Sharon Lee felt helpless when she discovered her son, Justin, was experimenting with drugs during his teenage years. Having recently separated from her husband, Lee was working long hours to provide for her family, yet some things at home slipped through the cracks. Justin was always an excellent student, so Lee figured if he was keeping his grades up, he was doing fine. This couldn’t have been further from the truth as Justin fell deeper into his addiction. Luckily, over time, with the help … [Read more...] about Voices of Recovery: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Son’s Addiction and Recovery
Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery
Voices of Recovery: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction and Recovery
Jim Brockett was surprised that his son, Will, experienced an episode of major anxiety while on a spring break trip to the Florida Keys with his best friend and their family at the age of 12. Prior to that he was a good student, with some attention issues. “I remember through middle school, Will had anxiety issues that we could never collectively figure out,” Brockett said. “He would get anxious and feel terrible, and there was nothing we could do. Will played sports, had lots of friends, but … [Read more...] about Voices of Recovery: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction and Recovery
Five Questions to Ask When Looking for a Rehab Facility
Having a loved one come to you asking for help from their addiction can be a stressful and worrisome situation. Finding an addiction treatment center is often the first thing people decide to do to help their family member or friend in this moment. For most people, this is the first time they have ever had to go through this experience, so finding the right place can be difficult. Knowing the right questions to ask facility leaders can help ease a lot of stress if you are prepared to do so. Here … [Read more...] about Five Questions to Ask When Looking for a Rehab Facility
Helping Parents Talk About Addiction with Their Teens
Children becoming teenagers increases worry exponentially. Your child’s teenage years are formative growth years while simultaneously being the years where bad habits become traits and consequences for mistakes become serious. It is also the period when substance use and abuse become a relevant discussion topic. Substance use is a topic parents should discuss with their teenagers because it is a topic that can affect or has affected their lives. Every teenager knows that drugs and alcohol … [Read more...] about Helping Parents Talk About Addiction with Their Teens
How to Talk About Addiction During the Holidays
December is here, which means the holiday season is in full swing. The holidays represent a time of celebration and joy for most families. It is a chance to share time with great company and enjoy time off in a stress-free environment. However, this experience is not universal for everyone. The holiday season can be incredibly stressful for individuals in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. This time is also stressful for their friends and family members, who are a big part of the recovery … [Read more...] about How to Talk About Addiction During the Holidays
Hidden Signs Your Loved One May Be Abusing Drugs, Alcohol
Recognizing substance abuse in a loved one can often be difficult, especially when the person has learned how to hide their behavior. However, certain signs may indicate the person has an issue with drugs or alcohol. Understanding some of the more subtle signs will allow you to recognize substance abuse problems and get the person the help they need. Physical Appearance One of the most often overlooked changes in a person using drugs or alcohol is their physical appearance. Changes in their … [Read more...] about Hidden Signs Your Loved One May Be Abusing Drugs, Alcohol
Education’s Role in Addiction Recovery
Going through the addiction recovery process is a challenging journey requiring individuals to overcome physical, emotional and mental stress. Receiving an education during recovery provides people with skills and resources to help rebuild their lives in a positive way. Here are a few ways education helps individuals in recovery empower themselves for long-term success in life. The Power of Knowledge Education is a powerful tool when it comes to empowering people in their lives. Learning new … [Read more...] about Education’s Role in Addiction Recovery
Back2Basics Voices of Recovery: A Passion for Glass Art, a Center for Recovery
Before Robert Lewis was a behavioral health technician at Back2Basics helping others in recovery and before he was a glass artist working with Flagstaff’s premier glass artist, he was in his mother’s house with one last chance to quit heroin, a substance-use disorder he had had since he was a teenager. “I had been through multiple rehab programs and when my mom found Back2Basics; we both knew this was my last chance to get sober,” said Lewis. “My mom gave me a backpack with my stuff and sent … [Read more...] about Back2Basics Voices of Recovery: A Passion for Glass Art, a Center for Recovery
Understanding the Importance of Creating Support Groups While in Recovery
Going through recovery is a challenging endeavor filled with physical, mental and emotional hurdles. One of the best ways to make this process easier is by creating support groups to provide emotional support and advice and to build friendships that can enhance the recovery experience. For those in recovery, creating support groups can be difficult because they often don’t feel worthy of having friends or don’t want people to know what they are going through. However, by building these … [Read more...] about Understanding the Importance of Creating Support Groups While in Recovery
Expanding Access to Post-Treatment Care
An effective treatment program is an impactful way to help someone struggling with a substance use disorder. The government, treatment professionals and local non-profits are working tirelessly to expand access to care to treat substance use disorders. Local communities are committed to expanding access to treatment programs, but they often don’t share this same commitment when it comes to expanding access to post-treatment care. Relapse after leaving treatment is all too common, which is why … [Read more...] about Expanding Access to Post-Treatment Care