The (Not So Secret) Art of Forging New Friendships

If you’re traveling the road from addition to recovery, you’ve likely weathered many emotional storms along the way. Bouts of self-doubt, anxiety and depression may have riddled your past – likely serving as addiction triggers where you turned to drugs or alcohol to push down uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

Though, it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to wake up with a hangover the morning after a stressful day or worry about failing a drug test at work. No matter where you are on your journey, you can learn to navigate life and discover healthy coping mechanisms to avoid turning to negative and destructive behaviors.

You may be surprised to learn that having a solid, supportive social network is actually one of the most powerful tools to boost your physical and mental well-being and reduce your risk of relapse. Research has shown that individuals with strong social relationships are less likely to die prematurely, experience less stress and report a greater quality of life.

And, it’s never too late in life to invest in growing your friend group – especially if you are working towards creating a new life – one free from addiction. If you’re interested in protecting your sobriety and searching for a more meaningful life – consider making your social networks more of a priority.

Here are a few tips to get started.

(1) Create a social routine. Most friendships are forged by consistently spending time within social networks. So, for new friendships to form, try joining some groups or clubs in your community that meet on a regular basis. That way, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know like-minded people and learn more about them over time.

(2) Invite “friends of friends” to hang out. Planning a dinner party or rounding up the crew for a Saturday morning yoga class? One of the best ways to meet new people is actually by extending your existing social networks.

(3) Volunteer for a cause you love. One way to meet people in your neighborhood and your community is by donating your time to a worthy cause. By working side-by-side cleaning up a community garden, fundraising for a local nonprofit or helping dogs and cats find a “forever home”, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people who share the same interests and passions.

Learn More About Transitional Living 

At Rising Roads Recovery, we can help you find sobriety and learn new life skills to create a vibrant, fulfilling life – one that includes profoundly meaningful relationships with friends and family. We are here to help; we are here to plan, support, and love. To find out more about Rising Road Recovery’s transitional living program for women, call today: (866) 746-1558.

Is a Toxic Relationship Secretly Fueling Your Addiction?

If you are dealing with substance abuse issues, you are probably aware of the common triggers that increase your cravings – things like being in social situations where drugs and alcohol are present and emotional issues like anxiety and depression.

But, did you know that your significant other can potentially cause you to relapse? Toxic relationships – ones fueled by jealously, resentment and control – can increase your risk of using and abusing in an attempt to avoid reality and numb the painful emotions.

While it is normal to experience a few bumps on the road in any relationship, toxic relationships are very different in that the chronic “bad times” actually threaten your physical and mental well-being. If you on a path to recovery from a lifetime of addiction, take a few moments to inventory your current relationship to see if it is helping, or harming your sobriety.

3 Symptoms of Toxic Relationships 

(1) There is a cloud of jealousy and suspicion. Solid, healthy relationships are built on trust and faith in the other person. On the other hand, toxic relationships are often shrouded in distrust, lies and deceit. Does your partner often demand to see your phone or hack into your email?

(2) Excessive criticism. Does your partner find fault in everything you do? One hallmark of a healthy relationship is that you work to support each other using healthy forms of communication. In contrast, toxic relationships do quite the opposite – one or both partners feel like the other person consistently puts them down and erodes their self-esteem.

(3) Professional success and personal growth are frowned upon. One of the best parts of being in a healthy relationship is that you have someone to help you celebrate your accomplishments like achieving a weight-loss goal or getting that big promotion at work. In toxic relationships, partners often intentionally manipulate the other person by withholding praise and support. Does your partner regularly celebrate your success – or remain silent?

No relationship is perfect – it’s a given that you will both experience emotional highs and lows from time to time. But, it’s important to take a step back and reflect to see if your relationship is creating a barrier to achieving lasting sobriety. If so, it’s important to seek help from licensed addiction recovery support specialists that also offer comprehensive family and relationship counseling as part of their overall treatment.

Find Lasting Addiction Recovery and Healthier Relationships

At Rising Roads Recovery, we help women overcome their addiction issues and learn important communication skills and conflict resolution strategies to help build healthier relationships. Start your healthy life today by calling us at (866) 746-1558.

Saying Goodbye and Working Through Your Grief After a Breakup

After a loved one passes away, it’s normal to experience extreme feelings of grief and sadness while mourning that loss. Relationships play an important role in our well-being and sense of identity in the world and it’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions during the grieving process – everything from numbness, shock and denial.

And, experiencing a breakup or divorce can have a similarly devastating effect. In a study led by psychologist Art Aron, neurologist Lucy Brown, and anthropologist Helen Fisher, MRI scans of heartbroken individuals mirrored activity in the same area of the brain that is associated with physical pain when participants were shown images of their former partners.

If you are going through a difficult period in life and are separating from your spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, it’s important to take the time to properly acknowledge your feelings and experience the grieving process. By understanding what you are feeling and empowering yourself with healthy coping skills, you can avoid turning to drugs and alcohol to numb the emotional pain.

The Stages of Grief When a Relationship Ends 

(1) Denial. When your relationship starts to fade and a breakup seems inevitable, it’s normal to initially deny that it is ending. You may tell yourself that your argument was just a blip on the radar and that you will work through your issues tomorrow or the next day.

(2) Bargaining. The second stage of grief is all about second-guessing yourself and your relationship to search for an alternative solution to avoid ending it. But, it’s not healthy to dwell in this stage of wishful thinking.

(3) Depression. While mourning the loss of a romantic relationship, it’s normal to move through a period of depression which can bring up feelings of self-pity, lack of energy and changes in sleep patterns.

(4) Anger. During a breakup, you may experience feelings of anger towards your partner – you are hurt and fragile and may try to make the other person feel as bad as you do.

(5) Acceptance. It may take some time to work through all of the stages of grief, but at the end you’ll find acceptance. You can finally come to terms with what has happened and start to move on.

If you are working through a breakup or a divorce, be kind to yourself and understand that what you are going through is hard, but it is part of the normal grieving process.

Instead of trying to run away from the situation by using drugs or alcohol, take the time to journal your emotions and reflect on what was said and how you feel. In time, you’ll get through this challenging time in your life and start to feel whole again.

You Don’t Have to Battle Addiction Alone 

Most of the women who come to Rising Roads have grief and loss as a part of their story – you are not alone. Whatever the emotional fallout of your story is, we are here to help you on your path to addiction recovery and we offer specialized care - including help for grief and loss. Call us now at (866) 746-1558.

Fueling Your Recovery from Depression

According to the Depression and Bipolar Alliance, nearly 15 million men and women are currently battling a major depressive disorder. And, it impacts individuals from every socioeconomic background, race and gender.

While no one is immune, unfortunately, women are more susceptible than men to depression with more than 12 million women in the United States diagnosed with the condition each year.

Though, the good news is that depression is a highly treatable condition. Many find help through the combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, prescription medications including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and holistic treatments such as yoga and acupuncture.

But, it may be surprising to know that what you put in your grocery cart can also help relieve the symptoms of depression and aid in your recovery.

3 Good-Mood Foods to Combat Depression

1.    Omega-3 Fatty Acids. One Norwegian research study, encompassing more than 22,000 participants, found that individuals who regularly consumed nutritional supplements rich in Omega-3 fatty acids were 30% less likely to report symptoms of depression. Natural sources of this inflammation-fighter include flaxseeds, walnuts, sardines and salmon.

2.    Complex Carbohydrates. While an excessive consumption of refined sugars and processed foods have been shown to increase insulin levels and spike blood sugar levels, that doesn’t mean that you should avoid carbs completely. Complex carbohydrates, which are slower to digest, can help you curb the symptoms of depression by supporting healthy levels of serotonin, known as the “calming” components of your brain chemistry.

3.    Lean Meat, Fish and Legumes. Eating a balanced diet that includes natural sources of protein can also help you beat the blues. Why? Foods rich in protein such as turkey, tuna and beans are great sources of an amino acid critical to your brain chemistry, called tryptophan, which supports the production of serotonin, a powerful mood regulator.  

Depression and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. Sometimes those dealing with behavioral health issues turn to drugs and alcohol in an effort to self-medicate and tame the uncomfortable emotions and urges associated with their disease. If you are dealing with a mental health issue or an addition to drugs or alcohol, it’s important to get help from an experienced addiction counselor or behavioral health professional.

Find Lasting Sobriety – Healing Your Mind, Body and Spirit

On your path to addiction recovery, we can help you overcome the emotional roadblocks that may have tested your sobriety in the past.

If you are looking for a partner and support system to help you start a new life, Rising Roads Recovery can help. We are dedicated to helping women get - and stay sober.

Contact us for more information at (866) 746-1558.

Why Art Therapy Works

If you are battling an addiction or behavioral health issue, you are likely familiar with the most common forms of treatment available including 12 Step programs, cognitive behavioral therapy and talk therapy.

But, did you know that many leading addiction treatment facilities now recommend the use of art therapy to help augment the recovery process?

What is Art Therapy? 

Art therapy is a powerful tool that enables you to freely express your thoughts, emotions and improve your self-esteem.

While art therapy can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, art therapy has been shown to effectively treat those battling substance abuse issues. It is important to note that art therapy is much more than the act of creating art. It’s actually a two-step process where you are first encouraged to visualize your thoughts and feelings and then create visual expressions of those emotions using mediums including music, dance, painting and drawing.

Then, with the guidance of an experienced art therapist, you are able to explore the underlying meanings and the personal experiences that have helped to inform your artistic expression.

3 Benefits of Art Therapy 

Art therapy has been shown to help addicts overcome substance abuse issues and provide a wide variety of benefits.

Three of the most powerful outcomes from art therapy include:

1. It gives you the freedom to communicate feelings that you can’t verbalize. When you are dealing with memories or emotions that are hard to process, art therapy provides a safe outlet for release. And, it offers the opportunity to revisit those emotions at a later date when are you are more comfortable talking about those issues.

2. A healthy stress relief. Everybody experiences stress periodically. With hectic work schedules and personal commitments, it’s important to consciously create outlets to relieve your stress that don’t involve drugs or alcohol. With art therapy, you can tune out the noise and get peace of mind knowing that you are doing something truly good for your emotional and physical well-being.

3. Your art therapist may identify opportunities for personal growth. Sometimes it takes the perspective of someone else to help you understand what you are feeling and why. Art therapy is unique in that you may paint something or draw an experience from your past that you didn’t realize was creating an emotional blockage. With the insight from an experienced art therapist, you can help explore subconscious toxins that need to be addressed.

Holistic Addiction Therapy 

Art can be a phenomenal tool when used to promote emotional and cognitive growth. Through image making and creating you can tap into parts of your inner self.

Rising Roads uses both “Art therapy” which is facilitated by a therapist as well as “Art Expression” which can be facilitated and encouraged by anyone on our staff. Our hope is to enhance your therapeutic experience with the incorporation of artistic expression in many different mediums.

Begin your individual journey to recovery in our serene and supportive environment by calling 866.746.1558.

The 12 Step Alcohol Addiction Treatment Model: What You Need to Know

If you are researching rehab facilities and their treatment services, you’ve probably noticed that many offer 12 step programs for those dealing with an addiction to alcohol.

Originally created in the 1930s, the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12 step model is one of the most widely recommend programs for addiction recovery and has transformed the lives of millions, enabling them to finally achieve a lifetime of sobriety.

But, you might be wondering what a 12 step recovery program is - and how exactly it works. In general, this treatment model is firmly grounded in a spiritual approach where alcoholics find inner strength by turning to a higher power. With the help of licensed addiction specialists and regular support groups, alcoholics are guided through a series of twelve core beliefs in order to find and maintain a sober lifestyle.

The Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps 

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable. 
2. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

How Can Addicts Apply This Information to Real Life?

It’s important to note that these 12 steps represent more than just a lesson plan or a list of “rules” that participants must abide by. 12 step programs are actually much more powerful than that. Addicts who take part in 12 step programs use these teachings to begin an entirely new, sober lifestyle. This treatment method helps those dealing with addiction issues learn how to apply these principles in virtually each and every part of their life by taking accountability and making healthier choices. 

Many addicts initially learn the principles of these 12 steps as part of inpatient and outpatient care at rehabilitation centers and then go on to continue their sobriety by attending weekly support groups in their community.

Rising Roads Recovery Rehab Treatment Services 

Rising Roads Recovery is a small residential treatment center in Orange County, California dedicated to helping women heal from addiction and co-occurring disorders. With comprehensive clinical care and a 12 step model for alcohol addiction recovery, Rising Roads Recovery can help you find lasting sobriety and a more promising future.

And, with hundreds of 12 step addiction recovery groups in and around the area, you can also find extended support by attending weekly meetings in the community.

To learn more, call (866) 746-1558.

Getting Back into the Workplace After Addiction Recovery

If you’re on a journey to sobriety, you may have had to take a leave of absence from your job or quit entirely to get the help you need. But, you may be wondering how to reenter the workforce? While finding a new job may seem like a daunting task, it’s an important part of addiction recovery. The simple act of going to work can help you regain a sense of independence and normalcy in your life.

3 Strategies for Going Back to Work 

1. First and foremost, you should know your rights as an applicant. As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are prohibited from discriminating against recovering drug addicts and alcoholics seeking employment. And, if you feel that you’ve been discriminated against as a result of seeking addiction treatment in the past, you can file a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

2. Take the time to reevaluate your professional goals. While you may be eager to jump back into the workplace, consider the type of work you did before seeking treatment and explore the pros and cons. Did you enjoy that line of work? Great! If not, think through why. Was it too fast-paced? Were you unhappy with the lack of on-the-job training opportunities? During your journey to living a sober life, you have grown mentally, spiritually and physically. As a result, take this opportunity to ensure your next line of work supports your new, stronger self.

3. Ease into the transition. Protecting your health and your sobriety should be your number one priority. That’s why it’s important to avoid rushing into major life changes that may cause stress and trigger the unhealthy coping skills you worked hard to put behind you. If you’re worried about reentering the workplace, consider just starting with part-time work or finding a workplace with flexible hours.

Employment and Educational Assistance 
Rising Roads offers women comprehensive employment and educational assistance to help you with the application process including interview coaching, resume building and professional networking. Begin your individual journey to recovery in our serene and supportive environment by calling 866.746.1558. Together, we can help you find your way into the workforce and regain your confidence.