What Is Peer Support in Addiction Recovery?

Peer support in addiction recovery may take many different forms but ultimately all focus on the same thing — bringing together a group of people with a common set of challenges to collaborate on recovery.

People who offer peer support typically have a lived experience of addiction, are in recovery themselves, and are working to help others do the same.

The people who offer peer support aren’t necessarily trained mental health professionals. They are regular people who have overcome an addiction problem. Some, however, do have specialized training as peer support coaches, treatment interventions, or counseling.

What most people who offer peer support in addiction recovery have in common is that they understand that the process becomes much easier when you are surrounded by a supportive and understanding community.

Different Types of Peer Support

Peer support in addiction recovery comes in many shapes and sizes. It can be a paid, professional service by people who have specialized training and skills, or it can be a free support group where people gather simply to support one another.

Some of the most common types of peer support in addiction recovery include:

• Recovery Coaching: A recovery coach has specialized training in peer support and offers one-on-one guidance from a professional
• 12-Step Support Groups: Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are free community groups designed to support people on the path to recovery
• Alternative Support Groups: Groups such as SMART Recovery or Refuge Recovery provide alternative support groups to the 12-step model
• Group Therapy: Group therapy is guided by a licensed therapist but focuses on helping people with a shared problem work toward sobriety together
• Online Support Forums: A number of websites offer recovery support forums for people to share their challenges and victories with one another 24/7
• Sober Clubs or Groups: Many communities have local groups who are living lives in recovery, often focused on activities or sports such as exercise, hiking, or baseball

The different types of peer support are designed to cater to the wide range of needs that people can have while working to maintain their recovery. Finding the approach that’s right for you can help you start to reap the benefits of peer support.

10 Benefits of Peer Support

Peer support is one of the most essential elements of a well-rounded and comprehensive treatment plan, due to its countless benefits. There are many clear and impactful benefits of peer support in addiction recovery.

1. Showing that Recovery Is Possible

No matter the type of peer support you engage in, the first and most obvious advantage is that it can show people that recovery is truly possible. People with substance use disorders often feel as though achieving sobriety is out of reach or that people can’t understand how challenging it is to achieve abstinence.

Peer support can rapidly change this outlook. It shows people that others who have had a substance use disorder have achieved lasting sobriety. They can share how they overcame challenges similar to the ones you’re experiencing right now.

This can create a light at the end of the tunnel, showing people what the rewards of recovery look like and how to achieve them.

No two people’s stories of addiction are the same, but connecting with other people in recovery can show you how similar the path to sobriety is. No matter how you may feel, you’re not alone in your recovery process, and there are people with similar stories who can help you along the path to recovery.

2. Recovery Outside of Treatment

For most people, recovery from addiction starts at a residential or outpatient treatment center. These facilities provide extensive support from mental health professionals, carefully controlled environments that help facilitate your sobriety, and rigorous accountability from your treatment team.

However, addiction treatment doesn’t last forever, and people who graduate from treatment can often feel like they lose the support they need to maintain their recovery.

Peer support options can help supplement this support network after clients have graduated from a treatment program and continue to offer support for as long as needed.

Taking part in peer support groups outside of your treatment center can provide a place where you can continue working with other people in recovery and surround yourself with people who truly understand the challenges of maintaining your sobriety.

You can attend support groups, meet with a recovery coach, or attend sober events for years after graduating from treatment, keeping your recovery at the forefront of your mind and making it easier to maintain.

3. Cultivating Community

Finding effective peer support helps people build a sense of community that supports a recovery lifestyle. 12-step or alternative support groups, for instance, make fellowship and community a key aspect of their recovery programs, knowing how important this social support network is to recovery.

You may wonder why it’s so important to have a community that’s specifically focused on sobriety and recovery. While there’s no requirement to surround yourself with other sober people if you’re trying to stay sober yourself, a sober community can help in many ways, including:

• No social pressure to drink or use drugs
• A shared commitment to a recovery lifestyle
• Sharing effective coping skills for managing cravings, triggers, or mental health challenges
• Providing a place where you can share your challenges openly without fear of being misunderstood

All of these components can help keep you on the path to sobriety.

4. Providing Accountability

When people break free from a substance use disorder, there are typically a number of lifestyle changes they need to make to maintain that recovery.

For example, you may need to take actions such as:

• Avoiding certain peer groups you used to drink or use drugs with
• Sharing with others when you’re struggling mentally
• Letting people know when you feel a craving
• Engaging in recovery activities such as therapy, support groups, or medication-assisted treatment
• Taking care of your physical and mental health

People who are involved in peer support groups understand how important these lifestyle changes are to maintaining sobriety, and can help keep you accountable to your own recovery program.

5. Reducing Stigma

Substance use disorders are incredibly stigmatized in society today. Facing this stigma regularly can quickly wear you out mentally and emotionally, leading to undue stress and hardship that can trigger substance use cravings or simply leave you feeling worn out.

Since peer support is typically given by those who have overcome a substance use disorder themselves, they are typically the least stigmatizing people you can spend time with. They won’t judge you for past substance use, experiencing cravings or lingering withdrawal symptoms, or simply having a hard time staying sober.

Instead, they’ll be able to share their own experiences of stigma and how they’ve overcome them, as well as be there to provide continued support on your recovery journey.

6. Practical Advice

People in peer support roles can provide insight and practical advice into the challenges you experience on a day-to-day basis. If you have a large peer support group, there is almost always somebody who’s experienced the challenge you’re going through now, and they may have actionable and practical advice for how to get through it.

When you’re newly sober, all manner of everyday activities can bring up challenges you didn’t expect. It might be your first time dealing with these situations without resorting to drug or alcohol use.

People who have been sober for years, on the other hand, have likely encountered these situations several times before and developed personal strategies to overcome their challenges, and they can help you find strategies that work for you as well.

7. Role Models and Mentorship

Recovery is inherently aspirational. It’s about becoming a better person, working on your shortcomings, and achieving your personal goals in life. Having a role model for your recovery can help you shape these goals and ambitions for yourself by seeing what’s possible when you maintain your recovery for years to come.

Mentorship is a common form of peer support as well. Having somebody with more recovery experience to help you through daily challenges can be incredibly valuable, and they can provide suggestions and strategies that can be extremely useful in your own recovery journey.

8. Creating a Sense of Belonging

Another common experience for people new to recovery is feeling like they don’t quite fit in anywhere after they’ve gotten sober. People will often separate themselves from the people they used to drink or use drugs with as a strategy to maintain their abstinence, leaving them more socially isolated than when they were in active addiction.

Peer support helps create a sense of belonging and connection again. Often, peer support groups highly value new members, go to great lengths to make them feel welcomed and supported, and understand what it’s like to be newly sober and not have a strong support network in place already.

When you seek out peer support from somebody with a bit more recovery experience than you have, you may find that you are treated as though you belong immediately.

9. Accessibility

Peer support options are typically much more accessible, affordable, and approachable than other forms of addiction treatment. Going to a residential treatment program, for instance, often requires you to commit to several weeks of care, may cost a substantial sum of money, and takes a great deal of time and effort.

In contrast, most peer support options are free and available to everyone. Even seeking out a professional recovery coach is often much more affordable than other types of mental health treatment.

10. Providing the Opportunity to Give Back

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your recovery is to give back to others. If you’ve been sober for a month, you may have just the right experience and advice to support somebody who’s only been sober for a week.

Many people find that the process of helping somebody else through a sobriety challenge is the most beneficial thing they can do for their own recovery.

Peer support is an inherently selfless process, but these acts of selflessness can nonetheless sustain your recovery. By focusing on helping others, you can set aside your personal problems, at least for a short while — and you may come through the other side feeling much better.

Learn More About Peer Support at APN

At APN Lodge, we weave peer support into the very fabric of our addiction recovery programs. To learn more about how we integrate peer support with professional evidence-based interventions, call our team today to speak to one of our team members about our program.

References

• Reif, Sharon, et al. “Peer Recovery Support for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders: Assessing the Evidence.” Psychiatric Services, vol. 65, no. 7, July 2014, pp. 853–861, https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201400047.
• SAMHSA. “Peer Support Workers for Those in Recovery.” Samhsa.gov, 2017, www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/peers.

Substance use disorders are chronic, relapsing conditions that can turn your life upside down, impacting your relationships, careers, and goals. The nature of the disease can also make it incredibly difficult to break away from substance-seeking behavior for long enough to get help. Even if you do manage to seek help, you may struggle to maintain long-term sobriety if you don’t choose a treatment option that suits your needs.

One significant factor that can help you complete treatment and achieve your sobriety goals is having a program that is uniquely tailored to you. This is where personalized addiction treatment plans come in. When you opt for addiction treatment that addresses your specific struggles and goals, you can enjoy an enhanced recovery in many ways.

Here is what you need to know about targeted treatments for substance use disorders and what benefits they offer.

Understanding the Diversity of Addiction

To understand the limits of a one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, it’s important to have a clear idea of the variety of underlying factors that can lead someone to fall into a substance use disorder in the first place. Genetics can be one of these factors.

Scientists estimate that genes account for at least 50% of a person’s vulnerability to drug addiction. Addiction is considered an inheritable disease in which even minor genetic differences can make someone more likely to experience a problem with addictive behavior.

There are many genes that impact addiction, however, which means that there may be countless ways that those genes affect the brain in each individual and trigger different reactions.

Added to that challenge are environmental factors. Your experiences and home life all play a role in the development of a substance use disorder. If you were exposed to adverse early life experiences or you live in an area where drugs are available, your chances of developing an addiction can be much greater.

Furthermore, many people suffering from substance use disorders have other mental health conditions. These comorbidities need to be taken into account during treatment, especially when deciding on which medications are appropriate for the detox process.

When you consider all of the factors that can play a role in the development of a substance use disorder, you can see why finding one treatment option that addresses the needs of everyone struggling with addiction is almost impossible. The best option, then, is to offer personalized addiction treatment plans. But what exactly do these plans involve?

What Are Personalized Addiction Treatment Plans?

Personalized addiction treatment plans refer to treatment programs that combine many interventions and therapies, implementing them as needed to offer the best possible outcomes for each patient. These plans are designed to meet each individual’s unique needs, and they take into account a number of factors, including:

• Substance involved
• Length of the addiction
• Physical health conditions
• Presence of co-occurring mental health conditions
• Personal goals
• Family dynamics
• Home environment

Generic treatment programs can’t address all of these factors for everyone, which means that they won’t allow you to receive the targeted support you need. Not being able to address key issues that led to the addiction can mean that you’ll be more likely to relapse or even quit your recovery program. You won’t have all of the tools you need to achieve lasting recovery.

With personalized addiction treatment plans, however, you can expect every aspect of your life to be addressed. Your care team can make adjustments as needed by performing regular assessments, ensuring that your program remains relevant and effective. As your needs change, so does your plan.

Key Components of a Personalized Addiction Treatment Plan

A tailored treatment program for substance use disorders will have a few core components. Some of those components can include the following:

Diagnosis and Full Assessment

To create a program that suits your needs, your care team will need to give you a full assessment so that you can have a clear diagnosis. This can make a huge difference for people who are facing co-occurring disorders.

Because many of the same factors that can lead to the development of an addiction can also affect your chances of having a mental health concern, co-occurring conditions are very common. Addressing one without addressing the other is detrimental and can even increase the risk of a relapse. That’s why having a thorough assessment before beginning treatment is vital.

The assessment will ask you about your substance use disorder, including details of how often you use and when you started using. You’ll need to provide a medical history to give your team an idea of your physical health, as well as a family history.

Your team will also likely ask about your home environment, the kind of support you have available, and whether you’ve tried getting sober before.

Customized Therapy Sessions

Using all of the information gleaned from the assessment, your team can structure your therapy sessions to ensure you receive the exact support you need. One aspect of this is finding the right treatment modalities.

Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly used therapeutic options, it’s not the only one. Some people may do better with more holistic approaches, while others can benefit from traditional talk therapy. A combination of both may be helpful to others.

Remember that your plan is flexible. That’s the point of having a personalized treatment program. If something doesn’t seem to be working, your care team can make the necessary adjustments.

Your therapy will typically involve individual and group sessions, along with family sessions. All of these sessions can be customized, and some may even take place online.

Treatment of the Underlying Cause

It’s not enough to remove traces of the substance from your body and stabilize you physically. An effective treatment program also has to provide that same balance for your psyche. To do so, it must tackle the underlying cause of the addiction.

Your program has to help you pinpoint what may have led to the substance use disorder and what may be keeping you from recovering. If that trigger isn’t addressed, it can easily lead you down the path to addiction once more.

For example, if mental health concerns like depression or anxiety led you to drugs to manage symptoms, your recovery isn’t complete without getting treatment for the mental health condition. If the problem began because you lived through a traumatic experience, then that’s what needs to be a key focus during therapy.

Medication Management

An important part of your recovery plan is ensuring that you’re comfortable and that withdrawal symptoms or cravings are addressed as you recover. As with the rest of your treatment, a personalized program ensures that you receive the exact medications and dosages that your unique body chemistry requires as you detox.

Aftercare Planning

Your personalized addiction treatment plan also needs to have a clear aftercare path. The transition from treatment to regular life can be fraught with dangers that are specific to your circumstances.

If your home environment doesn’t promote sobriety, for example, your plan should offer alternatives to going back to your routine. This can mean sober living homes, further treatment, or whatever provides the right support.

Relapse Prevention

Your personalized addiction treatment plan needs to include relapse prevention strategies that meet your exact needs as well. This means helping you recognize the stressors that could pose a danger to your sobriety.

By considering your support system, your care team can plan a relapse prevention strategy that you know you can rely on.

Benefits of a Personalized Addiction Treatment Plan

Personalized treatment plans provide a wealth of benefits, including increasing your chances of achieving long-term sobriety. Take a closer look at how this kind of plan can make a difference in your recovery journey.

Addresses Unique Needs

All aspects of your life impact your recovery, from your family history to your genes and life experiences. The length of your addiction, the substance you use and how you use it, and whether you have any mental health conditions can also impact your recovery. A plan that addresses all of these factors can make long-term recovery more attainable.

Increases Motivation and Engagement

When a program is tailored to your needs, you are more likely to remain engaged with the process. Being motivated and fully invested in your treatment is vital to achieving the results you want. Another important aspect of these personalized programs is that they empower you because you have a say in the process.

Promotes Cultural Sensitivity

People from different backgrounds can struggle in diverse ways when going through recovery. Some cultures see asking for help and beginning a program as a sign of weakness, which can be a significant problem if that’s what you’ll hear at home once you return to your daily life.

Your treatment program can keep these elements in mind and offer psychological tools to help you avoid the triggers that you face. There may also be cultural issues that need to be considered during therapy sessions. A plan that tackles these issues with respect can offer a greater chance of success.

Improves Outcomes

Personalized programs help to better prepare you for the exact stressors you will face when you return to your regular life by offering tailored strategies and coping skills. Because these programs are so flexible and can meet your changing needs, they can help you face new challenges with confidence.

Another aspect of a personalized plan that can make a significant difference in outcomes is offering both in-person and online care. This can help with retention for people who have transportation issues or can’t take time off to get care. With more options for care available to suit different lifestyles, patients can stick to treatment for longer.

Begin Your Sobriety Journey With a Personalized Plan at APN Lodge

The challenges you face on your path to sobriety might be wholly different from the ones of the person sitting next to you. Offering identical treatment plans would likely not help in either case. To help you make the changes in your life that can promote long-term sobriety, you need a treatment plan made just for you.

At APN Lodge, we offer personalized addiction treatment plans that combine traditional modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy with holistic options like experiential therapy. We know each person who comes to our facilities is unique. By offering a wide selection of treatment programs, from residential care to online services, we can support every step of your personal recovery journey.

Call us at 855-510-4585 or message us to learn more about the services we offer at APN Lodge today.

References

• National Institute of Mental Health. “Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders.” National Institute of Mental Health, Mar. 2024, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health.
• Price, M. (2008, June 1). Genes matter in addiction. Monitor on Psychology, 39(6). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/06/genes-addict

There are countless reasons why athletes turn to substance use, but some are more prominent than others. Regardless of the reason, athletes who develop an addiction will often need professional mental health treatment services in order to achieve recovery.

Reasons Athletes Turn to Substance Use

Everyone has their unique reasons for using drugs or alcohol, but there are a few common trends. For athletes, these reasons are distilled even further. Take a closer look at why many athletes turn to substance use during or after their sports career.

Performance Enhancement

The use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is exceptionally high among athletes, serving as a common cause of addiction in sports. According to one review, the rate of PED use among elite athletes is between 14% and 39%. This could include using drugs such as anabolic steroids, growth hormones, diuretics, beta-blockers, or central nervous system stimulants.

It’s easy to see why so many athletes turn to these drugs, which promise better performance, greater strength, more endurance, and faster recovery times. Yet these drugs can often have debilitating physical and mental health consequences, including the development of a substance use disorder and the risk of severe medical health events.

Some of the harmful negative effects of PEDs include:

• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Enlarged organs
• Severe anxiety
• Depression
• Liver damage
• Higher risk of cancer
• Blood clots
• Increased risk of stroke

It’s true that certain PEDs can provide a boost to some aspects of athletic performance in the short term. Yet they create lasting problems in the long term, even if you choose to stop using PEDs in the future. Further, they put you at risk of being disqualified from sporting events, getting in trouble with the law, or finding yourself in the midst of an expensive and debilitating substance use disorder.

If you want to continue your athletic career, the safest way to do so is to remain or become a drug-free athlete, which can preserve your health and athletic ability for years to come.

Relaxation

Competing in sports can be incredibly taxing. Training several times a week can leave your body feeling fatigued or worn down, and the mental sharpness needed for practice often leads to people feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

As a result, many athletes will turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of relaxation. This would typically include using drugs such as:

• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Benzodiazepines
• Muscle relaxants

These drugs are all central nervous system depressants, meaning they slow down your body’s automatic, life-preserving functions. This often produces a sense of calm and relaxation and may even reduce some of the pain and aches you experience from practice.

However, these effects are typically short-lived and artificial. As athletes continue using these drugs for relaxation, they often find that they need more of the drug in order to produce the desired effect and that when they don’t take the drug, they feel even more discomfort, stress, or anxiety.

Both of these are signs of developing drug tolerance and drug withdrawal. While they may have worked at first, these drugs eventually produce the opposite effect of what people had hoped, leaving them to feel more fatigued, stressed, and physically uncomfortable despite taking large doses of their substance of choice.

When athletes use these types of substances for relief from muscle soreness or pain, they may also find that they have a harder time recovering. Opioid painkillers, for instance, often dull the signals your body sends to go easy on recovering muscles, leading to overuse and exertion that can impede the recovery process.

Socialization

One of the most common reasons for substance use in all populations is to facilitate socialization. Athletes may drink or use drugs with their teammates, at social gatherings, at fundraising events, or any other type of social situation to help ease any sense of social anxiety or to simply have a good time.

This is particularly true for college athletes, who engage in heavy drinking and binge drinking at highly elevated rates. Such drinking is often in the context of post-game parties or celebrations, where athletes are surrounded by others using drugs or alcohol extensively.

Peer pressure plays a role here as well. If your teammates are using drugs or alcohol, you may feel pressured to use them also so that you can fit in with the group. Team cohesion is a critical component of your team’s success, but using drugs or alcohol to facilitate this will often cancel out any benefit you receive from feeling closer to your teammates.

Lifestyle Management

Perhaps the most dangerous reason for addiction in sports is athletes using drugs or alcohol to cope with the lifestyle the career often involves.

Athletes are frequently treated like machines: trained, tested, and expected to perform at a moment’s notice. Yet many athletes can face internal and external mental health challenges, such as experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, or countless other disruptive mental health symptoms.

If athletes can’t find the support to deal with these symptoms in a healthy way, they may turn to drugs or alcohol as a solution for these mental health challenges. Yet drinking or using drugs in order to cope with life’s stressors can be one of the fastest pathways to a substance use disorder.

Drugs or alcohol often work for relieving mental health symptoms — but only for a short while. In time, they will ultimately make the root cause of your mental health challenges worse, and when that time comes, you may also be dealing with a full-blown substance use disorder as well.

These two sets of symptoms can dovetail into a destructive downward spiral, where a person’s mental health symptoms get worse and require more drugs or alcohol to treat. The cycle can repeat itself indefinitely until it’s broken.

Breaking the Pattern of Addiction in Sports

As troubling as addiction in sports can be, there are several effective options to help people struggling with addiction break free from their challenges. It’s critically important that athletes struggling with substance use disorders get the treatment they need as soon as possible, as an addiction can not only interfere with their performance but interfere with every aspect of their lives as well.

Withdrawal and Detox Management

People who experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop using their substance of choice should almost always begin the treatment process at a specialized medical detox facility. Drug or alcohol withdrawal can be incredibly uncomfortable, prevent you from sticking to your plan for recovery, and in some cases, even lead to life-threatening symptoms if left untreated.

For example, drugs like alcohol and benzodiazepines can lead to withdrawal symptoms that include:

• Shakes
• Profuse sweating
• Dehydration
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Severe anxiety
• Seizures

These symptoms — and the risk of fatal consequences — can be vastly reduced by seeking medical treatment at a specialized withdrawal and detox management facility. There are several medications that can directly lessen withdrawal symptoms, help you feel more comfortable, and allow you to withdraw safely.

A medical detox is staffed 24/7 by professionals who are standing by to support you with any symptoms you experience, monitor your treatment progress, and provide emergency medical intervention if required.

As critical as detox management is for the recovery process, it should always be followed by evidence-based addiction treatment services to support people in building long, healthy lives in recovery.

Residential Treatment

For athletes with severe substance use disorders, residential treatment is typically the best option. Residential treatment provides clients with 24/7 support from addiction and mental health professionals, and clients live on-site during the entire treatment process.

Almost every day during residential treatment, clients participate in several hours of targeted addiction and mental health treatment interventions. This could include receiving specialized therapies such as:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Group therapy
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
• Mindfulness training
• Yoga, meditation, and breathwork

These treatment options aren’t just designed to help you break free from an addiction but also to help you heal in every aspect of your life. That includes healing from underlying mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety and benefiting from a team of medical experts available to assist with any ongoing medical challenges.

At APN Lodge, clients can enter our specialized residential treatment program designed specifically for athletes. This athletes-only track was designed by professional athletes and connects our clients with athletics-focused therapists and medical experts. It also provides targeted services for issues that affect athletes disproportionately, such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries.

Curious about our approach to treatment for athletes? You can check out our new podcast, Tackling Stigma, to hear from former professional athletes and behavioral health experts on our team.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment provides several of the same services as residential programs but doesn’t require clients to live on-site during the treatment process. Instead, clients attend their treatment program several times per week, either in-person or online, to receive therapy, medication, and specialized treatment interventions.

For clients who have just finished a residential program, stepping down into outpatient care is typically recommended. This helps people to continue receiving evidence-based therapies and interventions that have helped them break free from substance use while returning to living back home.

But for many people, outpatient treatment is the first-line approach to overcoming addiction. Depending on the severity of your substance use problem, you may not need to enter residential treatment straight away and may find that outpatient treatment provides you with everything you need to get sober and stay sober.

In-Person or Virtual Therapy

Another option is signing up for in-person or virtual therapy with a licensed therapist. Working one-on-one with a therapist can provide you with deep insight into why you’re struggling with addiction, help you explore any underlying mental health conditions, and equip you with actionable tools and healthy coping skills to leave your addiction behind once and for all.

For people nervous about enrolling in addiction treatment, meeting with a therapist can be a more comfortable spot to start. Your therapist can work with you to help reduce your substance use over time and can provide guidance on what to do if therapy alone isn’t enough to produce lasting recovery.

Start Treatment at APN Lodge Today

When you’re ready to take the next steps toward a lasting recovery, turn to the compassionate team at APN Lodge. Our comprehensive addiction and mental health services program has all the tools and services you need to overcome addiction, including several athlete-focused programs tailored to your unique needs.

Reach out to the team at APN Lodge by filling out our confidential online contact form or calling us at 855.934.1178 today.

References

• de Hon, O., Kuipers, H. & van Bottenburg, M. Prevalence of Doping Use in Elite Sports: A Review of Numbers and Methods. Sports Med 45, 57–69 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0247-x
• Reardon, Claudia L, and Shane Creado. “Drug abuse in athletes.” Substance abuse and rehabilitation vol. 5 95-105. 14 Aug. 2014, doi:10.2147/SAR.S53784
• Trevisan, L A et al. “Complications of alcohol withdrawal: pathophysiological insights.” Alcohol health and research world vol. 22,1 (1998): 61-6.

Why Reconnecting With Family After Recovery Can Be Difficult

When you break free from a substance use disorder, the process involves much more than merely achieving abstinence. Addiction recovery is also typically a holistic life change that teaches people to think about challenges differently, adopt new behaviors and hobbies, and emphasize key values like openness and honesty.

As much as you may have changed in the recovery process, the same can’t necessarily be said for your family members. Many of them may still think of you as the person who’s been using drugs or alcohol for months or years. They might also simply not understand what it takes to build and maintain a life in recovery.

Granted, some close family members may have become involved in your recovery process. If you attended a substance use treatment center that emphasized family therapy as a core treatment method, your closest family members may have a greater understanding of addiction recovery and what it takes.

But for any family members who haven’t joined in on the process, there can be several challenges that people experience when reconnecting. Some of the most common dangers of reconnecting with family after recovery include:

• Feeling triggered around a family member you used to drink or use drugs with
• Feeling pressured to drink or use drugs
• Family members not understanding why you had to get sober
• Substance use happening at family gatherings
• Becoming emotionally triggered by family conflict

With these dangers in mind, reconnecting with family after recovery should be done with careful preparation and a solid foundation of recovery underneath you.

Tips for Reuniting With Family

Following a few simple tips for reconnecting with family after recovery can ensure that everything goes well when you reunite with family members for the first time. This can be an incredibly positive experience. However, keeping your recovery at the forefront is crucial for preserving your hard-won victory over a substance use disorder.

Make Sure You’re Confident in Your Recovery First

Before going into any potentially triggering or difficult situation, you should ensure that you have a solid footing in your recovery. If you reunite with family members when you’re doubting your sobriety, having intense cravings, or generally feeling unsure of your ability to stay sober, it can quickly become too much to handle.

Before reuniting, ask yourself:

• Am I confident that I’ll be able to stay sober no matter what happens?
• Am I expecting my family members to pressure me to drink or use drugs?
• Will I be able to resist pressure from my family members if it happens?

If you can’t answer these questions to your satisfaction, it might be in your best interests to delay reuniting with your family members until you can. Don’t make the mistake of rushing in headfirst when your sobriety might be on the line.

Bring Along a Sober Friend or Supporter

Perhaps you’ve decided to go ahead and reunite with family members but still want some additional support. In that case, consider bringing along a sober friend or someone who supports you in recovery. Having them by your side can help you resist any temptation or craving you experience.

A trusted friend can keep you accountable to your recovery goals, provide support if you experience cravings or challenges, and generally put you at ease in difficult situations. This can be a valuable resource during the early weeks and months of recovery when triggers and cravings are still powerful.

Set Healthy Boundaries

When you’re reuniting with family members for the first time, setting strong and healthy boundaries can be critical to maintaining your progress in recovery. Family members may not recognize the severity of substance use disorders or the ongoing work needed to maintain sobriety. As a result, they may pressure you into uncomfortable situations.

This isn’t necessarily a personal attack against your new sober lifestyle — they may only be acting the way they’ve always acted around you. But your new life in recovery has changed what you need and what you’re comfortable with.

Setting boundaries at the beginning helps establish these new needs. It also lets family members know what’s important for your recovery and keeps you feeling confident in your sobriety.

If you haven’t had to set strong boundaries with family members before, the process can be a bit unnerving. But don’t let your nerves hold you back from voicing your needs. In making healthy boundaries, there are a few key areas you should focus on:

• Reflect on your personal needs
• Determine what your physical, emotional, and mental limits are
• Be direct, clear, and straightforward when setting a boundary
• Firmly hold your boundary, even if you receive pushback

As an example, imagine that you’re meeting with cousins or siblings at their home for a get-together. When you arrive, they may ask uncomfortable questions about your substance use disorder or what led you to seek addiction treatment.

If you aren’t comfortable discussing this subject, an assertive but healthy boundary might be to say, “I appreciate your concern, but I don’t feel comfortable sharing those details right now. Let’s keep the conversation to topics that aren’t my recovery process.”

This boundary acknowledges their concerns and voices your discomfort about the conversational topic. It can also help move the discussion away from subjects that you aren’t prepared to talk about.

Have an Exit Strategy

Family can be overwhelming at times. While you may be looking forward to a reunion, there’s a chance that there will become too much emotional and mental stress to handle, especially if your family starts to argue, pressures you to drink, or asks too many uncomfortable questions.

If your reunion starts to feel like too much, it’s important that you have an exit strategy in place. This could be as simple as saying it’s time for you to go and simply walking out the door. However, there are often barriers that get in the way of people leaving when they want to.

For example, if you suspect that reuniting with family members may be difficult or triggering, make sure to drive yourself to the gathering. Carpooling with a family member may leave you trapped there until that family member is ready to go or the gathering is over.

Whether you take an Uber, drive yourself, ride a bicycle, or get there using your own two feet, try to arrive on your own. It can be reassuring to have a safe exit strategy in case things get hectic.

Be Open and Patient

As a person in recovery, you know how difficult living with a substance use disorder can be and how hard it is to break free from addiction and achieve sobriety. You also understand how powerful cravings or triggers can be and how much work goes into maintaining your recovery.

In contrast, family members who have never had a problem with substance use or gone through recovery often can’t comprehend what it takes to get and stay sober. As a result, they may have questions or misunderstandings about the process, and being open and patient is often an essential component of a successful reunion.

For example, it’s not uncommon for family members to ask questions such as:

• Why did you need to go to treatment? Couldn’t you just stop?
• You had a problem with heroin, so having a beer should be fine, right?
• Why do you still go to those meetings? Aren’t you cured?

These questions are often well-intentioned, but it can quickly become tiresome to answer them repeatedly. Be as open and honest about your recovery as you’re willing to be and understand that your family members simply don’t have the lived experience to understand what it means to get sober and continue working toward your recovery.

Acknowledge Hurt and Consider Making Amends

When dealing with a substance use disorder, people tend to act or speak in ways that hurt the people closest to them. You may have borrowed money without returning it, lied to your family members, or hurt their feelings in some way while you were still in active addiction.

If this is the case for you, reconnecting with family after recovery may be a great opportunity to make amends. The amends-making process is not just about returning owed money or giving a simple apology. It’s also about showing your family that you hold yourself accountable for your actions and are willing to work to make things right.

Amends are a core component of 12-step recovery groups, comprising the ninth step. But even if you aren’t a member of a 12-step group, the amends-making process can go a long way toward healing the harms of the past and cleaning the slate for a better life in recovery.

Still, there is a lesson to be learned in the fact that groups like Alcoholics Anonymous incorporate amends-making into the end of the process. In early recovery, people may not be mentally or emotionally prepared for this process.

Before starting amends, your recovery foundation should be strong enough that you’re prepared to deal with difficult situations. This also ensures that you have the skills and resources to truly set your wrongs right.

Reach Out for Professional Support

Reconnecting with family can be a beautiful reward for achieving and maintaining your recovery, but it’s okay if this process is nerve-racking or anxiety-inducing. If you’re committed to reuniting but don’t feel quite comfortable enough to do so, consider reaching out to a mental health professional to support you in the process.

Working with an individual therapist can assist you in building the coping skills and emotion regulation strategies you need to navigate difficult family situations. A therapist can also provide you with tools to help curb cravings or avoid potential triggers. They can even help you make amends with your family if that’s a goal for you.

There’s no shame in seeking support in these situations. When people break free from substance use disorders, it can feel like even the most mundane of situations are fraught with tense emotions and powerful triggers. A mental health professional supports you in this journey and helps you learn to thrive in your recovery.

Start Treatment at APN

If you’re ready to seek out professional support, reach out to the team at APN by filling out our confidential online contact form or by calling us at 855.934.1178. Our experts can help you decide which treatment options are the best fit for your needs, and we’ll be there to support you through every challenge you face in recovery.

References

• Heinz A, Beck A, Mir J, et al. Alcohol Craving and Relapse Prediction: Imaging Studies. In: Kuhn CM, Koob GF, editors. Advances in the Neuroscience of Addiction. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2010. Chapter 4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK53355/

Here are eight key changes to expect after getting clean from drugs and alcohol and beginning your new life of sobriety.

1. Improvement in Sobriety’s Temporary Challenges

It’s important to first recognize that getting clean isn’t easy. But as you build more tools to stay sober and find the support you need, it will become easier to maintain your sobriety.

When people first get sober, they often experience a number of mental health symptoms that are directly connected to their substance use disorder. These symptoms could include:

• Intense physical withdrawals
• Invasive drug and alcohol cravings
• Struggling with motivation
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
• Feeling sad, depressed, fearful, or anxious

As difficult as these experiences can be, they are inherently temporary in nature. For example, physical withdrawal typically ends within days or weeks. Cravings can last much longer, but grow less frequent and intensive with each passing day. Even mental health symptoms improve the longer you stay sober and the more time you give your brain to recover.

Remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Getting clean is just the first step, while achieving recovery is an ongoing process of improving your mental health and well-being for the rest of your life.

2. Unexpected Free Time

When people are in the midst of a substance use disorder, they often spend inordinate amounts of time seeking out their substance of choice, using that substance, and recovering from its effects. Getting clean means all of that time is now free and available, which can often lead to periods of idleness or boredom that can be triggers for returning to substance use.

In addiction treatment, most of this time is accounted for. Residential programs offer several hours of therapy and treatment each day, complemented by experiential therapies or opportunities for recreation to keep people busy, entertained, and active.

Similarly, intensive outpatient programs have several hours of treatment and services to help people focus on their recovery and see improvements in their mental health. This could include individual therapy sessions, peer-to-peer support groups, or meetings with a psychiatrist for medication management.

Yet when people return home from treatment, they often find that they don’t know what to do with their time. This is an often overlooked aspect of the recovery process, as boredom can lead to cravings and restlessness that make maintaining your sobriety more of a challenge than it needs to be.

Finding ways to fill this empty time is of paramount importance for staying sober. There is an abundance of healthy ways people can keep themselves occupied, including:

• Starting an exercise routine
• Going to self-help support groups
• Taking up a new hobby
• Socializing with friends and family members
• Enrolling in school

If you’ve started your recovery in an addiction treatment program, continuing the routines that you started in treatment can be a great way to stave off boredom or idleness as well.

3. Changing Social Circles

Humans are inherently social creatures, and your social circle can have a substantial impact on how easy or difficult it is to maintain your sobriety. While many people enter treatment with the notion of keeping the same circle of friends that they had when they were in active addiction, that often isn’t the most conducive approach to long-term sobriety.

This isn’t to say that you need to isolate yourself from friends and family members entirely, but it’s important to develop a strong social support network for recovery. This means spending time with people who understand the challenges of getting and staying sober, who can support you when you face challenges, and who encourage living a sober lifestyle.

Creating this new social circle isn’t always easy. However, there are a few simple tips that can help you develop a supportive recovery network:

• Attending self-help support groups
• Keeping in contact with friends you made in treatment
• Identifying friends or family members who support you in your recovery
• Meeting people at sober events

Developing just a few close social connections with other people in recovery can be an incredible resource for staying sober and make getting clean and staying clean much easier.

4. Pushback From Friends or Family Members

Many of your friends or family members may not understand recovery or the work it takes to stay sober. Addiction is a complex issue, but there are still pervasive beliefs and stigma that lead people to believe it’s just a matter of willpower, that addiction is a choice, or that addiction is only temporary.

As a result, it is common for people who have just graduated from addiction treatment to hear friends and family members make comments such as:

• “So you don’t have an addiction problem anymore, right?”
• “You were addicted to painkillers, so having one drink shouldn’t hurt.”
• “Can’t you smoke marijuana and still stay clean?”
• “Do you still have to go to those meetings?”

All of these comments can be triggering for substance use and may cause you to doubt your convictions for recovery. Of course, changing the behaviors of others is often an impossibility, but there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself ahead of time.

First, recognize that these types of pushback can happen. When you understand that you may face these types of questions or pressures from loved ones, you can prepare yourself ahead of time for how to deal with them.

Second, make a plan for how to answer these questions and deal with any triggers or cravings they may bring up. This could include setting boundaries with friends and loved ones about your recovery, or having a supportive friend or family member with you in situations where you think this may happen.

Like so many aspects of recovery, this type of pushback is often the most difficult to deal with in early recovery. When you get more sobriety time under your belt and become more confident in your recovery, this pushback can begin to affect you less and less.

5. Changes in Appearance

Addictive substances can have a number of negative effects on your physical appearance. While each substance affects your appearance differently, it’s common for people who are getting clean to start seeing improvements in their physical appearance, such as:

• Clearer skin and complexion
• Brighter eyes
• Stronger and healthier hair
• Weight stabilization
• Improved dental health
• Reduced puffiness and bloating

Some of these improvements in physical appearance can happen almost immediately, while others will continue to improve as you accumulate more time sober.

6. Better Physical Health

Drugs and alcohol of all types can have devastating effects on your physical health. Frequent health challenges that people face during addiction include:

• Liver disease
• Accidental injury
• Skin sores
• Respiratory problems
• Digestive problems
• Muscle loss

Getting clean helps stop the damage you’re doing to your body from substance use, as well as start you on the path to long-term physical recovery.

These improvements in physical health can be further enhanced by starting a regular exercise routine, which is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make during your recovery. Exercise can help you improve your physical health, help manage cravings, and provide you with an outlet for restless energy that keeps you moving toward your recovery goals.

7. New Ways of Coping

One of the most common challenges for people new to recovery is not having effective coping mechanisms for everyday challenges. The simple fact for many people is that they’ve used substances to cope with their problems for years and have let more natural and healthy coping skills slip by the wayside.

Going to addiction treatment or working with an in-person or virtual therapist can help you learn new and healthier ways of coping. Yet putting these skills into practice is the true test of improving your mental health — and after getting clean, you’ll need to learn and implement these coping mechanisms to build a lasting and stable recovery.

When learning new ways of coping, think about what the major challenges in your life are, as well as the healthy ways you can manage them. If you struggle with interpersonal conflict, learning healthier communication skills might be your best coping strategy. If you struggle with anxiety, learning grounding techniques or mindfulness can help you to rein in your symptoms.

This isn’t just a matter of staying sober. Learning these new coping styles is a skill for ensuring you live a healthy, productive, and less stressful life, which can make maintaining your recovery much easier.

8. Positive Mental Health Outcomes

Substance use disorders and mental health challenges often go hand in hand. It’s common for people new to recovery to experience co-occurring mental health conditions such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Bipolar disorder

In many such cases, these mental health conditions are actually caused by substance use itself. Mental health professionals label this as a substance-induced mental illness, which typically improves dramatically once people have achieved stable sobriety and recovery.

For others, sobriety alone isn’t enough to recover from a mental health condition. Ideally, people who are seeking treatment find dual-diagnosis treatment options, which can treat both mental health disorders and substance use disorders simultaneously.

Alternatively, there are those in recovery who do not have a diagnosable mental health condition but still have mental health struggles. These struggles often appear when people achieve sobriety for the first time, as drugs and alcohol can mask mental health challenges while under the influence.

But if you continue putting in diligent effort toward your recovery, you can see substantial improvement in mental health outcomes. Time and time again, research has shown that people who achieve recovery experience better mood regulation, improved senses of well-being, fewer mental health symptoms, and a host of other holistic improvements.

Of course, if you’re not seeing the improvement in your mental health that you’d like, you can always sign up to meet with a trained therapist to discuss your mental health challenges. Working with a therapist can help accelerate the mental health improvements you see and keep you feeling your best in recovery.

Call APN Lodge for Sobriety Support Today

Getting clean is just the first step of the recovery process. Building a healthier and productive life in recovery is where you will find the most reward.

If you or a loved one is struggling to take these critical steps toward recovery, the team at APN Lodge can help you determine the source of your challenges, guide you toward the treatment options that best fit your needs, and support you every step of the way as you navigate the future. Contact us today by filling out our confidential contact form or calling us at 855.934.1178 to learn more.

References

• Arpin, Sarah N., et al. “Having Friends and Feeling Lonely.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167215569722. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
• Canver BR, Newman RK, Gomez AE. Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. [Updated 2024 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/

From a young age, Dave was exposed to alcohol by his family and friends. Unfortunately, these influences only seemed to exacerbate his underlying propensity toward addiction. Before he knew it, decades had passed and he no longer found joy or meaning in life—constantly controlled by the alcohol required to keep his body going.

After an old friend confronted him about his disease, Dave decided to seek treatment at All Points North Lodge in Edwards, Colorado. Having 71 days in the program and 14 months of sobriety on his belt at the time of filming, Dave opened up about his experience with addiction and sobriety in the APN podcast episode, Addiction Treatment Changed My Life: Recovery x Dave. To learn more about his story, check out the full podcast episode or continue reading the article below.

Born and Raised on the Bottle

Dave wasn’t the only person in his family who struggled with addiction.

“I come from a family that was heavily engaged in alcohol,” Dave said. “I had some childhood trauma and a lot of things that led up to getting to where I was.”

At first, Dave tried to brush off the peer pressure. But eventually, it wore him down.

“I kind of held off from the peer pressure and stuff for quite a while,” Dave said. “I mean, I didn’t start drinking until I was about 12. Then, I kind of went through the high school story—you know, drank some and did some other things. During sports I didn’t do it. [But then in] college [I] kind of picked it back up [and this carried] through to my adult life.”

Eventually, drinking became a way of life for Dave.

Using Alcohol and Drugs as an Escape

Not only was drinking a way of life, but it was also a way to escape.

“I really struggled with anxiety from the childhood stuff and I used the alcohol as an escape,” Dave said. “Ultimately, I ended up on heavy medication and heavy alcohol … Then, [my] body [became] accustomed to that method of treatment … and unfortunately it [became] a way of life.”

Like many others who struggle with addiction, Dave found ways to make excuses for his behavior.

“I was still successful in [my] career, still had a family, didn’t have all the true rock bottoms, but the drinking continued and got heavier,” Dave said. “Then the last few years it was full on alcohol. I was drinking every day. Sometimes it was the first thing I did. Sometimes it was the only thing I drank during the entire day. Sometimes it was several days [where] the only thing I had was alcohol.”

Dave opens up about what it’s like to go from having an unhealthy relationship with alcohol to watching it progress into something worse.

“You kind of lose sight of you,” Dave said. “You lose the ability to really control [anything]. It becomes that obsession and that … craving … You react mentally once you get that first taste and it’s so soothing—you just don’t want to leave that feeling. You keep going and going, even though you’re making bad decisions, and you know you’re making bad decisions … with this disease, you will continue doing it and making those decisions [until] you surrender to it.”

The Intervention Dave Needed

What started out as another opportunity to drink later turned into something Dave didn’t expect.

“I went to a fraternity event. It was my buddy’s anniversary party [and] I was in his wedding,” Dave said. “I hadn’t seen a lot of guys in years … There were kegs. There was Jungle Juice. You know, there was plenty of drinking and partying going on. But I was the only guy sitting by the cooler drinking the whole time while everybody else was [socializing] … I sat there and at some point I just decided I was going to bed and I went and got in a tent that wasn’t even mine.”

Dave needed something to change. Luckily for him, there was a special person in his life who helped him see the depths of his disease, inspiring him to seek treatment.

“The next day one of my [friends] called me and said, ‘Hey, I’m really concerned about you … I’ll come and get you right now and take you to treatment, but if you don’t want to go then I’ll be willing to read the five-side burial ritual at your funeral because that’s where you’re going to be.’ And that moment hit me like a ton of bricks. It was like lightning [struck]. I mean, it chilled me to my bone. I hung up and … started making phone calls [to go] to treatment. Two days later is when I arrived in Colorado.”

Coming to Treatment for the First Time

Even though Dave had been dealing with his disease for decades, coming to All Points North was his first time in a treatment program.

“At the end, I was just so tired of drinking,” Dave said. “It was no longer fun. It was just something I did out of necessity. So when I got [to APN] I was happy that I had a solution that might work. I had no idea what I was getting into, of course.”

Upon arriving, many of Dave’s anxieties were put to rest.

“When I walked in the doors, I had [this] first reaction of, wow—this place is incredible,” Dave said. “[Still, it was probably] two or three weeks before I … really truly let my guard down. [I had to] accept and get honest with myself that, Hey—you have a serious problem both mentally and physically … I was not in the best physical shape when I walked in this door. I was 80 pounds heavier and on a fistful of medications. [Now, I’m] not on any of that thanks to this place.”

Life-Changing Staff at APN

Part of what worked so well for Dave was the impact the APN staff had on his healing journey.

“My first meeting was with Dustin, [an APN therapist],” Dave said. “He was absolutely perfect for me—instrumental, really. I’m forever grateful to him for what he was able to get me through and get me to see and how and his guidance [got] me through the steps [and] the pieces of the process.”

At APN, Dave was able to dive into the issues driving his addiction that he previously left unaddressed for years.

“[Dustin] challenged me to overcome some of my fears, to be able to forgive, and to process some of my inner demons … I can remember [one time when] he asked me how I was doing and I sat down and kind of gave him what I thought … was a very good answer. It was a script. You know? … He just sat there and looked at me and goes, ‘I don’t even know who you are when you say stuff like that. Why don’t you tell me a little bit about you and what you’re really going through? Quit being a therapist and tell me about what’s going on inside you.’ … I hated it at the time, but now [I realize it was all] systematic and [that] those things were done for a reason.”

Life is Still Fun Sober

One of Dave’s biggest concerns about getting sober was how it might have impacted his personal life. However, he came to find that the outcome was far different from what he initially expected.

“You know all the things that [people say] when you’re in active addiction and all the fears that you have about how life can be fun at all on the other side [really affected me],” Dave said. “I thought—what am I going to do? [But] I’ll tell you firsthand – at least from my experience – that life is a hundred thousand times better [sober]. It’s way more fun. The people that are your true friends are still there. The people that were just around for the party [are gone and] that’s okay.”

Today, Dave lives a very different life from before, a better life than he even imagined.

“[Before], everything that I like[d] to do in life was taken away by this disease,” Dave said. “Now, I’m totally different … I eat extremely clean. Mentally, I’m totally different because … I’m more engaged with my family. I’m more engaged with my kids. I go on vacations. I’m willing to try new things that I would never have tried before. [Previously], I was completely shut down and now I’m completely open and eager to try new things and truly live a sober life.”

Reflections to Share

Now that Dave has healed from his addiction, he has some things he’d like to share with others who may be facing similar situations.

“Whether you’re an alcoholic or an addict or whatever—life isn’t always skipping through fields of daisies,” Dave said. “There’s difficult times, no matter. But it’s how you approach that and I think that being in recovery and … being self-aware prepares you to be able to handle those challenges without going back to the old ways of flying off the handle.”

For Dave, APN provided him with the space and skills he needed to do that.

“I’m extremely grateful for some of the people that I had an opportunity to work,” Dave said. “APN and its staff is what changed my life. I’m a totally different person mentally and physically and I owe it all to this place.”

If you’re interested in learning more about All Points North and our addiction, trauma, and mental health recovery programs, submit our confidential contact form or call us at 855.934.1178 today. You never know how good your life can get when you allow yourself to receive the gifts of sobriety.

More From Dave

Listen and watch the Dave’s episode of Recovery x APN below, and find more episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.



After experiencing traumatic sexual assault in 2018, Tiffany’s life turned upside down. While seemingly fine on the outside looking in, Tiffany was fighting an internal battle that would later culminate in addiction and an inability to cope.

When Tiffany came to the All Points North (APN) Lodge in 2022, she knew things needed to change. Just eight months later, she opened up about her process of recovery and transformation in the APN podcast episode, Learning to Trust Myself After Trauma: Recovery x Tiffany. To learn more about Tiffany’s healing journey, check out the podcast or continue reading the article below.

The Post Traumatic Stress of Sexual Assault

As Tiffany opens up about the lasting effects of her sexual trauma, it’s apparent just how life-changing this type of event can be.

“I came here for PTSD and anxiety and depression,” Tiffany said. “I had just gotten to a place in my life where I was desperate for change—desperate for freedom. I was chasing my worth in all the wrong directions – didn’t know how to cope with life anymore on my own – and I was just desperate.”

While it had been four years since this scarring incident, Tiffany’s attention was brought back to the assault when an investigation surfaced years later.

“I kind of put it aside and then 2020 came around,” Tiffany said. “I got a call from a reporter and investigator and found out I was one of at least 10 victims to this person. [Suddenly], I was involved in this big case … so it brought all these PTSD symptoms to light and things I had been pushing down for years.”

At this point, Tiffany started seeing a therapist. But when that wasn’t providing any relief for her debilitating symptoms, she turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism.

“I just couldn’t cope on my own anymore,” Tiffany said. “So I was drinking. I was using Benzos … I just couldn’t figure out how I was gonna survive any longer … I had a trip planned to Hawaii … and I was like, I need help now. I gotta go now. So I canceled all my flights and came to APN. [It] took a handful of Atavan to get me [here] on my first day.”

When Tiffany finally made the decision to seek treatment, it took some people in her life by surprise.

“Externally, most people didn’t know [I was suffering],” Tiffany said. “When I called my boss and said, ‘Hey, I’m taking off work. I’m going to treatment for PTSD.’ It was like, ‘Wait. What?’ You know … no one really knew. I had mastered that. But I knew I needed it for sure.”

Seeking Treatment at APN

When Tiffany decided to take that leap of faith to seek treatment, she took her time in trying to find the right place.

“It was days of Googling,” Tiffany said. “I came across APN’s website… and I was like, Wow. This place sounds like it’s really scientifically-based, and I wanted [that]. [Also], it had a gym. That was a big thing. And a place where I felt like I could explore my spirituality without it being forced or controlled. So that’s why I chose APN.”

While coming to APN wasn’t easy, Tiffany began settling into the welcoming atmosphere.

“The first few weeks were rough,” Tiffany said. “You’re coming in, you’re stabilizing, you don’t have your substance or really any escape. The only escape I had (luckily) was the gym and I spent a lot of time in there. But the first three weeks are rough. [Still], there’s a great group of people here who want to help you and be on your side.”

Soon, Tiffany’s fears about being in a restrictive environment were dissipated.

“I was like, I’m not gonna be able to get a pedicure or my nails done the entire time I’m there. I’m gonna come out looking like a rag,” Tiffany said. “But, no. We get to do those things … they’re monitored, but you still get to live. So that was helpful. [Also], we did horseback riding and things like that. Being able to take advantage of those opportunities made me feel more like a human.”

When you’re doing difficult healing work, it’s important to take breaks—something that APN understands and implements throughout their holistic approach.

“[We would] get those necessary breaks from processing because it’s hard work,” Tiffany said. “It’s like 24 hours a day you’re processing and you’re doing assignments and you’re talking about your trauma and you’re thinking about it again and again. So yeah, having those breaks really helped.”

A Plethora of Therapies That Actually Work

Part of what makes recovery at APN so successful is the innovative and comprehensive treatment plans they implement. In particular, Tiffany shared about the different modalities that worked well for her.

“I got paired with a counselor [and] it felt like we were match made in heaven,” Tiffany said. “She knew how to read right through me. She called me out. She knew when I was paying attention and when I was blocking everything out. She knew when I was in another world before I knew … It’s weird. I sometimes still hear her voice [when I’m] journaling … She is straight and direct and that’s what I needed.”

In addition, Tiffany highlighted how much the other offerings at APN helped her.

“The really cool thing about APN is it offers you all of these treatment modalities,” Tiffany said. “You have the spiritual aspect if you want to engage that, you have the TMS, the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, massage—you have all these different avenues to add into your treatment which was really cool for me.”

During her stay at the Lodge, Tiffany took advantage of trying out new therapies.

“I did TMS which I felt significantly helped with my anxiety and sleep issues [as well as my] hyper vigilance that came with the PTSD.”

Additionally, she got a lot out of her classes and process groups.

“The classes are great,” Tiffany said. “I feel like they were adequate in providing me the skills I needed to be successful after I left here. [Also], I still talk to some of the people from my process group … you build this bond that you don’t expect.”

Regaining Power Through Sobriety

Another thing Tiffany didn’t quite expect was to choose to live a sober life after leaving APN.

“I came here thinking, I just have this PTSD and I need to fix that and move on,” Tiffany said. “I never thought, I’m gonna leave here and not drink again … I remember my therapist, Katie, had asked me, ‘Why are we still circling this?’ … That’s when it kind of hit home for me clearly … it just got to the point where, I mean, I could try it again. Sure. But what good does it do for me?”

The more she reflected on this decision, the more she realized she was just using her trauma as a scapegoat for her alcohol and substance abuse issues.

“I remember one day … I was writing down this list [of all] the bad things that I’ve done while drinking,” Tiffany said. “And I was like, Oh my goodness. If somebody gave me this list, I would tell them to never drink again. So it was a pretty easy decision from that moment on. Before that, I was thinking, I’ve got this case of Quintessa wine I gotta go finish and then I’ll reassess that. But then I was like, Oh. That’s my friend lying to me again.”

With unexpected decisions came unexpected rewards.

“This journey of sobriety has been a great way to regain power in my life in a way that I didn’t expect.”

Exploring EMDR Post Treatment Through APN Aftercare & Telehealth Services

While Tiffany explored a lot of new therapies during her stay at APN, there were others she didn’t have the opportunity to try. However, she was later able to pursue them through outpatient programs with APN. In particular, Tiffany opened up about the impact that EMDR had on her aftercare treatment.

“I’m working with Amy Davies [in my telehealth groups] and it has been phenomenal,” Tiffany said. We’re doing EMDR so that’s been something that has been really beneficial for me.”

Tiffany goes on to further illuminate her experience with EMDR.

“[EMDR] can be used for a variety of things but I’m using it mainly for trauma,” Tiffany said. “First, you have a safe place in your head … You need to be able to access this place whenever you get too overwhelmed. [Then], what my therapist does is she will bring up a traumatic [incident] … The entire time we’re getting my brain activated in that area I’m tapping … or watch[ing] a ball go across the screen [which] activates [certain] parts of your brain. [Through this process], I’m able to really pull out these memories and weird details from these traumatizing [experiences] … so it’s really good for processing.”

With her EMDR sessions, Tiffany’s been able to continue her healing journey beyond her initial residential stay with APN.

APN Gave Tiffany the Skills Needed to Succeed In Her Mental Wellness Journey

Anyone can go to treatment for their trauma, mental health, or substance abuse issues. But not everyone is able to leave with the skills needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle post inpatient care. Tiffany highlights the ways in which APN was able to help facilitate that for her.

“I feel like APN gave me the skills I needed to start my mental health journey and then I was able to go home, get back into my real world, and [continue moving forward]. I’ve done IOP [and am] still using the APN therapist … Every day, [I’m putting] the pieces together … I don’t think we ever have it [all] figured out, but I’m a million times better than I was a year ago, and I’m way better than I ever imagined.”

Now, Tiffany has the opportunity to practice many of the things she learned while in treatment.

“Just exercising my skills in my general life – whether it’s work or relationships or friendships – has been really important,” Tiffany said. “Before APN, I didn’t know how to put my needs first or how to listen to my body or my intuition. Now, I know how to do those things. I hear my intuition. I hear my body telling me what to do and what it needs and I listen to it. I can set boundaries. No, it’s not easy, but life gives you a lot of opportunities to practice setting boundaries and I keep practicing it … it’s all about finding your circle that you can feel safe and vulnerable in.”

While this continued work isn’t easy, it allows Tiffany to live a life beyond her trauma and grow into a better version of herself.

“You really have to address all areas,” Tiffany said. “It is so easy to come out of treatment and find another way to escape yourself—like trading one addiction for another … I have to constantly be aware of that. You know, I found myself signing up for too many classes … and I was like, Oh, no Tiffany. That’s an old Tiffany pattern. We don’t do that anymore. I mean, life’s not a race and your mental health is important so making time for it is what helps you be successful.”

Today, Tiffany has a completely different outlook than the one she had before coming to APN.

“I have made a lot of progress and I owe it all to APN providing me the place to do it,” Tiffany said. “Just comparing where I was a year ago versus now [is like] night and day.”

If you’re interested in learning more about All Points North and our addiction and mental health recovery programs, fill out our confidential contact form or call us at 855.934.1178 today. You never know how good your life can get when you make time for the things that matter most.

More From Tiffany

Listen and watch Tiffany’s episode of Recovery x APN below, and find more episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Having grown up in a strict Orthodox community, Jason felt the pressure to conform to the version of himself he believed God would accept and love. At the same time, he was grappling with trauma he had yet to fully understand. When Jason found himself unable to accomplish the impossible task of measuring up to the expectations of his religion, he turned to drugs and alcohol to cope.

After many years of “functional” addiction, Jason finally reached a breaking point that led him to healing at the All Points North Lodge. To learn more about Jason’s unique religious trauma, addiction, and recovery journey, check out the full APN podcast episode, Finding Myself After Religious Trauma: Recovery x Jason, or continue reading the article below.

Growing Up Orthodox

For Jason, being raised Jewish Orthodox came with some challenges he didn’t discover until later in life.

“My family’s Orthodox, so addiction wasn’t really talked about … at least where I grew up,” Jason said. “People that were suffering with addiction just kind of swept it under the rug, so I had a run of 5/6 years where I just didn’t understand that I was addicted to drugs.”

Addiction wasn’t the only thing that Jason remained unaware of.

“I went through an immense amount of trauma in my childhood and I didn’t even know,” Jason said. “I couldn’t figure out what was wrong.”

These unresolved traumas and emotions only seemed to further fuel Jason’s desire to use.

“The environment itself just contributed to me feeling completely unworthy of anything because it’s all conditional worthiness. You know?” Jason said. “I know that’s not the actual context of the religion but it’s taken out of proportion … I would suffer silently back then because I didn’t trust anyone.”

It was only later when Jason sought treatment that he would finally understand the issues he’d been facing.

“I learned so much [at APN] about what my trauma was—from the endless amount of religious trauma [to] family trauma, sexual trauma, [and more],” Jason said. “All these things were just sitting there. They had nowhere to go, and I was thinking, Hey, the pill will do the job. The pills will do the job for me today. And it just did.”

The Breaking Point

The pills did their job until they didn’t.

“At a certain point when Covid hit … it was getting bad,” Jason said. “Every few weeks I was ending up in the hospital because [of] withdrawals, [but] again, I didn’t even know. Like meetings, I didn’t know [about]. Treatment. I didn’t know any of it. [But] I was at a point where I needed help big time.”

Things continued to escalate for Jason.

“[During] Passover, we were … sitting down and I had this moment of [thinking], I need to stop or I’m going to die,” Jason said. “I was just physically nothing. Like, there was nothing there. Emotionally, [there was] nothing either. And I had this moment of [knowing I needed help].”

Fortunately, Jason decided to act on his inkling.

“My brother was like, ‘Hey, I have a friend who’s in recovery. Talk to him. See what he thinks.’ And he connected me with [him],” Jason said. “That was the first time in my life that I ever had a conversation with someone that literally was able to paint out my entire past because he also grew up Orthodox. But besides that – just from the addiction standpoint – to understand I’m not crazy, [that] the obsession and the crazy things we do is kind of normal. Like, look at what you went through. Look at the trauma that’s there. And I was like, ‘What’s trauma?’ … So he connected me [with APN and] I got here pretty quick after that.”

A Moment of Panic and the Relief of Hope

Luckily for Jason, everyone in his family, including his spouse, was extremely supportive of his decision to seek treatment. Still, he almost didn’t make it to the treatment facility because he was so scared.

“So I got on a flight to come here and I land in Denver. I get off the plane and I’m like, Fuck no. I’m not doing this. And I literally booked the flight back,” Jason said. “I think it was the same day [and] I sat in the terminal for like three hours … I spoke with some family members [who helped talk me into] driving up here … I didn’t know what to expect … I initially always thought that [rehab] was for people on, you know, needles and stuff like that, [so] I was bugging out.”

When Jason finally made it to the lodge, his fears began to dissipate as they were, instead, replaced with hope.

“[So they] take me to the room because it was during Covid, so we had [to] quarantine for seven days,” Jason said. “I was losing my shit. I was crying. I was like, ‘I’m getting out of here.’ And the nurse, Michelle, just came in and calmed me down. She’s awesome. I’m super grateful for her because I wouldn’t have stayed if not for her. It was just a calming [sense like] you’re gonna be okay. And that’s when it kind of started for me. It was this underlying feeling of, Hey, I have hope … whatever this is, let’s figure it out.”

Before long, Jason would realize there were many other reasons to feel hope in this new environment.

“It was really nice to see other Orthodox people [at APN] because there was automatically something to relate to,” Jason said. “I think the first week and just sharing and being like, I don’t have to suffer this anymore, and not getting responses from people like, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ and having everyone relate to it—that was something super healing.”

Unmasking the Emotions & Learning His Own Story

As Jason continued to immerse himself in the healing process, he learned a lot about his emotions and his story.

“My first project was the mask, and I was like, Oh, I’m hiding a lot here,” Jason said. “On the outside you were supposed to show what you try to portray to people and mine was just this shield. I didn’t let anyone in … I was operating completely off trauma and survival mode all the time. [It was] a big process for me to get vulnerable and share my story … because I didn’t know it.”

Having literally no experience with this type of healing work, Jason found the guidance he was given at APN to be exactly what he needed to start on the road to restoration.

“As a client, you may [not] really know where to look and what to start,” Jason said. “[But they] kind of chop [things] down one by one and they guided me perfectly. It was amazing. The group was run so well.”

Not only did Jason previously not know what trauma was, but he also didn’t know what true healing felt like. After coming to APN, that was all going to change.

“I remember doing [the trauma egg assignment] and feeling super vulnerable,” Jason said. “It was obviously a lot of tears because it’s the first time you’re talking about this stuff—stuff that we just bury until you’re starting to think about it like, Holy shit. That happened. So when the group was ending, Mark and Arlene … told everyone to get behind me. I was standing in the front [with] everybody behind me and they wanted everyone to scream because everyone was so angry about a lot of injustice. I literally felt people’s energy just go through me and it was one of those moments where you’re not alone. It was probably one of the most memorable moments that I had here because it was the first time where people really justified [that] this was wrong … and it was just a beautiful moment.”

Developing Healthier Relationships & Learning How to Set Boundaries

Not only did Jason learn about trauma healing at the All Points North Lodge while in treatment for addiction recovery, but he also learned how to have healthier relationships and boundaries.

“I was coming from a place where my relationships were just with either people who wanted drugs from me or people that were enabling me to do this stuff,” Jason said. “It was never really deep relationships. Having those relationships [at APN] – and I still have them today – were by far what kept me going.”

Today, Jason still speaks to many of the people he met during treatment on a daily basis. Some of them have even become like family.

“I had [an APN friend] fly in [here] when we had a baby and he’s like family,” Jason said. “He’s been there for me and my wife in ways that [are] very hard to describe.”

As Jason began to forge healthier bonds, he also learned how to set boundaries in other relationships that were potentially harmful to him.

“I think one thing that was very apparent when I was here was that boundaries need to be set with certain people,” Jason said. “If people you’re setting boundaries with don’t respect them and kick them down and do all those things, that puts you in danger to go back to where you were. And that’s not blaming those people … I’m a big believer that nobody can make me pick up drugs, but there’s certainly things that can bring me closer.”

While setting boundaries isn’t something that other people always understand, Jason learned that it was paramount for his recovery.

“We have to put our recovery first,” Jason said. “I think people sometimes get confused with that being selfish and it’s not selfish. Like, if I wouldn’t do it, then it’s selfish because I’d be dead. I’d be dead, and then what happens to my wife and my kids?”

As Jason began saying goodbye to relationships that no longer served him, he was also greeted with new ones that were in alignment with his healing journey.

“One thing I did when I left here with the people that I got closest to was a daily check-in going on a year and a half,” Jason said. “We would call each other every morning, do a reading, and share on it. That kind of set up my day … because at the end of the day, you can go to treatment and you can do all the work, but if you decide to not continue that process, you’re going to be back.”

Speaking On Religious Guilt and Trauma

Because religious trauma was such a huge part of Jason’s story, he opened up about what unveiling these realities has been like for him.

“There’s so much religious guilt that goes into getting healthy,” Jason said. “For people that have come from religious backgrounds, [it can be difficult] because a lot of it is all or nothing. Some families are definitely more accepting than others and some aren’t. Some families will be like, ‘It’s us or religion. Pick.’”

Jason reflected on how his religious trauma affected the way he viewed himself and how he’s healing this wound.

“There’s real feelings of unworthiness because [we grew up believing] God’s [love was] conditional,” Jason said. “It is to hard to have a spiritual life if you don’t have a clear understanding that God doesn’t hate you if you eat bacon today. He doesn’t hate you if you put your finger on a girl’s hand. Like, you’re okay.”

Now, Jason uses his experiences to help others who may have undergone similar traumas.

“Being [at APN] and finally seeing that I’m not crazy and I’m not alone [has been so healing],” Jason said. “I am an advocate – big time – within the Jewish Community about helping people … I’m in a bunch of recovery groups in Florida that are Jewish-run and most of us have the same shit and it’s kind of scary. But at the same time, we could make a big difference by speaking up about it.”

Jason doesn’t just speak up about these issues in recovery groups. He also spreads awareness to local youth in his area.

“I went to a high school once in Florida. They asked me to speak there about addiction, and this school was for kids that weren’t fitting into that classic Orthodox system,” Jason said. “[With] probably 40 kids in the room I said, ‘You guys are all worthy simply because you’re human.’ And I could literally see people’s eyes open and a little bit of a head lift because they’re not taught that. It’s not unconditional love, [so] you don’t feel good about yourself a lot of the time.”

Just because Jason experienced religious trauma throughout his life does not mean he no longer has a connection to his faith.

“Today, I don’t consider myself Orthodox. I don’t consider myself anything,” Jason said. “But I’m Jewish, and I’m proud of that. And I want my connection to be with God to be genuine … it took me a couple years being in recovery to finally be at a place where I can have a conversation with God.”

Now, Jason uses what he’s learned to pave a brighter example for his children.

“We raise our kids and we do it in a way of understanding that love and God are not conditional upon anything except for you being a human, and if anyone else tells you differently … bye,” Jason said. “You know, that’s what we’ve had to do because it’s so powerful to get back into that kind of mindset. So we literally have that mentality and it’s a journey, for sure. It certainly is hard when you live in a Jewish community … most people in the Orthodox community don’t have tattoos [like me]. But, hey, I’m different and if you don’t like it, cool.”

It’s a Journey, Not a Destination

As Jason highlighted, overcoming his religious trauma along with his addiction recovery has been nothing short of a journey.

“If someone comes [to APN] and you put in your all and you continue that, when you leave it changes your life,” Jason said. “You got to keep the work up … it’s not an easy road. It’s just a start, but you got to continue it.”

After many years of having his issues “swept under the rug,” Jason is now honest with himself about where he’s at and the struggles he continues to face.

“There are certain things that are really difficult within addiction,” Jason said. “Thankfully, the cravings for the drugs are very light because I constantly work on that. But it’s the other stuff. You know? It’s this selfishness and the self-centered behavior—all that stuff: the shame and the guilt. It’s hard. But that’s why you have support and you have people around you … you still struggle when you get back and it’s not always pretty.”

Even though it’s not always pretty, it’s worth it, and Jason is living proof of that.

If you’re interested in learning more about All Points North and our addiction, trauma, and mental health recovery programs, submit our confidential contact form or call us at 855.934.1178 today. You never know how good your life can get when you allow yourself to receive the gifts of sobriety and healing.

More From Jason

Listen and watch the Jason’s episode of Recovery x APN below, and find more episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Elliott had been sober for nearly ten years when he decided to come to APN for long-term recovery treatment. While he had taken away the drugs and alcohol from his life – and even worked in an addiction treatment center – Elliott had yet to face the trauma of his past, resulting in mental and emotional burnout.

After staying at APN two separate times (all while remaining sober before, in between, and after admission), Elliott is finally able to reap the rewards of his hard work. On his APN podcast episode, My Addictions Were a Symptom of Trauma: Recovery x Elliott, Elliott opens up about his personal healing journey along with some life lessons he’d like to share with others. Find out more, by reading the article below or checking out the full podcast on our Youtube channel.

A Recovery Professional From a Family of Addicts

Elliott certainly didn’t get an easy start to life.

“I grew up in a family where both my parents were addicts,” Elliott said. “My mom died of an overdose when I was 20. My dad died [from an overdose as well] about two years before me coming to APN … so my childhood was very chaotic … Every kind of child-related trauma you could have is a part of my story. [Then, when I was 26, I got sober]. I just kind of hit the ground running trying to take care of me and change.”

For most people, getting sober comes with a lot of love, support, and gratitude from their family and friends. However, this was not the case for Elliott.

“My family wasn’t trying to get better,” Elliott said. “At the time, I was actually kind of the black sheep for being in recovery.”

With no one to look to for guidance, Elliott decided to forge his own path. Recovery became such a big part of his journey that he started working as a recovery professional himself.

Coming to Recovery Treatment Sober

Fast forward almost ten years and Elliott found himself in an impossible situation.

“Everybody knows I’m a person in long-term recovery. I’m coming up on 10 years sober in December,” Elliott said. “I [continued to have] a lot of mental health issues come up [that] I had never dealt with, [including] trauma … I had a lot of anxiety [and] panic attacks [so] I reached out for help to one of the original [APN] members … I was the second patient [at APN] ever and I didn’t know what it was going to be like. I was half ashamed of myself because I [was a person with] long-term recovery who needed to go to treatment … I didn’t know how people would look at me for that.”

Even though Elliott grappled with self-shame and blame, he still decided to take the courageous step to seek help.

“It was chaos in my head,” Elliott said. “I really wanted to be normal but [I knew I had] a lot of trauma. That’s the bottom line.”

With this new understanding, Elliott could finally begin to heal what had been neglected inside him for so long.

The Mental Health Professional Who Was Blown Away By APN’s Mental Health Services

As a mental health and addiction recovery professional himself, Elliott was blown away by the services offered at APN.

“I was really lucky both times I was in APN,” Elliott said. “I had this group of people here with me also getting well that wanted to get better, so it made our process groups that much better … we held each other accountable to do the work that we were set out to do.”

Not only did the other group members have a profound impact on Elliott’s healing journey, but he was also in awe of APN therapists.

“My therapist was Lana and she pretty much changed my life,” Elliott said. “I didn’t know that trauma therapy could be so intensive and get so much out of you … When I began to do this trauma work, I didn’t realize just how much there was to unpack … I probably would have lied and been like, ‘Oh I’m just a normal guy. My family … did their best.’”

Overcoming the Stigma and Being Honest About the Struggle

One thing Elliott had to overcome in his trauma-healing journey was rejecting any stigma that might have been associated with his actions.

“The thing is, I’m not a slouch in recovery,” Elliott said. “I’m leading meetings. I’m sponsoring guys. I’m doing this stuff … Sadly, there is a stigma that exists in these subgroups [where] you can be stigmatized for needing additional stuff. Another fear I had was: When I go to mental health trauma treatment, are people going to think I relapsed? Is it going to be hard to come back from that and prove that I didn’t actually relapse? The reality is, yes, that did happen. [But] I realized I had to surrender my whole entire life as I knew it and start over.”

Elliott knew that if he didn’t surrender, he could have had a completely different ending to his story.

“This surrender was like, I need help or this is going to ruin the rest of my life,” Elliott said. “[I didn’t realize how much trauma work] was going to help … with my character defects and everything like that, but it really does. When you do this additional work on yourself outside of just like the rooms and stuff, it’s a game changer for your whole outlook on everything.”

Even though stigma and shame was a part of Elliott’s story, he didn’t let it define him.

“When I surrendered to come to APN, I had to throw all that away,” Elliott said. “Like, whatever. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. And if people think something about me I don’t care anymore … At least I had a couple people in my court that were gonna support me and know the truth about why I came.”

Falling Off Track

After leaving APN for the first time, Elliott found himself falling back into several of his self-deprecating habits.

“So I left APN [and you’re not] supposed to enter into a relationship or start dating too quickly, [but I did],” Elliott said. “The only thing I did was start going to therapy immediately after getting home. [Then], I [met] a girl [and] I started a relationship within a week [of leaving treatment] … I was definitely not in the right place … Time went on and I kept up with therapy a little bit, but I kept cutting it down to save money and eventually [just stopped altogether] … My work addiction was at an all-time high. I was sleeping about three hours a night [and eventually I cracked].”

After reaching his rock bottom, Elliott realized how much he was trading one addiction for another.

“You would think nothing of it unless you hit a bottom. You know?” Elliott said. “You get pats on the back for working hard. You get raises … But I burnt out big time. I went into a state of panic attacks, anxiety, regular nightmares … I won this big award in my county for being a servant of the county [but] I [was] having a panic attack the whole time [and] nobody knew … Everyday I’d be crippled by anxiety, just laying on the ground … practically ripping my hair out or playing the same video game over and over again trying to stop my head from racing.”

Coming Back to APN and Doing Things Differently Post-Treatment

Elliott knew he couldn’t continue on like this, so he decided to seek treatment for the second time at APN. Fortunately, he was greeted with the love and support he needed.

“Every staff member that was here when I first came … made it a point to see me within my first or second day here,” Elliott said. “They gave me a hug. They sat down with me. It was like having a one-on-one with every CA / case manager / admissions person that I knew … it really made me feel like that much more grateful to be back.”

The second time around, Elliott was able to dive even deeper into his trauma healing. Most importantly, he walked away with a clearer understanding of his aftercare needs.

“[After leaving APN for the second time I was doing] telehealth [and] IOP,” Elliott said. “I was doing groups. I did a mindfulness [course and] regular therapy once a week … I did that pretty strong for my first 60-90 days out of here [and] I just made it a priority when I got back home. Luckily, I’m blessed to have a job that kind of knew the nature of what I had been experiencing and they gave me a break [and] gave me time to really make that stuff a priority in my life.”

Today, Elliott has a lot more tools to support him when life gets hard.

“Now [I have this] understanding that my recovery is kind of three-fold,” Elliott said. “It’s grounded in 12 steps, grounded in God, [and] grounded in trauma work. That has literally been my focus since I’ve been out of treatment … I’m telling you this year has been the kind of year where I see the purpose of it and I see so many people in recovery struggle with mental health stuff [who] are afraid to ask for help. Now that I get to be open with this part of my story more people have reached out to me in recovery [for guidance].”

Elliott’s Lessons Learned

Elliott’s story is truly unique. With both parents having suffered and succumbed to addiction, he knew he didn’t want to end up the same. Still, after years of sobriety and even working in the recovery field, Elliott found himself struggling with the same things that led him to pick up the substances in the first place. Now that he’s finally taken the time to tend to his deep inner wounds, he has some valuable lessons to share with others.

“You have to be willing to do the work while you’re here,” Elliott said. “You’re not gonna get anything out of just sitting there [and] attending something … I think some people think they go to treatment and treatment just makes them better. Like, just the physical act of going to a treatment center is what makes them better. Go to a doctor. I get a pill … I’m good. I just take this pill. I’m good. You know? That’s just simply not the case. It’s about the effort that we put into getting better.”

As Elliott learned from personal experience, doing the work isn’t easy.

“[When you’re in treatment], there’s topics that are hard that come up and you want to not say anything,” Elliott said. “But if you have an inkling that you need to say it, you need to get it off your chest. And if you do, it’s gonna make it that much better in the long run.”

Also, just because you put in the work once, doesn’t mean it has somehow magically stopped.

“I believe my primary thing that I need to continue to work on for the rest of my life is my trauma,” Elliott said. “If I don’t come to grips with the reality that I’m going to need to continue to work on this for the rest of my life, then I might slip back into those trauma responses or the things that I [use to] cope.”

Even though it can seem daunting to look at our struggles in this long-term way, Elliott has come to understand that this is just a part of his story, and not who he truly is.

“We have a story but we are not our story,” Elliott said. “We might have a past but it doesn’t define who we actually are. That’s helped me step outside of being ashamed of myself or self-hate … there’s still the days when I’m like, Ah. It’s tough … But then there’s just days where I’m like, You know man – you are not like how you used to be and you should be proud.”

Elliott serves as an inspiring reminder that the work never ends, but there’s always something to be proud of if you keep showing up.

If you’re interested in learning more about All Points North and our addiction, trauma, and mental health recovery programs, submit our confidential contact form or call us at 855.934.1178 today. You never know how good your life can get when you allow yourself to receive the gifts of sobriety and healing.

More From Elliott

Listen and watch the Elliott’s episode of Recovery x APN below, and find more episodes on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

All forms of self-care are worthwhile when healing from a substance use disorder. By the time most people seek treatment, their bodies, minds, and spirits are already suffering. They may have become estranged from friends and family, and may have done or said things they never imagined they would.

For many, surviving a life dominated by substance use means skipping meals or relying on unhealthy convenience foods. It may also mean poor sleep quality and little exercise. The substances themselves have a negative effect on the brain and body.

Problems like lack of rest, poor nutrition, and broken relationships compound the physical, mental, and emotional damage addiction can cause.

When you are faced with all of this, relaxation techniques might seem low on your priority list. However, self-care is one of the most important habits for a person in recovery to learn. Self-care will help you restore your physical and mental health and keep your spirit strong through all recovery phases.

Addiction Recovery and Self-Nurturing: Learning Healthy New Habits

A report from the National Institutes of Health shows that around 50% of people with substance use disorders also have mental health disorders, and vice versa. Generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are some of the most common issues that co-occur with substance use disorders.

Many people living with undiagnosed or untreated mental health disorders self-medicate to ease their symptoms. While self-medication may provide some temporary relief, substance use only makes the problem worse in the long run.

The reverse is also true. Living with a substance use disorder is bad for your mental health. Substance use can physically damage your brain. In addition, addiction can isolate you from your loved ones and cause catastrophic financial distress. These personal hardships may lead to depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.

Learning how to cope with life’s challenges without depending on drugs or alcohol is at the heart of recovery. Incorporating healthy habits like eating well, getting adequate sleep, exercising, socializing, and practicing relaxation techniques can offer a number of benefits.

Self-care encompasses all those things an individual does to repair the damage of addiction and create a new future. Here are seven ways that self-care, spa treatments, and relaxation techniques can support recovery.

1. Make Detox More Effective

Massage Today shares the results of a four-day study that included 50 people detoxing from alcohol. The study showed that participants who received a massage felt healthier, safer, and more supported than those who did not receive massage therapy. They also had better appetites and a more positive outlook on the treatment program overall.

Some types of massage therapy help the body’s natural elimination process by stimulating the lymphatic system. This system is responsible for eliminating toxins and metabolic waste.

Acupuncture is another technique that people in detox could benefit from since this treatment may support the function of the kidneys, liver, and digestive system. These systems play a major role in removing waste from the body.

One study concluded that clients who had received acupuncture treatments during detox were less likely to be readmitted to detox treatment. Another suggests that including electrical stimulation with acupuncture may help prevent anxiety and depression during withdrawal.

At its best, withdrawal causes emotional and physical discomfort. Some people experience pain, sickness, and extreme emotional upheaval. Most detox symptoms can be managed by medical care, but including natural, drug-free techniques such as massage, meditation, and acupuncture helps create a more restful recovery experience.

2. Restore Physical Health

The physical effects of addiction can be severe. Depending on the duration and severity of substance misuse and the type of substances involved, these effects can be life-threatening. Some of the most common physical complaints associated with substance use disorders include:

• Heart damage
• Liver and kidney disease
• Brain damage or cognitive decline
• Poor dental health
• Digestive disorders

Acupuncture may be especially helpful in supporting physical health. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is often used to restore physical and emotional balance by promoting the flow of energy, or “qi.” It is believed that healthy qi leads to a healthy body.

Relaxation techniques like meditation support physical health by reducing pain and improving sleep. A study published by the American Journal of Psychiatry found that meditation and other mindfulness practices may reduce pain. This could be especially helpful for people in recovery who are coping with chronic pain.

Sleep is essential to physical health, but getting restorative sleep without turning to substance use can be a challenge. Meditation is a highly recommended and evidence-based method for redirecting a racing mind and improving sleep quality.

3. Reduce Stress

Though the goal of recovery is to lead a happier and healthier life, leaving behind everything that is familiar — including substance use — causes stress. Psychology Today reports that stress is a key factor in relapse.

However, stress management is learned, not instinctive. People with a history of substance use may lack the coping skills needed to handle stressors that others take in stride.

Those who grew up in chaotic households or who have other risk factors may not have had the opportunity to learn functional ways of handling stress. In fact, when a child consistently experiences high levels of stress, it can alter their ability to respond to stress effectively.

Learning new stress management skills is an integral part of any effective addiction treatment program. Relaxation techniques that you practice yourself and receive from trained professionals can provide you with new insights.

A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that many forms of meditation can reduce the physiological markers of stress. Meditation can also improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and PTSD.

Massage is also highly effective for lowering stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, massage can help with stress-related depression and anxiety, improving mood, and increasing a person’s confidence.

4. Improve Emotional Regulation

A prolonged substance use disorder can exacerbate mental health symptoms and disrupt the body’s ability to maintain hormonal balance. It can affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays a pivotal role in controlling a person’s mood, stress response, and impulse control.

Relaxation techniques help to restore emotional balance. There is evidence that massage therapy increases serotonin and improves emotional regulation, for example.

Reiki, a type of energy healing that originates from Japan, may enhance emotional well-being on several levels. Studies have shown that Reiki reduces stress and improves mood. It may also reduce anxiety and boost self-esteem.

Over time, Reiki may help improve an individual’s overall mental well-being by releasing stagnant energy and promoting emotional balance. Regularly receiving Reiki, massage, and other relaxing therapies could help soften extreme emotional highs and lows.

5. Improve Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is about recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, learning your motivations in life, and being able to control your emotions. With self-awareness, you can also understand the triggers that tempt you to misuse substances.

Improving self-awareness is critical for preventing relapse and setting new goals in recovery. Practices such as massage, acupuncture, and craniosacral therapy help people become more self-aware because they strengthen the connection between mind and body.

For example, it is not unusual for clients to experience feelings of sadness or joy when receiving massage therapy. These reactions may be related to a phenomenon known as body memory.

Body memory is a theory that suggests trauma can be stored in areas of the body other than the brain. When those trauma points are activated through massage or other hands-on therapies, the memory may be released and cause an emotional reaction. This experience can deepen an individual’s mind-body connection and lead to better self-awareness.

6. Increase Feelings of Positivity

Many people who enter recovery feel hopeless and are skeptical that treatment will work. Fortunately, it’s not necessary to enter recovery with a positive attitude in order to heal.

Some clients are forced into treatment by circumstances and don’t even believe they have a substance use disorder until therapy helps them reach a place of honesty about their behaviors. Although they started treatment with a negative outlook, their attitude may begin to turn around.

A positive attitude gives people hope and the courage to make new goals. It can help recovery clients on every level, including repairing relationships, bringing meaning to life, and improving mental and physical health.

Relaxation techniques promote a more positive outlook. By relieving pain, improving sleep, and lowering stress levels, techniques like massage, acupuncture, meditation, and other mindfulness practices help clients feel less anxious and more positive.

7. Be Fully Present

There’s a lot of talk about being “present in the moment” in treatment. Being present means not being preoccupied with past mistakes or worrying about future events. Both of those thought patterns can lead to relapse.

However, people who have misused drugs and alcohol to escape their feelings have difficulty keeping their minds focused on the current moment. Massage, yoga, hot/cold therapy, and other relaxation techniques encourage participants to pay attention, take deep breaths, and clear their minds of any distracting thoughts.

Whether you’re meditating, taking a yoga class, or receiving a sound healing treatment, one of the goals is to focus your attention on what is happening right now. This is the meaning of mindfulness — to avoid distractions and fully experience the moment.

Mindfulness is a powerful ally in recovery. It helps people avoid ruminating or getting caught up in a shame spiral. The more fully present you can be, the more you appreciate the beauty of life without addictive substances.

Relaxation Techniques Aid Your Recovery Journey

Finding new ways to boost feel-good hormones and receive pleasure without relying on substances can be a challenge for people with addiction issues, especially when they first enter a treatment program.

Despite the pain and chaos that substance use disorders may cause, giving up unhealthy habits can feel like giving up a source of joy. However, self-care practices like massage, acupuncture, cold/hot therapy, and meditation provide new ways to experience joy. They are also scientifically studied and evidence-based methods for improving the recovery experience and avoiding relapse.

Relaxation techniques can ease the discomfort associated with detox by supporting the lymphatic system as well as the liver and kidneys. They can help you restore physical health and repair the damage caused by substance use disorder by improving sleep and returning the body to a state of balance.

Recovery clients who have difficulty managing stress or regulating their emotions can also benefit from relaxation methods. Therapies like craniosacral massage and Reiki have been found effective for increasing feelings of positivity and improving self-awareness.

Lastly, incorporating relaxation techniques in your addiction treatment plan can help you become more fully present in your daily life. Learning to stay focused on the present moment instead of getting wrapped up in worries and regrets may reduce the risk of relapse and help you enjoy life without the burden of addiction weighing you down.

To learn more about different relaxation techniques that are helpful with addiction recovery, call 855-934-1178, use our online contact form, or send us a message via the live chat function on our website today.

References

• Common Comorbidities with Substance Use Disorders Research Report. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes on Drug Abuse (US); 2020 Apr. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571451/
• Gentsch, Antje, and Esther Kuehn. “Clinical Manifestations of Body Memories: The Impact of Past Bodily Experiences on Mental Health.” Brain sciences vol. 12,5 594. 3 May. 2022, doi:10.3390/brainsci12050594
• “How to Increase Serotonin without Medication.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/how-to-increase-serotonin#diet. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
• Marsolek, Amy. “Massage Helps Anxiety, Depression.” Mayo Clinic Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, 20 July 2022, www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/massage-for-depression-anxiety-and-stress#:~:text=Massage%20can%20lower%20stress%20levels%20and%20feelings%20of,massage%20can%20be%20an%20effective%20part%20of%20treatment.
• “Massage: A Supplement to Alcohol Detox.” Massage Today, www.massagetoday.com/articles/15442/Massage-A-Supplement-to-Alcohol-Detox. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
• Pascoe MC, Thompson DR, Jenkins ZM, Ski CF. Mindfulness mediates the physiological markers of stress: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res. 2017 Dec;95:156-178. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.08.004. Epub 2017 Aug 23. PMID: 28863392.
• Rusch, Heather L et al. “The effect of mindfulness meditation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences vol. 1445,1 (2019): 5-16. doi:10.1111/nyas.13996
• “Reiki for Mental Wellbeing: Supporting Your Mind with Reiki Energy.” Reiki Healing Association, reikihealingassociation.com/reiki-for-mental-wellbeing-supporting-your-mind-with-reiki-energy/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
• St. Marie, Raymond, and Kellie S. Talebkhah. Neurological Evidence of a Mind-Body Connection: Mindfulness and Pain Control. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal, Https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2018.130401, vol. 13, no. 4, American Psychiatric Publishing, Apr. 2018, pp. 2–5, doi:10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2018.130401. April 1, 2018.
• “Stress and Addiction.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201705/stress-and-addiction?msockid=3e810381c43767c42cf117cdc5b36615. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
• Wu, Sharon, et al. “Acupuncture for Detoxification in Treatment of Opioid Addiction.” Informit, search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.961591765882718. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.