Substance Abuse: Do You Alone Suffer?

Recovering from drug abuse is not easy and it is nearly impossible without the support of your family, friends or recovery coach. Drug abuse hampers relationships and puts a lot of strain on personal bonds. The process of recovery is hard not only for the addict but for people close to them as well.

James P Foster writes for The Fix about the importance of realizing that an addict is not the only one suffering. Because of their substance abuse, people close to them might also be subject to traumatic states.

 

I’m (NOT) Just Hurting Myself

Families in which a member is actively using or in early recovery are often in crisis management mode. Frustration, anger, and secrecy bring an embattled quality to otherwise ordinary interactions.

 

 While all families periodically struggle to maintain a stable equilibrium, the challenge can be severely magnified when drug and alcohol misuse take up residence. The usual priorities recede into the background as a crisis management environment comes into establishment, replete with the frustration, anger and secrecy that can bring an embattled quality to the most ordinary interactions. Families in which a member is engaged in problematic substance use or in early recovery have often experienced a variety of deleterious consequences that may need to be addressed before a stable recovery and healing can begin. J.P. Foster works on the front lines and never loses sight of the need to assist family members as part of the treatment process….Richard Juman, PsyD

Continue reading………

 

At Recovery Coach Training, we put emphasis on the well-being of patients and those close to them. We understand how hard it can be. That’s why our coaches are prepared to handle family members carefully as well.

Self-Development Through Journaling

Journaling is a fantastic way to supercharge your self-development efforts. When your thoughts are still in your mind, they can be challenging to analyze objectively.

 

Getting things out of your head and down on paper provides a totally different perspective.

 

Thinking tends to be very sequential; one thought leads to the next, which leads to the next. We get caught in a linear track and miss out on the bird’s-eye view of the whole thought process. With journaling you gain the ability to see things from a third-person view versus a first-person view.

 

Three Great Benefits of Journaling

 

1. Solve complex challenges. When you write the issue at hand down on paper, the solution for a complex challenge often suddenly becomes obvious. The ability to re-examine the issue from a third-person perspective can make all the difference.
2. Increase clarity. One of the best times to lean on your journal is when you’re filled with uncertainty about what action to take. Many things become clearer when you can get them down in writing.
3. Validate your progress. Sometimes we feel like we’re spinning our wheels and not making genuine progress. When you’re feeling this way, go back and review your old journal entries. You’ll be amazed at how much progress you’ve made since then. And you’ll also probably realize that you’re taking huge strides right now, too!

 

How to Start a Journal

 

You might envision creating a journal in a one of those blank books you can pick up in the bookstore. While this option certainly has a romantic feel to it, you might want to consider keeping an electronic journal.

 

• Electronic journals can be essentially free; you could start a blog on a free website or simply use your word processing program.
• The big advantage with electronic journals is the ability to search for things. Imagine going back through 10 years of written records, trying to find a specific entry.
• Additionally, if you type faster than you write, an electronic journal can be beneficial when you’re trying to get complex thoughts out in a short period of time.
• Also, there are several software programs available specifically developed for journaling. If you can spare the $20-$30, they’re worth checking out, and provide a lot more flexibility than the traditional pen and paper approach.

Habit-forming: Make Journaling a Daily Activity

 

Even if you think that there aren’t enough interesting things happening in your life on a daily basis to bother recording them, don’t let that deter you. New habits are much easier to implement if the activity is performed on a daily basis. Even getting down a couple of sentences every night is a great idea. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll write much more.

 

This practice can even help make your life be more exciting and fulfilling. Just knowing that you have to journal each night may compel you to make your life a little more adventurous, just so you have something interesting to write. Try it! During the day, you’ll notice that little thought in the back of your mind wondering what you can write about tonight.

 

Get started with your journal today. It’s an activity that has little to no cost but provides numerous benefits. You’ll see your clarity increase and have a much better sense of just how much progress you really are making in your life. Start journaling today and watch your self-development take on a new perspective.

 

For more information visit – Recovery Coach Training

Recovery Apps: Using Technology to Stay Straight

In recovery we need to utilize any tool that works for us to stay motivated, organized and on-track with our sobriety. There are any number of recovery apps out there, but we wanted to provide a list free or low cost apps you might want to choose from and try out. If you have experience with any of these tools – give us your feedback – or try one out and see if it adds value to your life.

The following blog is from RenewEveryday.com online subscription recovery magazine.

Recovery on the Go? Here are some of the Best Mobile Apps to Stay Connected.

For many adults of the 21stcentury, smart phones or tablets have become an extension of their hands. They keep everyone connected and functioning in a technological world. And while some may decry that evolution socially, in the recovery process they can serve as a convenient and practical tool.

Mobile recovery apps can help users find meetings, receive daily affirmations or inspirations, track recovery progress, contact their sponsor and more. Here is a list of the best affordable (or free) mobile apps on the market.

1 – Hazelden’s Mobile MORE Field Guide to Life

Hazelden’s Field Guide to Life app comes in three volumes: “The Basics,” “Owning It” and “The New You!” It’s available on the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and Hazeldon is currently evaluating the creation of the application for other common mobile devices and operating systems. In working through each of the volumes, users progress through the stages of recovery over the course of one year. Hazelden designed the app for the entire spectrum of the sober community, from people new to recovery who are just out of treatment to the millions of people who wish to renew their recovery. Read More

Try one out today and let us know!

For information visit – Recovery Coach Training

Midlife Work Life: Reimagined

In her book Life Reimagined: The Science, Art, and Opportunity of Midlife, Barbara Bradley Hagerty. http://ift.tt/1pHdth5  seeks to answer the question of why two in three people are not engaged or satisfied in their work. When asking people “what makes you happy at work” the top answer by far was having a sense of purpose. She found that especially with the Gen X and Baby Boomer generations, they were happiest not only when they made a job change, but when they repurposed their talents and experience to make their work more meaningful.

              Man in short sleeve shirt standing in the street

Read the following excerpt from her book in this NPR report called Reimagine Your Life at Work. (This link also contains the 5 minute audio report)

Life Reimagined: A Crisis Is Born

Mom’s stroke provided the spark for a combustible collection of small despairs waiting to ignite: the unremitting daily-ness of work, the minor but scary health issues, the unpalatable fear that this is as good as it gets and that life slopes downward from here.

A few days after Mom’s stroke, I sat at my desk and pondered these suddenly urgent questions: What, exactly, constitutes a “midlife crisis,” and is that what I am experiencing? Is it unswerving destiny, or can I drive around it with the choices I make? So many people I know are struggling through midlife ennui. Yet some people flourish. How do they do it? How can I craft a meaningful middle life? And is there any science that can give me pointers? Read more

Midlife and older adults have a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities to leverage for a more satisfying and fulfilling career. This is exactly the kind of life experience that makes some of the best Professional Recovery Coaches.

Perhaps you are considering a career change and want to find a deeper sense of service and purpose in your work. If you have a desire to use your wisdom and experience helping others to find wholeness and new possibilities through the recovery process, a career as a Professional Recovery Coach may be for you.

Please download a free copy of our e-book on Ten Reasons Why Baby Boomers Make the Best Recovery Coaches here http://ift.tt/1WwQbpl

Brain Boosting Smoothies:

Recovery is a time to treat yourself right, to nourish your mind, body and spirit. Here are some healthy smoothie recipes that boost brain power and cleanse the body. Freezing some of the ingredients (like bananas and other fruit) prior to making your smoothie can make them extra thick and creamy. Try something new and enjoy! Here are 3 recipes we found on the web:

Smoothie with Spinach; Blueberries Peach and Strawberries

http://ift.tt/1BAMiqw

Brain Boosting Smoothie

This brain boosting smoothie is loaded with healthy fats to support nervous system and brain development/function. It’s healthy, delicious and so easy to make! Start your day with this great recipe!

Ingredients:

• ½ avocado
• ½ banana
• ½ cup blueberries
• 6 whole walnuts
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
• ½ cup water

http://ift.tt/1UWCVuU

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Excellent source of plant-based protein from tofu and soy milk. Soy-based foods, such as tofu and soy milk, support the maintenance of bone and immune health and healthy brain function. They’re also a great source of protein, which decreases cravings.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 2 medium banana
• ¾ cup strawberries
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• ½ cup of silken tofu
• 1 lemon wedge

310 Calories / 19 grams of protein

http://ift.tt/1SgsAFa

Detox/Cleansing Smoothie

• 1½ cups water
• 1 cup chopped pineapple
• 1 cucumber
• 1 lemon
• 12 dates

For more information visit – Recovery Coach Training

Noticing the Transformation in our midst…

Big changes can be satisfying, like a fresh coat of paint in a dingy room, or replacing your well used bike or car.   We respond with a hearty YES, that’s much better!

Big changes can be satisfying, like a fresh coat of paint in a dingy room, or replacing your well used bike or car.   We respond with a hearty YES, that’s much better!

But in our daily lives and in the special work we get to do in Addiction Recovery, it is often the small incremental changes that are the source of a spontaneous smile and even deep gratitude in the midst of our busy lives or a stressful day.

In the Northern Hemisphere March brings the end of winter and ushers in the Spring season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again. For our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, March is the beginning of winter with the promise of Spring coming in September. I think of this alternating rhythm as our planet inhaling and exhaling- both are satisfying.

I encourage you to take notice of the small changes that touch you – the delight of a child who learns to walk or to tie their shoes; a beloved pet that responds to your mood; a person in early recovery who notices the needs of another; the soaring flight of migrating birds; the satisfaction in taking down storm shutters or putting them up.

I encourage you in this new season to enjoy the transforming richness of being mindful……. It’s as close as your next deep breath.

With great joy,

Jean

Opioid Epidemic/Shortage of Addiction Counselors

Clearly we are in the midst of a drug epidemic. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National drug overdose deaths are on the rise, and in particular with those using prescription opioids. In the midst of this epidemic, we have a critical shortage of addiction counselors. Read the following article from a NPR report to understand the scope of the addiction counselor shortage. (There is also a link available to the 4 minute NPR audio)

A “Help Wanted” sign isolated on white.

Emily Corwin reports for NPR (02/23).

As the drug-related death toll rises in the United States, communities are trying to open more treatment beds. But an ongoing labor shortage among drug treatment staff is slowing those efforts. Each year, roughly one of every four substance-abuse clinicians nationally chooses to leave the job, according to recent research. And that’s not just turnover — leaving one job for another in the same field. As an Institute of Medicine report documented in 2006, there’s been a shortage of addiction workers for decades. And the demand is only increasing; the Affordable Care Act and other federal laws have given millions more people insurance to help them pay for those services. If only there were enough counselors to treat them.  Read More

Addiction Counselors work with people who need clinical treatment services to address their out of control behaviors. Increase your counseling skills and earning potential at NET Institute Center for Addiction and Recovery Education www.netinstitute.org

Effective Professional Recovery Coaches support people to change their behaviors BEFORE treatment. And AFTER treatment, Professional Coaches help people to maximize their recovery process.

Expand your career options. Explore adding Professional Recovery Coach credentials here: http://ift.tt/1AwZyYw

FBI Film Sheds Light on “Chasing the Dragon”

According to FBI and DEA research 46,000 people die from drug abuse annually in the U.S. That’s more than in car accidents and gun violence combined. Half of that number are related to opiate drug abuse. Through the use of the upcoming film documentary, “Chasing the Dragon” FBI Director James Comey hopes to make a personal connection with teenagers in an effort to stem the tide of opioid use and abuse. (Film trailer link included in the article below)

Chinese Dragon

T.Rees Shapiro of The Washington Post reports in the following article.

The faces on the screen are a cross-section of suburban America. One is an eagle scout. Another is a cheerleader. There’s a mother of an infant child and a corporate account executive clearing six figures a year.

All abused prescription painkillers, a common trait that has them appearing in a new documentary, “Chasing the Dragon,” produced at the behest of FBI director James Comey. The searing film featuring testimony from overdose survivors is part of a revamped effort by the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration to address a health crisis that they say has quietly destroyed countless lives and kills tens of thousands of people each year.

Comey, who took a personal interest in the film’s development, is scheduled to meet with educators and administrators from school districts in the Washington region Thursday to talk about an increasingly dangerous trend among youths: the abuse of prescription opiates such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Percocet. Read More

The feeling of being “bulletproof” or above the dangers that affect other people is a hallmark of adolescence and youth. Our Professional Recovery Coach Program provides an array of tools and techniques to coach people in preventing future harm to themselves regardless of age. Learn how substance use disorders begin, and ways to partner with people who want to get free.

Learn more about a career in recovery coaching here: http://ift.tt/1AwZyYw

Recognizing Suicidal Tendencies in Patients and Preventing It

During the course of treating a drug abuse patient, there are many moments to worry incessantly over their wellbeing. None is harder to deal with than surfacing new and unannounced suicidal tendencies. Although it is near impossible to conclusively recognize suicidal tendencies in every patient, there are some warning signs you should be looking for.Of course recognizing suicidal tendencies in a patient is only half the battle, you must also be equipped to treat the patient and prevent future occurrences of any self-destructive thought processes.

Richard Kensinger CSW writes on The Fix about predicting and preventing patient suicide.

Predicting and Preventing Patient Suicide

Addiction therapists have always confronted significant challenges, but providing treatment in the context of the current opioid epidemic has raised the stakes to new levels. Comorbidities that are extremely prevalent in addictions—trauma, physical pain and depression, to name a few—have their own correlations with suicidality. And the increasing percentage of treatment episodes in which opioids are the patient’s drug of choice—and the widespread easy availability of opioids—ups the ante for clinicians and suggests that greater vigilance around potential suicidality is required. We don’t have a good way to determine what percentage of overdose deaths involved an intentional suicidal component. Richard Kensinger is a clinical social worker whose expertise in the realm of patient suicide has been hard-earned, and his piece highlights the “grave responsibility” that clinicians have to evaluate client dangerousness by way of preventing avoidable self-harm…Richard Juman, PsyD. See full post here

At Recovery Coach Training, we provide our coaches with the appropriate training so that they may professionally help patients (and their families) recover from all sorts of issues relating to substance abuse.

Substance Abuse: Some Reflections

Oftentimes, we act as our own enablers. The idea that being addicted to something is not that bad if you’re not doing something destructive could easily be one of the biggest blunders we subject ourselves to.

Image – http://ift.tt/1YYObaA

Speaking from experience, here is MB Dreams from the fix on her struggle with abuse and her views on enabling it on her own.

Reflections On My First Day of Sobriety

The last drink I had was a couple sips of a PBR around 3am on December 31, 2015. My boyfriend, some friends and I went to a music showcase the night of the 30th. You know, the electronic music kind where a bunch of white people high on drugs have their minds blown and their faces melted by really loud sounds. The kind where you see 16-year-olds wearing golden leather thongs and hot pink furry boots. Yeah, that kind of show. See full post here

Here at RecoveryCoachTraining.com, we train our coaches to help you deal with all kinds of addiction. Overcoming addiction is not enough – you have to take measures to prevent relapsing, and our coaches provide a complete recovery from substance abuse.

Is Addiction a Symptom of Something More Fundamental?

We often treat addiction as a separate affliction – a self-contained condition with symptoms of its own. However in doing so, we might be ignoring the underlying causes of addiction. This might probably be better understood by treating addiction as a symptom of something larger rather than focusing on trying to cure it conventionally.

This idea also seems to enhance the conventional twelve-step program originating from Alcoholics Anonymous by improving on its parts.

Image – growingupchaotic.com

Here is an article on The Fix by Dr. Rosemary Brown with Laura MacKay.

Addiction is the Symptom, Not the Problem

The 12 steps are considered sacrosanct by many, yet high relapse rates among people in AA and other step groups are problematic. While some treatment professionals dismiss the steps entirely, Dr. Rosemary Brown instead has endeavored to make them better by shifting their focus from the individual symptoms of addiction—i.e. the individual drugs or behaviors—to what she suggests is the core emotional-spiritual deficit common to all forms of addiction. See full post here

Hopefully with the help of this article, many people will find it easier to not relapse again. Make sure you choose a reliable recovery coach. Coaches certified by us are trained to deal with all forms of addiction. Click here: http://ift.tt/210pBLc

Understanding Common Reasons for Substance Abuse

Addiction: A Brief Explanation

Signs You Need to Undergo In-patient Treatment

Like it or not, sometimes our efforts to recover from substance abuse fail miserably. People may either leave treatment halfway through or relapse after completing their treatment. This can be especially hard, having to deal with a lack of motivation in addition to a lack of control. In such cases, paying daily or weekly visits to the rehab facility is not going to be enough. Sometimes, we have no option but to commit to an in-patient treatment.

Tim Powers from SoberNation shares some warning signs that imply a need to undergo an in-patient program:

Image: www.sobernation.com

The effects of chronic long-term drug and alcohol abuse can be devastating to a person’s physical, mental and spiritual health. If you, a family member or a loved one is in the grips of addiction, the downward spiral will only continue to worsen unless you get the appropriate professional help that is found through a reputable drug rehab facility. There are many drug treatment options that are available to you that provide the programming, support and encouragement you need to address your specific addiction issues–but you may be at a loss knowing which option best suits your needs. See full post here.

 

One of the biggest reasons to commit to an in-patient program is when you find it hard to place your trust on close friends and family. Going through an episode of abuse can be extremely hard and we need something to rely on. If you can’t get that kind of support from your friends and family, take the responsible step and get admitted to an in-patient program.

To learn more about proper patient care, get in touch with us at Recovery Coach Training.

 

What Not to Say to a Recovering Addict

When dealing with a loved one’s addiction for a prolonged period of time, it sometimes gets to the point when you lose your patience and vent your anger out on them. Sometimes the things we say to them can become the reason for their relapse into drug use disorder.

JessiRae Pulver-Adell shares 6 things you should always refrain from saying to recovering addicts.

Image – www.thefix.com

6 Things to Never Say to People in Recovery by JessiRae Pulver-Adell

You’re no stranger to the struggle of addiction recovery if you’ve been mortified about the things spawning from your mouth in the heat of the moment with a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder. Addiction is a disease many feel personally attacked by, even if they’re not the one battling the uphill struggle to recovery.

As parents, siblings, spouses, friends, and loved ones, we feel our well being should be more important than a prescription drug, a dose of heroin, or a denomination of cocaine. The unfortunate truth is in the height of addiction, we’re not.

Addiction has a cruel way of twisting the brain’s chemistry to crave nothing but the taste of one’s drug of choice, to help them feel normal. If you had to choose between being able to sit comfortably in your skin, or sit through a family dinner, which would you choose?

Conversely, being cast aside in favor of an addiction which is ultimately ravishing both the physical and psychological aspects of the person you love, it’s common for our words to profane themselves, glazed over in anger to express what it is we think we mean. See full post here

However, striking the right balance between not making them feel unloved and not enabling their drug abuse can be very hard. We, at Recovery Coach Training, provide the best training to coaches so they may help you handle such delicate situations.

Good Signs for a Rehab Program

If you’re going through rehab, you are already aware of the amount of effort it requires. For most people, it is an arduous task which involves a lot of support, time, money and motivation. It’s important that you know if the rehab is providing the desired results. After a successful rehab program, you should not have any remote intention to relapse into drug abuse, and should appreciate the importance of staying clean. So then, how do you evaluate the effectiveness of your rehab program?

Image – http://ift.tt/1TS9b2R

Tim Powers from SoberNation writes:

15 Signs That You Are Going to A Great Rehab

The first step towards anything that is new can be overwhelming–and this is especially true if you are looking for a drug rehab facility. After years of chronic drug abuse, you have finally seen the reality of what addiction has done to your life and to those whom you love the most. While you may find the decision to go to rehab somewhat easy, finding a rehab that fits your specific wants and needs can be another matter altogether.

While there are many drug treatment facilities that provide the evidence-based treatment services you need to address and overcome your substance abuse, you may feel like you are being pulled in a million different directions, and you may be unsure of what would work best for you. Drug rehab isn’t just a considerable time commitment, it is also a substantial financial commitment–and you want to be sure that you are getting and care and support you need to have the best chance at achieving lifelong recovery. See full post here

Now you should be able to understand what to expect from de-addiction program. We wish you luck on your road to recovery.

Are You Looking for a Rewarding Career Helping Others?  Learn more about our innovative approach to addiction recovery now: http://ift.tt/1AwZyYw

Group Therapy: Way to Recovery

However tempting it might be to withdraw from the company of your friends and family and conform yourself to a life of isolation after the most hazardous and exhausting episodes of substance abuse, you should keep in mind that making a recovery on your own is an arduous uphill task for the likes of Hercules (read almost impossible).

For some, it is even harder as most of the people around do not or are unwilling to understand the condition of a person recovering from drug abuse. What could be the best course of action for a recovering addict in such cases?

The answer is simple – group therapy.

Image – http://rehab-life.com/

Tim Powers from SoberNation talks about the benefits of group therapy:

7 Ways Group Therapy Helps You Get Sober

There are times in our recovery in which we feel we alone are travelling a solitary path–and to a certain degree we are.

It is true that in our recovery journey we must do the heavy lifting as far as doing the things necessary to stay clean and sober. However, we also must keep in mind that we do not recover in isolation. From our first tentative days in drug treatment, we learn the importance of leaning on others who are travelling similar paths to our own.

Having the support and encouragement of our peers who share our victories and setbacks in recovery is a tremendous benefit in helping us stay positive and motivated to stay on the right path. Because of that fact, drug and alcohol rehab centers feature group therapy as one of the crucial components in a comprehensive drug treatment and aftercare program. See full post here:

There are times on the way to recovery that we realize we are not aware of all that is happening to us. Luckily, we don’t have to be alone in dealing with this.

Wish you all the best on your road to recovery.

The Premier Online Certificate Program for Professional Addiction Recovery Coaching: http://ift.tt/1AwZyYw