choice house blog

Using substances to change your mood, handle stress, or deal with painful emotions is a common coping mechanism among men. Sometimes, you might not be aware that you are using substances to cope and, therefore, develop a severe addiction. When this occurs, you risk developing other mental and substance use disorders that can create lasting…

The holiday season can bring about experiences that create extra stress and anxiety. The stress and anxiety of attending holiday events and seeing people you don’t necessarily want to see could set you on a path to feeling depressed and tempted to use substances. You might also experience thoughts of grief because there are friends…

Women and men both experience depression; however, depression will be different for both. Therefore, when depression occurs in men, it may be masked by unhealthy coping behaviors. Further, many cases of depression in men go undiagnosed for various reasons, including stigma, lack of knowledge, and lack of awareness. If your depression goes undiagnosed, it can…

Working on and completing household projects play an essential role in your recovery journey. By performing certain duties and obligations on your living space, you build structure and confidence within that is necessary to face challenges that threaten substance use. They not only better the home, but they also prepare you for other challenges and…

Men often hear phrases like “get tough” or “suck it up” when dealing with traumatic experiences. While most post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) are associated with the military and combat experiences, many other factors could also contribute to PTSD. Understanding and fully recognizing the complexities of men’s trauma takes some education to help more men come…

If you have struggled with a substance use disorder, it is likely that you have experienced sleep issues at some point, too. Substances like drugs and alcohol significantly impact your body, even when substances are absent from the system. It can be especially troubling in recovery. You might still experience sleep deprivation because your past…

Motivation for managing a substance use disorder requires persistence and resilience. When you incorporate your recovery regimen into your everyday life, eventually, the two become one and the same. However, while focusing on the things you can control and manage both your life and recovery, it does not mean that at certain points, life won’t…

Binge drinking is a prevalent occurrence in the United States. Further, binge drinking does not have to be associated with a substance use disorder that harms your body and brain. However, if you are a frequent binge drinker, you can develop health problems. Consuming five or more drinks within two hours is considered binge drinking.…

While it is essential to experience your feelings and let them guide you through certain challenges, sometimes how you feel is not a direct result of reality. Such behavior is known as emotional reasoning, a pattern of thinking where you mistake certain feelings as signs that something is “right” or “wrong” in your life and…