Waypoint Recovery Center Blog

Shameless Recovery: Guilt, Shame, and How to Cope

19 May 2017

Oftentimes, people entering addiction recovery programs have already fallen short of their personal standards.

That is why examining regrets is such an important part of addressing the root cause of addiction. Even so, there is a fine line between knowing you have behaved badly (guilt) and believing you are bad (shame). Distinguishing between guilt and shame could make all the difference to your recovery. (more…)

How to Launch a Successful Job Search in Recovery

12 May 2017

Can you explain this gap in your employment history?

If your recovery has included time away from your career, this interview question can sound like a non-starter. You have a lot to be proud of in recovery, but how do you explain time off for self-care? Or even termination from your last job? (more…)

Recognizing Addiction: How to Know When a Loved One Needs Your Help

01 May 2017

You know them inside and out. They are a good person, someone you love and respect.

But could this person be an addict? The first step to finding out is letting go of the notion that addiction cancels out any of your loved one’s positive qualities. Everything you have come to like about this person is still there. (more…)

How Alcohol May Be Damaging to Your Body

13 Apr 2017

Alcohol’s effects on the body are numerous and wide-ranging.

Side effects occur not only with long-term alcohol use or abuse, but also with light to moderate drinking over a period of time.

Many people drink alcohol because of its immediate effects on the central nervous system. (more…)

Letting Go of Old Ideas

03 Apr 2017

When I began recovery from alcoholism, I didn’t realize I would need to let go of old beliefs about life. But learning to let go has actually been one of the biggest benefits of working a 12-step program.

When I got sober, I brought a lifetime of ideas with me, both self-taught and society driven. Every time something did not go the way I thought it should, I believed it was my fault. (more…)

Addiction Treatment for First Responders

22 Mar 2017

Choosing a career as a first responder means putting your well-being second to those you serve.

Police officers, firefighters, 911 operators, EMTs, correction officers, servicemen and women, and hospital/trauma workers are always risking their lives to protect others. These heroic men and women are expected to (more…)

Types of Addiction

13 Mar 2017

Those in the field of addiction recovery are not surprised by the many different and deadly types of addiction that are plaguing our communities.

Defined as a “primary, chronic disease of the brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry,” addiction is characterized by the inability to abstain from using (more…)

What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

03 Mar 2017

When it comes to addiction treatment, there are essentially two types of programs.

Residential treatment, also called “inpatient,” is designed for individuals who require around-the-clock care in a supervised setting. The need for medical detoxification is often a deciding factor. (more…)