Serotonin Syndrome: 101
Serotonin is an important chemical naturally produced in the body that aids nerve cells, digestion, breathing, brain function, and much more. Serotonin syndrome occurs when, by ingesting too many or the wrong combination of drugs, serotonin levels are too high for the body to handle. Mild occurrences of serotonin syndrome can dissipate on their own […]
Six Ways to Stay Sober While Traveling
Temptation is all around us; it’s just a fact of life. However, when traveling, it can be even harder to resist. This can be for several reasons. First, it seems that the opportunities to drink or abuse substances are more plentiful in your travels. Second, the stress of travel increases the likelihood of making a […]
How Do the Stages of Change Help Motivate Recovery?
One of the most essential—and challenging—aspects of addiction recovery is the need to change a person’s behavior to improve their health status. Behavior change interventions, which involve a combination of program elements or strategies, are especially useful in addressing lifestyle modification for those suffering from addictions. A change in patient lifestyle is necessary for successful […]
Is Emotional Sobriety The Key to Lasting Recovery?
When defining recovery from substance abuse or addiction, it is natural that you would think about sobriety. Getting sober and staying sober, which usually means abstinence from drugs and alcohol, are the obvious goals for anyone in recovery. In the early stages of recovery, detoxification and breaking the grip of the abused substance necessarily takes […]
The Benefits of Music Therapy
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, recovery is a holistic endeavor that encompasses your physical and mental health, self-care, faith, creativity, spirituality and social networks. No single treatment plan is right for every individual, and any high-quality treatment plan will offer an array of support and services that ensure a holistic […]
Pink Cloud Syndrome
Early recovery can be a treacherous time and requires constant vigilance and mindfulness to stay on track while battling intense cravings and feelings of loss. But for some, this time is marked by feelings of euphoria and palpable excitement. Recovery feels like the best thing in the world, and it seems like there’s nothing that […]
Should A Recovering Alcoholic Eat Foods Cooked with Alcohol?
Assessing the Risk With the prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcoholism in the United States—over seventeen million people—questions about foods containing or prepared with alcohol are a common and legitimate concern. Some insist that alcohol in food or cooking is nothing to worry about, often citing a commonly held belief that alcohol gets cooked out […]
Can Superfoods Benefit Your Recovery?
Health magazines and websites often tout the benefits of a variety of “superfoods,” a popular label that suggests that these edibles are extra dense with nutrients and therefore have some manner of curative powers. The reality, however, isn’t quite so cut and dried. While superfoods are generally very healthy, their benefits are considerably overstated in […]
Can Playing Tetris Help with Cravings?
Thanks to a recent study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, you can now add a quick game of Tetris to your arsenal of ways to combat cravings. Many theoretical models have been developed to explain the anatomy of a craving, which is believed to be both physiological and psychological, according to the National Institute […]
The Basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The key feature of CBT is involvement. Rather than simply taking medications, the patient actively learns strategies for lifelong recovery and can direct the course of their treatment. – See more at: https://destinationhope.com/?p=4605&preview=true&preview_id=4605&preview_nonce=8b623ccb5b#sthash.HAq16vU0.dpuf