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Every addiction recovery journey is unique, but individuals trying to abstain from drug or alcohol use typically experience withdrawal symptoms. But what about post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)? Individuals can experience a variety of PAWS symptoms weeks after abstaining from substance use. The length and severity of these symptoms vary. While these symptoms may cause mild
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You may or may not already have strong connections with other guys – perhaps a brother, father, or close friend group. We sometimes negate the importance of men's connections with each other in life and recovery. However, making connections is part of the addiction treatment and recovery journey. Some men may be hesitant about entering
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Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) may not realize that there is a root cause to their struggle. For example, trauma often directly influences the development of SUD and other mental health conditions later in life. That often includes childhood trauma. Childhood traumas impact people mentally and emotionally, sometimes leading to the development of
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Are you struggling to begin repairing relationships post-treatment? Men struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) may notice problems within their professional and personal relationships. Addiction impacts friends, family, and other loved ones. This impact may require you to repair some damage done to your relationships upon leaving treatment.Repairing relationships may seem easier said
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Excessive substance use has many harmful effects on men physically, emotionally, and mentally. The longer a man uses alcohol and drugs, the greater risk to his mental health and the greater risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD). Individuals struggling with SUD experience a number of chronic conditions due to long-term substance use. Though some chronic
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For individuals struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD), long-term recovery should always be their primary goal. Unfortunately, many men with SUD do not receive the necessary treatment. If untreated, SUD can lead to further complications in personal relationships, troubles at work, and the development of other chronic physical or mental health conditions. The
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There are several reasons why a doctor may prescribe medications for a patient. It may be after an injury or surgery or to treat a mental health condition. Despite being prescribed with good intentions, prescription drugs can be highly addictive and lead to dependency. Sedatives, stimulants, and painkillers may put a person at risk of
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It is extremely important to look out for the major signs of depression in the early stages of recovery. A lot of men may be struggling with depression upon entering treatment. However, it is not uncommon for symptoms to develop during detox or early treatment. In either case, expressing concerns about symptoms you
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Have you tried therapy before but felt it was not helping you? Did you find it hard to connect with your therapist and, in turn, could not fully open up? Learning to be vulnerable with your therapist is vital if you hope to reap the benefits of therapy. Struggling to open up with a
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Depending on where you live, this time of year can be difficult for those struggling with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). As the days become shorter and the nights grow longer, people feel isolated and experience symptoms of depression. Developing SAD is common, especially for individuals who love spending time outdoors and in the
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You may be in a treatment program right now, trying to think up creative ways to help your addiction recovery long-term. If so, you are not alone. Many men spend time in treatment trying to figure out the best ways to maintain sobriety post-treatment. There are many pillars to recovery, but sometimes the more mundane
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Addiction takes a lot from us. That sometimes includes our families, friends, jobs, and almost every part of our lives. Recovery is the only way for us to begin regaining control over our lives, but it's not easy to do. Losing control feels effortless, and before you know it, you'll wonder how you got
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Did you know that, in addition to evidence-based modalities and treatments, there are several holistic practices that can aid your recovery journey? A holistic approach to recovery treats the whole person, including the mind, body, and soul. Yoga can help with this whole-person approach to addiction treatment. Stretching, engaging your muscles, and focusing on breathwork
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Are you currently in a situation where you are struggling to balance addiction and family? Do you find yourself trying to hide the addiction from your family? Perhaps you want treatment but are afraid of how your family will react. Maybe even worse, you are already in a situation where a spouse or child no
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Struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) can be challenging to recover from, and seeking treatment can be scary. These feelings can be intensified if you also struggle with mental health disorders. It is common that these two types of disorders go hand in hand, referred to as a dual diagnosis. Learning how to manage multiple
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Developing peer support and a community can greatly benefit your addiction recovery journey. This is especially true for the early stages of recovery. When you start your journey to stop using substances, it can feel like a lonely time where no one understands you. Being a part of a group of peers can help you
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Learning to build connections, be vulnerable, and communicate are all important aspects of recovery. For some people, these things can be very difficult to do. This is especially true for men due to the many stigmas about them and being vulnerable with their emotions. Having a community in recovery is very important; without such a
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When beginning addiction recovery treatment, there are many options out there for you to explore. One of these options includes dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This type of talk therapy focuses on helping you regulate your emotions and be in the moment. DBT differs from classic talk therapies as it can help those who struggle with
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Trauma can play a major role in your life. It can affect not only your recovery but your daily life as well. While you may not be dealing with a traumatic event any longer, there are still triggers that can bring back overwhelming feelings and emotions. Triggers can be any external event or circumstance that
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When working through your recovery journey, there are many feelings that you will experience. At times these emotions can feel overwhelming and out of control. A common feeling that a lot of people experience is anger. While your anger can be targeted at yourself, your actions, or the treatment center, you may sometimes take it
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Setting goals is a great way to move forward in your recovery journey. Goals can help motivate you to reach certain milestones. However, it can be hard to stay consistent with goals when setting goals. Some of the hardest things about recovery can be keeping up with tasks and being motivated to do them. Learning how
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In recovery, some are still learning how to manage overwhelming emotions. These emotions can be amplified when you experience traumatic events, including loss. Losing a loved one can affect your mental health and recovery. Coping with the loss of a loved one is challenging, especially in recovery. Feelings of depression, anger, and guilt can all build
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Mental health disorders can be hard to tackle, but they can add to the stress when struggling with addiction or a substance use disorder. When struggling with these two things is known as a dual diagnosis. Nearly half of people with a mental disorder will also have a substance use disorder at some point, and
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For those struggling with alcohol addiction, a common form of therapy is attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA utilizes a 12-Step program and group sessions to face alcohol addiction. This has been a proven method to help those struggling with alcohol and can be a great tool for recovery. AA was founded in 1935 by Bob Smith,
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Working a 12-Step program can be incredibly beneficial to your recovery journey. It offers a lot of room for you to grow as a person. The Twelve Steps provide a foundation on that you can base so much of your life. For simplicity, we will focus on the original Twelve Steps developed for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
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Setting boundaries with loved ones is a vital part of recovery. Doing this can be a lot easier said than done, though. It can be a very anxiety-filled discussion when talking to family members about substance use disorder (SUD, treatment, and potential trauma events surrounding one's recovery. While everyone would like to think that all family
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While on your recovery journey, there can be times when you need a moment to yourself. This can be especially common for those who are more introverted than others. It can sometimes make you feel like your battery is drained, and to recharge, you just need to step away from everyone. While there are pros to
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When you struggle with substance use disorder (SUD), it can be hard to talk to anyone about it, especially your family. Feelings of guilt and shame surround the topic, making it difficult to start that conversation. However, it is a necessary conversation to have. Explain What Substance Use Disorder Is The best way to start the conversation
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Holidays bring days to be enjoyed and spent with loved ones making memories, but this time of year can be overwhelming for some. When working through recovery, being in environments that are triggering can be dangerous. Something we can forget is that holiday events are not mandatory, and you are not obligated to stay or attend.
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For some people, addiction can start when prescribed medications, and they either misuse them or build a dependency. For example, a common medication that can be highly addictive is Xanax. Xanax treats anxiety disorders, anxiety-caused depression, and some panic disorders. The use of Xanax is often misused to achieve the feeling of euphoria. Whether this is
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Methamphetamine — also referred to as meth — is a dangerous substance that has been gaining popularity over the past few years. It is a highly addictive stimulant and will almost always lead the person using it to develop substance use disorder (SUD). Methamphetamine can have some very damaging effects on not only the body
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A common misconception is that substance abuse and addiction are the same things. While they may present similar behaviors, they have fundamental differences. Below we will discuss the contrast and similarities between these two relationships with substances. What Is Substance Abuse? Substance abuse is the act of abusing or misusing a substance. This does not mean an
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Substance addiction can be a difficult battle, and each person varies on what specific substance they are struggling with. Cocaine is a prevalent drug used that is misused as it is a powerfully addictive stimulant. During active addiction, we rarely think of the risks that using can cause. Many dangers come along with abusing cocaine. These
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When someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction, it may leave you not knowing what to do or how to help them. Alcohol addiction and alcohol use disorders (AUD) are very common and have many treatment options. According to a 2019 study, nearly 15 million people over 12 have alcohol use disorder. Trying to help
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When considering what type of treatment to seek for substance use disorder (SUD) or opioid use disorder (OUD), medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be a great option. While this treatment is most effective for those with an OUD, it can still help others in recovery. The first question you may have is: what is MAT? MAT uses
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For those that struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), detox is commonly the first step on the recovery journey. While there are many ways to go about this, there can also be many dangers, which is why it should be done in a professional setting. Detoxing from any substance without around-the-clock support and guidance
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Depression is a mental health disorder that can leave a person feeling alone and not in control of their own life. With depression, simple tasks like getting out of bed each day can feel impossible. You may have tried to quell your symptoms on your own with the use of substances. Self-medicating distressing mental health symptoms
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Supporting a loved one or loved one through recovery can be overwhelming. You might find yourself questioning if you're doing it right, how to support them better, or what more you can do. You can support your loved one in many ways without hindering their progress. Just remember to communicate effectively and listen to their
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The primary goal of addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is to remain sober. While this might seem like an easy task, it can feel impossible. While in treatment, it is vital to learn your triggers and warning signs of relapse. Triggers are individualized to each person, so learning your own is crucial to long-term
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The decision to recover from substances is also a decision to change. As a result, our vision of our future shifts once we leave substance abuse in the past. After an era of addiction clouding your judgment, how can you reestablish yourself and discover what comes next? Learn how Healing Pines Recovery gives you the
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Alcohol can quickly become a crutch; over time, you may find yourself in the midst of addiction. Understanding when alcohol consumption has become problematic and even dangerous can be difficult. Discover the truth behind alcohol addiction and how you or your loved one can treat it at Healing Pines Recovery. Alcohol Addiction: A Cycle Alcohol use disorder
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It's time to put your health, mind, and life first. Choosing recovery is a big step, and deciding to focus all of your energy on yourself can certainly feel like a selfish act. Whether it's taking time away from school or work or even family and friends, recovery can inherently bring on feelings of guilt.
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The goal of residential or inpatient treatment is always to get you on a healthy recovery plan and then reintegrate you back into society. For some, this can be a simple task, and for others, it causes a lot of anxiety. When returning from treatment, one of the first things that come to mind is
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Parenting is one of the most challenging yet rewarding things a person can do in their life. However, throwing a history of substance use into the equation can be even more challenging. As a father, you have a unique bond with your child, one that differs from their mother's. While one is not more important than
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Throughout your recovery journey, it can be hard at the time to love yourself, especially during the beginning stages of recovery when it feels like your life is spiraling out of control. Substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction can cause deep seeded feelings of guilt and shame, making you feel unworthy of self-love. An important thing
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Realizing you have substance use disorder (SUD) can be a shocking and intimidating discovery that can leave you questioning yourself on what to do moving forward or what to expect out of substance use treatment. First, you have to understand what SUD is and the dangers that come with substance use. Each person is different when
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Freeing yourself of substances through addiction treatment is a life-changing experience. The overall goal that you are striving to achieve is long-term success in sobriety. In treatment, there is constant guidance available to you, but once you leave, how do you continue to stay on track? Unfortunately, long-term sobriety is not always an easy task. While
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When considering treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), it is important to consider which options resonate best with you. While strategies like group therapy can aid those in recovery, there are still many different approaches available. At Healing Pines Recovery, we offer both conventional and holistic programs that promote healing and well-being. One of the holistic
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When it comes to treating addiction, there are many things to consider, like where your addiction stems from. In many cases, addiction is the outcome of untreated trauma. Addiction can be an unhealthy learned coping method and survival skill that seemingly help to manage the overwhelming feelings of trauma. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
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Finding the right treatment center for your unique needs can be a challenging task. With so many options out there, how do you know which is the best one for you? At Healing Pines Recovery in Elizabeth, Colorado, we offer many treatment options to explore. Being located in Colorado allows us to provide programs that
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The age-old saying that many young men grew up hearing is that boys do not cry. You may even have been told that crying is a sign of weakness. Today, it is known that these statements are not true and that being vulnerable takes a lot of strength; however, if you are a man who
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When considering what type of treatment would best suit you through your recovery journey, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is often forgotten. Unlike cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), DBT mainly focuses on your struggle with substance use disorders and multiple psychosocial disorders, including suicidal ideations. At Healing Pines Recovery, we offer the guidance and support that you need
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When seeking treatment for opioid use disorders or substance use disorders, it can be overwhelming to find the best treatment option for you. At Healing Pines Recovery we have medication-assisted treatment (MAT) available that specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders. While MAT is most effective in treating opioid use disorders, it can also
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When beginning your journey into recovery, therapy and other forms of treatment may be incredibly beneficial to implement. Determining which forms of treatment to implement can be overwhelming, as there are a lot of options to consider. Remember that you do not have to choose one single form of treatment or therapy. This is where
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When facing a loved one with an addiction, it can be hard to recognize the signs and symptoms from an outside perspective. Substance use disorder is often a difficult topic of discussion; at times, you may feel like there is no way to support your partner. It is important to understand that addiction is not
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When working through your recovery journey, many different practices can help in your treatment. When looking at all options, it can seem so overwhelming with the other stressful aspects of recovery. Luckily, there is a simple activity that has an incredible amount of benefits and is easy to implement. That activity is walking. It may
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When working through recovery, there are many ways to boost your mental health and practices to implement that will help further assist you in your recovery journey. Holistic treatment plans offer a different approach to recovery. An article posted by the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs has shown that holistic approaches to recovery can provide a
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When it comes to recovery, many things can affect the process and potential for success. One of the positive things that you can do to keep a healthy recovery path is to maintain physical wellness. Physical wellness can consist of exercise, keeping a healthy diet, and managing your sleep schedule. When working through treatment, you
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Substance use disorder (SUD) is experienced differently by each person who goes through it, each person has their own path and patterns. What is patently true though, is that different genders experience things differently. Society puts different expectations on men and women, makings their life experiences different from each other, including their experiences with substances. Even
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