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Tag: Sobriety

Three Ideas for a Spiritual New Year’s Eve

When we think of celebrating New Year’s Eve, for many of us the images that come to mind are the images that are fed to us by the media: you go to a big party. If you are married, you go with your spouse. If you are single, you go with a date or you go hoping to meet someone. Either way, there is dancing and drinking. At midnight you drink a glass of champagne to ring in the New Year. It can be a great time, but maybe this year you want to do something different. Maybe you don’t drink. Maybe you aren’t in the mood for a big party. Maybe you want to spend the time more reflectively. Here are three ideas for how to spend a more contemplative New Year’s Eve.

Declutter Physically and Mentally

Decluttering and organizing has been in the media a lot recently. Decluttering your physical surroundings can help lighten your mental load, which would be a great way to start the new year. Also, if you want to bring new things into your life–new clothes that fit the career you aspire to, a new habit to improve your health, a new spiritual practice–whatever it is, you need to make space for it. Spend some time on New Year’s Eve getting rid of possessions that you no longer want or need. Get them physically out of your home.

Spend some time thinking about habits. Maybe you stop for coffee every morning on your way to work. If you really enjoy that part of your morning, then keep it. If not, change it. Maybe you would like to spend 30 more minutes at home reading or meditating. Think about the habits of the mind. Do you speak critically to yourself? That would be a good mental habit to change. Have you been holding onto anger? Your anger may be completely justified, but it is only hurting you. Do you still feel guilty about something that is over and done with? Maybe it’s time to let that go. Just as you removed the physical items you no longer need, you can remove the mental junk as well. Take a piece of paper and write down the habits you want to remove from your life and the old anger, hurt, and guilt that you no longer want to carry with you and then you can burn the paper to symbolically rid your life of that negativity.

Create a Vision for What You Do Want

Now that you’ve cleared out some space–physically and mentally–you have room to bring in the new. A great way to make what you want tangible is to create a vision board. To start, spend a few minutes writing down goals you want to achieve in the coming year, experiences you want to have, and what you want your life to be like. You will need a poster board or foam board, tape or glue, something to write with, old magazines, photos, or images from the internet. You will want to include a picture of yourself somewhere on the board and make a collage. If you want to become more physically active maybe you have a photo of a swimmer. If you want to work towards a promotion at work maybe you find an image of a nice office or some other image that speaks to you. Add words, affirmations, inspirational messages, quotes you enjoy, and anything else you want to your board. When you are finished, take a few minutes and enjoy your work. Put your finished board someplace where you can see it every day and use it to keep what you want uppermost in your mind.

Some people make separate vision boards for different aspects of their lives. For instance, you might make one for work and one for home. If you have set a major goal for yourself, perhaps to run a marathon, you might want to create a board just for that. The key to making a vision board is to create something that speaks to you, and you should have fun while you are doing it.

End and Begin the Year in Meditation

Now you have spent some time getting rid of what no longer serves you, literally and symbolically, and you have spent some time contemplating what you do want. Now it’s time to quiet your mind. Take some time to mentally review the year, focusing on special memories and accomplishments. Shortly before midnight, settle in to meditate. If you are new to meditation, that’s okay. A simple way to meditate is to focus on your breath. Sit with your eyes closed, and notice your breathing. You will begin to feel more peaceful. End the old year, and begin the new year with a feeling of peace.

Part of the recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol involves visualizing what you want your new life to be. Having a vision can help sustain your commitment to sobriety or influence your decision to begin your journey. It isn’t enough to treat your addiction; the underlying issues that led to the addiction need to be addressed, and you need a powerful vision of what your life can be when you are free of addiction. At Enlightened Solutions, we tailor a recovery plan for each client that reflects their needs and goals.  We offer a range of treatment modalities designed to treat the whole person, including individual and group counseling, yoga and meditation, acupuncture and chiropractic care, art and music therapy, family constellation therapy, and equine therapy. We provide our clients with the skills they need to be successful in the new life they are creating.  To take that first step into a life free from addiction, call us at (833) 801-5483.

 

7 Tips for Handling Peer Pressure in Addiction Recovery

We tend to think of peer pressure as something that mainly affects adolescents. The phrase conjures tedious lectures from teachers, school counselors, and DARE officers.

While peer pressure is certainly strongest for adolescents, as social creatures, most of us are vulnerable to peer pressure to some degree throughout our lives. Peer pressure is still fairly strong even in young adulthood, between 18 and 25.

We all look around to see what other people are doing, especially if we’re in an unfamiliar situation. When you’re recovering from a substance use disorder, you’re not only fighting your own cravings but possibly the expectations of your family and friends as well.

In a perfect world, everyone around you would respect your wish not to use drugs or alcohol, but in reality, you’re likely to face peer pressure at some point. Here are some tips on how to handle it.

Think Ahead and Avoid Potentially Problematic Situations

The best advice, especially for someone new to recovery, is to think ahead and avoid putting yourself in a position where you’ll have to resist peer pressure. Whenever you’re getting ready to go somewhere, it’s a good idea to deliberately ask yourself, “Who might I encounter there and will they pressure me to use drugs or alcohol?” It may sound a bit silly, but making deliberate predictions about possible difficulties trains your brain to anticipate problems.

Prepare an Excuse in Advance

We can’t always avoid situations where we might be tempted by drugs and alcohol. If you’re going into a situation where, say, someone might offer you a drink, it’s a good idea to have an excuse prepared in advance and visualize yourself in some possible situations.

For example, if you’re going to an office party where there’s alcohol, typically you won’t need to say anything more than “No thanks.” You might feel obliged to offer some further comments such as,”I’m driving,” or “I have an early morning.”

You might want to have a non-alcoholic drink in your hand to deter offers. The important thing is that you imagine some likely scenarios beforehand so you’re better prepared to deal with them.

Bring backup.

When going into a situation where you might feel peer pressure to drink or use drugs, it’s a good idea to have sober backup. Bring a friend. The best backup would be a sober friend, perhaps one from your 12-Step group, who can remind you of your intention to stay sober and provide some accountability.

Even if your friend is not in recovery, if they’re willing to stay sober, you’ll feel less on the spot when you refuse. Don’t underestimate the value of moral support. You don’t want to feel like you’re alone against the world.

Learn to Say No, Politely

Saying no is often harder than it seems. You may have to resist pressure from someone you’re not used to saying no to, perhaps even a parent or spouse. In those cases, it can take a bit of courage.

It’s also important to remember that when some people hear “no,” they infer judgment, like maybe since you quit drinking and using drugs, you feel like you’re better than they are. Since people with substance use issues have feelings of shame and self-criticism already, you don’t want to imply judgment of the other person. Sometimes it’s important to make clear that you’re refusing for personal reasons.

Be Prepared to Set Boundaries

In any case, your goal should be to set healthy boundaries with the people around you. The point is not necessarily to cut anyone out of your life—although that will sometimes be a good idea—but rather to let people know what behaviors are and aren’t ok.

Setting boundaries is about learning to say no—politely—but it’s also about listening and respecting other people. You can’t control other people though. All you can do is let them know how you expect to be treated and if they can’t accept that, then you should probably stay away from them.

Use Peer Pressure to Your Advantage

You’ve probably heard the saying that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. We all unconsciously pick up habits from our friends and family. We set our baseline expectations on their behavior and we adopt each other’s basic assumptions.

This is a big problem if you’re trying to stay sober and hanging around the same old crowd. However, it can work to your advantage if you’re spending most of your time around other sober people, especially if some of those people have been sober for a while.

Gradually, you adopt the behaviors and habits of sober people and the idea of using drugs and alcohol will begin to feel a bit foreign. This is one major reason a strong sober network is such a major part of a successful recovery.

It Gets Easier

The first few times you refuse a drink from someone you would typically drink with, it can feel uncomfortable, even jarring. You might feel like you’re throwing a wrench in the works or perhaps even jeopardizing the relationship.

However, it soon gets easier. After two or three times, your not drinking or using drugs becomes the new normal. People stop offering and you don’t even have to think about it.

The hard part comes at the beginning when you’re afraid of being judged or offending someone. And, of course, everything gets easier with practice, so the more you say no, the easier it will be in other situations.

Peer pressure is just one of the many situations that you have to learn to deal with in addiction recovery. A big part of cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, and dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is learning to anticipate and deal with these peer pressure situations.
At Enlightened Solutions, we use a variety of proven methods to help our clients build the skills for a long recovery. For more information about our programs, call us today at 833-801-LIVE.

Fears of a Sober Life

Not everyone enters the sober life confidently. If you have been an alcoholic or addicted to drugs for years, it may be hard for you to picture your life without it. By knowing what your fears are towards entering a sober lifestyle, you will realize those fears are only in your head and that sobriety can turn your life around for the better.

Willpower

One fear you may have is that you do not have the willpower to stop substance abuse. You are afraid that if you try recovery, you will fail. Failure is a big fear for everyone whether you abuse substances or you do not. Instead of thinking hard about what will happen if you fail, think more about what will happen if you do not try. If you do not try, your money will continue to run out, your health will decline, your relationships will continue to be torn, and you will continue to be a person that no one will recognize anymore. The worst that can happen during sobriety is that you relapse. But if you relapse, just remind yourself how normal it is and continue on with your treatment. Lean on to your sponsor, friends, and family.

Dislike For Sobriety

A second fear can be that you are afraid you will not like sobriety. You were always used to having drugs or alcohol in your hands and spending all of your free time doing drugs. Without it, you have no idea how to fill up that time and will feel like you are suffering. We tend to fear the unknown. We cannot see what our future will be like and are used to a routine. The truth is that you should instead walk into a sobriety lifestyle with a positive attitude. Do not assume that you will hate it before you have even tried it.

Being Boring

A third fear is being afraid that you will see yourself as boring as well as your friends. Drinking and drugs tend to make us think we are more fun as we have lost our inhibitions. We just do and say what instantly comes to our minds without thinking. It is called “liquid courage” as the substance gives you the courage to be outgoing. Loss of inhibition, though, is not considered a good thing as many bad things can happen to you. You can end up saying something that hurts someone’s feelings, sleeping with strangers, using up your entire savings, or end up intoxicated behind the wheel. It is never boring to be safe and healthy. You will actually be more fun to be around knowing that intoxication from substances cannot limit you. You can fully enjoy everything and people can have fun around someone who is thinking straight.

A Boring Life

A fourth fear is that no drugs or alcohol will make your life boring. Life with drugs and alcohol have made you feel sick and made your life more complicated. Without it, you have unlimited energy to do all of the things you want to do. You can do anything you want and still have fun without drugs or alcohol. You can go to a movie, a carnival, go traveling, play sports, and more that will make you smile. Think about all of the money you will have now that used to always be spent on drugs and alcohol. Now, it can be used to fund a vacation or buy presents for the people who have been there for you through this journey.

Coping Mechanisms

You started drinking or doing drugs most likely as a way of coping with trauma or problems that you did not want to face. A fifth fear is not knowing how to cope anymore without drugs or alcohol. Pain is scary to experience. But, one benefit of pain is that it is a reminder that you need to get help. Drugs and alcohol may seem to make you feel better about your inner trauma, but can actually make you feel worse. This is what causes you to abuse substances more so that the effects would be greater. Instead of relying on drugs or alcohol to help, rely on your therapist and other helpful methods that you learned in treatment. Learning healthy coping skills will teach you how to turn your sadness into happiness so you can be in good spirits around your social circle.

Losing Friends

A sixth fear is that your friends will no longer be around you when you are sober. You are scared that they used to think of you as fun when you were intoxicated and that you will have no friends left after. Your true friends will support your recovery. They will not force you to go back to old habits. If they do, these are people that you need to cut out of your life. Being sober will allow you to make lasting friendships that are real. 

Everything Will Be Different

A seventh fear is that your life will be so much different without drugs or alcohol and you are not prepared for it. Yes, your life will be different, but it will be so much better. Be excited about entering into treatment. Your life of hangovers and guilt will be over. By choosing to have a sober life, you have a better chance of having a positive and beneficial life with your loved ones.

Located on the shore of Southern New Jersey, Enlightened Solutions is a recovery center that uses evidence-based therapies and holistic healing to treat addiction and mental illness. With the opportunity to learn about therapies that are keyed in to healing the human spirit and learning about new stress-reducing techniques centered around a 12 step network, you will ensure a lasting recovery. For more information, please call us at 833-801-LIVE as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How to Date When You Are Newly Sober

It may have been your go-to invitation to tell your date that the two of you should grab a drink together. Now that you are in treatment and entering a newly sober world, you might not know what to do if your partner casually tempts you to get a drink. By keeping firm about how important your sobriety is and thinking of sober activities that you both can enjoy, you will have an amazing first sober date. 

Dry Date 

While you may have chosen to lead a sober lifestyle, it does not mean that you will not feel tempted to drink again if you are hanging around places that serve drinks. This can mean avoiding places like bars or any other venues that serve drinks. Do your research in advance before the date and see if there are any places in your area that are alcohol-free. 

You can try to have your date be in the daytime instead so that you and your date can get out for some fresh air. Examples can mean going horseback riding, having a picnic in the park, going to a museum, or to the fair. You may be safe with family-friendly activities as they will not endorse alcohol beverage sales with children around. Your date may take you as a more creative person this way in coming up with various unique activities that will bring life and fun into your day compared to the predictable drink out.

Be Honest

The first step of the 12 Step program tells us that it is important to admit that we are powerless when it comes to alcohol. If you know that about yourself, it is important that you let your date know that too. You may be scared that if you put on your online dating profile that you do not drink, no one will want to take a second look at your profile. Do not assume that everyone is looking for someone to drink with. There are people looking for a date that have no interest in drinking whether they are in recovery or not. If your date asks you why you do not drink, plan out what to respond. You can initially just start off saying that you no longer drink. Then once the two of you get to know each other better, you can share your story.

Qualities in a Partner

If your date has a problem with you not drinking, do not feel like you did anything wrong. Anyone who has a problem with you not drinking is not someone that you should be spending time with. They could be completely disrespectful and still want to drink in front of you without caring about your chances of relapsing. Think if you want the type of date who understands what recovery is, is currently in recovery themselves, or just does not want alcohol to be a part of their diet. Keep in mind that it can be hard to date someone who is also in recovery in that if your partner relapses, you may feel the need to do the same to avoid sticking out or because seeing your partner enjoy drinking will remind you of how you used to enjoy it. While this may happened, it does not mean that it will always happening when dating someone who is also in recovery. 

Avoid Love Addiction

Because you are no longer drinking anymore, you could still be seeking something else to hook onto as a replacement. Do not use your partner is a replacement drug as it can scare them away. This can mean that you have decided that you are in love with your date when you have not known each other that well. You want this to be something that works out for you which will cause you to rush things and push onto them. It is important to take it slowly as it will ensure that you continue having more dates with this person. Make sure that you are emotionally at a place where you can handle new emotions that come with dating and be prepared in the outcome of this being a lasting relationship or being one that does not work out. 

Not Turning Back to Alcohol

You may have gone into this relationship thinking that there will be no problems now that you are going into this sober and that this may be a lasting relationship. While not drinking anymore may increase your chances of having a lasting relationship, it does not mean that there still will not be problems as sober couples still have fights and breakups. When that happens, do not use that as an excuse to go back to drinking. If you are feeling angry or emotional, go into another room and try to breathe and the two of you should speak when you are both calm and collected.

Continue with Recovery Tools

Living a sober dating life does not mean you should stop what you are doing to achieve sobriety. This means continuing to go to your 12 Step meetings, seeing a therapist, mindfulness techniques, exercising, and anything else to help you with your sobriety. Once you and your date decide to enter a serious relationship, that person can help you towards recovery like attending meetings with you. Knowing how important your sobriety is and being honest with your date will ensure a successful relationship. 

Located on the shore of Southern New Jersey, Enlightened Solutions is a recovery center using evidence-based therapies and holistic healing to treat addiction and mental illness. With the opportunity to learn about therapies that are keyed in to healing the human spirit and learning about new stress reducing techniques centered around a 12 step network, you will be ensure a lasting recovery. For more information, please call us at 833-801-LIVE as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Adult Children of Alcoholics

The acknowledgment and acceptance of addiction today has given people a new perspective on how the growth process had been affected by those with parents in disease. Adult children of alcoholics or ACOA, is a group of people who work through a laundry list of traits that had been ingrained into their personalities at a young age. These traits include emotions based on fear. Then there is a flip to the laundry list which more on the fearless side. Acknowledging why these beliefs were put upon adult children of alcoholics is crucial in healing the body, mind, and soul.

Similarly to Alcoholics Anonymous, the first step is to admit a powerlessness over the effects of alcoholism and that life had become unmanageable. However, in this case the powerlessness is geared towards family dysfunction. The following eleven steps also follow the guidance of the the original steps of Alcoholics Anonymous which is a guide to living with the disease. Accepting the disease and using the tools laid out in the steps, offers its members hope and assist in preventing alcoholism from taking control over each person’s life.

One of the facts about adult children of alcoholics, is that genetics play a major role in alcoholism being passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, it is common that adult children of alcoholics also have the disease of alcoholism. The idea that these people are attempting to break the chain that was the dysfunction of their families is courageous. If genetics do not end up forcing addiction upon a person’s life, perhaps this method of healing will prevent potential future family members from the struggle.

Family dysfunction is nothing anyone should be ashamed of. Just like alcoholism, there is an easier, softer way. These people who have decided to heal this way will look at how codependency affected each family member separately. Each member had their own role in the family and eventually played this role subconsciously throughout life. The effects on their life may or may not have been huge. It differs from each person, but nevertheless, it’s someone’s life and it matters.

If you are struggling with addiction, alcoholism, and/or mental health, there is hope for you. Do not give up faith and call us here in New Jersey today! Enlightened Solutions clinical, holistic, and 12-step approach will help you heal from the inside out. Let your transformation begin as you trudge the road to happy destiny! Call today for more information: 833-801-5483.

Planting the Seed of Sobriety

All people approaching recovery have a story of their own. There are often times when the people have a hard time accepting the reality of the disease. There may be multiple rehab stints and there are also those who are lucky enough to get it the first time around. Throughout the years, the rooms of AA have gladly held open the swinging doors to its millions of members. No one is forced to belong to the fellowship. The only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Unfortunately, addiction is a progressive disease and each person needs to make the decision on their own if the time has come to do the work.

Even though many people might come into treatment with the determination and willingness to stay sober, it takes a daily reprieve continue with recovery. Sometimes sobriety simply doesn’t stick and that’s okay. It takes what it takes for people to realize it’s over. However, the suffering and pain in addiction doesn’t have to be life’s existence anymore. There is an easier, softer way and that is sobriety.

Whether or not the person initially knew where to go to get help, it takes a strong willingness to take the suggestions of others to stay on track. If the person gives into temptation, there will always be that annoying gut feeling that it might not be the best path to take. Often times, people will not be able to stay sober until they reach a low bottom. The fight will persist until addiction finally beats the person into submission. People sometimes need to feel the desperation for sobriety to surrender.

One thing is for sure, once a person knows where to go when he/she decides to sober up, AA always welcomes back it’s members. Treatment centers will always be there for those who continue to fight against the disease. No one should ever feel judged for having to do more research about their disease. Sobriety is a gift, it takes some people longer than others to accept what it really means. Life will never be perfect, but in sobriety, there is hope for a new found happiness and gratitude.

If you are desperately looking for help staying sober, do not waste another day! Call us here at Enlightened Solutions to get your life back. Our partial program’s clinical, holistic, and 12-step approach reaches addicts from all angles for the most effective recovery. Call for more information: 833-801-5483.

Glorifying and Romanticizing Alcohol

When people find themselves sobering up, it’s almost impossible not to have any temptations. Depending on which state people live in, there can be alcohol at every corner and sprawled throughout stores. Americans love their alcohol and love a good party. For someone with addiction, there’s already any old reason to drink, but there is a massive amount of help by advertisers and traditions that pile on top. It’s no wonder alcohol has taken such a large role in our society.

Perhaps in the “glory days,” someone might be able to handle the bad habit, but things had clearly progressed to complete destruction by alcohol and/or drugs. However, there will forever be the chase of that first high, that first numbing feeling, the happiest moment to date. Therefore the mind constantly tell the person they can do it! They can drink or use like a gentleman! Just keep trying! The person must keep in mind the consequences while staying spiritually fit to ward off the minds justifications. After all, it might start off fun, but the person will never know where it can be taken. It’s a gamble and it’s dangerous.

People with addiction and/or alcoholism must take it day by day. It’s too overwhelming to commit to forever at that time. As long as the person stays sober that day, its progression. It can become too much to think about the loss of the relief produced by the substance, for an entire lifetime. This is when the tools tools learned in treatment and therapy should be utilized. There are ways out of these mind games. It helps to think the situation all the way through. The drink or drug might sound good at the moment, but then what? By attending 12-step meetings and focusing on spirituality, there will be more consistent focus on living sober and staying connected to God. Soon life’s highs will be associated with running towards the beauty of life, rather than running away from uncomfortable feelings and into the bottle.

Enlightened Solutions offers a clinical, holistic and 12-step approach to the road to recovery.  If you’re struggling with addiction and/or mental illness, our program is specialized in dual-diagnosis treatments. Don’t hesitate and call today: 833-801-5483.

Making Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes during treatment will contribute to the success of your recovery. When you decide it is time to get help for your drug or alcohol problem, you need to make a lot of adjustments in your life. Living substance-free will liberate you from the grip of addiction and allow you to enjoy everything that life has to offer.

During treatment, you will receive guidance and advice from therapists and counselors who really want to help you get better. Very often, these compassionate professionals have gone through treatment and are recovering from a substance addiction so they understand what you are going through.

Lifestyle changes are necessary to maintain a successful recovery. Friends or people you know who are associated with your drug or alcohol use need to be avoided. By going to group therapy, you will develop new sober friendships with people who will be supportive and encourage you through recovery. People in group therapy want to live substance-free and can help you during challenging times when cravings are intense. Drugs and alcohol are not needed to have fun, healthy relationships.

When you are in recovery and free of toxic substances, you will learn a lot about yourself. Drugs and alcohol once controlled you, but now you can discover your interests in healthy activities. There will be more time to spend with family and participate in family events or get-togethers.

Keep going to group therapy and stay in contact with a sponsor or someone who is sober and can help you when you are in a situation that can lead to relapse.

Staying away from drugs or alcohol will give you more time to develop interests in new activities. The time once spent on using toxic substances will allow you to focus on things you can do. It is easier to relapse when there is a lot of time doing nothing. Boredom can influence you to take drugs or drink because there is more time to think about using again.

Keep a journal and write daily. Write about your feelings, temptations, mood, and success. By writing, you can refer back to how you felt or what made you feel like using. Also, you can go back and see how far you have come in recovery, which will encourage you to stay sober. Staying sober can be very difficult, but is possible and you will be healthier, happier, and enjoy more in life when living substance-free.

Recovery begins with you. You have to make the decision, now, to call and ask for help, get to treatment, and start a transformational, life-changing journey. The power to heal is yours. Let Enlightened Recovery Solutions show you the path of holistic treatment, bringing together the best practices of evidence-based clinical care, proven alternative healing practices, and trusted 12-step philosophy. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs.

 

How Alcohol Abuse Affects the Human Body

Alcohol affects the human body physically and mentally. When you drink alcohol, your brain builds up a tolerance level, which causes you to drink more and more to get the initial euphoric effects. Excessive drinking leads to a dependence on alcohol and puts you at high-risk for many serious health problems. Alcohol consumption can cause liver damage, kidney failure, lung infections, and even cancer.

Alcohol affects normal brain function. The brain controls how you move, talk, walk, and think. Alcohol interferes with the brain’s neurotransmitters, releases more dopamine and causes pleasurable feelings. The euphoric feelings are short-term and sometimes cause a person to drink more to reach the same level of pleasure. The brain builds up a tolerance to the amounts of alcohol consumed.

When your brain is impaired, your coordination and critical thinking are affected. Fatal accidents occur when a person who is under the influence, operates a motor vehicle or other heavy equipment. Judgment is impaired and reactive senses slow down. Speech becomes slurred and balance is impacted. Alcohol interferes with memory and results in blackouts. The blackouts are short-term forms of amnesia.

Excessive alcohol use can cause cancer in different areas of the body. Alcohol causes cirrhosis of the liver and if you do not stop drinking, it can lead to liver failure, which is fatal. Alcohol is toxic to your body and negatively alters the stomach, heart, intestines, nervous system, and bones. The detrimental effects of alcohol on your body far outweigh the short-term moments of pleasure received with the first drink.

Many people drink alcohol because of emotional stress. Since alcohol is a depressant, it can heighten depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. Drinking alcohol can disrupt normal sleep patterns, cause insomnia, and result in a restless sleep. Lack of restful sleep can influence poor performance or frequent absences at your job, and lead to termination.

The effects of alcohol on the human body are dangerous and deadly. Alcohol abuse impacts family relationships and causes couples to break up, divorce, or separate. Excessive alcohol use changes interactions with your loved ones and your financial stability. If you are addicted to alcohol, go to a detox facility and check out treatment programs that are available for recovery. There is hope to recover and live a healthy, substance-free life.   

Recovery begins with you. You have to make the decision, now, to call and ask for help, get to treatment, and start a transformational, life-changing journey. The power to heal is yours. Let Enlightened Recovery Solutions show you the path of holistic treatment, bringing together the best practices of evidence-based clinical care, proven alternative healing practices, and trusted 12-step philosophy. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs.

 

Helping a Loved One With a Drinking Problem

When a person drinks excessive amounts of alcohol despite the negative consequences that it causes, he or she might have a drinking problem. A person with a drinking problem cannot control how much they drink or continues to drink after having too much.

The signs of having a drinking problem are:

  • Drinking more than intended
  • Inability to cut back on drinking
  • A lot of time spent thinking about alcohol and the next drink
  • Missing work, school, or other important activities
  • Having relationship problems due to drinking alcohol
  • A lot of time recovering from the effects of alcohol

If you want to help a loved one who has a drinking problem, there are some important “Do’s” and “Don’ts” to be aware of before approaching him or her with your concerns.

  • Never use shameful, demeaning, or negative language
  • Do not threaten or plead
  • Do not lecture
  • Do not use labels when talking about the problem
  • Express your concern for his or her health
  • Offer to see an addiction counselor with him or her
  • Use “I” statements to express how his or her drinking affects you

A person might not be aware he or she has a drinking problem and could have an underlying mental health issue that needs to be addressed. Many people with depression, anxiety, or PTSD turn to alcohol as a way to escape the symptoms of their mental health condition. The individual can feel guilty, shamed, or have low self-esteem.

Join a support group with your loved one and talk to others in similar situations. Learn about the struggles that other members have with alcohol and listen to people share their stories with alcohol addiction. Connect with others in the group who can be a positive influence on you and your loved one.

Encourage your loved one to get help and offer to go with him or her to see a counselor or therapist who specializes in alcohol addiction. Attend group meetings with him or her and show your loved one that you care about his or her well-being.

Recovery begins with you. You have to make the decision, now, to call and ask for help, get to treatment, and start a transformational, life-changing journey. The power to heal is yours. Let Enlightened Recovery Solutions show you the path of holistic treatment, bringing together the best practices of evidence-based clinical care, proven alternative healing practices, and trusted 12-step philosophy. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs.

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