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According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 60% of North Americans experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Trauma is often defined as a “deeply distressing or disastrous event.” Though this accurately describes a great deal of traumatic experience for many people, it can also be the result of systemic oppression, repeated childhood physical or psychological abuse, or an ongoing subtly distressing experience.  Though a traumatic experience is often thought of as an event, it is usually much more. It merely begins with an event that then snowballs into a mental structure that shapes how we see and perceive the world. Some individuals who have experienced trauma will develop PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition marked by intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to a traumatic experience that lasts long after the traumatic event has ended.

In any mental health or recovery program, a big focus is not only on overcoming unhealthy behavioral patterns but replacing them with new healthy ones. Humans are habitual beings, and we tend to thrive on routines, rituals, and patterns. It is why the major cultural traditions and spiritual organizations of the world have always been rooted in ritual and repeated experience. The human brain is programmed to work in patterns.  Our brains reflect what we experience in conditioned mental structures. The majority of our deeply constructed beliefs about the world, ourselves, and others grow from our experiences and up-bringing. To replace belief systems or behavioral patterns that are no longer working for us, we must replace them with healthy patterns that will.

One of the most dangerous ideas surrounding mental health disorders, addiction, and recovery is that we should be strong enough to conquer our problems on our own. This idea stems from the harmful ideas culture has around success, productivity and independence, as we have turned away from the communal mindset and more towards a hyper-independent one. Human beings are biologically built for connection. To be hyper-independent is a trauma response on its own.

It is a well-known fact that physical activity is good for your body and your mind. In most holistic-based therapeutic approaches, such as Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine, movement practices are encouraged daily to nourish the whole being. Science has proven what traditional health practices have always acknowledged; the connection between the mind and body is undeniably strong. On the surface level, how we feel in our bodies will undoubtedly affect how we think in our minds. The patterns that we hold in our bodies are inherently connected to the mental structures that govern our everyday perception of life.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine healing modality that is well known for its healing properties as a holistic practice and has been scientifically proven to aid in healing a variety of illnesses and disorders. Thin needles are used to stimulate various points on the skin's surface which activates certain organs, systems, and body parts. Addiction treatment and recovery programs have started to incorporate the practice to complement traditional treatment programs.

The traditional 12-Step Program finds its origins from the very well known Alcoholics Anonymous program, or AA, which has been hailed as the standard for recovery from nearly any type of addiction. The Alcoholics Anonymous model of 12 steps and 12 traditions is one of the oldest treatment programs around. Though it was initially developed for alcohol, its steps and traditions are used with all kinds of addiction disorders worldwide.

The concept of boundaries can be somewhat bewildering, as the word itself seems to insinuate that we are trying to separate ourselves from others and the world. However, boundaries in relationships and life are a way of nurturing ourselves and others in fulfilling ways, rather than in a draining and unhealthy manner.

Self-care has become somewhat of a buzzword in the health, wellness, and recovery worlds. While it is essential, taking time for oneself is often associated with the idea of chocolate indulgence and spa days rather than the mundane moments of the everyday. The reality is, self-care can resemble both of these experiences. However, it is important to note that the majority of self-care is moment-to-moment. When put into practice with self-awareness, it involves having boundaries with ourselves and others, re-framing our relationships with everything, and re-establishing them in a healthy manner. Honoring our commitments to being healthy individuals physically, mentally, and spiritually serves every part of our lives.

Recovery, healing, and re-discovering our happiest and healthiest selves is a very intimate and personal process. The idea that specific programs are effective for the majority of people going through similar experiences is not only untrue; it can be very dangerous. Every person has individual needs and desires for their mental health and recovery, and there is no such thing as a less valid pathway.

It is no secret that 2020 has felt rather challenging, to say the least. Amidst all the fear of a deadly virus, the immense loss of jobs and businesses, and a general lack of normalcy for probably months (maybe years) to come, there is this looming energy within it all, that makes us all squirm a little bit in discomfort: isolation. It’s necessary, and we know this, but that doesn’t mean we can’t acknowledge that it's hard to be alone through these tough times. Especially for those of us in recovery, who thrive within our communities and support groups, it's been a tough year. If you have made it this far, we are so PROUD of you! Just in case we have another lockdown around the corner, here are a few tips to not only survive but THRIVE through this next upcoming lockdown.

The definition of “holistic” in relation to medicine is characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Recovery in itself is a holistic experience. As it is a physical, psychological, and emotional process, if only one of those is ignored or not valued, it can make the process slower and more difficult to manage.  Though modern medicine has had a track record of focusing on the symptoms of an individual “illness,” considering all aspects of the human experience in considering treatment is becoming more well-known and valued in the scientific community.

To say that recovery can be a challenging journey would be an understatement. We are re-learning how to deal with the most difficult moments life can deliver through a new lens throughout recovery. The good news is that working through these obstacles, though painful, can bring joy and satisfaction. In sobriety, we find that after being numb to most of our experiences, being able to feel a full range of emotions can be a treasure though it is often a tricky part of being human. The simple truth is that we cannot have one without the other. The good news is people have been navigating this “being human” thing since the beginning of time. While it is natural to want to feel good about ourselves and our lives, there is no way to go around the tough stuff. The only path to the other side is through the uncomfortable moments.  However, there are techniques we can use that will ground ourselves in the present experience helping to ease our way when our minds go astray.