choice house blog

A significant component of managing recovery is taking time to listen and sit with your internal voices and feelings. The practice of mindfulness contributes to your serenity, health, and overall effectiveness in life and recovery. Therefore, if the distractions of the day feel as though they are pulling you apart and you’re becoming stressed, anxious…

A publication released by SAMHSA in 1914 estimated that 33 percent of the general public suffer from some type of insomnia-related sleep disorder, defined as difficulty with either falling or staying asleep. That is a little over one-fourth of the population who are operating on less than the CDC recommended seven-plus hours of sleep a night.…

Recovery is a challenging journey and sometimes can feel very lonely. Among the many obstacles you will have to face, isolation and depression are among the most difficult. Recovery is rebuilding yourself from within and rebuilding your relationships, though, at times, you might feel misunderstood and succumb to thoughts that nobody can relate to you.…

Experiencing a traumatic event that leads to PTSD can also lead to alcohol use. Drinking to cope with PTSD symptoms may be a form of avoidance as PTSD symptoms exhibit feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. However, drinking alcohol and developing a dependency have similar effects on emotions and feelings. Therefore, in…

Although addictive disorders are mostly unique to each individual, recovery means an increase in leisure time as sober individuals. Clients in early recovery often report on the extensive amount of free time afforded them once efforts are no longer focused primarily on continued substance misuse. The question of what to do with this free time…

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that involves emotional swings in mood and energy levels. In a recent study, research showed that approximately 60% of people with bipolar disorder either use or used substances. However, the reason why there is a relationship between bipolar disorder and substance use is unknown, though substance abuse will…

Achieving initial sobriety through a detox program and undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment services to address an addictive disorder is a huge and commendable first step to managing substance misuse. This, however, is still only the first step of many more steps to come for patients before they gain a handle on their addictive disorder.…

The road to recovery relies upon setting realistic goals and having realistic expectations. These goals serve as stepping stones to aid in the healing process after perhaps years of substance use. Setting goals also helps you manage your progress and attain confidence and resiliency upon each new accomplishment. Part of the process is learning to…

With flowers in full bloom and warm temperatures beginning to peak in the lower 70s, the months of summer have officially begun. Many Colorado residents are itching to say goodbye to the winter blues and COVID-19 restrictions and stretch out in the summer sun. For many, summer simply means relaxing for weeks on end beachside…