Recovering from alcoholism can create special challenges, since alcohol is a common feature at social gatherings. Learning how to turn down a drink can take some practice, but there are a number of strategies you can use to make sober socializing a bit easier.
If you don’t want a glass of wine or a beer, a simple “No, thank you” should be sufficient. You can share that you’re in recovery if you feel comfortable doing so, but you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your choice.
At Waypoint Recovery Center’s South Carolina drug and alcohol addiction treatment program, personalized treatment plans are developed as part of each individual’s continuum of care. Often, this includes participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or a similar 12-Step group.
The 12-Step approach offers multiple benefits for men and women in recovery. For example:
Depression and anxiety are common co-occurring mental health disorders among men and women seeking treatment for substance abuse. In many cases, these conditions can be managed through the same lifestyle modifications that promote lasting sobriety.
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, famously said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Making a conscious effort to eat nutritious foods can help minimize your cravings for drugs and alcohol while stabilizing your overall mood.
Although the causes of addiction are complex and difficult to understand, there is a strong correlation between childhood trauma and the development of substance use disorders. To promote a lasting recovery, the effects of trauma must be considered as part of an individual’s treatment program.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, conducted by Kaiser Permanente and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was a groundbreaking look at how childhood trauma affects a person’s long-term mental health. The study looked at the experiences of over 17,000 individuals and asked if they had experienced any of the following types of trauma:
Making the decision to seek addiction treatment is an act of bravery, but it’s natural to be worried about how you will afford the care you need.
Every situation is unique, but there are several methods that can be used to pay for substance abuse treatment. Understanding your options before you choose a treatment program can help you take the first steps towards recovery with confidence.
If you’re newly sober and feel like you’re on top of the world, you may be riding the pink cloud. No one is suggesting that you’re not allowed to be happy, but the sense of euphoria you’re experiencing can make it hard to keep a realistic perspective regarding the challenges of building a sober life for yourself. If left unchecked, the pink cloud could put you at risk of relapse.
The term pink cloud is used to refer to a period of intensely pleasurable emotions that occurs when a person becomes sober after an extended period of substance abuse. The pink cloud is characterized by feelings of hope, elation, and optimism. The person in recovery believes that the future holds nothing but good things. The worst symptoms of withdrawal are over, so they are feeling good mentally and physically. They are considered to be “high on life” and feeling unstoppable.
Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous, potentially fatal, effect of drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. For many people, a case of alcohol poisoning is the “rock bottom” moment that inspires them to seek addiction treatment.
Alcoholic beverages contain acetaldehyde and acetic acid, two toxic substances that the body must work to eliminate. The liver does the majority of this work, although some alcohol is eliminated through a person’s breath, sweat, and urine. Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person consumes more alcohol than the body can process.
Although many people assume that addiction is a problem associated solely with young men, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that middle-aged women are the fastest growing segment of people struggling with addiction. Overdose deaths among women age 30-64 have quadrupled since 1999.
Addiction in middle-aged women can take many forms, but the most common forms of substance abuse include: