Health Benefits of Female Friends

The right friendships are crucial to your recovery and gender-specific addiction treatment programs provide the perfect opportunity to form lifelong friendships with other women in recovery. 

Of course, the biggest benefit is being surrounding with other women who are supportive of your recovery needs. Yet the health perks of female friends reach beyond the walls of rehab as well. Here’s why:  

• You’ll lower your stress levels. Two stressed-out women are almost hard-wired to make each other feel better, according to studies. Women have the ability to open themselves up emotionally in ways that men can't. This helps them release their stress much more quickly and healthily.
• You’ll boost your immunity. Women with stronger social ties tend to be healthier than those without, say researchers. One study found that those who had close friendships (especially with the same sex) had better immune systems. 
• You’ll become more positive. Women tend to want to impress one other and this can make them try harder to put on a positive front. And acting positive can give you and others around you a mood boost. Researchers say it’s the “fake it until you make it” effect.   
• You’ll have a stronger sense of community. Women tend to relate to other women better than they would men, so you’ll automatically gain a stronger sense of security and community – which is especially vital for those in recovery. In other words, female friendships aren’t just “nice” – they’re crucial for sober living!

Recovery Support for Women by Women

Our "sisters in recovery" are ready and willing to support you through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Without fear there can be no courage. At Rising Roads, women can be fearful, supported, and courageous at the same time. To learn more about our gender-specific rehab, call us today: 866-746-1558. 

4 Myths About Women and Addiction

Men and women are far from equal when it comes to substance use disorders – and, thankfully, more and more research is exploring the gender differences. Still, many myths abound when in comes to women and addiction. Here we take a look at a few common ones and the facts that dispel them. 

Myth: More men than women get addicted to drugs and alcohol.
This used to be true, but the gender gap is closing. Experts say that women are among the fastest-growing segments of drug users in the U.S. Some stats, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD): 

• Up to 4.5 million women over age 12 in the U.S. have a substance use disorder.
• 3.5 million misuse prescription drugs.
• 3.1 million regularly use illicit drugs.
• More than 200,000 American women die as a result of alcoholism and drug dependence.
• More than 4 million women are in need of addiction treatment.

Myth: Women and men begin using for the same reason.
Women are twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression as men – and this often leads to self-medication as a way to manage these mental health conditions. Trauma also plays a role: Seventy four percent of women struggling with addiction reported sexual abuse in their history, according to one of the first studies to examine female addiction. And a large percentage of women seeking treatment for addiction report lifetime histories of emotional abuse and physical assault.

Myth: Pain is an equal driver of addiction for men and women.
In fact, women have been study-proven to suffer more frequently and more intensely from pain – and, in general, they visit more doctors and are more likely to be introduced to opioids through a painkiller prescription. The proportion of women seeking treatment for opioid addiction has grown so much that today the number of men and women in rehab for this addiction is about equal.

Myth: Women and men should be treated for addiction in the same way. 

Women tend to develop addictions faster and more seriously than men. In addition, women have a greater chance of relapse. What’s more, many women are dealing with such treatment barriers as social stigma, co-occurring disorders, trauma and financial constraints – which all make gender-specific treatment even more important. Addiction treatment progresses differently for women, too, and women have a greater chance of relapse.

Women and Addiction Recovery

At Rising Roads Recovery, we know that every woman who comes to us is incredibly unique and needs to be treated that way. One size does not fit all – and one future does not work for everyone. To learn more, call 866-746-1558. 

New Research: Women Have an Increased Risk for Tech Addiction

According to new research from Binghamton University, women have an increased risk of developing a smartphone addiction.

In a paper recently published in Information Systems Journal, scientists interviewed 182 college students to better understand how often they use their smartphone throughout the day and also tracked their moods throughout the duration of the study.

Isaac Vaghefi, assistant professor of management information systems at Binghamton University, and his team then classified the research participants into five different usage categories ranging from “Thoughtful” (lower usage) to “Addict” (higher usage).

Across the board, more frequent smartphone usage was correlated with negative outcomes such as having more problems at home and at work due to an excessive need to use it throughout the day. Those individuals also self-reported experiencing negative emotions such as social isolation and depression throughout the day.

In this survey, the correlation between high usage and negative outcomes was consistent for both men and women. But, researchers found that women were more likely to fall into the high-risk categories of “Fanatic” and “Addict”, which suggests that they have an increased risk of developing a smartphone addiction.

"Our smartphones have turned into a tool that provides short, quick, immediate satisfaction, which is very triggering," said Vaghefi. "Our neurons get fired and dopamine is being released, and over time this makes us acquire a desire for quick feedback and immediate satisfaction. This process also has contributed to developing shorter attention spans and being more and more prone to boredom."

"While self-identified 'addict' users were in the minority, I predict technology addiction will increase as technology continues to advance and application, game and gadget developers find new ways to ensure users’ long-term engagement with technology," said Vaghefi.

If you are working on your recovery, it’s important to take an inventory of your entire lifestyle, including how you use technology, to avoid developing unhealthy attachments. At Rising Roads Recovery, we can help you learn new life skills to set yourself up for success.

Women’s Only Transitional Living Services

Have you made the first step towards recovery but still need more support on your journey towards independent living? At Rising Roads Recovery, our Rise Up Program is specifically designed to help women who have graduated from inpatient residential drug and alcohol rehab strengthen their new skills of sobriety. At our California women’s recovery center, you can renew your confidence and nurture your recovery in a safe environment. Call (866) 746-1558 to learn more.

This Research May Pave the Way for New Cocaine Addiction Treatments

Hypocretin. It’s a neuropeptide that usually doesn’t get a lot of press, but it plays a pivotal role in regulating essential physiological functions like sleep, wakefulness and appetite.

But, what else is impacted by hypocretin? Does it affect our health in other ways? Recently, a team of scientists from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) wanted to answer those same questions to better understand how hypocretin influences other aspects of health, specifically addiction.

Their findings were published in Biological Psychiatry and the research suggests that blocking hypocretin signaling may reduce cravings for cocaine and this could possibly pave the way for new treatment therapies.

To conduct the study, the lead author, Dr. Brooke Schmeichel, and his team set up an experiment that enabled rats to self-administer cocaine by pressing a simple lever. One group was given short-term access (1 hour) and another was given more access (6 hours) to the drug. The team of scientists also injected the rats with a hypocretin antagonist, a compound that blocked the brain’s ability to use the neuropeptide.

As a result, the rats who could access cocaine for longer durations exhibited a substantial decline in self-administered drug use. These findings suggest that the hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) system of the brain may play an important role in cocaine abuse and addiction.

"The more that we learn about the brain, the more that we learn that brain signaling mechanisms that play a particular defined function, such as a role in wakefulness or appetite, often play important roles in other functions, such as addiction," said professor John Krystal, editor of Biological Psychiatry.

Given that cocaine addiction is a pervasive condition that directly affects thousands of Americans (and their friends, family and loved ones), it’s important to continue to invest in research exploring new treatment methodologies and therapies.

Post Relapse Care Designed to Meet the Needs of Women

If you’ve walked the path of addiction recovery and experienced a relapse, we can help you regain your footing. With our Boost Up Program at Rising Roads Recovery, you’ll be surrounded with a team of caring and supportive addiction recovery specialists who can help you learn new skills to avoid falling back into old, destructive patterns.

Don’t let a history of drug use and abuse hold you back any further. Embrace life and invest in a transformative journey of long-term sobriety. To learn more about our post relapse care including holistic therapies, call today: (866) 746-1558.

  

3 Strategies for Building Stronger Relationships with Compassion

If you’ve made the courageous decision to pursue a sober lifestyle, you know that developing new life skills is an important component of a sustainable recovery. And, learning how to become more empathetic and compassionate towards others is certainly one of the most valuable life skills that can help you thrive socially and professionally.

It can help you build stronger and more resilient personal relationships with others and develop a solid social support system. Demonstrating that you care about those around you is a powerful skill that can help you become closer with your friends and loved ones.

3 Ways to Become a More Compassionate Friend

(1) First, seek to understand. 

If someone close to you is having a bad day, your first instinct might be to jump into the discussion with your suggestions. But, sometimes the act of listening is really all that they need at that time. Sit down with them to hear them out in a distraction-free environment. Give them time to talk things out. And, don’t be afraid to ask questions to help clarify how they are feeling and why. They’ll likely appreciate that you took the time to better understand their perspective.

(2) Consider the bigger picture and try not to take things personally. 

While your first instinct may be to react to the situation at hand, that may just escalate their emotions. The next time you encounter a less than positive interaction with a coworker or a friend, take a deep breath and press pause. They may be dealing with a stressful situation in their personal life that is spilling over into their interactions with others. If someone you know starts to act in a way that is out of the ordinary, consider the possibility that they are working through a challenging season in their life.

(3) Show compassion to yourself. 

One good rule of thumb is to be as kind to yourself as you would treat a good friend. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes from time to time. Remind yourself that you are a work in progress and have already come a long way. Don’t focus on your mistakes. Learn from them and move on. Instead, concentrate on your goals and continue to use that positive momentum to fuel your recovery!

Learn Healthy Life Skills During Transitional Residential Care

At Rising Roads Recovery, we are committed to helping women find lasting sobriety and start to heal from the burdens of addiction. Using a comprehensive approach, clients participate in 12-step programming in addition to holistic therapies including mindfulness training, experiential therapy and workshops designed to help build healthy relationships. If you’d like to learn more about our gender-specific treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, please call us today at (866) 746-1558.

New Research Supports the Need for Gender-Specific Addiction Treatment

The biological effects of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle have been widely studied. Researchers have found that the normal variations in estrogen and progesterone influence a variety of processes within the body including water retention, sleep patterns and more.

Recently, scientists also explored the impact that estrogen plays in the role of addiction. A team of researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at the Manhattan-based Mount Sinai Hospital observed the brain chemistry of male and female mice to understand how cocaine influences the brain’s reward pathway.

They found that estrogen amplified the pleasurable effects of the drug among the female mice – making it more habit forming and harder to quit.

While the exact reason is still not yet known, the brains of female mice released more dopamine and for longer periods of time when higher levels of estrogen were also present in their body.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Erin Calipari, stated, “When the hormone levels [of female mice] were low they looked a lot like the male subjects,” she said. “When estrogen levels were really high, the rewarding effects of cocaine were greatly enhanced.”

These findings help to explain, in part, that while cocaine addiction is more prevalent among men, women often find it harder to quit and require a more comprehensive approach to recovery.

“Addiction is really a multifaceted disorder,” Calipari said. “There are rewarding effects of the drug, but there’s a lot of other things that happen, too. Humans associate particular environments with the drug experience. These associations are really strong and if the relapse process is driven by environmental cues, we have to understand how to treat that. It may not be as easy as a pharmacological intervention.”

Findings from this study also found a distinct difference among the male and female mice in terms of the environmental influence. In sum, the female mice strongly correlated the environment in which cocaine was distributed and linked it with the pleasurable effects of the drug.

This study is an important step towards the development of more targeted and effective treatments designed to help address the unique needs of women in recovery. At Rising Roads Recovery, we hope that addiction researchers continue to invest in more gender-specific studies to advance the community as a whole.

Women’s Only Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Rising Roads Recovery is a completely gender specific treatment center. Our mission is to provide a program where this is not only possible but is probable. We are a place where every woman can find the path to her own happy destiny. Let the road rise up to meet you and continue on a healing path. Reach out today by calling us at (866) 746-1558.