose to serve the community voluntarily.

For many, giving their time and efforts to better their neighborhoods is very rewarding. Working together to accomplish a common goal that will be seen or experienced by other community members can be very healing. At Enlightened Solutions, we offer a volunteer program through the Enlightened Farm that welcomes treatment recipients and community members to work together.

Giving back through our volunteer program allows clients to connect with supportive members of the community who share common goals and believe in the mission. An added advantage is an opportunity to learn farm functions and develop new skills.

Sharing Skills and Talents

During treatment and recovery, you may likely tap into some skills and hobbies you may have forgotten about. It can be common to neglect your interests and passions amid addiction. One way of giving back during treatment and recovery is by using your skills and abilities to benefit those around you.

For example, suppose you are a skilled singer or musician. In that case, you may volunteer to play for special recovery events or utilize your talents to support others during a music therapy session. Perhaps you have a green thumb and want to contribute by offering to teach a skill during therapeutic horticulture.

Through Enlightened Solutions’ employment program at the farm, we urge clients to learn new skills and build confidence in their ability to use them. Giving back to the program by putting newly acquired skills to work really becomes a full-circle moment that clients tend to feel great about.

Alumni Program

Remaining involved after completing your treatment program has many benefits. New clients can see that success through the program is possible, which gives them hope.

Alumni events at Enlightened Solutions occur regularly and focus on interaction and having fun. Allowing incoming clients or individuals who may be new to recovery to hear firsthand stories of success can be incredibly motivating.

Additionally, our alumni program encourages graduates of the program to remain connected. A robust support system is critical in recovery. Our programs promote relationship-building and encourage clients to form bonds with each other as they work toward a common goal of sobriety. By staying active as alumni, clients can continue to grow these relationships and support each other throughout recovery.

Benefits of Giving Back

Doing good for others benefits both parties. It helps the recipient, which could be a person, a group, or the community as a whole. Giving back also benefits the person doing the giving in many ways.

Finding Purpose

As mentioned, addiction can leave you feeling unsure of what is next and uncertain of your purpose in the world. Giving back reminds you that you can make a difference in the lives of others and your community despite everything you have been through. It can help ease the feelings of shame and guilt that so often accompany substance abuse.

Staying Busy

It is important to stay busy and productive during treatment and recovery. By participating in any of the activities mentioned above or by finding other ways to give back, you can occupy your time with positive activities. You will learn to replace old, bad habits with new, healthier ones. These can include eating well, staying active, remaining mindful, attending 12-Step meetings, and more. Along with these lifestyle changes, scheduling time to do something good for others is a great addition.

Enlightened Solutions offers a variety of ways for clients and alumni to give back on a regular basis. We understand the importance of connecting with the community and contributing in a positive way. Consider giving back to others during treatment and recovery; the benefits are endless and can remind you how much you matter.

Giving back while you are going through treatment and as you enter recovery has many advantages. Getting connected with others in the community is crucial when recovering from addiction. This can help establish a network of supporters who can encourage and motivate you when you need it most. Giving back can also restore your sense of purpose and keep your mind and body busy. Enlightened Solutions offers many opportunities for clients and alumni to give back to others and the community. If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, we would love to help. To learn more about our treatment programs, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

How to Self-Advocate in Recovery

The ability to self-advocate is essential. Recognizing and communicating your needs, preferences, and even strengths can be very valuable. As an adult, you are likely to face many situations where you may need to advocate for yourself or others. For those in recovery, self-advocacy becomes even more important.

What Is Self-Advocacy and Why Is It Important?

Before we dive in too deep, let’s define what self-advocacy means. Self-advocacy refers to the ability to speak up for yourself by asking for what you need and want. It involves expressing your thoughts and feelings, even when difficult.

If you are someone who has struggled with substance abuse, being able to identify and advocate for your needs in recovery is critical. There are many reasons for this. The more comfortable and effective you are when it comes to expressing your needs and asking for support, the more likely you are to avoid relapse. Typically, those who make an effort to advocate and ask for help can either avoid triggering situations or receive the support they need to stay on track.

In order to successfully convey this information, you must be able to recognize and identify your needs, wants, and feelings. The first step toward advocating for yourself is engaging in some self-reflection. This can include thinking about what is important to you, what you need to be successful, and who needs to know this information to best support you.

In addiction recovery, it is very important to have a strong support system. These are the people who can encourage you when you are feeling down. They can motivate you and help you stay focused on your goals. Your support system may include friends and family, coworkers, clinical professionals, or other community members.

At one point or another, you may need to advocate for yourself in a situation involving any of the above-mentioned parties. This is what often helps build and maintain your support network.

You want the people around you and close to you to be aware of your needs, wants, goals, etc. Without this knowledge, they cannot support you fully. Below are a few tips for self-advocating in recovery.

Identify Your Needs

As mentioned, step one when it comes to advocating for yourself is to first identify what your needs are. While this sounds simple, it can actually take some digging. You may need to spend some time alone diving deep. At Enlightened Solutions, clients are encouraged to practice mindfulness, which helps promote a connection with their inner selves. This relationship with oneself will allow individuals to recognize what they need to communicate and when.

Our program also includes individual therapy sessions which encourage self-discovery. There may be underlying challenges or co-occurring disorders contributing to your addiction. These contributing factors may require some accommodations or support as you exit treatment and enter recovery.

Therapists at Enlightened Solutions will also help you determine where your strengths and weaknesses lie. This is a very important component of self-advocacy. It is critical to be aware of your weaknesses, especially when it comes to those relating to triggers for substance use. Awareness of your strengths is beneficial, too, as this knowledge can help you build new relationships, secure employment, and find overall success in recovery.

Communicate Effectively

The next step in self-advocacy is verbally expressing your wants and needs to others. This can be a selective process, as not everyone needs to know everything. For example, you might need to disclose your history of substance abuse to a new partner, but it may not be something an acquaintance or coworker needs to be aware of. That is unless you feel compelled to share.

Communicating your needs clearly and directly can send a powerful message. For those who need to hear this information, it can allow them to better support and understand you. Self-advocacy is not always an easy process. You may have to advocate for yourself in situations with family or friends. Fear of rejection, causing conflict, or creating tension is normal. The truth is that expressing yourself and communicating what you need in order to stay on track in recovery is most important.

At Enlightened Solutions, we offer many group therapy and learning experiences that allow clients to develop and improve communication skills. Often, skills learned in individual therapy sessions are put into practice with peers during group activities. This provides an opportunity to fine-tune communication techniques and build confidence when it comes to communicating with others in recovery.

As you navigate your recovery journey, you will likely need to self-advocate more than once. In fact, you may need to advocate for yourself in some way each day. Finding comfort and feeling confident in your ability to express what you need to be successful in recovery is critical.

Self-advocating is an important part of life. We all find ourselves in situations that require us to express what we need or want. For those recovering from a substance use disorder, self-advocacy is critical. When it comes to avoiding relapse and staying on track, being able to identify your triggers, weaknesses, and even strengths can make all the difference. At Enlightened Solutions, we help clients learn to maintain self-awareness, which helps with identifying and understanding personal needs, wants, thoughts, and feelings. Our staff and therapists also work with clients to improve and strengthen communication skills so they are able to effectively convey this information. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, call Enlightened Solutions at (833) 801-LIVE.

How to Listen to Your Body to Promote Wellness

What does it mean to listen to your body? When you do so, what are you actually listening for? Listening to your body refers to honoring the connection between your mental and physical self. This connection allows you to maintain awareness of how your body feels. Awareness enlightens you about what your body needs.

Why is this important? Listening to your body is one of the best methods to maintain overall wellness. Your body sends messages and provides little clues that can indicate what it needs. For instance, when you notice a rumble in your stomach, you can assume that you are probably hungry. While this is a simple, more obvious example, it is one most people can relate to.

Your body also indicates when it is tired, tense, thirsty, and anxious. To help maintain balance, it is up to you to understand your body’s signals and act upon them. Below are a few examples of how your body communicates different needs.

Signs of Anxiety

Anxiety is something that many of us face. For some, it may be brief and circumstantial. It may linger for weeks, months, or even years for others. Anxiety affects people differently, and some are more impacted than others. It is important to note that anxiety can commonly co-occur with addiction. Sometimes it causes substance abuse, and other times it is a side effect of it.

While anxiety occurs in the mind, the body also displays some symptoms. One common indicator of anxiety is tight muscles in the neck and back. When you are anxious, you tend to hold tension in these areas. Increased heart rate can also accompany anxiety. This is a natural reaction to feeling nervous, worried, or unsettled.

Anxiety can also affect your breathing. Have you ever paid attention to your breathing? When you really make an effort to relax, you might notice that your breathing slows down and becomes very steady. The opposite is true when you are experiencing anxiety. You tend to breathe heavier and at a faster or more irregular pace.

Signs of Hunger

We have all felt that stomach rumble previously referenced. Aside from that, though, our bodies have other ways of letting us know that it isn’t getting the nutrients it needs. If this is the case, you might experience a dull headache that seems to worsen with time. This could indicate your body needs nutrition.

Another way your body may communicate being undernourished is dizziness or feeling lightheaded. When your body lacks nutrients, your blood sugar levels can be affected. If your blood sugar drops too much, it can leave you feeling a bit faint.

Lastly, when your body needs nourishment, you will likely experience low energy levels. Have you heard the phrase “food is fuel”? It’s true! Your body needs food in order to function. Without proper nutrition and water intake, your body cannot work as it should.

Signs of Exhaustion

Sleep deprivation is something we can all relate to. Regardless of the reason, you have likely been a little low on hours of sleep at one time or another. Sleep is essential for our bodies to function properly. It allows our bodies to heal, recharge, and store energy for the day ahead. Addiction can take a significant toll on sleep, making it very important for those in recovery to listen when the body needs rest.

Learn more about how substance use affects sleep here

When you are overtired, your muscles may feel weak. In extreme situations, they may even ache or feel sore. This is because sleep allows our muscles time to recover and heal. Without it, they have no opportunity to do so.

A lack of sleep can also lead to impaired decision-making as well as a lack of focus. Your brain, just like your muscles, relies on sleep to recharge and recover. You may find yourself struggling to think clearly or devote attention to a specific task if you haven’t slept well.

Checking In With Yourself

In addiction recovery, your body has a lot of healing to do. Drugs and alcohol affect your body, mind, and spirit. As a result, each of these areas needs healing. To address the wellness of each of these areas, it is essential to establish a strong connection with them. This allows you to check in with yourself regularly and work to improve in any way necessary.

At Enlightened Solutions, many of our activities encourage the connection of the mind, body, and spirit. We understand the importance of this connection as it relates to healing. By learning to listen to your body through this connection, you can give your body what it needs to experience long-lasting recovery from addiction.

Having the ability to listen to your body is a skill. Like any other skill, you can practice tuning in and paying attention to what your body is telling you in order to get better at it. Through activities like meditation, you can improve your ability to connect the mind and body. It is important to take good care of your health as you recover from addiction. Listening to what your body needs to heal is key. At Enlightened Solutions, we help clients establish a strong connection within themselves through activities that encourage mindfulness. If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, we would love to help. To get started, call Enlightened Solutions at (833) 801-LIVE.

How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Recovery

Learning to establish boundaries is a skill that can improve your quality of life. Boundary setting could involve avoiding or limiting your exposure to certain people, places, or even activities.

Setting boundaries in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is critical to your success. You may need to set boundaries to avoid places that are triggering for your sobriety. A boundary may be necessary to create healthy relationships. It isn’t always easy to set boundaries, especially when it comes to adjusting your lifestyle after addiction to drugs or alcohol.

When it comes down to it, setting boundaries for yourself in recovery can help you avoid relapse and determine your level of success. Setting boundaries is only half of the battle, though. You must also follow through with them.

Boundaries in Recovery

What are boundaries in recovery? Boundaries set in recovery can help you protect yourself from people, places, or things that could jeopardize your sobriety. During treatment, you will likely reflect on the things that led to and contributed to your substance use. Perhaps you grew up with a parent who had an addiction to alcohol. Maybe a family member abused opioids, which exposed you to these substances. A boundary could even be set to help limit your interactions with people who may cause you stress or tension.

People, Places, and Things

You may also set boundaries around certain places or activities. You might choose to avoid places where you used to obtain or abuse substances. Returning to an environment that holds memories of substance use can be highly triggering and lead to cravings.

Social events can also bring temptation. Setting boundaries when it comes to attending parties or gatherings can be very helpful. A few tips for boundary setting when it comes to attending parties or family gathers can include:

  • Making a plan to leave early
  • Bringing your own non-alcoholic beverages
  • Arriving early before things get too rowdy
  • Consider bringing a sober or supportive friend along with you

Follow Through

Setting boundaries is the first step. Step two is actually following through with the boundaries you have set. When it comes to setting boundaries with other people, it can sometimes be difficult to stick to the plan. For example, boundary setting can often involve close family members or loved ones. These tend to be the people we care about most and, thus, have the most significant effect on us.

Others may have trouble understanding the boundaries set. They may feel hurt or feel as if you are shutting them out. Involving family members and close friends in your treatment journey through a family program can help establish understanding and acceptance of the changes that need to occur.

Put Boundaries in Writing

One of the ways to ensure you remain aware of the boundaries you have set is to put them in writing. Often, writing things down can help you remember things. This can also help hold you accountable. If you have a journal, consider writing down your thoughts and experiences as you follow through with the boundaries you have set. This can allow for processing and help you recognize when you need to make adjustments.

Discuss Boundaries With Others

When you set boundaries in recovery, letting others know about them can be beneficial. Of course, if a boundary involves someone else, you will likely need to discuss it with them. In addition, it can be helpful to talk through your boundaries with your sponsor or therapist. They can offer feedback, provide suggestions, and help hold you accountable.

Stay True to Yourself and Reflect

When navigating life in recovery, you will have ups and downs and some doubts along the way. As you get more confident in your sobriety, it can be tempting to slack a bit when it comes to the boundaries you set fresh out of treatment. It is essential to reflect on the reasons you set the boundaries in the first place. Spend time thinking about why you felt it was necessary and what could go wrong.

When thinking about the reasons behind the boundaries you have set, remember where your priorities lie. You may feel pressured to break a boundary you have set to attend a certain party or to appease a loved one. In these moments, it is important to trust yourself and remain confident in your choice to set the boundary in question.

The upcoming holiday seasons are sure to bring plenty of family gatherings, parties, and celebrations. By setting firm, attainable boundaries, you can enjoy this time while still honoring your sobriety.

Setting boundaries is a very important part of the treatment and recovery process. It is crucial to make the necessary changes to relationships, habits, and lifestyle in order to support your decision to get clean. At Enlightened Solutions, we help clients discover who and what may have contributed to their addiction and help them form healthy boundaries moving forward. We assess any trauma or co-occurring disorders that could have played a role in the addiction as well. Through our programs, clients learn more about themselves and how to cope with challenges they may face in recovery in healthy ways. Part of coping and continuing to heal in recovery involves setting and keeping necessary boundaries. If you or someone you love is battling drug or alcohol addiction, we would love to hear from you. To begin your recovery journey, call Enlightened Solutions at (833) 801-LIVE.

Why Do I Need Accountability in Recovery?

Accountability refers to taking responsibility and having others around to make sure you hold up your end of the deal. Being held accountable means that you have a standard to uphold and expectations to meet. In treatment and recovery, being held accountable helps you stay on track with your sobriety.

We can all use a little accountability in life. You can be held accountable by your supervisors or coworkers on the job. Your spouse or family members at home might hold you accountable for parenting or financial responsibilities. Feeling a sense of responsibility is important. It gives you purpose and direction. Accountability keeps you focused on your goals and can help you avoid distractions.

Fostering Accountability

When it comes to establishing accountability, it is important to be sure you involve people who understand and support your goals. For accountability in recovery, you need to be surrounded by people who empathize with your situation and can either relate to or fully understand your addiction.

You also need to be open and honest. Be upfront about your struggles and your successes. Speaking candidly about these things, especially your challenges, can be tough. In order for others to hold you responsible and set realistic expectations, they need to know where you stand.

Part of accountability is receiving criticism or feedback. You are bound to make mistakes. When mistakes happen, those who hold you accountable will likely confront you about them and try to offer guidance and support. It is important to remain open to suggestions and make efforts to avoid making the same mistakes again.

Here are a few simple tips for accountability:

  • Choose the right people to connect with
  • Be honest about your goals and barriers
  • Be open to receiving feedback from your loved ones
  • Make changes when needed

Accountability in Treatment

In treatment, there are many opportunities for accountability. Accountability in treatment helps you establish and stick to goals that support your sobriety and progress. As you make the transition into recovery and get involved in programs such as 12-Step groups, you are likely to interact with many people who can help hold you accountable.

Individual Therapy Holds You Accountable for Your Goals

In treatment, you are likely to receive a combination of group and individual therapy. During your individual therapy sessions, you are encouraged to address and work through barriers to your recovery. This might include divulging information and discovering things about yourself that may be new. You may have past trauma or harmful thought patterns that have been influencing your addiction.

Through individual sessions, your therapist can help you develop goals and strategies for working through some of these challenges. They will help you set goals and hold you accountable when it comes to working toward them. You will check in with your therapist regularly while in treatment. Knowing this, you are more likely to remain focused on your sobriety and healing.

Group Therapy Supports Accountability Through Encouragement

Group therapy can also be a space for establishing accountability. Groups with peers who are also new to recovery can establish a sense of community and belonging. As bonds form, you are likely to check in with others and express concern for their success and progress. In return, others in your therapy groups will do the same for you. This creates responsibility and sets expectations.

Many groups involve sharing experiences and talking through successes and obstacles. Allowing others to be aware of your goals and struggles helps them support you. Group members will know what questions to ask as a way to check in. They will know how best to encourage you and lift you up when you need a little motivation.

Accountability in Recovery

Accountability in recovery should be a continuum of the accountability you established during treatment. After completing your treatment program at Enlightened Solutions, you are encouraged to continue attending 12-Step meetings. This allows you to keep building bonds with other like-minded people and further develop your support network.

As you resume some of your daily life routines, it is critical to stay connected. Attending meetings and continuing to receive therapy can be very helpful. Finding a sponsor to work with in recovery is also very beneficial. Your sponsor will be someone who is also in recovery. They will have a few more sobriety under their belt and will be able to guide and encourage you throughout your journey. A sponsor is often an excellent accountability partner. Having walked in your shoes, they can offer insight and feedback when you need it most.

At Enlightened Solutions, we work hard to create opportunities for fellowship and learning alongside others in treatment and recovery. We understand the benefit of community and the power of learning and healing in groups.

Allowing others to support you throughout your journey is crucial. Working together to heal and improve creates accountability and a feeling of belonging that we all desire.

Having accountability is critical when it comes to success in treatment and recovery. Having others in your corner who can hold you responsible and offer support is very beneficial. You can find accountability through individual therapy, group meetings and activities, sponsorship, and more. At Enlightened Solutions, we try to create a sense of community to establish an overall supportive environment. Allowing clients to support and encourage each other through group learning and healing has been proven to be very beneficial. If you or someone you care about is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, we would love to hear from you. Our programs can help you or your loved one heal and overcome the challenges they face as a result of substance abuse. To get started on your journey to recovery, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

What Is Empathy and How Does It Help in Recovery?

When you hear the word empathy, what do you think of? Do you think about being able to relate to someone else? Maybe you think of understanding or sensitivity. Perhaps you think about a lack of judgment. Empathy encompasses all of these things. It refers to the ability to relate to and comprehend how others may be feeling as a result of a situation or circumstance.

If you are struggling with addiction, giving and receiving empathy as you enter treatment and recovery is important. Empathy can sometimes be difficult. Often, situations, actions, and thoughts can be hard to understand from the outside. This is often the case when it comes to addiction.

It can be difficult for your loved ones to understand how you might be feeling if they have not experienced addiction themselves. In turn, it can be difficult for you to imagine how your loved ones might feel toward your substance abuse. Perspective-taking in this scenario is particularly difficult, as substance abuse alters how you think, behave, and feel.

Having empathy for others is a critical part of your recovery. In order to mend relationships with others and form new connections, it is essential to be empathetic to the way others may process and respond to your addiction and recovery.

Receiving empathy is equally important. Family members and loved ones are encouraged to join family programs and utilize other resources to learn more about addiction and engage in the healing process. Below are a few tips for giving and receiving empathy.

Listen to Others to Understand Their Perspective

Listening is perhaps one of the most crucial components when it comes to empathy. Having the ability to listen allows for better understanding and processing of information. As you begin the treatment process, it will be important for you to listen to the experiences of others in your therapy groups to understand their perspective. This applies to peers who are also going through treatment and to family members and loved ones who are supporting you.

As you begin the process of rebuilding relationships, you will need to have tough conversations with loved ones. It will be important for you to listen and try your best to understand how your addiction has affected them. Providing empathy to those you love can help repair and damage and allow you to move forward.

Avoid Judgement

As you enter treatment, the fear of judgment may be overwhelming. You might be afraid of what your family members and friends will think. Maybe they know about your addiction, or perhaps they don’t. Either way, seeking treatment delivers the message that you had a problem worthy of seeking help.

With the stigma associated with addiction, it can be easy to pass judgment. Empathy involves giving support and understanding without judgment. As difficult as this may be, it is important to promote healing for everyone involved.

Be Honest

Being honest about your experiences, feelings, actions, and thoughts can be challenging. This is especially the case if you have done or said things you regret as a result of substance abuse.

With addiction often comes a lot of mistrust and deceit. This is particularly the case with those we care about the most. In order to establish new norms in your relationships moving forward, honesty must be prioritized. Honest conversations are much more likely to evoke empathy. Being honest with your loved ones, and encouraging them to share their honest feelings with you, can help reduce tension and create understanding.

Give Respect

Part of giving and receiving empathy is maintaining respect. Conversations in recovery can be hard. You may hear things you don’t want to hear. You might say things to others that may be difficult for them to hear.

It is important to remain respectful in these situations. Let the other person speak, and do your best to listen and understand. Receive feedback willingly, and deliver information in a way that is direct but considerate.

Following the tips mentioned above can help you offer and receive empathy in treatment and recovery. Empathy is such an important element when it comes to healing from addiction and embarking on the journey of recovery. At Enlightened Solutions, we offer family groups, therapy, and other activities to promote empathy among our clients and their loved ones.

We make efforts to involve loved ones in the treatment experience so they can gain a better understanding of the process and what their family member is going through. This helps establish a supportive and empathetic foundation that will carry into recovery.

Being able to give and receive empathy is important in many situations. If you are struggling with substance abuse, empathy is critical for your recovery. Having empathy for your loved ones as they navigate trying to process and heal from the impacts of your addiction is crucial. Receiving empathy from your loved ones is equally important, as a good support network in recovery is imperative. Empathy can take work, and it is not always easy. A few tips for giving and receiving empathy include listening, avoiding judgment, being honest, and giving respect. At Enlightened Solutions, we try to instill and encourage these elements through our various programs and therapy groups. If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, we would love to help you heal and begin your journey to recovery. To learn more, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

Why Good Communication Is Important in Treatment and Recovery

Being able to communicate is important for many things in life. For instance, you need to communicate effectively to get things you want and need. This can include things as simple as placing an order for lunch to bigger things such as applying for a grant for college or a home loan. Effective communication is also important when it comes to relationships and success in the workplace.

Good communication skills may come naturally to some, while others may need to work a little harder to be effective communicators. Addiction can be very isolating. In turn, you may find yourself communicating with others a bit less during this phase of life. Good communication is often dependent on practice and exposure to real-life scenarios. While you are battling substance abuse, you probably are not spending much time practicing these skills.

Seeking treatment for your addiction can help you improve your communication skills and teach you how to implement them into your life in recovery. A few reasons why good communication is critical in recovery are discussed below.

Good Communication Facilitates Healthy Relationships

It is no secret that forming relationships and connections in adulthood can be hard. If you are battling or recovering from addiction, you may experience even greater challenges when it comes to building new relationships. Having good communication skills allows you to relate to others. Relatability is often what sparks relationships and connections.

Addiction and even recovery can sometimes be very isolating. It is important to form connections with others whom you can trust. Having a good support network around you in recovery can increase your chances of success and help you stay on track. By communicating well with others, you can begin to develop these natural supports in treatment and continue to build your network in recovery.

Good Communication Motivates Self-Advocacy

Advocating for yourself is incredibly important in addiction recovery. There are about a million different scenarios that could call for self-advocacy. One example could involve boundary setting. Setting boundaries can be difficult, especially if the boundaries apply to those we love and care about. Being able to effectively communicate your need for space, understanding, etc., can help you get your point across while still preserving the relationship.

Advocacy can also refer to expressing your need for help or support. This is huge in recovery. Recognizing your need for help is only half of the battle. Possessing the ability to verbalize what you need and how you need support from others is essential. This is easier said than done and can take some practice.

You may benefit from writing down what you need first or talking things through with a therapist. This can help you feel more confident when having conversations with others that may feel a little uncomfortable.

Good Communication Can Influence Employment

Good communication is critical when it comes to employment in recovery. The ability to communicate effectively is important during every phase of the job-seeking and maintenance process. Good communication skills can even be reflected on your resume. The interview is your only chance for a good first impression. Being able to speak professionally and clearly about your experience and what you have to offer is imperative.

Good communication is also necessary for maintaining a job. You will be required to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, customers, or all of the above for many jobs. Jobs often require teamwork or collaboration. Communicating well on the job is key to working successfully with others.

Enlightened Solutions helps clients build good communication in a variety of ways. We incorporate many different group wellness and therapeutic activities that allow clients to interact with their peers and staff members to help build a sense of community and support. We believe there is great value in learning in groups and encourage clients to work together and communicate to accomplish a common goal.

Building Communication Skills at Enlightened Solutions

Here at Enlightened Solutions, we also provide individual therapy and group therapy to help address some of the communication barriers that often accompany addiction and recovery. Opening up and sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be difficult. Individual therapy can help assess your specific struggles regarding processing and communication and offer strategies for working through these challenges. Group therapy offers an opportunity to practice these strategies and provides chances to learn from listening and interacting with others.

Good communication is important when getting what you want and need out of life in recovery. By developing and practicing communication skills during treatment, you can enter recovery feeling confident and capable of expressing yourself and connecting well moving forward.

Communicating effectively in recovery is important. You’ll need to convey your needs, set boundaries, and form healthy connections with others. You may even need to mend some relationships that may have been damaged as a result of your addiction. Developing strategies for communicating well during recovery can and should take place during treatment. At Enlightened Solutions, we help clients establish a firm foundation when it comes to communicating. We practice communicating effectively in therapy, during wellness groups and activities, during experiential therapy, and more. Our staff help clients enhance their communication skills in several areas pertaining to asking for help, setting boundaries, forming connections, and networking all while healing from their addiction. If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction and could benefit from our program, we would love to hear from you. To begin your journey to recovery, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

What Type of Exercise Is Best for My Recovery?

Many people have a love-hate relationship with exercise. A select few may actually enjoy and look forward to it. Some may even try their best to avoid it. Regardless of what category you fall into, adding a little physical activity into your day or week can be highly beneficial.

Yes, this might require a little less time spent lounging on the couch. While this can sound like a drag, you might find that you actually begin to enjoy exercise if you find the right activity. Finding what works for you is key.

When you think about exercise, do you think about trying to get back into an old routine? Maybe you used to visit the gym five days a week, and the thought of doing that again sounds a little daunting.

Consider Your Interests

Think about where you are now. Consider what activities or things you already enjoy. Could those involve exercise? Maybe you enjoy a coffee each morning before work. Don’t we all? Try taking a quick morning walk before having your coffee and consider it a little treat afterward.

Maybe you really like to watch TV or movies. Turn on your favorite show while you walk on the treadmill or lift some weights. You might be surprised how quickly time passes when you are multitasking!

Do you love listening to music? Getting back into the routine of regular exercise is a great reason to create a new playlist. Create one for different activities. You could build one specifically for cardio exercises, complete with upbeat songs with a motivating rhythm.

Incorporate Exercise Into Your Daily Schedule

Another thing to consider when you think about exercising regularly is your schedule. Not having the time to squeeze in a bit of exercise is one of the most common reasons people don’t do it. When you think about your day, think about where you might have even 20 minutes to spare.

Some choose to exercise in the evenings after work. This can help you unwind from a long day and relieve stress. Others prefer to exercise first thing in the morning to help give them an energy boost and offer some motivation for the day. Others may choose to work out on their lunch break to help break up that day a bit.

The great news is that exercise is beneficial no matter what time you choose to do it. So, pick a time that works for your schedule. If you build it into your routine at a time that works well, you will likely follow through.

Accommodate for Personal Injuries and Experience

For those who may not exercise regularly, going to a gym or learning to exercise can be a little intimidating. By starting off slow, you can build your strength, endurance, and knowledge. This can also help you avoid injuries.

If you have existing injuries, it is important to select exercises that will not irritate them or cause any further harm. Yoga, light walking, or even swimming can be excellent options for those with pre-existing conditions.

The Benefits of Exercise in Recovery

When it comes to addiction recovery, exercise can be beneficial in several ways. Incorporating some physical activity into your routine can improve mental and physical health. In turn, this helps you heal.

Exercise releases endorphins and helps to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. As a result, you are left feeling more energized, positive, and relaxed. Physical activity also helps increase your ability to focus and promotes better sleep.

As your body begins to heal from consuming drugs and alcohol, it can send your appetite and digestive system for a loop. Exercise can help boost your metabolism, which will help balance your appetite and will, in turn, improve digestive function.

At Enlightened Solutions, we offer a variety of activities that involve physical activity. We emphasize yoga practice, as we understand it to be very healing and beneficial. Yoga encourages a mind, body, and spirit connection, which is essential to success in recovery.

Our programs also incorporate activities such as paddle boarding, fishing, surfing, and other forms of outdoor exercise. These activities serve as a therapeutic experience, as they provide healing and skill-building opportunities.

Identifying forms of exercise that work well for you in treatment and recovery is key. Consider any barriers that may keep you from engaging in exercise. Then, consider your interests and daily schedule. Prioritize exercises that are enjoyable, schedule-suiting, and safe. You might become a creature of habit and choose to participate in the same form of exercise daily, or you might like to mix it up. Either way, you are benefitting your recovery!

Exercise has many benefits for your mental and physical health. It helps boost mood, improves focus, promotes better sleep, and helps with metabolism and digestion. In treatment and recovery, you can receive all of these advantages as a result of exercise. In order to ensure consistency and longevity, it is essential to select the best forms of exercise for you. To do this, you will need to consider your interests, schedule, and experience. You will also need to be mindful of any injuries or existing conditions. At Enlightened Solutions, we incorporate a variety of activities to promote healing through exercise. We hold frequent yoga classes and offer activities through our experiential therapy program that involve physical activity. We help clients identify activities they enjoy and can carry into recovery. If you have an addiction and need treatment, call Enlightened Solutions at (833) 801-LIVE.

How Gratitude Can Shift Your Perspective in Recovery

Have you heard the phrase, “perspective is everything”? There is some truth to this. Do you ever find yourself having a terrible day where nothing seems to be going your way? Sometimes, if you take a moment to focus on what has gone right, you may realize that your day hasn’t been so bad after all.

For example, let’s say you are rushing out the door to work and spill your coffee. On the drive in, you realize you forgot your lunch. You arrive to work and open your email to find a never-ending list of things to add to your to-do list for the day, which is way more than a day’s worth of work.

You may feel a bit tense, overwhelmed, and negative at this point. Instead of focusing on the spilled coffee, forgotten lunch, and busy day ahead, focus on what you have going for you instead. For one, you have a job. Many are seeking employment and would love to be in your shoes. Secondly, you have money to afford that lovely coffee maker and the ingredients to make a cup of coffee daily. Lastly, consider your forgotten lunch an opportunity to grab tacos from the food truck down the street with colleagues. See, it is all about perspective. When you focus on the positive and the things you do have, your whole experience can change.

Addiction has a way of stripping you of the joy and happiness in life. You may forget what it is like to appreciate the things and people around you as your focus becomes very narrow. As you enter treatment and begin recovery, it is essential to recognize all the good that awaits.

Sure, you could choose to focus on the years wasted spent chasing the next high. You can dwell on the mistakes you’ve made or the money and friends you lost due to your addiction. Or, you could choose to be grateful for the opportunity you now have to rebuild relationships, gain new skills, and restore your health.

The Value of Gratitude in Recovery

There is so much to be grateful for in recovery. For one, you are still alive. Substance abuse comes with huge risks, and some may not be so fortunate. You are giving yourself a second chance at life by choosing to get treatment. Is there a greater gift?

Recovery also brings new opportunities to build and rebuild relationships with those you love and care about. Addiction often creates barriers and tension. Part of the treatment and recovery process involves mending relationships and working to form healthy connections with others.

Once you have left the drugs and alcohol behind, you have an opportunity to discover who you are without them. This is a time for trying new hobbies and activities and finding out what really makes you happy from within. At Enlightened Solutions, we introduce clients to many different activities to promote healing, a sense of community, and skill-building.

Shifting Your Perspective

Despite all of the things you have to be grateful for in recovery, it can still be challenging to remain positive all of the time. You are bound to have good days and bad days. On bad days, it is important to make every effort to focus your thoughts and energy on the good. This involves shifting your perspective by expressing gratitude.

Go to Therapy

Talking to someone, perhaps through therapy, about what is bothering you can be very helpful. Sometimes, sharing your thoughts with someone else can ease the stress or pain a bit and help you come to terms with the gravity of the issue. Often, what weighs us down, isn’t quite as heavy as it feels in the moment.

Practice Meditation

Taking a moment to meditate or sit with your thoughts can help you process and work through negative thoughts or feelings. Outside distractions can be overwhelming and make us feel less equipped to handle challenges that may come our way.

Journal It Out

Journaling is an excellent strategy for shifting perspective. Sometimes, writing down what we have to be grateful for can help us realize just how fortunate we are. It can be easy to dwell on the negatives. Writing down the positives can help balance out the bad.

Give Back

Giving back has a way of benefitting the giver more than the recipient. Often, when we give back to our community, we have the opportunity to see just how fortunate we are. Not to mention, giving back offers a sense of purpose.

Finding and expressing gratitude can make even the worst days feel a little brighter. Next time you are having a bad day, consider what you have to be thankful for and direct your focus on the good.

Perspective really is everything. You can choose to focus on the negative things in your life, or you can choose to focus on the positive. Considering everything you have to be grateful for when things get tough is a great way to shift your perspective. In recovery, it is important to stay positive and motivated. Considering recovery as a second chance at life to become a better version of yourself is a good place to start. Enlightened Solutions helps clients recognize the potential they have in recovery and introduces a variety of activities to promote healing and happiness. We provide opportunities to give back to the community and encourage clients to participate in many public events throughout the year. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, we would love to help. Call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE

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