Category: Recovery

Anxiety and depression are closely related, and both are prevalent mental health conditions among addicts. In fact, 73% of individuals with major depression also experience anxiety simultaneously.

But what’s the driving cause of this? Let’s take a look.

What’s Depression?

An individual suffering from depression experiences negative emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Symptoms of the disorder include low moods and depression, and, in the most severe cases, a lack of will to survive.

Life is full of ups and downs, but depression is usually characterized by prolonged, accentuated depressive symptoms (over two weeks). The development of depression can be caused by a number of circumstances, such as life events or brain chemistry imbalances resulting from substance abuse.

Common symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sad or anxious mood
• Hopelessness and pessimism
• Irritability, frustration, and/or restlessness
• Loss of interest, pleasure, and willfulness
• Lower energy levels
• Troubled sleeping patterns
• Changes in appetite
• Pains, headaches, and cramps that are not eased with treatment
• Thoughts and attempts to take one’s own life

What’s anxiety?

In its simplest form, anxiety is a feeling of worry and/or fear. As with depression, we all experience some level of anxiety from time to time without having to worry about it being a serious health condition. However, there are those whose anxiety symptoms are so severe and long-lasting that they are considered to have an anxiety disorder.

It is difficult for people suffering from anxiety symptoms to carry on with their normal activities when their symptoms are severe and long-lasting. For example, they are unable to work or take care of their families.

There are many causes of anxiety, such as work stress and substance abuse.

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

• Panic attacks
• Shortness of breath
• A racing heart and mind
• Sweating 
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Feeling pins and needles
• Tremblings
• Stomach ache or emptiness
• Excessive fear and worrying that impairs activities
• Feeling powerless
• Difficulty concentrating

What’s the Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety?

Although anxiety and depression are different, some of their symptoms are similar. This allows us to observe the relationship between depression and anxiety at a glance. There is a tendency for patients diagnosed with both disorders to experience greater severity in each. 

The relationship between depression and anxiety is linked in such a way that it works like a vicious cycle; when patients get anxious, they feel bad about it, and depression strikes. Because of this, depression is more likely to occur when anxiety is present. In the same way, depression leads to feelings of fear, worry, and anxiety which eventually leads to anxiety disorders.

Anxiety and depression exacerbate one another when combined, presenting patients with difficult complications. 

The majority of treatment centers are prepared to deal with dual-diagnosis treatments, which include both addiction and mental health issues. In the event that you or a loved one is experiencing mental health symptoms and addiction, it’s imperative that you contact a recovery expert and get help immediately.

Getting Help

Both anxiety and depression can be debilitating mental disorders that make getting well difficult for addicts. In the event that you or a loved one are experiencing depression or anxiety while abusing substances, then you may be suffering from a dual diagnosis and need to seek help. 

It is important to choose a recovery center that offers the right recovery treatments so that a smooth transition to sobriety can be achieved.

Elysium Healthcare is a premiere drug treatment center that will arm you with the tools you need to overcome addiction.

Contact Elysium today and find out how we can help!

Stillness could be an unfriendly foe for those who suffer from racing thoughts. Left to their own devices, addicts might find themselves in an endless conversation with themselves that can often turn dark and negative.

This lack of activity is often the reason why many addicts seek to indulge in their vices. Having hobbies and fun sober activities in recovery can help addicts keep negative thoughts at bay and avoid a relapse.

Benefits of Sober Hobbies in Recovery

By engaging in sober hobbies, addicts are able to substitute their indulgences for new healthy habits. Be it a craft, sports, or a walk down the beach, hobbies support the development of a balanced lifestyle.

But avoiding the risk of relapse is not the only benefit of keeping yourself entertained with hobbies in recovery. In fact, hobbies for addicts are a great way to gain a greater sense of self-worth and build community.

For example, by joining a sport an addict might be able to connect with other healthy individuals, develop healthy exercise habits, and build confidence.

Hobbies for addicts are also a great way of improving your mood and your overall well-being. A hobby is an activity that’s meant to be enjoyed and bring out happiness in you. 

They are also a great way to stay entertained which can help addicts stay away from activities that might prompt a relapse—like going out to bars or nightclubs.

Boredom and stress can place an addict at a high risk of relapse, both of which can be solved by engaging in healthy hobbies for recovering addicts.

Furthermore, by gaining mastery of a hobby an addict might gain the confidence needed to master other areas of their life such as work and relationships.

Examples of Sober Hobbies in Recovery

Addicts can take up a wide variety of hobbies that can be as diverse as their personalities.

There are countless hobbies for recovering addicts to explore, but we have broken down some categories that can inspire you to find the hobby that’s right for you.

Exercise

Exercising can help improve your physical health, reduce stress, promote a positive mood, and build confidence. And if you were wondering, no, a runner’s high doesn’t count as a relapse.

These are some of the most fun sober activities that involve exercise:

• Running
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Weightlifting
• Taking up a sport like soccer, golf, or gymnastics.

Art

Self-expressing through art can be a higher form of meditation and it’s one of the most popular fun sober activities a recovering addict can take on. 

These are some artistic hobbies for recovering addicts:

• Painting
• Sculpting with clay
• Creating digital art
• Acting or enrolling in theater
• Video editing

Music

Music opens the gates of the soul. It can help addicts change their mood in a heartbeat and can also be a form of meditation. 

Music hobbies for addicts include:

• Playing an instrument
• Taking piano lessons
• Singing
• Simply listening to music

Writing

Writing and journaling are incredibly helpful in recovery. They are a great way to release emotions on paper and help addicts organize their thoughts. It’s also a great way to record and share their experiences in recovery with others.

These are some of the most fun sober activities that involve writing:

• Writing poems
• Journaling each morning
• Making gratitude lists
• Blogging about recovery
• Songwriting

Volunteering

One of the principles addicts learn in 12-step recovery programs is the importance of giving back and working with others to be able to stay sober.

Volunteering is a great hobby that can give a recovering addict a sense of purpose and fulfillment. 

Volunteering hobbies for recovering addicts include:

• Working with other alcoholics to achieve sobriety
• Helping at a local soup kitchen
• Helping clean their local beach or other nature locations
• Assisting at the animal shelter
• Helping fund money for causes they care for

Outdoor Activities

A different kind of sport, outdoor activities combine exercise with all the benefits of being outside and connecting with nature. They are a great way to improve the mood, get a breath of fresh air, and connect with others.

These are some of the most fun sober activities that can be done outdoors:

• Hiking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Skiing
• Playing volleyball on the beach

Hobbies and Aftercare

Aftercare programs and rehabs that place value on hobbies can help addicts build strong recovery habits from day one.

Elysium Healthcare offers rehab and aftercare programs that place an emphasis on preparing the recovering addict with healthy habits and fun hobbies so they may have a successful recovery.

Contact us today and see how we can help you get sober today!

Healing from emotional trauma is something most of us will need to do at one point or another.

The emotional condition is a rampant problem in America with nearly 70% of the adult population reportedly experiencing a traumatic event at least once in their life. That’s over 200 million people in the US alone.

Traumatic experiences can be debilitating for anyone experiencing them. But the good news is that recovering from trauma is possible. 

Here are some tips on how to heal from emotional trauma that we know you’ll appreciate.

What Is Trauma? 

We need to examine what trauma is and what causes it before we can decide if healing from emotional trauma is right for us.

As defined by the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a deeply stressful event that’s difficult to cope with. 

Traumatic events might include rape, death, accidents, or natural disasters. But different events affect different people.

After the event, the traumatized end up feeling helpless, insecure, upset, and generally not feeling well. 

If things get bad enough, then trauma could turn into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which can lead to extended periods of distress.

How to Recover From Emotional Trauma

Acknowledge Your Trauma

One cannot recover from something that one doesn’t accept.

 

Trauma patients should prioritize acceptance of their condition in the same way that 12-step groups prioritize accepting their problem with addiction. 

If in doubt, then it’s smart to reach out! Consult with a professional that can help you determine if there is a condition and what might be causing it.

Love Thyself

Practicing self-care is a critical step in the journey of recovery from trauma. Taking care of yourself along the way is essential when healing from emotional trauma.

Maintaining a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and exercising regularly are all ways in which you can practice self-care. You may also want to try holistic practices like meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises.
The more you are able to feel at ease and relax, the better it will be for your condition.

Take Breaks 

Taking breaks and learning to slow down is also a form of self-care. Emotional trauma is like stress. It requires peace and tranquility to fade away. By taking breaks you can allow your emotions to avoid added stress and give yourself the space you need to heal.

Healing from trauma can also feel draining and consume a great deal of your energy. By taking breaks you can give your body time to recharge and the energy it needs to make it through this tedious process.

Go Deep With Your Feelings

Make sure you allow yourself to feel your emotions and express them in a healthy way. 

Journaling is a very effective way to get all of those emotions out of your system and recover from traumatic events. By writing down your emotions, you are able to let your mind release them onto paper. Painting is another effective way of healing from emotional trauma and releasing emotions.

To heal from trauma, you must feel your feelings and accept them. You might feel uncomfortable along the way, but there is nothing wrong with that. Just make sure to channel those emotions into a healthy outlet.

Find the Right Help 

It might seem obvious, but oftentimes patients avoid getting the necessary help when they need it. In many instances, they might feel ashamed or as if they can get over it on their own.

Sadly, most patients will wait too long to treat trauma which could lead to the worsening of their condition and end up suffering from PTSD.

Therapists and mental health counselors are readily available across the country. There are numerous sites that can help you find the help you need.

Elysium Healthcare can help you get into treatment if you think you are suffering from trauma. 

Try contacting their admissions department and see how they can lend a helping hand. 

The importance of mindfulness in today’s culture can’t be understated. Mediation programs have become popular in recent years and many of its practitioners stand behind the practice as a solid tool for recovery.

A 2017 survey showed that the percentage of adults who practice some form of meditation, including mindfulness, tripled in 2018 from 4% to 14%.

But does mindfulness actually work? And how is mindfulness helpful?

What is Mindfulness and Why is it Important?

Mindfulness is a holistic practice that consists of achieving a mental state that focuses on the present moment. 

It is a practice of self-awareness that can be used to manage stress and improve well-being which involves focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. 

During a mindfulness session, the practitioner acknowledges and accepts one’s feelings, thoughts, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. 

The practice of mindfulness can improve an individual’s ability to cope with difficult emotions and bring balance to their lives. Practitioners tend to achieve a state of mindfulness through meditation or yoga. 

The benefits of mindfulness have also been demonstrated in other areas as well, including mental health, physical health, relationships, and work performance. 

How to Practice Mindfulness in Daily Life

Mindfulness has been around for centuries and in recent history, it has been practiced across numerous cultures across the globe. It is a skill that can be developed through regular practice.

Practitioners can achieve a state of mindfulness in many ways. Some of them include:

• Meditation (a form of mindfulness)
• Breathing exercises
• Mindful eating
• Writing in a journal
• Reading poetry or literature
• Yoga

Mindfulness and Mental Health

“Mindfulness” has become a popular buzzword in the mental health and personal development community.

Mindfulness and mental health are closely related since the practice is a form of meditation. It can help patients offer many of the same benefits that meditation does. Skeptics may look at this holistic practice and ask themselves how is mindfulness helpful?

They might at first not fully realize the relationship between mindfulness and mental health and the benefits it can offer.

The practice has been shown to have many benefits both physical and mental.

Some of the most common benefits of mindfulness include:

• Helps with stress by reducing the levels of cortisol in your body
• Improves concentration by helping you focus on the present moment without distractions
• Helps with managing emotions by allowing you to confront any negative feelings that come up without getting overwhelmed
• Increases happiness by bringing awareness to what’s going on in your life right now.
• Improves decision-making skills by helping clear the mind
• It could help relieve pain in some instances.

How is Mindfulness Helpful With Addiction?

The importance of mindfulness is also noticeable when it comes to fighting addiction. It’s an important tool for individuals struggling with it as it can help them gain insight into their triggers and how to cope with them in healthy ways. 

The practice can also help addicts by supporting them in becoming aware of their inner selves and developing healthier coping mechanisms—making it a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. 

Mindfulness can also help addicts become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and actions so that they can make better choices that can lead to a healthier life and avoid relapse episodes.

Its proven stress reduction capabilities can also help addicts stay away from a slip.

Mindfulness in Rehab

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool in the fight against addiction. 

It’s one of the many holistic practices employed by rehab centers to help addicts manage their condition. 

The practice is taught by specialists and can serve addicts as a lifelong tool of recovery.

Picking the right rehab center that supports holistic practices can make all the difference.

If a loved one or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse then Elysium Healthcare can help.

Elysium Healthcare is an expert in holistic addiction treatments and teaches its patients the practice of mindfulness.

Contact Elysium today for an assessment.