Recovery Archives - Page 6 of 35 - Enlightened Solutions

An Imbalanced Root Chakra

Written by enlightened solutions on November 21, 2018. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Alternative Therapy. Leave a Comment

Our chakras, or energy centers, can develop imbalances, especially after traumatic experiences, which can contribute to our feeling depressed, anxious, insecure, unstable and off center. Imbalances in each chakra can lead to unique emotional difficulties correlated to our energy.

The root chakra is our first chakra, and it represents our sense of safety and security. It governs the energy pertaining to our survival and instincts. It is associated with how safe, secure and grounded we feel, both within ourselves and within the world around us. When our root is healthy, balanced and in alignment, we feel supported, guided and protected, both by our inner strength and our higher power. We have confidence in ourselves, in who we are and in where we’re headed. We feel sure of who we are. We feel connected to our purpose, we can set clear goals for ourselves, and we can take steps towards accomplishing them. We believe in ourselves, and we know that we are strong, powerful and capable.

When our root chakra is imbalanced, we can feel ungrounded and uncentered. We can feel as though we don’t have a strong sense of security or stability. We can feel insecure, suffer from low self-esteem and be overly anxious. We can feel lacking in emotional and financial support, not only from ourselves but also from the people around us and the world as a whole. We don’t feel self-assured or at peace within ourselves. We struggle with feeling bad about ourselves, we feel guilt easily, and we carry shame within us, often for many years.

When we don’t feel grounded within ourselves, we struggle to make decisions. We can feel as though we don’t have a clear sense of direction and aren’t connected to our inner guidance system. We often feel stuck. We can really struggle with our sense of purpose in life and have a very hard time following our intuition. We can feel lost and overwhelmed.

When our root is imbalanced, we can have a very challenging relationship with fear. While fear is a normal and natural part of life that helps to keep us safe, we can really struggle with fear when we don’t have a basis of groundedness and self-assuredness. We can suffer from phobias and debilitating insecurities. Because we don’t feel safe and secure, it can be very hard for us to express our fears and to get help facing them. We can become caught in cycles of suppressing our emotions and our fears, which can greatly contribute to depression and anxiety. We can seek solace in things that aren’t good for us, making ourselves susceptible to developing addictions.

Recovery involves the holistic healing of our minds, bodies and spirits. Enlightened Solutions is here to help. Call (833) 801-LIVE.

The Importance of Chakra Healing

Written by enlightened solutions on November 20, 2018. Posted in Addiction Recovery, Alternative Therapy. Leave a Comment

When working to heal from our addictions and mental health issues, sometimes we focus disproportionately on our minds, on our troublesome thoughts, on the fears and pain we mentally have a hard time letting go of. We forget that all of these things – our thoughts, our emotions, our fears and painful memories – impact our energy not just our minds. Our energy governs and affects everything in our lives. Working to heal our minds without also working to heal our energy is like trying to solve half the puzzle. The remainder of the puzzle has yet to be clarified and processed. Working with our energy centers, or chakras, is a powerful way to heal ourselves in a holistic way.

Healing our energy is of critical importance to our recovery. When our energy is healthy, we can work with our thoughts and emotions in productive ways without being derailed by the sheer power of them. We can heal from our traumatic experiences without being completely overwhelmed by them. We can process our painful memories, and although we may never forget them, we can release the hold they have over us. Our energy doesn’t have to be dictated by our pain. We can heal our energy and as a result be able to incorporate our pain into the fullness of our being, into the light and love of our inner power. This process enables us to accept our pain in order to heal it. We can allow it to be a part of what strengthens and empowers us rather than what ultimately takes us down.

When we have unhealthy energy imbalances, we suffer from debilitating anxiety, depression, panic attacks and other mental health issues. We can struggle with other related challenges such as insomnia, eating disorders, body image issues, deep insecurities, complexes, phobias and neuroses. We can live our lives in pain and fear, not knowing there is another way to live. Many of us turn to whatever we find helps ease the pain, whatever makes us feel better, distracts us and helps us to escape. For some of us this escape becomes an obsession with food and we self-destruct by overeating, bingeing and purging, or we starve ourselves, all in an attempt to forget our original pain with food as the medium. For others, the escape comes in the form of addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol. For many people, it is a compulsive behavior such as sex, gaming, gambling, or other risky behavior.

Healing from our complex emotional issues means taking inventory of how our energy has been impacted over the course of our lives. Our minds are not the only things affected by our mental health issues and addictions. They are ailments that are related to the health of our energy, emotions and spirits, just as much as they are related to the health our minds.

We’re here to help. Call (833) 801-LIVE for information on our treatment programs.

Encourage and Congratulate Yourself

Written by enlightened solutions on November 16, 2018. Posted in 12 Step Program, Addiction Recovery. Leave a Comment

Many of us working towards recovery from addictions and mental health issues have spent years beating ourselves up, criticizing and judging ourselves, and denying ourselves forgiveness and compassion. All of these things make it harder for us to heal. One shift we can make in our mentality is to start thinking positively about our progress and growth. We can help ourselves do this by encouraging ourselves as much as possible and congratulating ourselves for everything we accomplish, even small things.

When we are depressed or in crisis, everything can feel impossible. We might feel like we don’t have any energy or willpower. We might struggle with daily tasks and responsibilities. When we are in this place, it’s highly important to change our self-talk to be empowering and affirming. “I believe in you. You can do this. You are strong. You are brave. You are powerful.” Encourage yourself as often as you can.

Motivate yourself. Set intentions for yourself and believe you can follow through on them. When we don’t believe in ourselves, we are blocking ourselves from our true capabilities. We are depriving ourselves of the energy of our intention, and we are failing to use our power for our own benefit. Build up your confidence by talking to yourself differently. Speak to yourself with love and hope. Pray for motivation, pray for courage. Believe in your higher power and your inner strength.

Everything you do, no matter how small, congratulate yourself. You got out of bed even when you felt like you couldn’t. You took care of things. You showered and brushed your teeth. If you’ve been in crisis before, you know how insurmountable even small tasks like self-care routines can feel. Congratulate yourself. Give yourself praise for showing yourself love. Work to build up your sense of self-worth.

Congratulate yourself for the bigger things. You haven’t given up. You are still trying. You are surviving. You are on your path. You are meant to do wonderful things.

Recognize all the ways you’ve showed up for yourself and others in your life, and congratulate yourself for them. We often forget all the good we’ve done and focus on our mistakes and regrets, so dig deep and look for the good. Meditate on self-love. Praise yourself for not succumbing to your addictions and mental health problems. Congratulate yourself for your resilience.

We are here to support you in your recovery. Treatment at Enlightened Solutions includes recovery planning, mentoring, therapy and more. Call (833) 801-LIVE.

Grounding Exercises to Help You Feel Secure and Balanced

Written by enlightened solutions on November 16, 2018. Posted in Alternative Therapy, Healthy Living. Leave a Comment

One of the reasons we experience extreme mental and emotional health challenges is because oftentimes we aren’t grounded or centered within ourselves. To help us manage our thoughts, moods and emotions, we can practice grounding and centering exercises.

When we don’t feel grounded, it is often because we have an imbalance in our root chakra. This energy center governs our sense of stability, security and safety. When our root chakra is balanced, we feel rooted in our purpose, confident about who we are, centered in ourselves. We feel stable and secure in our daily lives. When our root chakra is out of balance, we often feel highly anxious and depressed. We can feel lost, confused, distracted and unmotivated. We might feel overwhelmed and stressed. We might feel like we don’t have a sense of direction or purpose, we might not feel at home in our own skin, and we might be struggling to feel at peace within ourselves.

Everything in our lives can knock us off center if we allow it to. Interpersonal dynamics, daily stresses, challenging life experiences. When we are grounded and centered within ourselves, we feel a stronger sense of resilience. We feel better able to handle our thoughts and feelings. We feel confident facing challenges. We can bounce back more easily from setbacks. We can better protect ourselves from extreme breakdowns in our mental, emotional and physical health.

Here are some simple grounding exercises you can try.

Walking barefoot in nature is a powerful grounding tool. Feel yourself connecting to the power of the earth underneath you. Embrace the magnificent beauty of the natural world and remind yourself that you are a part of it. Know you are being supported by the universe. Walking meditation is a wonderful healing technique you can easily incorporate into your self-care routine.

Visualize yourself rooting downward into the earth. We are connected to the land. Allow yourself to feel that connection and let it help you heal. Visualization is a powerful healing technique. Visualize roots extending downward from your body into the core of the earth. Feel the earth’s strength empowering you.

Practice repeating affirmations like “I am safe. I am secure. I am balanced. I am being guided and protected. I am loved and supported.”

We believe in the importance of holistic healing for recovery. Contact us today for more information on treatment.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of a Breakdown

Written by enlightened solutions on November 15, 2018. Posted in Mental Health, Recovery. Leave a Comment

When we are about to experience a breakdown in our mental health and/or hit rock bottom with our addiction, sometimes there are warning signs. We can look out for these in ourselves and others, to help us try to prevent a serious crash. Some of these warning signs are also symptoms we might experience during manic episodes of bipolar depression.

Panic attacks

A panic attack can feel as severe as a heart attack. We can feel tightness and pain in our chests, lungs, backs and heads. It can feel impossible to breathe. We can feel a heat rising inside of us. We might feel like we’re going crazy, or like we might die.

Insomnia

When we are in a state of heightened anxiety and panic, sometimes our sleep is the first thing to go. We might experience insomnia and be unable to fall and/or stay asleep. Our substance use can also impact our ability to sleep.

Hyperactivity

When we are experiencing a manic episode or a high before the crash, we might be hyperactive and talk more, louder and faster than usual. We might feel like we’re spinning in circles, and to other people we might appear like we’re cycling out of control. We might say and do things that seem irrational and that don’t make sense to us or to the people around us.

Confusion

We might start to have trouble processing our thoughts and difficulty remembering things. We might not be able to comprehend basic things. We might feel like we’re in a fog of confusion. We might feel totally lost and hopeless.

Bingeing

We might start to use our drug of choice more than we normally do. We might binge on sex with multiple partners. We might spend days on end watching TV, overeating or playing video games.

Recklessness

Before a crash, many of us start acting recklessly and dangerously. We stop taking safety precautions, and we stop taking care of ourselves. We might do things like drive drunk, have unprotected sex, or start fights. We might spend money frivolously.

A breakdown can be a terrifying experience. When we know some of the signs to look for, we can help prevent one in ourselves and our loved ones. We can check in with each other regularly and offer our support.

The community at Enlightened Solutions has years of experience helping people recover. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you.

Enlightened Solutions Brings The Hope Of Recovery In Netflix & Mic Series Faces Of Recovery

Written by enlightened solutions on November 14, 2018. Posted in Addiction, Recovery, Sober Living. Leave a Comment

Elaine McMillion Sheldon stunned America when her Netflix documentary Heroin(e) premiered. Through her compelling, compassionate, and intimately personal storytelling, Sheldon illustrated the height of the opioid epidemic in one of the most devastatingly affected areas in Huntington, West Virginia, aptly described as the “overdose capital of the world”.

In a new series called Recovery Boys, Sheldon chronicles the addiction, struggle, and process of recovery for four young men named Ryan, Jeff, Rush, and Adam. All four of these men have been addicted to heroin for years and have felt the greatest effects of heroin addiction. They struggle to keep a job. They’ve been homeless. They face the incredibly guilt-inducing ethical battle of choosing to prevent withdrawal over their children and other life responsibilities. Thankfully, Sheldon refuses to edit her documentary in a way which glamorizes the process of recovery through an archetypical display of the hero’s journey. Instead, she chooses to humanize and ultimately make undeniably real the facts about struggling with addiction in America, especially an addiction to heroin: relapse does not have to be, but often unfortunately is, part of the process of recovery. Heroin addiction is one of the most difficult to beat. As one of the young men, Adam, explains, “It’s heroin. It’s the worst drug on the planet because it’s so good. People don’t get addicted to heroin because it sucks.” Overlaying the montage of urban living which introduces the documentary, one of the subjects explains, “The more you do, the more you have to do to get that same high.” Another voice describes the torture of chemical addiction to heroin and the need to stave off symptoms of withdrawal at even a potentially fatal cost, “I can’t not use. If I don’t use, I’m going to be sick.”

Addiction is disease, a sickness which involves the entirety of the holistic self: the mind, the body, and the spirit. Developing a chemical dependency upon a substance like heroin takes over and slowly dismantles lives from the inside out. According to a report released in August of 2018 by the CDC, 72,000 people died from an opioid overdose in 2017. More than 60,000 died of an opioid overdose in 2016 and more than 50,000 died of an opioid overdose in 2015. There is a preventable and curable disease claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of our friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow strangers on the streets.

The men of this documentary, and the countless, nameless, faceless others who are struggling to overcome opioid addiction every single day, and who are losing their lives to opioid overdose every single day, need their stories to be heard. More importantly, we, as a society, need to witness these deeply intimate, personal, at times painful stories of addiction in order to rid ourselves of the preconceived notions of shame, stigma, and stereotype which inhibit our inherent ability to display and act upon tremendous empathy- life-saving empathy.

“I didn’t know people lived life sober”

For those of us who have never lived with an active addiction to a life-threatening drug like heroin, it is nearly impossible to imagine having your life so overtaken by using “drugs” that nothing else existed. Yet, for those living with addiction, who have lived with addiction for so long whether their own or the addictions of their family of origin, it becomes nearly impossible to imagine living life sober. Sobriety may never have been part of someone’s life when they’re from an addicted family system. Even for someone who didn’t grow up around addiction, they daily toil and routine of maintaining an addiction becomes such a sad, normalized, shame-ridden reality that the idea of something different, the idea of something better, seems out of grasp and undeserved.

Finding Recovery, Finding Hope

The documentary transitions into a series of written pieces sponsored by Netflix on the Mic website, called “Faces of Recovery”. Enlightened Solutions and our founder Jen Hansen was honored to contribute the stories, information, and support necessary to create a truly amazing series. Each part of the series highlights the lives of amazing individuals who have found recovery through one of the programs at Enlightened Solutions, or one of our affiliate programs like Serenity House and Hope Farm. “Recovery: All In The Family” details the many ways addiction can be passed on genetically and experientially through the generations, creating a predisposition for addiction and mental illness. In “Recovery: From Addiction, A Brotherhood Forms”, Enlightened Solution’s Hope Farm, a working barn and sober program in New Jersey, is highlighted as providing structure, challenge, and ultimately, brotherhood, to those who live and work there. Finally, in “Recovery: ‘A Part Of This Forever’” the other side of addiction, the “high-functioning” or “normalized” addiction, is exposed, revealing that even the most normal, successful, and high-functioning of individuals can be battling a severe addiction behind closed doors. Each piece of the series discussed heroic stories of overcoming addiction, our Enlightened Solutions programs, our affiliate programs, and our very real promise: recovery is available to everyone who wishes to seek it.

Enlightened Recovery Solutions is a strong member of the sober community, standing out as leaders in progressive, proven, holistic treatment and the development of a lifestyle of recovery which never necessitates the use of drugs and alcohol. Offering a curriculum of care including transitional and sober living, as well as working opportunities, Enlightened Solutions provides clients and their families with the tangible hope of a better future and the tools to achieve it. Call us today for information: 844-234-LIVE

How We Can Redirect Our Thoughts When We Are In Crisis

Written by enlightened solutions on November 14, 2018. Posted in 12 Step Program, Mental Health. Leave a Comment

When we are experiencing a serious depression or other crisis such as a nervous breakdown, our thoughts can be debilitating and are often a major contributing factor in our condition. When we are in crisis, our thoughts can feel as though they are out of control. We can experience thoughts of deep hopelessness and despair, breakdowns in our rational thinking, and suicidal thoughts and ideation.

One thing we can do for ourselves when we are in crisis is to work on redirecting our thoughts. This can feel impossible. We feel controlled by our thoughts, even haunted or tortured by them. Our inner demons are persistent and overbearing, and they dominate our minds. If we can start to consciously choose our thoughts with intention, we can start to take back control of our minds.

Our usual default line of thinking is often focused on how much pain we’re in. We think thoughts like “I don’t want to be alive. I can’t do this anymore. I don’t deserve to live.” We tend to replay these same thoughts over and over again in our minds, which amplifies them and gives them even more power over us. When we have moments of feeling even a little better, maybe we have a pause in our painful thoughts, our instinct is often to return to the depressing thoughts. That becomes our automatic line of thinking that our minds naturally, instinctively revert to.

The good news is that we can reprogram this line of thinking. Our minds have the capability of transforming themselves from within. Even in times of crisis, even in a total state of breakdown, we often have moments where we have some clarity. In those moments, whenever you can, start to say things to yourself like “I am healing. I am getting better. This pain will be over soon. I will get through this.” Write them down if you can. If you need the help of a therapist or friend, ask. You can record your affirmations, and anything else you find comforting. Meditate with the recording to calm yourself and help you sleep. With repetition, we are reprogramming our subconscious minds. As we do this, we begin to be able to heal our deepest wounds, address our underlying fears and handle unresolved emotions.

When painful thoughts arise, try not to fight them. Meditation helps us to accept our thoughts rather than adding resistance to them, which can add fuel to the fire. We can embrace our painful thoughts with our understanding and compassion. We can have empathy and patience for our inner selves as we heal.

Enlightened Solutions has years of experience helping people in recovery. Call (833) 801-LIVE for more information on how we can help you.

Our Issues Are Interconnected

Written by enlightened solutions on November 13, 2018. Posted in 12 Step Program, Addiction. Leave a Comment

Sometimes we think of the problems in our lives as being isolated issues, and we don’t always take a step back to look at how they’re all connected. Everything we do, feel and think is part of the larger framework of who we are. We are made up of our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical selves, and everything is connected. When we can look at things in this way, it can help us to learn who we are and find healing solutions to our problems.

Many of us living with addictions and mental health issues have multiple things we’re dealing with at the same time. Many of us are termed “dual-diagnosis” when we experience a substance abuse problem and mental disorder at the same time. When we are able to look at our issues as being connected, we can begin to understand ourselves, how we developed these conditions, and how we can recover.

Our issues are often a manifestation of our traumatic experiences and the responses we have to them. How we process our fears, manage our moods, work with our emotions and handle our thoughts- everything is affected by trauma. Many of us have a tendency to want to escape our pain, many of us never deal with it at all. In our avoidance, we turn to addictive behaviors and thought patterns. Everything we go through is informing our development, and every facet of ourselves is affected by everything else.

In working through our trauma, it can be highly beneficial to work with holistic healing practices. They approach our various illnesses as being an interconnected manifestation of the whole person and all of our experiences- our fears, traumas, relationships, memories, behaviors, thoughts and feelings. There are healing methods that address all of our issues together, and they include therapy, meditation, yoga, energy healing, and chakra healing.

When we are suffering and in crisis, our symptoms are overwhelming, and we need relief. We struggle with panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, and various problems with our physical health. Holistic healing methods can provide relief from our symptoms and help us heal the underlying issues and clear the energy of fear and trauma we’ve stored within us.

Seeing our challenges not as isolated illnesses to approach separately but as a part of the whole can help us to unearth critical information about who we are as people, how we can manage our pain, and how to work towards recovery.

Holistic healing is a major focus of treatment at Enlightened Solutions. Call (833) 801-LIVE for more information.

Creating Better Habits

Written by enlightened solutions on November 12, 2018. Posted in 12 Step Program, Healthy Living. Leave a Comment

A major factor in our daily lives, and in our addictions and mental health issues, is our habits. We often develop habits that are unhealthy and self-destructive. Along with our addictive behaviors, we also often neglect self-care and engage in toxic patterns. A helpful way to think about recovery is the idea of implementing better habits for ourselves.

We might tend to think of our bad habits as the smaller things we do like biting our nails, or hitting snooze on the alarm and being late for work, but our habits make up everything we do. We have our daily habits, our relationship habits, our habitual thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

When we are dealing with addictions, depression and other challenges, we often struggle to feel motivated. We can have a very hard time accomplishing even small tasks. Sometimes we don’t show up for our responsibilities. We feel like we’re disappointing, hurting and betraying ourselves and the people who care about us. Our habits have a lot to do with it.

When it comes to assessing ourselves and our lives, we often tend to see things through a filter of negativity. We beat ourselves up for procrastinating. We judge and criticize ourselves for our bad habits. We compound our challenges when we focus on how ashamed we feel. When we put ourselves down, we aren’t helping ourselves do better, we’re actually chipping away at our resolve and determination.

To create better habits, let’s start by encouraging ourselves instead. “I am strong enough to do what’s best for myself. I have the power to change my habits. I can do anything I set my heart and mind to.”

What are some habits we can start to implement that would help us prioritize our mental and emotional wellbeing? We can start setting intentions around those things- getting enough sleep, making time to meditate, eating healthy foods, exercising. Joining a support group or starting therapy. Journaling, being creative, doing things we enjoy.

We can create habits around choosing patience when we are stressed or frustrated, forgiveness when we are angry, compassion when we are in conflict. Habits we can try are:

-Taking deep breaths when we feel our thoughts starting to race or our hearts beating faster.

-Meditating on forgiveness, using affirmations like “I choose to forgive. I choose to be at peace.”

-Meditating on compassion,“I see your hurt. I see your humanity.”

We can consciously look at our habits- how we respond to life’s daily challenges, how we react to other people, what directions we allow our thoughts and feelings to go in. Then we can intentionally begin to create habits for ourselves that feel better and serve us more.

Treatment at Enlightened Solutions includes working with wellness and nutrition, life skills and recovery planning. Call (833) 801-LIVE.

Gratitude as a Remedy for Anger

Written by enlightened solutions on November 9, 2018. Posted in 12 Step Program, Recovery. Leave a Comment

Anger is a part of the human experience, and those of us with addictions and mental health issues often find ourselves having tumultuous relationships, stressful conflicts, and other tough interpersonal issues.

When someone angers us, we have a tendency to react with aggression and hostility. We yell, we scream, we punch holes in walls, we break things, we abuse each other.

Some of us shut down and respond to our anger with silence, detachment, distance and/or isolation. We cut people off. We stop talking to them altogether. We end lifelong relationships and never speak to family and friends again.

We often hurt the people we love the most. We consciously or unconsciously trigger each other’s sensitivities and pain. We carry grudges. We are most impacted by the hurts brought on by our loved ones, because it is with them we feel the strongest connection. Anyone can anger us, but when our close family and friends hurt us, it often affects us in deeper, more personal, more impactful ways.

One way to manage our anger is to intentionally switch our focus to gratitude. Our loved ones often give us a lot to be grateful for. They have supported and cared for us, helped us. They gave us life. We could put our energy towards focusing on all the things we’re grateful for about them. This can help a lot, especially in moments of heightened pain and anger. To do this, we are essentially meditating and praying on gratitude.

“I am grateful to you. I am grateful for all the ways you’ve loved me and helped me. I love you.”

This process doesn’t mean we forget how they’ve wronged us. It doesn’t mean we condone their behavior, or that we let them off the hook. It doesn’t replace the work of resolving the conflict, which can be some of the most difficult work we’ll ever do in our lives- it hurts!

For many of us, the people we’re most angry with hurt and abused us to the point where we can’t find much to be grateful to them for. We can focus our gratitude on how strong and resilient we are. We’ve endured so much and are still here. We haven’t given up. “I am grateful to be the person I am.”

Gratitude is like a soothing remedy. It helps us to relieve some of the pain as we heal our wounds. We can find a lot of comfort in choosing to focus on gratitude. We can even find gratitude in the situation. “What can I learn from this? What wisdom will this bring me?” We can choose to see our pain as a blessing. The lessons it brings can be huge transformational gifts in our lives.

Our healing and recovery benefit greatly from working with our emotions holistically. The community at Enlightened Solutions can help you process your difficult emotions, relationships and experiences. Call (833) 801-LIVE.

Tag: Recovery