Treating drug or alcohol addiction can be a challenge, particularly when the substance use disorder has been in place for a long time, and has built up considerable dependency. In order to effectively treat the addiction and the substance use disorder, the treatment needs to address the root cause of the addiction and substance use. Sometimes, however, this isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, even to trained clinicians and therapists. 

One of the biggest complicating factors in any addiction treatment is something called dual diagnosis. We’re going to look at just what dual diagnosis is, and what it means for overall mental health.

What Does Dual Diagnosis Mean In Mental Health?

When someone hears about dual diagnosis, the first question often is “what does dual diagnosis mean?” This is a common question, and the answer may be deceptively simple. 

Dual diagnosis is when an individual has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder, as well as one or more additional mental disorders. Dual diagnosis is also referred to as having co-occurring disorders, or even simply co-morbidity. 

Why Are Addiction & Mental Disorders Often Encountered Together?

It is true that drug and alcohol addiction often occurs in conjunction with other mental disorders, but correlation does not equal causation. Even in cases where one occurred first, and the other followed, it doesn’t mean that one caused the other. This can only be determined on an individual basis after extensive evaluation.

One of the first reasons they are thought to be relatively commensurate in their prevalence is that many of the risk factors that lead to addiction can also create an environment for mental illness to develop or worsen. This can include internal factors like genetics, or external factors like stress or trauma.

Another reason is that mental disorders probably contribute to drug and alcohol addiction. This is because a large section of the population living with undiagnosed or untreated mental illness is highly likely to engage in self-medication. The changes in the brain structure of the mentally ill may also be more suitable for fostering addiction.

One final reason that they may be found together so often, is that drug and alcohol use and addiction have been known to contribute to the development or worsening of mental disorders. The physical changes drugs and alcohol create in the brain may also make mental disorders more likely to develop.

What Are Common Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs?

When entering into a treatment program with a dual diagnosis track, the options for treatment will be largely the same as for addiction treatment. The difference is that the personalized treatment program for an individual with dual diagnosis may incorporate more psychotherapy and an equally-significant focus on mental health issues alongside the addiction issues. 

The most common treatments will include:

• Inpatient Programs: Inpatient programs will be the most intensive and structured method for getting treatment. In an inpatient program, the patient lives at the treatment center anywhere from 30 up to 90 days or longer in some cases.

• Outpatient Programs: Outpatient programs are the more convenient type of treatment since they allow the patient to live independently, while still commuting to the facility one or more times each week for therapy and other treatments.

Partner With The Area’s Leading Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, there is an incredibly strong chance that there will also be some form of additional undiagnosed or untreated mental disorder as well. The best way to make sure you get the right treatment for your needs is to work with a local expert like Capo Canyon. Reach out today to discuss your treatment needs.

With how common addiction is, there’s no surprise that most people that have a substance use disorder are able to maintain a part-time or full-time job. If you are one of the 70% of people that are employed and use illicit drugs, you may be wondering if you’ll be able to keep your job while you get help with your addiction. The good news is, there are several federal acts that protect a worker’s right to attend rehab without losing their jobs. Let’s take a closer look at how to go to rehab without losing your job.

Can You Lose Your Job if You Go to Rehab?

One of the biggest questions people ask when deciding if they should attend rehab is “Will I lose my job if I go to rehab?” The good news is, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all employers are required by law to provide employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations, including time off for doctor’s appointments and for addiction treatment. As soon as Human Resources has been informed of your need for treatment, your employment is protected.

Additionally, many employees can take advantage of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which can provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of leave for specific medical needs. This time off is typically unpaid, but you are protected against termination.

How to Take Time off While in Rehab

Between the Family Medical Leave Act and the American With Disabilities Act, you should be able to take plenty of time off work to complete a rehabilitation program without concern that your job will have been filled while you were out.

FMLA gives leave of up to 12 weeks and is available for employees at businesses and public agencies with at least 50 employees. These 12 weeks do not need to be consecutive. In order for employees to be eligible for FMLA they must meet the following criteria:

• Employed at your current job for a minimum of 12 months
• The employer has at least 50 employees living within 75 miles of work

There are only a few situations where someone can take advantage of FMLA:

• An immediate family member is in need of medical care for a serious condition
• The adoption, birth, or initial fostering of a child
• You are in need of serious medical treatment, which includes addiction treatment 

Paying For Your Treatment

Another concern when you’re deciding whether or not to attend rehab is how you’ll be able to afford it. The good news is, you may not have to pay for everything out of pocket. 

Some employers have assistance programs in place to help their employees obtain counseling services or offer referrals to rehabilitation programs. Your health insurance could also cover up to 100% of treatment services. Whether your health insurance provider will cover all or part of your treatment will depend of your specific needs and the benefits detailed in your insurance plan. In order for insurance to understand rehab is medically necessary, the following must be true:

• You pose a serious risk to yourself or others due to your current substance abuse
• You have a DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance abuse disorder
• You are unable to maintain sobriety
• You currently live in a toxic or dysfunctional environment in which less intensive treatments are likely not to work

Capo Canyon Can Help You Today

If you’ve been holding down a job while also battling a substance abuse problem, you are not alone. The good news is, you can take the time you need off of work to get treatment without worrying that your job will have been filled while you were gone. The first step towards recovery is reaching out to Capo Canyon to get help with your addiction. An admissions counselor can discuss the options available and verify your insurance coverage if you would like to utilize your insurance benefits.

Addiction is a devastating illness, and it can take a significant amount of courage to ask for or seek out professional help. In many rehab facilities, however, there is a policy that cell phones are not permitted at most times. Is this the case with all rehab centers and treatment facilities? What about communicating with your family and loved ones? What do you do if you have incredibly important professional obligations?

These are all questions that those potentially entering treatment may ask, and if some individuals don’t get the right answer, they may not seek treatment at all. Our digital devices are crucial to many aspects of our life, and with many people even running their businesses from their phones, having at least periodic access to them can be essential for our daily lives. We’re going to take a look at when you may and may not be able to have a cell phone in rehab.

Can You Have A Cell Phone In Rehab?

In most cases, particularly inpatient admittances, patients will not be allowed to have their cell phones, at least initially. While they can bring it, many times they will be asked to store it safely in a locker with other items that aren’t permitted inside the facility. After a period of time, the patient will be able to have supervised access to their cell phone for limited periods of time. Otherwise, not until the treatment has concluded will an individual be able to retrieve their belongings before leaving.

Many people may wonder about communication with family, loved ones, and friends. Some of the most important people in the patient’s life are going to be at home wondering how they are doing and wanting updates on their progress, which is completely understandable. Many facilities will allow patients to have privileges using the facility phones to call loved ones once they have passed certain benchmarks of treatment. 

For example, in one facility, they may not allow cell phones at all in the treatment center. Another case may see a treatment facility that allows patients to use their cell phone, with certain restrictions, once they have completed the acute withdrawal stage and no longer need detox attention. Still another facility may allow phones for some patients, while more high-risk patients may not be permitted to have them. 

In the case of outpatient programs on the other hand, the individual may need to store their phone in a locker while in group or individual sessions, but will be able to use it as they please once out of programming hours. Those in day treatment programs or partial hospitalization programs may also not have access to their phone during the treatment day. Capo Canyon is a rehab that allows cell phones. Get in touch today.

Are There Rehabs That Allow Cell Phones?

There are very few rehabs that will allow cell phones indiscriminately, and the reason is simple. Cell phones represent one of the most significant distractions that can be present during the early stages of recovery when the most intense focus and attention are needed.

One exception is treatment facilities that cater to professionals and executives, such as luxury rehabs in California. In cases like these, since executives are often intrinsically necessary for the effective operation of an organization, the center is willing to work more closely with them to ensure that even while having their cell phones, and sometimes even working to an extent, they are still able to stay focused on their recovery. 

Capo Canyon Will Work To Make Sure Your Recovery Is Minimally Disruptive

If you or someone close to you is battling addiction, but they are hesitant to seek help because of the restriction on digital devices during treatment, the best option is to contact our luxury rehab that allows cell phones, Capo Canyon. Reach out today and discuss your treatment needs in private, with a trusted member of our admissions team.

When you are going through addiction treatment and recovery, fulfilling parental responsibilities can be challenging. If you have felt guilty about how your addiction has disrupted the lives of your family, recovery can help you with this as well. The key is to find a balance between maintaining recovery progress and reintegrating into normal family life.

Your Recovery Is a New Beginning for Your Family

A big part of true recovery is recognizing the harm your addiction has brought to your loved ones, including your spouse and your children. In order for you all to move on, you need to own your past mistakes. Explain to them why substances have affected your behaviors and offer an apology. Meanwhile, tell them that you need a period of time to recover from addiction, but that you are also committing to a new beginning.

The foundation of this new beginning is your relationship with your partner. Try to have honest and humble conversations about how to move on. Both of you should realize that children’s personalities are developing during this time, and they are highly susceptible to what is happening in the home. Set priorities and commit to working together as a team.

Be Present and Set Boundaries for Children

Addiction makes most parents unable to fulfill their responsibilities, including being physically and emotionally present in the lives of their children. Being present means offering open communication about what is happening in each other’s lives. You need to learn how to open up and also how to engage in conversations with your child. Investing time in playing or tutoring your child can rebuild trust.

Many recovering individuals become too permissive in parenting because of guilt. You need to know that firm and healthy boundaries are the best things you can gift your children in life. This will help children form healthy habits and lifestyles, protecting them from future risks. Make sure that these boundaries are consistently maintained by both you and your partner.

Educate Your Children About the Science Behind Addiction

Most likely your children know about your substance use problems. There is no way to hide that from them. If they ask questions, do not deny the truth or feel ashamed. Instead, use these questions as teachable moments to converse with your child about why substances are harmful. Educate them early before the temptation of substance use presents itself later in their life.

Speaking openly about addiction with your child is a powerful way to dispel the harmful stigma attached to substance use. By being honest and vulnerable, you will not lose your child’s respect. Quite the opposite, you are setting an example of overcoming a complex disease. Also explain to your child that since you are recovering from this disease, you need emotional support from him or her.

Manage Stress and Practice Self-Care

Parenting can be stressful. Children have constant needs. It can be tempting to overcommit and overschedule parenting duties. Monitor your stress level, and if you need space to de-stress, ask for help from your partner or another supportive family member. Make sure not to over-burden yourself because stress is a trigger for relapse.

Do not let parenting take up all of your schedules. Even before waves of stress arrive, you should build breaks and space for self-care. Reserve one afternoon for yourself to spend time alone in nature. Begin every day with a short meditation or physical exercise. Join a monthly hobby group and commit to it. Choose activities that bring you relaxation and joy and commit to them.

Know the Warning Signs of Relapse

Before you achieve long-term sobriety, you need to be aware of possible relapses. Continue to meet with your support group or therapist who can help strengthen that alertness. Watch for triggers such as boredom, stress, isolation, or lack of sleep. Even when cravings re-emerge, make sure you have a sober support person to call. If necessary, re-enter yourself into residential treatment for some time to consolidate progress.

When you are on the verge of relapse, it is important to explain to your children that you will not be able to take care of them for an amount of time because your disease is coming back. Do not deny the problem and vanish from their lives. Instead, explain to them what you need to get better. Since you promised open communication with them, it is important to carry it out.

Many children tend to believe that the parent’s addiction is somehow their fault. You need to make it clear that they are not to blame. If your children need extra support in healing from the impact of your addiction recovery, there is also family therapy that cares for children’s needs.

Parents who are struggling with substance addiction need extra support in parenting. On the one hand, you no longer want to miss out on your children’s lives. On the other hand, you need to take care of yourself to maintain recovery progress. You need to find a treatment center that helps you back on your feet. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA, we know how to care for families. Your sobriety matters the most. Our holistic path helps to heal the body, mind, and spirit. We focus on each stage of recovery, both in terms of physical health and mental health. Our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs offer unmatched benefits. We provide excess comfort with an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden during your sobriety journey. We have a support system for your family as well. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

Are you supporting a loved one’s recovery from substance addiction? Do you know the difference between helping someone with their substance use issues versus enabling them to continue using? The line can get blurry when the person that is using is someone close to you. If your end goal is to support your loved one to reach and maintain sobriety, do not be a codependent enabler.

Understanding Relational Codependence

Codependent relationships refer to patterns within close ties that support any harmful or problematic behavior and make it easier for that behavior to continue. Many people who are in codependent relationships do not realize that the effects of their actions are counterproductive. Instead of helping your loved one recover, you are having a damaging effect on that person.

When it comes to substance addiction, codependence may look like easing the boundaries for substance use, allowing for financial resources to be used in purchasing alcohol or drugs, or going along with problematic behaviors instead of putting them in check. This often happens with parents whose teen or adolescent children develop substance addiction. Some parents avoid talking about the issue because they are afraid that more people might know. However, this is enabling the problem to continue.

Close partners can also become reluctant enablers for a loved one’s substance addiction. Covering for the negative consequences of a loved one who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a form of codependence and enabling. Your actions may seem to help at the moment, but it gives your loved one a message that there is nothing wrong with their addiction-related behavior.

Sacrificing Your Own Needs

People who support their loved ones going through recovery can often find themselves in another type of codependence. You might become so involved in taking care of that person, and you have to sacrifice more than that is acceptable in a normal situation. This sacrifice may include time, other relationships, and self-care.

Just like people on an airplane need to secure their own oxygen masks first before helping others with theirs, you need to take care of your own mental health first. For example, parents who are helping their teens recover tend to do all things for their children instead of teaching them extra responsibility. This may become exhausting and puts more stress on marital relationships. When the home is ridden with conflicts, it is not an ideal environment for a recovering teenager to heal.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

At the core of enabling behaviors is the lack of healthy boundaries. These problems may have partly led to your loved one’s stress-induced addiction. It is time to re-examine what can be done differently in these close relationships. You can also consider working with a professional interventionist who is experienced in coaching families in resetting their boundaries in order to have a more recovery-supportive home environment.

Health Professionals Can Help

When it comes to close relationships, we all need a clarifying perspective from an outsider. You may have gotten so used to old boundaries that they do not feel wrong to you. Recovery experts can help you understand these dynamics from a family system point of view. Many treatment centers offer family-based therapy for this exact purpose.

With proper coaching and intervention, you will begin to identify interactions that cross certain pre-set boundaries. For example, if your loved one starts shouting and requesting substance use, you can back away from that situation to show your disapproval. They may get the message that such problematic behavior is crossing the line for you.

It is always best to openly talk about some agreed-upon boundaries. If you are not on the same page about what are healthy boundaries, your changed action may invite resentment from your loved one. When asserting your ground, sometimes by saying “no” to a request, you need to remain calm and firm.

Building A Support System Around Yourself

Again, your well-being is first and foremost if you want to care for a loved one for the long term. It is essential that you intentionally build a strong support system. This may include regular therapy for yourself or a peer group. Sharing with people who are also caring for a loved one in recovery can be empowering and liberating. You get to see how others approach unhealthy boundaries.

Family-based therapy or counseling can provide you with more stress management tools, such as mindfulness and meditation. By connecting with them, you can stay informed and involved with your loved one’s recovery progress. The more support you have from health professionals and recovery experts, the more confident you will become when proving support and support to a loved one.

If you are supporting a loved one in recovery, do you know how not to become enabling or codependent? Relational codependence is harmful to your and your loved one’s progress in recovery. You can work with experienced recovery experts who counsel the whole family to support a loved one’s recovery. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA, we take pride in our holistic path, which is incremental to sustainable and long-term recovery. We focus on each stage of recovery, both in terms of physical health and mental health. Our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs offer unmatched benefits. We provide excess comfort with an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden during your sobriety journey. With Capo Canyon Recovery, you can rely on us to help you achieve long-term sobriety. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

Are you or a loved one suffering from both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental illness? This is often known as a dual diagnosis. In order to treat both conditions, you need to start an integrated treatment plan. When choosing a treatment center, you also need to know whether it has both recovery experts and mental health specialists on staff who work together to treat people with a dual diagnosis.

Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

The causal relationship between substance addiction and mental health issues may go both ways. People with mental health needs are at a higher risk of using substances to self-medicate. Those who use substances for a long time are more likely to develop mental illnesses.

In the latter scenario, some common co-occurring mental health conditions include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. On a behavioral level, people with these conditions may self-isolate, neglect hygiene, and fail to manage work.

Common Treatment for People With A Dual Diagnosis

When substance addiction and mental health problems overlap, they can create very challenging situations to treat. For a dual diagnosis, each condition should be considered primary and receive intervention simultaneously. Inpatient rehabilitation is often the best way, and it takes longer for people with a dual diagnosis to heal and stabilize. Treatment will typically begin with detox. 

Common treatment methods for individuals with a dual diagnosis include medically-assisted detox, medications, psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, individual or group counseling, supportive housing, and other support groups such as 12-step programs. In a word, it takes a full team of health experts to provide this specialized level of care that integrates both medical and mental health support.

Choosing the Right Treatment Program

Because of the dual expertise required to treat a dual diagnosis, not every addiction recovery center is adequately equipped to provide this level of specialized care. Only those with in-house psychiatric staff and mental health experts are able to help people with a dual diagnosis.

During clinical evaluation for a dual diagnosis, health professionals consider a wide range of factors. They will examine whether the person has a background marked by substance use that negatively affects their recreational exercises, work, and mental well-being and connections. In trying to tease out the layers of substance use-related symptoms and mental health symptoms, they offer a more comprehensive assessment.

There are a few practical tips for choosing the right dual diagnosis treatment program. First of all, you need to make sure that the program offers a long enough stay to fully address the complicated nature of your co-occurring conditions. Traditionally, addiction recovery programs last from 30 to 60 days. Trauma-informed programs may offer 90 days of programming to effectively stabilize recovering individuals before transitioning to normal life.

You also need to check if a treatment facility has state licensing from the appropriate regulatory bodies in both fields. Check the staff biographies and ask if both their recovery specialists and mental health professionals are licensed. Programs with specialized care also need to offer a full continuum of care. Ask alumni who completed the treatment program if the staff there integrates dual diagnosis treatment at every level of care.

Relapse Prevention and Aftercare

People who are recovering from dual diagnosis conditions still face the risk of relapse. Your treatment program should design and customize relapse prevention plans before you leave. Part of this plan may include aftercare which provides an additional level of transparency to ensure continued recovery. These aftercare programs may consist of medications, counseling, and support groups.

Family support is especially critical for recovering individuals with a dual diagnosis. Some aftercare services involve family members for continued education and support coaching. Because these people need a higher level of care even in the transition phase, there are many sober living homes designed to help. You can focus on your continued recovery in a well-supported environment.

Relying on a Strong Recovery Community

Although people recovering from a dual diagnosis may be more vulnerable, they can also depend more on their recovery community. If the opposite of addiction is a connection, then these people need the most out of positive connections. Being part of a recovery community can also help you develop healthy lifestyle changes. For example, support groups help individuals feel connected and are also powerful enforcement mechanisms for positive examples and role models.

A support network can help to hold individuals accountable for their recovery goals. Such accountability goes hand in hand with motivation in a strong recovery community. By regularly spending time with supportive people, you will regain a positive outlook on life. Addiction is treatable, and so is a dual diagnosis.

Do you know where to look for a treatment center that offers a specialized level of care for people with a dual diagnosis? You need to find one that has a full medical staff composed of both recovery experts and mental health professionals. You do not need to look beyond Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA. Our team has in-house psychiatric staff and licensed therapists. We take pride in our unique holistic methods, which are incremental to your sustainable and long-term recovery. We focus on every stage of recovery, from both the physical to the mental. Our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs offer custom benefits. We provide luxurious comfort during your stay with an in-house chef, sleeping arrangements, and our organic garden. Our experienced recovery experts can be your support system by coaching you to cope with upcoming challenges. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

Recovery from substance addiction is a challenging journey. There are uncertainties along with the potential of relapse. Many recovering individuals struggle with self-doubt in various forms. These include the fear of failing and disappointing loved ones and the insecurity of not knowing if you are making progress. Feelings of inadequacy can become overwhelming and even destructive.

The Sources of Self-Doubt

If you are informed about addiction recovery, you ought to know that everyone faces uncertainty and challenges on this journey. Although recovery experts can map out the process into several distinguishable phases, there is still much grey area. Since you might have mental health disorders that need simultaneous treatment, the path of recovery can only be customized, not generalized.

Acknowledging the complex nature of this disease and the unavoidable uncertainties may be a way to regain a rational perspective about recovery. You can seek more science-based information about addiction recovery by trusting and collaborating with health professionals. Other sources of self-doubt may be related to habitual negative self-talk. This is the part you need to invest your energy in smoothing out with your therapists.

Considering Self-Doubt as Mental Health Needs

Many people who develop substance use disorders have low self-esteem early on. This may have to do with what kind of parenting style they grew up under or traumatic experiences they suffered in the past. Having some personality disorders may also result in spiraling into constant self-doubt.

Everyone experiences feelings of worthlessness on occasion. We all tend to have an inner critic who focuses on failures. Family and friends can help support and lift us out of an emotional pit of self-doubt. Fixing unrealistic expectations can also be a life-long lesson to ease self-doubt. But when these commonplace measures do not help, and you find yourself constantly battling with negative thoughts and emotions, maybe it is time to work with a mental health specialist.

The Importance of Self-Acceptance in Recovery

Having an optimistic outlook on life and accepting yourself are two key foundations of successful recovery. Make it a daily habit of listing five things you have accomplished. They can be eating healthy diets, enjoying a relaxing walk in nature, or having a quality time with family. Celebrate these small wins because they are the steps towards maintaining sobriety.

Self-acceptance also means making peace with your past. Many recovering individuals struggle with shame and guilt about their past addiction. You need to realize that by choosing treatment, you are already back on track, and it is no small feat. The past does not define you. As a human being, you have inherent value no matter what you do. Affirming your own value is a way to show self-compassion.

During recovery, surround yourself with positive people who accept and appreciate you. These people do not compare you to others. Spend time with them and celebrate small victories together. On the other hand, stay away from toxic relationships that may create extra stress for you.

Practical Advice for Boosting Self-Confidence

There are many ways you can try to boost self-confidence during recovery. For example, you can keep a self-affirmation journal and write down positive things to encourage yourself. You can also learn a few new hobbies that make you feel good about yourself. Participating in community services can also be a way to boost self-confidence because you are contributing to society.

Working with evidence-based behavioral therapists can help you examine the automatic negative thoughts that arise when you encounter certain triggering people, places, or situations. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is known to be most effective at treating self-doubt by teaching you to recognize distorted thinking and re-evaluate them in light of reality. Psychotherapy may also reveal deeper root causes for low self-esteem, such as traumatic family events.

Rebuilding Foundations of Self-Esteem

From self-acceptance, you can practice living with more self-awareness about when negative self-criticism emerges. When that happens, acknowledge its presence but make a conscious choice of self-affirmation. Doing so can reverse the neurological pathways in your brain. In daily routines and social interactions, practice self-responsibility and take ownership of your own choices and actions. Evaluate what you can accomplish and when you do, always celebrate these achievements with self-affirmation.

Meanwhile, make sure that you have a strong support system in place, including health professionals who can coach you into living more positively. Even after you finish treatment, you can make use of outpatient programs to continue therapy. Recovery takes time, and you should patiently work on your mental resilience. Know that the plasticity of the brain is there for you as you choose to live your life more positively.

Do you know that self-doubt may hinder your progress in recovery? For those in recovery from addiction, learning to manage negative self-criticism is critical for preventing relapse. One should work with trained therapists to learn recovery-supportive techniques. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA, we take pride in our holistic healing methods, which are incremental to your path to sustainable and long-term recovery. We focus on each stage of recovery, both physical and mental. Our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs offer curated benefits for each client. We provide unmatched comfort during your stay with an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and our organic garden. At Capo Canyon Recovery, you can feel confident that we will help you achieve long-term sobriety. By coaching you to cope with upcoming stress and challenges, you can start your journey with experienced recovery experts today. Call us at (800) 804-8714.

To some people, gratitude is feeling joy for the people and things they have in their lives. They naturally feel grateful when loved ones are doing well and circumstances improve. The power of gratitude shows most when in a new lifestyle for those who are recovering from substance addiction. It is a new mindset of a positive outlook on life in general. Practicing gratitude with intentionality can help recovering individuals focus on the hopeful side of life and re-energize them toward progress.

The Harm of Negative Thinking Patterns

Gratitude is the antidote to negative thought patterns that can be very common among people with substance use disorders (SUDs). They rely on drugs or alcohol for pleasure because life does not offer much joy. They find it hard to reach a state of peace and contentment in life without the help of substances. Whether due to past trauma or ongoing relationship conflicts, they find few things to be grateful for. Even during recovery, many people might struggle with negative self-talk and self-doubt.

Negativity and stress shape a lifestyle full of tension, guilt, and shame. These stressors may increase the risk of relapse, even after people achieve early sobriety. The mind needs to detox negative thought patterns the same way as the body did with substances. A lack of gratitude or a positive outlook will not get you far on the journey of recovery.

Gratitude does not happen naturally for recovering individuals; it is a rational choice that requires practice. One must experience a shift in perspective to accept gratitude as a guiding light moving forward. Many treatment facilities integrate the coaching of gratitude into therapies. You are encouraged to look at life differently. A peer group can also help you achieve this mindset shift.

The Benefits of Gratitude

A harmful lifestyle is made up of many small unhealthy moments. When you choose to lean on a new lifestyle of gratitude by minimizing these unhealthy moments, the benefits are multifold. First of all, a lifestyle of gratitude will improve your emotional and mental health by diminishing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Second, practicing gratitude positively affects the immune system because it destresses the body against inflammation.

With gratitude being the theme of your lifestyle, your relationships will improve. The gift of this shift in perspective can increase self-compassion as well as sympathy for others. It allows you to see the good in people, and you will be more motivated to engage in meaningful relationships. Gratitude helps you heal socially.

With the help of a recovery-supportive therapist, you can learn gratitude-guided meditation techniques. They will not only help calm your mind but also create a space for you to connect with your inner self. That is where the sustainable power of gratitude comes from. In a word, a stronger self-identity makes gratitude more sustainable for you.

Techniques to Practice Gratitude

You should start with giving thanks for small things in life, like a sunny day, fresh air, a nice meal, or good physical exercise. None of these should be taken for granted. Realize that you are still fortunate to be alive, breathing, and functional despite the past of addiction. This mindset will nurture itself and expand your vision incrementally.

You should consider keeping a gratitude journal. Pick a time of the day when you can be quiet and focused on writing. Write down at least five things you are grateful for during this day. As time passes, this “counting the blessings” practice can reshape how you see things. You can read back on these journal entries and see how your list of things has evolved.

Gratitude also means verbalizing your appreciation to those who value and support you. Consider calling or texting family members to thank them for their continued support. Connect with your peer group and express gratitude for their openness in sharing. Show appreciation to your therapists. These small gestures of thanksgiving will circle back to you and improve your emotional health.

Showing Gratitude to Yourself

Lastly, be thankful for your very being on this earth. Embrace yourself as who you are. The relationship you have with yourself is a building block on which many other relationships depend. Celebrate small victories you have had so far, including accepting treatment, having repaired some family relationships, and beginning to enjoy sobriety. Focus on what you have succeeded in, not what you have not achieved.

Take time to look back and look into yourself. Pat yourself on the back and thank yourself for trying again. Be kind to yourself and give yourself daily self-affirmations. Allow a hopeful spirit to arise in you as you continue your recovery journey.

Practicing gratitude with intentionality can help recovering individuals focus on the bright side of life and re-energize them toward progress. Gratitude is a helpful antidote to negative thoughts that can be very common among people with substance use disorders. Many people might struggle with negative self-talk and self-doubt during recovery, but health care professionals can help coach you to a healthier mindset. At Capo Canyon Recovery, near Mission Viejo, CA., we help clients practice gratitude during their recovery journey. We know how important it is during treatment, both in terms of physical health and mental health. The benefits you can get from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient long-term care programs are unmatched. At Capo Canyon Recovery, you can trust us to help you achieve long-term sobriety. You need a lifestyle modification, and we are here to make that happen. We also coach you on self-care techniques so you can face life with confidence. Call us at (800) 804-8714.