Recovery

After years of using substances, your emotions can become numbed and imbalanced. Consistent substance use also involves avoiding emotions. Alcohol and drugs used to cope with feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, and depression further perpetuate your emotional numbness. Recovery, however, is all about reconnecting with your emotions and finding balance. As such, you will have…

“Real men don’t cry.” “Tough it out.” “Man up.” We’ve all heard these phrases before. While they’ve become commonplace, these expressions reinforce outdated expectations of what men should and shouldn’t do. When it comes to mental health, this has led to the misconception that men don’t have, and aren’t even supposed to have, the same…

The road to recovery is a personal and fulfilling journey that varies based on the individual. While you share similar experiences with other friends, family, and peers, you also likely have your own set of needs and goals. Ultimately, recovery is not a one-size-fits-all approach, nor should it be. Your unique background and aspirations are…

You’re only as strong as the company you keep. As such, a big part of successful recovery relies on a strong support network. Building a strong network includes being active in participating in meetings and other healthy social settings. However, while in early recovery, you may experience thoughts that can create fear and doubt about…

The first step toward seeking therapy is through understanding why you are avoiding it. While research shows that men are less likely to seek help than women, it also shows that men often delay getting help until there is a crisis. Men also tend to be concerned about privacy and sometimes require greater reassurance that…

Recovery is a lifelong and deeply personal journey. Your experiences influence successful growth in recovery, and therefore it should move at your pace because it is your story to tell. The process of seeking support, acceptance, spiritual support, and mental growth all builds toward helping you re-establish your identity. Often, when rebuilding relationships, you might wonder…

Anxiety, stress, depression, feeling stuck, or frustrated with trauma can create challenges that invade many aspects of life, including your recovery. While numerous forms of therapy treat PTSD, trauma, and anxiety, EMDR therapy stands out as one of the more effective. If you are experiencing unpleasant feelings or symptoms of PTSD, EMDR, in addition to…

People often measure the quality of their life based on their past decisions, accomplishments, and even shortcomings. While it is good to learn from the past to become more resilient and make better decisions moving forward, when you dwell in the past, it becomes problematic. In recovery and especially early recovery, it is common to…

Recovery is a lifelong journey requiring patience, persistence, and self-awareness. At times your recovery might feel completely manageable, especially when your confidence is high. During these times, you are likely feeling strong, and you might even feel as though you have mastered the process of sustaining recovery. While confidence is a sign of growth and…