Recovery Archives - Page 3 of 35 - Enlightened Solutions

How Can Mindfulness Help Me Focus on Long-Term Sobriety?

Written by enlightened solutions on October 9, 2022. Posted in Recovery.

Mindfulness is something that can benefit everyone. Teaching yourself to practice living and being in the moment can improve your quality of life in various ways. In treatment and recovery, mindfulness allows us to set aside feelings of shame and guilt and focus on our goal of sobriety. Mindfulness also encourages us to listen to our mind, body, and spirit. It promotes a connection to these three areas and helps us better understand ourselves.

Practicing mindfulness can also encourage relaxation and serve as an excellent strategy for stress and anxiety management. You can incorporate breathing exercises into your daily life to help relax your mind and calm your nerves. As a result, you will think more clearly and respond more appropriately to challenges that may come your way.

Mindfulness and Focus

In order to successfully engage in mindful activities, you must be able to focus. Mindfulness requires concentration and teaches you to improve your ability to focus. The first few times you attempt to meditate or engage in other mindful activities, it might be a struggle. We are so accustomed to multitasking in our everyday lives that focusing just on the present can be a challenge.

Practice and patience are essential here. The more you practice mindfulness, the better you will get at removing distractions and focusing on the present. Set yourself up for success by choosing a quiet environment free of noise and other external stimuli. After a bit of practice, you will become more comfortable and confident in your ability to focus using mindfulness.

The Importance of Good Focus in Recovery

Why might focus be important when it comes to maintaining sobriety? Focus is critical in recovery for several reasons. Being able to focus on your goals and focusing on yourself are two important reasons. Luckily, practicing mindfulness can help with both.

Here are additional reasons why good focus is essential in addiction recovery:

Good Focus Helps You Achieve Your Goals

You must be able to focus on your goals despite any external distractions or barriers. This can be easier said than done. As you complete treatment and are out on your own again, you may struggle. Old familiar places that remind you of your life before treatment can lead to temptation. People you used to hang around can often trigger old feelings or thought patterns.

Knowing that you will face adversity in recovery, you must remain focused on the goals you have set for yourself. Setting realistic, attainable goals before even completing treatment can help you stay on track as you transition back into real life.

Sometimes, writing down your goals each week or even each day can help you remain focused. Practicing mindfulness through meditation daily is also a great way to stay focused.

Good Focus Helps You Connect With Your Thoughts and Emotions

You must stay focused on yourself and remain in touch with your own thoughts and feelings. Being able to focus on your inner thoughts and feelings is something that mindfulness can help with. Often, we get so busy with work, errand running, and life in general that we can easily forget to check in with ourselves. Practicing mindfulness can help you remove distractions and redirect your focus.

The most important person when it comes to your long-term sobriety is you. While you can and should receive help and support from others, you are ultimately in control. With this control, you must make the decision to ask for help when and if you need it. Mindfulness can alert you to cravings or thoughts that could trigger relapse. When you find yourself struggling to focus on your sobriety, it may be time to get a little more engaged with groups or support networks.

Spending just a few minutes per day practicing mindfulness can help you re-center and re-focus on your goals and what you want to achieve or avoid. It gives you the opportunity to check in with yourself, so you can identify any harmful feelings or thought patterns that might stand in your way of success. You can also recognize any needs you might have for extra support.

Mindfulness and Treatment

Enlightened Solutions incorporates mindfulness into many different activities and programs we offer. We understand the value of a mind, body, and spirit connection and know that mindfulness promotes this relationship. You can experience and practice mindfulness through our yoga classes, experiential therapy activities, cooking and wellness groups, and more.

Staying focused after treatment and throughout recovery can help you achieve long-term sobriety and avoid relapse. By staying mindful of your goals, thoughts, and feelings, you can better navigate any challenges you may face.

Focus is key when it comes to maintaining your sobriety in treatment and recovery. The truth is that staying focused can be difficult. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to lose sight of our goals after treatment. We must develop a strategy for staying focused and keeping our thoughts and behaviors supportive of our recovery. Mindfulness can help you stay connected to your inner self and promote better focus and clarity when it comes to achieving your goals. At Enlightened Solutions, we offer a variety of activities that encourage mindfulness and teach clients the value of reconnecting the mind, body, and spirit. We help our clients develop strategies and routines for incorporating mindfulness into their everyday lives while in treatment and recovery. If you or someone you love could benefit from our programs, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

How Yoga Builds Mental and Physical Strength

Written by enlightened solutions on October 8, 2022. Posted in Recovery.

The practice of yoga is becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. This could be because of its adaptability to all experience levels. Or, it could be due to its versatility in appealing to different types of people. Most likely, yoga is becoming more popular due to its ability to increase mental and physical strength and bolster the connection between body and mind.

Not many types of exercise can provide the plethora of benefits that yoga can offer. This is because few activities simultaneously prioritize the health of the mind and body the way that yoga does. Yoga can benefit people of any age and be practiced in groups or individually. Let’s discuss exactly how yoga can improve mental and physical strength and how this benefits addiction recovery.

Mental Strength

As mentioned, practicing yoga can increase mental strength. It can help increase focus and improve your ability to remove distractions and prioritize and organize your thoughts. This can be helpful when triggering thoughts or cravings of using or drinking may arise. Yoga also increases your ability to self-reflect, as the practice encourages listening to and connecting with your inner self.

Stress management is imperative when it comes to success in recovery. Yoga involves breathing techniques that can be extremely useful in reducing and coping with stress. It encourages relaxation and can be practiced as often as needed to help you maintain a calm and balanced state.

Yoga also promotes mental clarity. This is very important when it comes to addiction recovery. Life can get busy and hectic, and losing sight of your goals can be easy. Yoga can help remind you of what is really important by removing distractions.

Lastly, yoga improves mental strength by increasing self-confidence. When you are confident, you are more successful. Having confidence in recovery allows you to feel more secure in your decisions and helps you feel more comfortable asking for support when you might need it. Learn more about how yoga can help you manage substance use disorders (SUDs) here.

Physical Strength

Yoga improves physical strength in several different ways. Yoga is gentle on the joints and bones, yet can significantly strengthen muscle strength and endurance. The poses in yoga rely on your body weight for resistance. Not only does this increase muscle strength, but it can also make everyday activities easier as a result.

Yoga also improves muscle endurance. This occurs as a result of holding various yoga poses. If you are new to yoga, you might find this to be a little tricky at first. With practice, you will notice that holding poses becomes more accessible as your muscle strength and endurance increase.

Speaking of holding yoga poses, this also requires quite a bit of balance. This is part of what makes holding poses difficult in the beginning. Yoga can help improve balance tremendously. Good balance improves how you walk, run, or even dance.

One of the first things people often think about when it comes to yoga is flexibility. Some may even decide to try yoga for this benefit alone. Yoga improves flexibility and mobility. Just like strength and balance, having good flexibility and mobility can make everyday activities a bit easier.

Mind and Body Connection

We have discussed the ways in which yoga can strengthen the mind and body. Now, let’s discuss how it strengthens the connection between the two.

Yoga incorporates an important concept known as mindfulness. Mindfulness refers to the practice of connecting the mind and body to focus on being present in the moment. Yoga utilizes mindfulness by encouraging participants to be still and focus on their breath as they flow from pose to pose.

In addiction recovery, mindfulness allows you to connect the progress you are making mentally with the healing and progress you are making physically. This connection is what keeps you focused and moving forward in recovery. Learn more about mindfulness here.

Enlightened Solutions uses yoga to provide all of the benefits mentioned above to our clients and even ties it into the 12-Step process during treatment. Our instructors help clients develop a practice that works well for them and help them adapt poses and movements to their own comfort and experience level.

With all of the benefits yoga can provide mentally and physically, why not incorporate it into your routine in recovery? You may choose to practice daily, weekly, or even less consistently. Whether you decide to spend five minutes or an hour practicing yoga at a time, you are increasing your mental and physical strength, along with your mind and body connection through mindfulness.

Being mentally and physically strong can benefit your quality of life. In treatment and recovery, mental and physical strength can aid in your success and your ability to remain focused on your goals. Adding yoga into your routine during treatment and recovery is a good idea for many reasons. Not only does it increase mental and physical strength, but it also encourages a mind and body connection to help you heal. Enlightened Solutions offers yoga classes as part of our treatment program. We understand the benefits of the practice and aim to help our clients recognize how yoga can improve their experience during treatment and in recovery. Yoga is part of our holistic approach to treatment, and we have seen the ways in which it can help our clients heal. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Enlightened Solutions at (833) 801-LIVE.

How Mindfulness Can Help in Addiction Recovery

Written by enlightened solutions on September 21, 2022. Posted in Addiction Recovery.

What is mindfulness, anyway? Mindfulness refers to being present in the moment. It means being aware of yourself and your surroundings at any given time. Mindfulness may come easily sometimes, but other times it might be a little more difficult.

Mindfulness requires quieting the mind and forgetting about any stressors or worries in order to focus only on the present moment. Although, this can be easier said than done. Drowning out life’s everyday distractions can be challenging, but setting aside time each day to practice mindfulness can be very beneficial.

When it comes to treatment and recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol, spending time meditating or practicing mindfulness each day can really enhance your quality of life and help you stay on track. While there are many benefits of mindfulness, a few advantages during treatment and recovery can include:

Promotes balance
Relieves stress
Helps combat cravings

Promotes Balance

Finding balance during treatment and recovery can be difficult. Learning to prioritize your health and wellness while still fulfilling other obligations and responsibilities can be difficult. For so long, your only focus, thought, and priority was likely your addiction. You likely became so fixated on substance use that everything else seemed less important or secondary. As you enter treatment, you learn to reconnect with yourself and what is truly meaningful in your life.

As you regain your awareness of who you are and what really matters, practicing mindfulness can help you balance your thoughts, feelings, and goals.

Relieves Stress

Mindfulness can be very beneficial when it comes to managing stress. It goes without saying that addiction recovery comes with a fair share of stress. It is normal to experience stress in your life at some point. When you are working hard each day to stay on track and make the right decisions to avoid relapse, there can be some added pressure.

Mindfulness can often afford you a temporary escape from the stressors of daily life. It encourages you to focus only on what you are feeling and experiencing in that moment. Your mind might tend to run a little wild sometimes, especially when there is something stressing you out. Spending some time reconnecting with your inner self and checking in about how you are feeling in the moment can be very calming and reassuring.

Combats Cravings

Cravings are something that you will experience when recovering from addiction. It is best to try to avoid any known triggers, but despite these efforts, cravings may still occur. Just as practicing mindfulness and meditating can help ease stress by temporarily taking your focus away from those worries, it can do the same thing for cravings. By re-centering yourself and focusing on your surroundings in the present moment, you can stop those thought patterns that can often lead to relapse.

Sometimes, one of the best ways to combat cravings is by distracting yourself. What could be a better distraction than taking some time to re-center, regroup, and connect with yourself?

How to Practice Mindfulness

How do you practice mindfulness? Mindfulness can look different for everyone. Many activities such as meditation and yoga can incorporate mindfulness into your life. However, mindfulness can even be practiced in your kitchen or while you are on a walk.

Practicing mindfulness can be done on a whim, or it could be planned as part of a structured activity. Usually, mindfulness is most beneficial in environments where there are fewer distractions. Finding a quiet place that does not offer too much sensory stimulation is usually best. This is because the focus is to connect with your inner thoughts and feelings and only focus on what you are feeling and experiencing in that present moment. Too many external stimuli can disrupt the process.

Enlightened Solutions offers a variety of yoga classes and programs to promote mindfulness. Yoga creates a mind and body connection that promotes healing during the treatment and recovery process. Our instructors will teach you how to create a yoga practice that works for you and encourages mindfulness on a regular basis.

Many other forms of therapy can also encourage mindfulness. Enlightened Solutions often incorporates things such as horticulture therapy or music therapy, both of which involve using the senses and focus on what you are experiencing, seeing, hearing, or smelling in that very moment.

Mindfulness has many benefits and can promote healing when it comes to treatment and addiction. As mentioned, practicing mindfulness can be done in many different ways and in many different settings. What is important, though, is to incorporate mindfulness into your daily and weekly routines.

Mindfulness can have many benefits for the average individual. These benefits can include everything from reduced blood pressure to improved sleep quality and focus. For those in the treatment process or in recovery, it can be exceptionally helpful. Practicing mindfulness regularly can help with things like finding balance in your life, managing and reducing stress, and combating cravings you may experience. Enlightened Solutions offers a variety of activities that are focused on mindfulness and encourage connecting the mind and body while being present in the moment. Our holistic approach to treatment encourages healing in every aspect of life to promote better health and long-term recovery. If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, we would love to help. To learn more about the ways in which mindfulness can benefit you in treatment and recovery, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

How to Find Your Community in Treatment and Recovery

Written by enlightened solutions on September 18, 2022. Posted in treatment.

Everyone wants to feel like they belong. Feeling as though you are a part of something can be very encouraging and motivating. Having a close network of friends or supporters is so important when it comes to a good quality of life.

Finding and feeling a sense of community is critical when it comes to treatment and recovery. Typically, following addiction, you will have a very different group of friends with whom you spend your time. Many may find themselves feeling isolated and alone as they enter treatment and begin recovery. Enlightened Solutions facilitates many opportunities to meet like-minded people and integrate into the recovery community.

We understand how important it is to feel like you belong and serve as a part of something bigger than just yourself. We encourage you to make healthy connections and engage with other clients, alumni, and community members during treatment and your recovery.

Group Learning

One of the ways in which Enlightened Solutions creates a sense of community is by encouraging group learning when it comes to wellness and nutrition. We place a significant emphasis on health and wellness during the treatment process. We do this because we know the importance of holistic health and how feeling good physically and mentally aids in your recovery.

We find that when it comes to health and wellness, people tend to learn better in groups. This allows for exchanging ideas, brainstorming, and providing encouragement to one another as you discover new strengths, interests, and ways of life.

Enlightened Solutions offers various health and wellness groups and activities, such as yoga and meditation in group settings. These activities can be very beneficial in establishing a mind and body connection that is essential to good mental and physical health.

We also offer food-based activities such as gardening in the form of horticulture therapy at our Enlightened Farm. This allows you to understand the value of organic, nutritious foods. It also allows you to explore the benefits of fresh herbs and fresh fruits and vegetables when it comes to healing.

Group Therapy

In addition to the food and exercise focus group activities, Enlightened Solutions offers many experiential therapies that promote teamwork and a sense of community among our clients. These activities often encourage sharing personal experiences, struggles, and feelings in the form of art, music, poetry, and more. Allowing you to express yourself in creative ways can be extremely healing and can encourage and facilitate peer connections.

We also offer a variety of therapy groups. We know that there are tremendous benefits when it comes to group therapy for substance-abuse treatment. We also understand that there are advantages to both coed and gender-specific environments. Often, gender-specific therapy can be beneficial in the beginning stages of treatment. This is a time when you are just learning to become comfortable sharing your experiences and struggles aloud. Creating a space of same-gender peers can often make you feel a little more comfortable sharing. This provides a sense of safety, belonging, and relatability within the group.

Community Involvement

Enlightened Solutions makes many efforts to remain connected to the community and allow alumni clients to continue to stay engaged. One of the ways in which we do this is through the Enlightened Farm. Our farm serves many functions, one of which is community engagement. The farm hosts volunteer days, which always pull in community members and provide opportunities to learn more about our recovery-based organization. This allows you to stay connected with Enlightened Solutions programs and helps other supportive community members to get involved.

Forming connections and building your community in treatment and recovery is essential. Having a good support network can help hold you accountable, keep you motivated, and allow you to stay on track and avoid relapse. In order to build relationships and connections, you have to know how to communicate and network within your community. Through our programs at Enlightened Solutions, you will learn how to communicate better, form quality relationships, and maintain those connections that are healthy and serve you well. We offer a variety of classes to help you develop these skills and facilitate daily opportunities to practice them during your time in treatment with us.

Surrounding yourself with other supportive, like-minded people is key to success in recovery from addiction long-term. At Enlightened Solutions, we create a safe and welcoming environment that encourages healing and growth for everyone. By beginning to build your connections and support network in treatment, you are sure to feel a sense of belonging and community in recovery.

Feeling a sense of community is critical for everyone. No one enjoys feeling isolated and alone. The truth is, recovery and treatment for drug or alcohol addiction can be a little isolating and leave you feeling like others may not understand or be able to relate. At Enlightened Solutions, we understand the importance of belonging. We help clients form positive relationships and learn to develop and maintain a good support network in and after treatment. We offer a variety of group therapy styles and learning experiences throughout treatment that will help you begin to build your community in recovery. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, we would love to help them heal and find their sense of community in recovery. If you need help, please call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE. Our caring team is here for you.

woman engages in yoga to find fulfillment in recovery from addiction

How to Find Fulfillment in Recovery

Written by enlightened solutions on September 15, 2022. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Healthy Living, Holistic Treatment.

So, you have completed treatment; now what? Immersing yourself back into life outside of treatment can be intimidating. Just as making the decision to seek treatment can be scary, so can leaving treatment. Both of these transitions come with major changes, many of which may be new.

Wondering what you are going to do to fill your time, make money, and live a fulfilling life after treatment is completely normal. At Enlightened Solutions, we aim to give you a clear direction and help you understand what you want to be and do after treatment. We offer a variety of transitional opportunities for work and residential accommodations. As you enter treatment, we begin working with you to establish goals, purpose, and a sense of community that you can carry with you after treatment and into recovery.

Good Health

Enlightened Solutions places a huge priority on helping you heal your body, mind, and spirit after addiction. One of the ways in which we promote this is by encouraging a healthy diet and active lifestyle. By eating organic, fresh foods, you are able to live a healthier life.

Through our programs at Enlightened Farm, we teach you how to grow and harvest organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs so that you are able to take these skills and apply them to your life after treatment.

Occupational Success

Work after treatment might be a huge concern and burden for you. You may have lost your job when you decided to enter treatment. This is a big sacrifice and can serve as a barrier to treatment for you. Perhaps you have a trade or specific skillset you can use to find employment relatively easily. Or maybe you feel lost and unsure of where to begin when it comes to finding a job after treatment. With employment gaps that may be tough to explain or legal charges as a result of addiction, securing a job in recovery can be difficult.

At Enlightened Solutions, we try to offer some relief when it comes to working in recovery. Our programs at Enlightened Farm teach job skills, build confidence, and help you transition back into the workforce after treatment. We provide opportunities for you to utilize your talents and develop new abilities through various activities. We also offer programs for volunteering and community service and provide opportunities for paid employment.

Residential Stability

After deciding to enter treatment, you may find that you do not have a stable, safe home environment to go back to. You may have been living with others who engage in substance abuse or may have even been homeless. Having a home that feels safe and stable in recovery is critical.

It is common to transition into a corresponding sober living facility following inpatient treatment. This allows you to stay connected with our program and provides support as needed. Of course, you will not be supervised around the clock as you were during treatment, but this can serve as an excellent next step prior to living completely independently again.

Healthy Relationships and Connections

Social circles and friend groups are bound to change for you after treatment. Usually, the people you had spent your time with before entering treatment engage in similar behaviors that would not benefit you to be around in recovery. In fact, spending time with the same people or in the same environments can be triggering and lead to destructive thinking and even relapse.

It is crucial to have a solid and reliable support network around you in recovery. Enlightened Solutions makes every effort to establish a sense of community for our clients. We do this through our wellness and nutrition groups, group therapy sessions, and our various community events that are open to the public. This allows existing clients, past clients, and other like-minded community members to come together in fellowship.

Finding Fulfillment in Recovery

Finding your purpose in life after treatment and in recovery can be hard. In a sense, you may feel like you are starting over completely. Whether your addiction lasted months, years, or even decades, the sensation of starting fresh is the same, which is not a bad thing. It is important to embrace the changes you have gone through and appreciate your progress.

Whether you find great fulfillment in having a remarkable career, having close friendships and supportive networks, or simply having a safe and stable home you are proud of, we can help you. The person you become after going through the treatment process is full of potential. You deserve to live a happy and fulfilling life in recovery.

Finding fulfillment in life after treatment is possible. Consider what is most important to you. Examples could include a stable home, a good career, a healthy lifestyle, and positive connections and relationships. These things are very attainable in recovery. You have worked hard to overcome your battle with addiction and can now pursue your goals in recovery. At Enlightened Solutions, we support clients in discovering and becoming the best, healthiest version of themselves. We facilitate activities to promote personal growth and healing and provide clients with the tools they need to succeed in recovery. We help you identify what a fulfilling life might look like for you, and support you in achieving it. If you or someone you care about could benefit from our holistic treatment approach, we would love to hear from you. To begin your journey to fulfillment in recovery, contact Enlightened Solutions today.

How to Take Recovery One Step at a Time

Written by enlightened solutions on September 5, 2022. Posted in Addiction Recovery.

You have likely heard a million different phrases that imply that taking things one step at a time is often best. Some of these phrases include:

Slow and steady wins the race.
Put one foot in front of the other.
Rome was not built in a day.

The list goes on and on. When it comes to recovering from addiction, this could not be more true.

When you enter treatment and begin your recovery journey, it is important to focus on your progress. You may want to strive for perfection, but that is just not reality. You are bound to have setbacks and hiccups along the way. Taking treatment and recovery one day at a time helps you focus on your successes and how far you have come.

Staying motivated during treatment and recovery can sometimes be difficult. Focusing on small goals and achievements can motivate and help you stay encouraged. Many facilities, such as Enlightened Solutions, utilize the 12-Step process to encourage you to take your recovery one step at a time. This allows you to focus on making changes to one area and building upon that.

It is important to practice and make a habit of viewing your recovery as a process. While the end goal is long-term sobriety, it takes work each and every day to stay on track. A few tips for maintaining the one step at a time perspective could include:

Set small goals
Acknowledge each success
Learn from mistakes
View each day as a new opportunity

Set Small Goals

Anytime you have a large task to tackle, it is a good idea to break it into smaller, more manageable tasks. This can keep you from feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. This also allows you to see and acknowledge progress each step of the way.

Some small goals that you could set during treatment and recovery could include;

Making time for meditation each morning
Choosing healthy foods throughout the day
Trying something new
Focusing on your water intake

Setting small goals can help hold you accountable. It gives you little opportunities throughout your day to feel proud and accomplished. Staying motivated and encouraged to push through another day during treatment and recovery can benefit your long-term success.

Acknowledge Each Success

Just as it is important to set small goals for yourself, it is also important to celebrate each little victory. Having a support system around you to help you celebrate can be even more powerful. Sometimes, writing down your goals and being able to actually check them off as you achieve them each day can be very gratifying and empowering.

Acknowledging and giving yourself credit for progress can be especially helpful on tough days. Say you are experiencing cravings or just feeling a little off one day. Despite the way you are feeling, you might make the decision to go on a walk outdoors after lunch. Giving yourself credit for deciding to do something for your mental health by getting outside and moving your body should be acknowledged and praised. Allowing yourself to be proud and feel some sense of accomplishment even on tough days is beneficial.

Learn From Mistakes

During treatment and in recovery, you are bound to make mistakes. This is completely normal. What is most important is how you respond when you make mistakes. It is important to process what led to the mistake and learn from that. For example, maybe you put yourself in an environment or a situation that you knew could be triggering. Perhaps this leads to relapse or resurfacing of trauma. Learn from that experience and avoid those triggers moving forward.

Learning from mistakes can be very powerful. Sometimes, mistakes have to happen in order for you to learn or for information to actually sink in. By taking knowledge and information gathered as a result of missteps during treatment and recovery, you can feel empowered and enlightened moving forward.

Each day provides a new opportunity for growth, learning, and progress. Sometimes, you might just have an off day. This is completely normal. It is important to reassure yourself and find comfort in knowing that tomorrow is a brand new day full of opportunities to redeem yourself and go to bed even healthier, stronger, and better.

At Enlightened Solutions, we encourage you to focus heavily on the progress you make each day. Through each experience, we help you process and appreciate what each specific activity may help you gain or learn. This allows you to focus more on progress over perfection and encourages you to take treatment and recovery one step at a time. This is the perspective that will keep you motivated and encouraged to push forward.

Recovery is a process. There is no quick fix when it comes to healing and recovering from substance abuse. It is critical to take things one step at a time during treatment and throughout recovery. You will have good days and you will have bad days. Find encouragement from the good days and learn from the bad days. Recognize that each day brings promise and opportunity. At Enlightened Solutions, we encourage our clients to focus on progress over perfection. Perfection is not reality, but progress is something we strive for. We help clients recognize their progress and find hope and encouragement in what they do and learn each day. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, we would love to help. To begin the journey to recovery, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

Benefits of Holistic Healing

Written by enlightened solutions on July 12, 2022. Posted in Holistic Treatment.

What does holistic mean, anyway? The term “holistic” refers to the whole person. This means addressing the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of someone as part of their lifestyle or, in this case, treatment experience. Think of it as a mind-body-spirit approach.

Someone who lives a holistic lifestyle sees the big picture. Instead of focusing on one area of weakness or striving to improve just one portion of their life, those who live holistically focus on all areas of wellness. For example, someone with a holistic lifestyle may begin their day by meditating, and they may follow a strictly organic diet. Holistic living can include prioritizing therapy or forms of self-care. Living a holistic lifestyle is not a one-size-fits-all practice. What is important is incorporating things that benefit the overall health and well-being of the whole person.

What Are Holistic Treatment Modalities?

Holistic treatment modalities can be beneficial to those experiencing a variety of ailments. When it comes to addiction treatment and recovery, holistic healing can be especially advantageous. Substance abuse impacts so many things. Addiction takes a huge toll on the physical body, impacting organ function, appetite, and immunity. Substance use also can induce mental health challenges by increasing stress and anxiety, symptoms of depression, and impacting sleep patterns. Addiction often results in loss or strained social and emotional relationships and can leave someone feeling disconnected or lost spiritually.

A holistic approach to treatment allows a person to address the disease from every angle and ensure healing in each of the above-mentioned areas. Poor physical health results in poor mental health. Poor spiritual health results in poor emotional health. Poor emotional health can lead to poor physical health. Do you see a pattern emerging? By understanding that each of these dimensions of wellness directly affects the others, a whole-person approach to healing and health can be implemented.

Examples of Holistic Treatment Modalities

Holistic healing can encompass many different forms of therapy and experiences. Some may be offered in a group setting, while others may be more intimate. A few examples of holistic treatments can include art therapy, music therapy, chiropractic, yoga and meditation, and nutrient-rich organic food. While each of these treatment methods may serve a different purpose, all work together to improve the health and well-being of the whole person.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is used in many different settings and can help heal those struggling with various challenges. This form of therapy encourages self-expression through painting, drawing, or other art forms and can be helpful in processing and understanding feelings and emotions. Sometimes, words can be difficult to use when it comes to processing grief, trauma, or even addiction. Art therapy provides an outlet for expression and promotes processing tough things in a freeing and non-verbal way.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is another treatment method used to release, process, or understand feelings and emotions. Music has a way of helping people connect and remember and can sometimes serve as a calming technique when needed. A music therapy session could involve singing, listening to music, or even playing an instrument. Music therapy can be used to improve social skills, coordination, and motor function, along with helping many with self-expression.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care uses a mind and body approach to help heal. People tend to store tension, stress, and anxiety in their bodies resulting in stiff or sore muscles, headaches, etc. Chiropractic therapy can help release these negative emotions by targeting specific areas of need. For those who experience chronic pain, chiropractic care can sometimes be a healthy alternative to opioids.

Yoga and Meditation

Practicing yoga and meditation can benefit anyone. The physical practice of yoga has many advantages, such as reduced stress, better digestion, increased strength, and so on. Meditation allows for connecting with one’s inner self. During treatment and throughout recovery, the ability to self-reflect and self-regulate is incredibly important. Yoga and meditation encourage a mind and body connection that is invaluable throughout the journey to recovery.

Organic Food

Eating organic, nutrient-rich food is an excellent way to boost your immunity and ensure your physical body is at its best. In addition, a healthy diet can be beneficial to mental health by balancing mood, improving focus, and encouraging good sleep.

Each of these treatment modalities addresses and improves various parts of the whole person. When combined, all areas are restored. By choosing holistic treatment for addiction, healing from the inside out can be possible. Making more whole-person-focused lifestyle changes can not only be beneficial during treatment but can also make for a longer, healthier, and happier life throughout recovery.

Holistic living is something that is becoming more recognized and practiced in today’s society – and for good reason. Treating the whole person is always a good idea, regardless of the issue. When it comes to addiction, holistic treatment is the best practice. Substance abuse affects physical health, mental health, socialization, emotional well-being and regulation, and spiritual health. By addressing each of these areas, recovery is not only more attainable but becomes more sustainable with the lifestyle changes adopted during treatment. Enlightened Solutions utilizes various holistic treatment modalities and teaches clients to make long-lasting lifestyle changes to best support them in recovery. We develop an individualized treatment plan to address your specific needs, making alterations as you progress through treatment to ensure your success. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, give Enlightened solutions a call today at (833) 801-LIVE.

How Can I Find My Path of Enlightenment?

Written by enlightened solutions on June 29, 2022. Posted in Addiction Recovery.

According to Thich Nhat Hanh, “Enlightenment is always there. Small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. If you breathe in and are aware that you are alive – that you can touch the miracle of being alive – then that is a kind of enlightenment.”

Part of the process of recovery is recognizing you are alive and permitting yourself to live as you were meant to live. You must believe that your enlightenment and best life are waiting.

Recovery happens in small steps, and it’s important for a treatment facility to accept you where you are, treat you as an individual, and provide comprehensive care for all aspects of a person’s recovery.

Person-First Care Can Help You Find Your Way

When you begin seeking your truth and your path to recovery, you need guidance in as many aspects of your life as possible. At Enlightened Solutions, we offer that support. We know you are an individual with a unique experience and struggle. We do not expect you to achieve recovery in the same way as everyone else.

You are a person first. Your diagnosis does not define you. Success and enlightenment come when you see yourself as capable of change and of doing remarkable things. Vic Braden, a professional tennis player and doctor of psychology, said, “The moment of enlightenment is when a person`s dreams of possibilities become images of probabilities.”

You deserve the future you have always wanted, and at Enlightened Solutions, we want you to achieve that best life, which is why we see you as a person who has a diagnosis, not as a diagnosis. Your addiction does not define you. The behaviors may have shaped your past, but they do not have to define your future.

Growth Means Listening to the Stories of Others

Group therapy can impact one’s recovery journey in a positive way. Listening to others share their stories of overcoming life’s difficulties can be empowering. Comparison can be beneficial and negative, but in treatment at Enlightened Solutions, we believe comparison can be fruitful as you realize you are not alone in your struggle and can begin to see the hope of a life in recovery.

Through group therapy, you will begin to see the possibilities for growth. As you listen to others share their stories, you will learn diverse ways of coping and how to communicate your own story with others. You will grow in a community focused on recovery and learn how to live your best-enlightened life.

Enlightenment Requires a Healthy Mind

You have struggled long enough within the miserable confines of addiction. Often in addiction, which is a disease of the mind, we find that there are co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar, and other mental health conditions. While not always the case, many who have addictive behaviors have turned to these behaviors as a means of coping with mental illness or emotions and stressors they do not have the skills to manage.

At Enlightened Solutions, we want to see you have a healthy and thriving mental state. We offer traditional group therapy, as well as individual therapy. We will assess you for mental health problems when you enter our facility. We know you have suffered long enough and want to see you have complete well-being. Most often, complete well-being begins with mental health. A healthy mind helps you develop the skills and resilience to maintain a healthy body.

A Healthy Body Means Healthy Self

When you detox from substances, your body starts to feel better. Going through withdrawal can be a terrifying experience but is necessary to help your body heal from the effects of harmful substances. You have abused your body long enough. Your body deserves exceptional care as you pursue recovery.

Your body is your temple. You are only given one body, and you must take the best care of it as is possible. At Enlightened Solutions, we know true health comes from the earth and the many nutrients it provides. We cannot achieve growth without essential nutrients for our bodies and brains. You also must pursue movement as part of your physical health. When your body is healthy in your gut and in your movement, you are better able to cope with various stressors and pursue recovery with your whole being.

A healthy body means a healthy pursuit of recovery and an improved likelihood of success as you move from treatment back into your home. We know you can achieve total health and enlightenment. We are willing and able to teach you the skills to get there. You deserve your best life.

You deserve your best enlightened life and complete recovery from the disease of addiction. You have struggled long enough with addiction; the time has come to pursue change. You have reached the point where a new path can be blazed into whole-life living. At Enlightened Solutions, we are ready to help. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol and/or other substances or behaviors, we are ready and able to help. Choosing the path to wellness is not easy, but an opportunity for growth into a recovered life comes with that first step, asking for help. Reach out and ask for help today. Call Enlightened Solutions at (833) 801-LIVE and learn how we can help you achieve whole health and enlightenment. Your best life is waiting. Choose recovery today. We are waiting for your call.

You Are Not Alone

Written by enlightened solutions on June 25, 2022. Posted in treatment.

Feeling a sense of community and togetherness is important for everyone. While there may be times in our lives when we prefer more alone time, it’s critical to make an attempt to surround yourself with people who can support and uplift you, especially in recovery.

Addiction can be very isolating, especially in the midst of your struggle. As you enter into treatment and throughout recovery, it’s very important to rebuild healthy relationships and connect with those around you who can be of support.

Equally as important as actually getting out there and attempting to make connections is selecting the right people and groups to connect with. Throughout treatment and recovery, you’ll be supported in identifying like-minded people who can offer support and encouragement throughout your recovery journey.

Benefits of Group Therapy

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “The natural propensity of human beings to congregate makes group therapy a powerful therapeutic tool for treating substance abuse, one that is as helpful as individual therapy, and sometimes more successful.”

Group therapy is something that is widely utilized throughout treatment and recovery programs – and for good reason. These programs offer many benefits that individual therapy sessions cannot. These benefits can include feeling a sense of connectedness to others who may be experiencing similar struggles. Additionally, group therapy can establish a sense of accountability with other individuals seeking treatment or in recovery. Information shared within groups can also be very enlightening and lead to self-discovery and confidence.

Offers A Sense of Connectedness

The term connectedness can mean many different things depending on the situation and setting. In treatment and recovery, connectedness usually means relationships with similar people and integration into your community. It’s important to establish a good network of supporters and maintain consistent engagement in activities to keep you involved and on track.

Group therapy offers connectedness by bringing individuals together who are facing similar struggles and have potentially overcome similar obstacles in life. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people by participating in group programs can keep you from feeling isolated and alone.

Encourages Accountability and Feedback

Another huge benefit to group therapy is the establishment of accountability. As you form relationships with others within your group, a natural sense of responsibility for your actions is created. As you share information and open up to others within your group, they are better able to support you and offer encouragement in times of need.

This accountability can be effective within the group and even exist outside of treatment. For example, as you maintain a consistent presence within the group, your attendance becomes expected. Should you be absent, it wouldn’t be unusual for another group member to reach out. Because relationships and bonds are formed within the group, you are able to reach out to other group members when you need encouragement or advice.

Promotes Self-Discovery and Confidence

Group therapy sessions often involve quite an abundance of sharing of information, experiences, struggles, fears, and even successes and goals. As a result, being present and hearing about others’ experiences and ways of coping with similar obstacles can be very helpful. It’s not uncommon to have blind spots when it comes to your own treatment and recovery journey. Listening to others share information about their own treatment and recovery experiences can be relatable and often enlightening.

The more you know about yourself and what you need to be successful, the more confident you become. Group sessions allow for presenting ideas and sharing feedback, brainstorming, and sharing what has worked and what hasn’t worked for group members. Group treatment is often thought of as being about expressing and sharing, but it can also be very informative. Studies show that the more confident you are in yourself and your ability to maintain sobriety leaving treatment, the lower your chances of relapse.

While this article has focused heavily on the benefits of group therapy and treatment sessions, it’s important to know that there are other avenues for feeling connected and supported outside of treatment. Such places to find connections in the recovery community can include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) groups. As mentioned, in the midst of addiction, it’s common for you to feel distanced from family members, friends, and other social groups. As you progress through treatment and recovery, you will have the opportunity to reconnect and rebuild relationships and will be encouraged to find your new place in society through meetings such as these.

Remembering that you are not alone in your treatment and recovery journey is very important. Lean on those who are there to support you, and prioritize participation in group therapy and programs. By engaging fully in the process and trusting your plan for treatment, you can set yourself up for success and remain motivated to stay on track.

Addiction can leave you feeling disconnected and isolated; remember that you are not alone. Treatment and recovery programs often implement group therapy to provide reassurance of this. Group therapy and programs can be beneficial in many ways. By creating a sense of connectedness, these programs can serve as a safe place for sharing and learning among peers. Hearing the stories, failures, and successes of others can be very motivating and comforting. Group programs also offer accountability among group members. Enlightened Solutions provides group programs and activities to promote whole-person treatment and encourage holistic living. We complete a thorough assessment at intake to understand your situation completely, then consider what treatment programs and activities are most appropriate. Let us create an individualized treatment plan to address your unique needs. If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

Gardening: A Little Dirt Won’t Hurt

Written by enlightened solutions on June 18, 2022. Posted in Recovery.

Do you have a green thumb? It is the time of year for planting and growing. Maybe you look forward to this season, or perhaps you would rather do anything other than spend time weeding, planting, and harvesting. It does get a little dirty, after all.

You may feel intimidated by gardening, having little experience or exposure to plants. The truth is, anyone can reap the benefits of gardening and caring for plants, green thumb or not. It just requires a willingness to dedicate a little time to interact with nature and the desire to learn.

Gardening, while it seems simple, can actually be very therapeutic. Believe it or not, this theory dates back to the late 1700s, which is when gardening was first considered to be a form of therapy used to benefit individuals suffering from mental illness. Since then, horticultural therapy has evolved and become more widely utilized in various clinical and treatment settings.

Horticultural Therapy Defined

Horticultural therapy is defined as the use of gardening or plants to improve one’s mental or physical health. Methods can vary depending on the population being served and for what purpose. Strategies could include caring for plants, viewing plants or nature, or harvesting food from plants. This form of therapy can be used in many different settings such as hospitals, treatment facilities, and even prison systems. Studies have shown vast improvements in both mental and physical health of individuals who were exposed to or engaged with gardens or green spaces during times of need.

Benefits of Horticultural Therapy

The therapeutic effects of gardening result from several different components of the activity. In summary, gardening combines physical activity with social interaction and exposure to nature and sunlight. Gardening typically takes place outdoors in an esthetically pleasing setting. Various studies have been conducted on the benefits of spending time in a green space, and what could be greener than a garden? Regular interaction with nature has been shown to improve healing and reduce stress and anxiety. Even viewing trees or plants can help improve your mood and promote positive change. Engaging with nature results in even better outcomes.

Maintaining a garden requires care and attention. This level of dedication has tremendous benefits for those experiencing hardships. Gardening can serve as an outlet, something positive to focus on during treatment. Many battling drug or alcohol addiction feel as though they have lost control of their lives. Maintaining a garden offers a sense of control and responsibility for something that feels manageable.

Reduces Stress

Gardening has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, which, in turn, reduces stress. What about gardening specifically reduces stress, you may ask? Spending time caring for plants or even pulling weeds distracts your mind from other, more burdensome thoughts and directs your attention to the immediate task you are completing. Spending between 20-30 minutes in nature or caring for a garden significantly reduces levels of the stress hormone, resulting in a more calm and peaceful mood.

Encourages Productivity

There is nothing quite like getting to watch and enjoy the fruits of your labor. By growing your own food, herbs, or even flowers, you are able to see the product of your hard work. Caring for plants and feeling responsible for them can create a sense of purpose. This can be very rewarding and even empowering during a time when you may feel powerless in many aspects of your life.

Promotes Physical Activity

If you have ever worked in a garden, you know it can be hard work! There is quite a bit of bending, digging, and movement involved. Gardening is a great way to squeeze in a little physical activity that feels less like exercise and more like a hobby. Growing your own food also encourages healthier eating. You are more likely to eat healthy foods when they are easily accessible. What area is more accessible than your backyard?

Gardening During Treatment and Recovery

Spending time caring for plants or a garden during treatment and throughout recovery can serve as an excellent therapeutic outlet. As mentioned, gardening can help ease the negative thoughts and burdens you may be carrying by directing your focus to the present. The environment alone can be uplifting, and feeling the responsibility to care for something and succeed in that task can be very rewarding.

Health and wellness are incredibly important during treatment and throughout recovery. Gardening promotes healthy eating and physical activity and encourages frequent exposure to nature. Each of these components is important to good mental and physical health. Experiencing nature is encouraged throughout treatment and recovery, so time spent getting your hands a little dirty in a garden is time well spent.

Gardening is a hobby for many, but for others, it can also be very therapeutic. Caring for plants or a garden produces a sense of purpose, pride, and responsibility. When these efforts are successful, and you are able to see the outcomes of your work, it can be very rewarding and empowering. Spending time in nature has been proven to have healing benefits and improve mental and physical health. Gardening encourages physical activity, outdoor exposure, and healthy eating, all of which work together to promote overall well-being. Enlightened Solutions incorporates gardening as part of the treatment experience and encourages frequent interaction with nature. Allow us to help you discover a more fulfilling life by offering programs designed to give you a healthy and fulfilled life. If you or someone you care about is battling substance abuse, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE.

Tag: Recovery