Your Addiction Recovery Guide
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Addressing the Bigger picture. Recovery vs Detox.
Addressing the Bigger picture.
Recovery vs Detox
I have learnt many things on the road to recovery and one of the most important is this:
“Sobriety is very different to Recovery”
Sobriety is like the starting blocks in an 100m race. Once it is secure, it gives the runner the best possible start. If this wasn’t the case, the runner would slip and fall flat on their face. It’s the same in recovery.
While achieving freedom from drug/ alcohol use starts with cleansing the body through a period of detox, it’s important to realise that detoxification is not treatment or a cure. Anyone can get clean in the right environment if you remove the ‘means’ - staying there is the difficult part.
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“Quitting Addiction Cold Turkey”, anyone?
“Cold Turkey”, anyone?So, this post is very important!Traditionally people thought an abrupt stop to someone’s drinking or using was what was needed to ‘sort them right out’.Now, I played the ‘cold turkey’ roulette on many occasions throughout the years in my brave attempt to quit using substances. The last time was extremely memorable as I literally felt like I was literally going die (this is NOT an exaggeration).Because I was using alcohol or drugs in such an unrestrained manner, it seemed much simpler to just stop using that substance as opposed to trusting myself to reduce it safely over time. But it not just me, scientific study’s indicates that trying to quit cold turkey may be doing more harm than good. -
Enabling – When help becomes unhelpful.
Enabling – When help becomes unhelpful.
Enable:“To give (someone) the authority or means to do something; to make it possible for”.Addiction not only affects the individual, it also causes ripple effects through the wider family unit. At times families are left trying to navigate the addiction merry-go-round trying their utmost to protect the person and eventually through frustration and exacerbation, protect themselves.Fundamentally, most families want to help when a loved one is suffering from a drug or alcohol problem, however, sometimes that “help” becomes enabling.Enabling comes in all different forms. -
The Road to Recovery - Gaz's Story
The Road to Recovery - Gaz's Story
It’s funny, I got unexpectedly nervous about writing this despite having done it countless times. Most people who know me now have met me at a time of my life where the following story can be hard to marry up. That’s a good thing, it’s shows that people CAN change; they CAN succeed and they CAN beat something that feels unbeatable to them.
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The Road to Recovery - Louise’s Story
The Road to Recovery - Louise’s Story
I've suffered from anxiety and depression for most of my adult life. Sometimes coping sometimes not but managed to function with daily life.I hit rock bottom about 4 years ago. I was in a mentally abusive relationship with someone with addiction problems and I started drinking more and taken drugs with him. I cant blame him as I was drinking and taking drugs before we met but I was definitely binging more frequently. I started abusing diazepam I was buying online. I hated myself and really didn't care if I lived anymore. I just took drugs to forget everything. The only reason I didn't end everything was my parents. -
Abuse Vs Addiction
Abuse Vs Addiction
The words “Abuse” and “addiction” are often used interchangeably, however it is important to note that - there is a difference.By now we should understand that drug addiction and alcoholism are conditions that affect the brain, but did you know that abusing drugs and alcohol is not the same thing as being addicted?You see, While abuse CAN lead to addiction, you should know where they differ. -
Post-Natal Depression & Addiction
Post-natal depression & Addiction
Now, you might have guessed by now that I’m not a woman! So before I delve into this blogpost let me highlight that; I am not an expert on childbirth; I haven’t given birth; had a C-Section; nor a vacuum or forcep delivery.
I am however a dad, and my desire to write about this stemmed from my own adjustment to fatherhood.
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International Overdose Awareness Day - Naloxone & Opiate Overdose
International Overdose Awareness Day - August 31st.
Naloxone & Opiate Overdose
This is not a problem associated only with big cities, or the great “American opiate epidemic”, opiate use is indiscriminate and has filtered down to all aspects of our society. It’s closer to home than you think. -
The Road to Recovery - Lee’s Story
The Road to Recovery - Lee’s StoryMy life before I started drinking was pretty damn normal, and very good more to the point. I had the close loving family, good friends, and I couldn't have asked for a better childhood. One thing I have noticed, only since being in recovery, is that I wasnt very confident in myself. I was always very shy and quiet with new people, even more so with the opposite sex. -
Active Recovery
Active Recovery
Let’s get Physical
Physical activity and exercise, I believe, are a fundamental component of a solid recovery plan. If you’re not doing it then- you should be, and if you are procrastinating about it - ask yourself why?
However, this is NOT a biased opinion piece from someone who loves exercise.
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ARC Essentials - The Addiction Recovery Checklist
ARC Essentials -
The Recovery Checklist
Here is some simple and straight forward advice from me when approaching your first year in recovery. I wish I had this, however learning from my mistakes should help you on your path.
Use this reminder as a guide to help you stay on track and navigate any pitfalls in the days and months ahead.
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