Self-care is an important recovery tool. Engaging in self-care is an appropriate and healthy way to bolster physical and psychological well-being. During the dark winter months which include the stressful holiday season, uncomfortable feelings or situations can easily threaten emotional stability and potentially trigger relapse. Self-care has been defined as providing adequate attention to… Continue Reading Support Series: Self-Care
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Addiction is often referred to as a family disease. It affects not only individuals who are misusing drugs and/or alcohol but also their families. Family dynamics are often significantly compromised and in need of healing. During the stressful holiday season, uncomfortable feelings or situations can easily arise. Confrontations between family members about substance misuse may… Continue Reading Support Series: Family Dynamics
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American railroad companies transport hundreds of millions of passengers and millions of carloads of freight each year. It’s a strenuous task for their employees. “The rail business is an industry full of tired, stressed workers. It is an epidemic,” warned former railroad worker, Georgetta Gregory on the NTSB Safety Compass in 2016. Her job… Continue Reading Mental Health Concerns and Addiction Risk of Railroad Employees
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It’s not always easy to distinguish between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders. They often co-exist and can exacerbate each other. Symptoms such as trouble concentrating, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, and restlessness may overlap. One of the tricky things about the different conditions is that stimulants used to treat ADHD can exacerbate anxiety. D’Agati, Curatolo,… Continue Reading How to Tell the Difference Between ADHD and Anxiety Disorders
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The year 2020 was tough. Many of us experienced some form of grief or loss. Missing those we lost can be especially challenging around the holidays. Remembering time spent with loved ones who have passed can cause significant emotional pain. The far-reaching effects of grief and loss can be especially detrimental to those struggling with… Continue Reading Holiday Support Series: Coping with Grief and Loss
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In the recovery community, a “trigger” usually refers to a place, a person, or a type of experience that activates cravings for drugs or alcohol in the brain. Paraphernalia, visual cues, or smells, like the odor of alcohol or marijuana, can evoke memories of past substance use in the same way that the sweet sugary… Continue Reading The Danger of Environmental Triggers
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The holiday season can be a tough time for people in recovery. Many people are anxious about getting together with family—especially this year because of complications caused by the ongoing COVID pandemic. Others are depressed because they fear not being able to live up to perceived holiday expectations. Many people with addiction are triggered by… Continue Reading Holiday Support Series: Using Your Senses to Calm Your Body
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The holiday season can be a tough time for people in recovery. Often people relapse during or immediately before the holidays—so it’s important to be extra cautious and mindful of triggers that may lead to relapse. The recovery community appreciates and offers additional support during the holidays. Recovery Ways is a pivotal part of that… Continue Reading Holiday Support Series: Triggers and Sobriety
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Self-advocacy can offer feelings of self-empowerment, increase your self-esteem, and support your recovery. In his famous hierarchy of needs, American psychologist Abraham Maslow reported “esteem” as the second highest need. All humans have a need to feel respected, including the need for self-esteem and self-respect. Low self-esteem, on the other hand, is frequently a major… Continue Reading Self-Advocacy in Recovery During the Holidays
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The holiday season can bring stress, depression, and anxiety for many. With the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases, financial uncertainty, and fundamental changes to family and social traditions, many feel particularly overwhelmed this year. The recovery community, in particular, requires additional support during this time. Recovery Ways is committed to being a part of the… Continue Reading Holiday Support Series: Gratitude and Service Work
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