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The threat of relapse is a pervasive thought that can cloud your mind, starting from those initial painful withdrawal symptoms during detox and continuing throughout recovery. While unfortunate, relapses are a common occurrence in recovery, and there is no simple way to cast aside urges, cravings, or reminders of active addiction. Creating a relapse prevention plan as early as possible in recovery is essential for mitigating the chances of succumbing to these detrimental setbacks. However, experiencing a relapse does not mean it is the end of your recovery journey or indicates that you are somehow beyond reprieve. Navigating these experiences and returning to the basics of recovery is essential for reclaiming your life and refocusing on goals set out for yourself.

Stress is an unfortunate and unavoidable part of life. The continued mandates relating to Covid-19, social quarantine guidelines, and other daily stressors have the propensity to exacerbate these already overwhelming feelings. The weight of these stresses often leads to a dangerous increase in the amount of alcohol consumed to cope with this stress. This increased consumption can have a major impact on your life. Monitoring your alcohol intake is increasingly important in the face of these unprecedented and difficult times. Attempting to stay in control of your drinking means first understanding that your relationship with alcohol is not unique. It is up to you to take accountability for your drinking habits.

Dependent disorder is a kind of personality disorder that greatly impacts your way of thinking and daily life. The feelings of anxiety can feel overwhelming as a result of the disorder. However, it is still possible to address and overcome your symptoms and regain a sense of control and self-esteem despite personal experiences. Left unaddressed, dependent disorder can continue to impact an individual on a mental, emotional, and physical level. The ability to identify and address your struggles with dependence is necessary to create a more self-fulfilled and healthy lifestyle.

If you have spent a great deal of your life living in fear, expecting the worst to happen, and doubting that you can achieve your goals, beginning to shift your mindset can be tricky. While you may sometimes doubt yourself during your recovery process, the journey can also help you build self-esteem, self-trust, and inner hope.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that require appropriate treatment and care. According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), eating disorders impact nine percent of the population worldwide. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, deciding to take the first steps toward recovery is not always an easy choice to make. However, it is an empowering decision that can help you discover what life is like without the constant obsessions regarding the food you eat, as well as your weight and body image.

For those who suffer from a mental health condition or emotional sources of pain, neurofeedback therapy— a type of biofeedback  — can be used to train your brain to self-regulate, helping you to stay calm and focussed. This type of therapy can be used to ease the symptoms of several mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

If you have ever experienced seemingly random episodes of fear and anxiety that send you into a flight of panic — where your mind races, heart pounds, hands tremble, and body begins to sweat — you may have experienced a panic attack. Panic attacks are a symptom of panic disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder. These attacks can happen at any time and often occur when there is not a threat or danger present. Although overwhelming and scary, panic disorder is something a therapist can help you navigate and heal from. Experiencing panic attacks can leave you feeling powerless, but there are practices you can use to access your power in moments when it feels like the disorder has control over you.

Mindfulness is the practice of continually choosing to come back to the present moment with awareness and acceptance. It can help you slow down and live life with a deeper intention and compassion for yourself and others.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition. Individuals who suffer from it have reoccurring thoughts — called obsessions — followed by repeated behaviors (compulsions). Living with OCD can be debilitating, overwhelming, and confusing. The most common treatment for OCD is called exposure and response prevention (ERP), in which the individual is repeatedly exposed to fears and obsessions without engaging in compulsions. This is something a therapist can support you with as you learn to make peace with living with OCD.

Creativity is vital to your holistic wellness and being creative can help you during your recovery. Popular to contrary belief, there are many ways to be creative outside of traditional drawing, coloring, and painting. Whether you consider yourself to be an artist or not, there are several ways you can be creative. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Writing can be an excellent practice during your recovery journey. It provides time for introspection and self-reflection, cultivating self-awareness and self-honesty. One of the best parts of writing is that you do not have to actually be a writer to experience its benefits. There is no wrong way to write and you can do it anywhere, even with a therapist. While writing helps to release tension and reduce anxiety, it can also help you process situations and create peace for yourself.

Perfectionism is an insidious force that makes one believe that they — and others — can achieve perfection. A perfectionist may even understand that perfectionism is an illusion, yet they still cannot let that notion go. Learning how to remove the need to always be or appear perfect can have a powerful effect on your life. Here are some tips that can assist you.