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Archives for Author: Dana Hinders

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Dana Hinders

For nearly a decade, Dana Hinders has written about addiction, mental health, and recovery—not as an outsider looking in, but as someone who's lived it: as a researcher, a survivor, and a worried family member watching someone she loves struggle. That's what gives her words their weight. She writes to cut through the stigma, not around it, so readers walking a similar road feel a little less alone and a lot more understood.

Articles by Dana Hinders

A man sits on a gray couch, holding a notebook and pen, looking thoughtfully upward. A smartphone lies beside him on the couch, and light comes in from a nearby window.

Using Journaling to Promote Emotional Awareness in Recovery

Dana Hinders January 12, 2018

Journal writing is a free, portable, and private way to develop a better understanding of your emotions as you build the foundation for lasting addiction recovery. When you write in a journal as part of your daily routine, you are working to restore your mind and body to a more balanced and healthy state.   Benefits of Journaling Journaling offers a number of benefits during the early stages of your sobriety. For example, journaling helps

A person wearing a pink sweater and striped shirt writes in a notebook with a pen at a table. A blurred Christmas tree is visible in the background.

8 New Year’s Resolutions for People in Recovery

Dana Hinders December 28, 2017

Setting New Year’s resolutions is more than just a fun tradition. If you take the time to create actionable goals for yourself, your New Year’s resolutions can be an important tool in promoting a lasting recovery.   Using the SMART Goals Framework Most New Year’s resolutions fail because they are too vague or the person making the resolution hasn’t thought about how to achieve their goal. For example, “get in shape” could mean anything from

A woman gently holds a teenagers shoulders, offering comfort. The teen looks away with a distant expression, while the woman appears concerned. They are indoors in a kitchen setting.

What to Do When a Loved One Refuses Addiction Treatment

Dana Hinders November 2, 2017

Watching a friend or family member struggle with substance abuse is heartbreaking. Planning an intervention to express your concern and stress the need for treatment is a great idea, but interventions aren’t always effective. When your loved one refuses to admit the severity of his or her addiction, you need to adapt your strategy.   6 Actions to Take When a Loved One Refuses Addiction Treatment Follow Through on Consequences If you’ve expressed your concern

A woman gestures emotionally while talking to a man sitting on a purple couch. The man looks upset with arms crossed, avoiding eye contact. They appear to be having a serious conversation in a living room.

Understanding and Avoiding 9 Common Relapse Triggers

Dana Hinders October 18, 2017

Part of any successful treatment plan for alcohol or drug addiction involves managing the risk of relapse. Although no two substance abusers are exactly alike, there are some common relapse triggers that you should be aware of during the early stages of sobriety.   Avoid These 9 Common Relapse Triggers 1. Anger Using drugs and alcohol to manage unpleasant emotions is a common coping mechanism among people who seek substance abuse treatment. When you leave

A person lies in a hospital bed with an IV inserted in their hand, covered by a white blanket. Sunlight shines softly over the scene.

Delirium Tremens (DTs) and Alcohol Withdrawal

Dana Hinders September 14, 2017

Alcohol has a depressive effect on your nervous system, slowing down brain function and the way your nerves send messages back and forth throughout the body. When you consume large amounts of alcohol for an extended time period, the body starts to adapt to this depressive state by working harder to keep your nerves properly communicating with each other. If you suddenly stop drinking, the brain needs time to adjust to its normal functioning. This