Recovery

“He or she only cares about themselves…they are such a narcissist.” We’ve been hearing different variations of that phrase for quite some time now, as the term “narcissist” has been taken over on social media to serve as a quick insult. This isn’t the first time that mental health issues have been used incorrectly in the public forum, but misuse is likely to occur when explanation behind these disorders isn’t provided as much as they should be. The truth is, narcissism isn’t bad. In fact, we all have it to some degree – and we shouldn’t stigmatize that term nor the disorder so much, because it only makes it more challenging for those around us to seek the help they need.

Recovery is a difficult road to process without proper support. In addition to this, “we don’t know what we don’t know” – and without having the knowledge to understand what type of questions we need to be asking in treatment, we’re likely to make some daily mistakes that actually aren’t contributing well to our overall health. During the first few months – and even in the first year – of recovery, you’re going to find what works for you and what doesn’t. You’ll likely hear a lot of tips from those who’ve been in recovery for a long time, as well as some advice from those who are also new to recovery but have been doing some research. No matter where you’re at in the recovery process, you have to consider what decisions you’re making on a daily basis – and whether that’s improving or hindering your addiction recovery journey.

Around this time of year, Valentine’s Day can be triggering for those in addiction recovery. Billboards depict champagne and large gatherings, while television shows and commercials begin highlighting romance. For a person who is focusing on themselves and their sobriety, where do they fit in? It is for this exact reason that Valentine’s Day can become triggering – especially if those in recovery find themselves focusing on what they don’t (or can’t) have over what they do have. Relapse is a common buzzword in addiction recovery, and that’s because many people try to avoid it at all costs. Relapse occurs when a person reverts back to previous addictive behaviors – and for many, this turn of events is followed by guilt and shame. Valentine’s Day can trigger relapse for people in a number of ways:

If you were to be told, right now, that you’re about to enter an acupuncture session, what would you envision? For many Americans, acupuncture seems like a terrifyingly painful experience. A popular practice in the Eastern world, the Western world is still learning to become more open to holistic modalities such as acupuncture. Countries such as China have used acupuncture for preventative health measures for thousands of years - with the main difference between Eastern and Western practices being the approach. Western practices consider medicine to be used as a cure or relief to maladies, while Easter tradition utilizes medicine as a means to practice wellbeing.

Self-care has been quite the buzzword lately, but it’s nonetheless important because all too often, we forget to take care of ourselves on the most basic of levels. We stress, worry, ruminate, and meanwhile forget to feed our mind and bodies nutritious food, practice sleep hygiene, exercise and so much more. Valentine’s Day can be a particularly difficult holiday to get through while in addiction recovery because of the societal expectations to drink, celebrate, and indulge in romance with a significant other. If you’re in recovery this holiday season, remember that your self-care is of utmost importance. In reality, Valentine’s Day is just like any other day – and you can use this day to engage in self-care activities that are most beneficial for your mind, body and spirit.

No matter what stage you’re at in recovery, it’s normal to feel a bit apprehensive at times. The beginning of recovery can be challenging because you don’t know what to expect, while even months or years into recovery can bring about uneasiness if you’re not quite sure where your journey will take you next. There becomes a problem, however, when we start letting those uncertainties dictate our views on recovery. We may start making excuses for why recovery is no longer a viable option for us, and that’s what can cause us to take drastic measures. If this is where you’re at right now, take a deep breath and remind yourself that ups and downs are part of the process – and recognize the 3 common lies we tell ourselves:

With so much that goes on in life, it’s easy to feel entrenched in this never-ending cycle of stress and anxiety. We find ourselves running down a path, reaching towards happiness, but sometimes it’s nowhere in sight. Something unexpected occurs, as life always brings this, and an overwhelming feeling encapsulates every ounce of energy that lives within us. If this is currently where you find yourself, you likely feel as though you can’t escape the madness. It may feel like everything is spinning, but there is a way to find balance in this chaos. It all starts by taking a deep breath. Meditation has been around for over 5,000 years and has provided people with a sense of peace and calmness despite whatever was going on in their mind or in their external world. Americans have picked up on this transformative practice over the years, as there are now 18 million adults in the U.S. alone that benefit from this healing approach, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Forbes Magazine highlights the many benefits of meditation, including: its ability to help preserve the aging of the brain, its reduction of activity in rumination and “me” thinking, its ability to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, its ability to shift our perceptions, and more. If you’re ready to find healing and enlightenment through this restorative journey, take into consideration the following meditation techniques:

The following quote was found on The Mighty, “You wake up every morning to fight the same demons that left you so tired the night before, and that, my love, is bravery.” Yes, it’s true that recovery is quite subjective – if you can recall personal accounts from celebrities, friends, family, or others who are recovering from a mental illness or addiction, you will find that each story is different. Each person may be at a different “level” in life – for some, recovery means simply waking up each day and taking it one minute at a time. For others, recovery is centered around being sober. Sure, there are “criteria” that several research studies have conducted with mentions of social network, life purpose, community engagement, stability and more – but what truly matters is how you perceive your own recovery – and it could even entail a plethora of things. In 2015, a few researchers from California sought to explore this very concept – when individuals say they are “in recovery”, what do they mean? Overall, five typologies were identified: 12-Step Traditionalist: strongly focused on abstinence, supportive of spirituality elements, strong belief in being honest with oneself, handling negative feelings without using, and more.

Schizophrenia is a spectrum disorder that affects around 3.2 million Americans. A highly stigmatized disorder, schizophrenia may include disorganized thinking and speech, odd patterns of behavior, hallucinations, delusions, and more. As emphasized by the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA), around 50% of all people with the disorder do not seek treatment. This is often due to fear of stigma, as many people in the healthcare industry still have misconceptions. When selecting a reputable treatment center, it’s important that you find a place where you feel respected and heard. There are many centers that place emphasize on individual experiences – often by providing a wide range of holistic approaches. Music therapy has been a major component of addiction and mental illness recovery for several years now; it typically consists of either lyrical analysis, instrument playing, listening to music, composing music, or something similar. These opportunities provide clients with a sense of grounding and clarification – often giving individuals depth and uncovering of thoughts and feelings that may have been tucked away beneath their addiction or mental illness. Although schizophrenia often required medication to treat symptoms, holistic therapies such as music therapy can be a great addiction to a person’s treatment regime. For instance, a 2013 study with 57 adult females with severe mental illness participated in a 13-week music therapy intervention; results from the study showed that participants experienced increased self-esteem, enjoyment in the music therapy group activities, and a greater appreciation towards therapist sand peers.

Recovery is a lot like life. It has ups and downs, twists and turns, and a lot of unexpected surprises. While many people dread the unexpected, it’s actually what works best for us because it forces us to grow and develop into stronger, more capable human beings. You are incredibly strong. If you are reading this right now, you are already on your way towards success in recovery because you’re taking the time to focus in on bettering yourself. Recovery involves many stages, each of which you will work through in due time – which is why patience and determination is incredibly important.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental disorder that involves unstable moods, self-perceptions, and behavior. Typical symptoms of BPD involve efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, instability regarding relationships, distorted sense of self, impulsive and often dangerous behaviors, self-harm, suicidal ideation, persistent feelings of emptiness, inappropriate and often intense anger, difficulty trusting people, and feelings of dissociation. When untreated, BPD can cause a lot of disruption to a person’s daily life, affecting their school, work, family, and interpersonal relationships. If you are seeking treatment for BPD, there are several effective therapies that can be used, including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy that has been shown to help those with BPD develop the skills they need to effectively manage their emotions and perceptions. DBT helps clients identify “all or nothing” thoughts that may be holding them back and making life more difficult as well as helping clients identify their own strengths so that they can build on them. Lastly, DBT involves collaboration, as it often involves working with a therapist and completing take-home assignments, role play, and practicing healthy coping skills for when a person is upset. A 2017 study conducted by researchers from Nova Southeastern University sought to explore the perspectives and experiences of individuals with BPD in recovery who underwent DBT. Six individuals were interviewed, and several themes emerged:

Addiction recovery isn’t always the easiest feat. As with life, recovery does have its ups and downs – but the point is to learn and transform throughout the process. If you’ve sought out a reputable treatment program for meth addiction, you’ve taken an amazing, courageous step towards living a happier, healthier life. This time is crucial to understanding what recovery consists of, what it may mean for you, and factors that could prevent you from reaching success so that you can be sure to take preventative measures. A 2017 study published in the journal Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy sought to explore perceived barriers of methamphetamine addiction recovery. Two hundred and two stories were analyzed in an online health forum to identify these barriers. The researchers found the following themes: