Dependency can be reliance on a substance, activity or person where an individual treats something or someone as more important than themselves.

There is a scientifically proven connection between the shorter days and longer nights of the winter months and mental health disorders, with more people reporting symptoms towards the end of the year than at any other time. But what is it that makes us more susceptible to mental health issues at winter time?

Because addiction is a mental illness, it is often difficult for sufferers to express the feelings or thought processes driving their compulsion to abuse alcohol or drugs. Creative therapies such as art therapy in recovery provide patients with the tools to express themselves through methods other than medical treatment or psychotherapy.

For a large proportion of people with alcohol or drug addiction issues who are looking to quit, professional detox treatment is not an option. Sometimes it is the cost of professional detox that deters them, but in many cases it is lack of education of what is involved in detox that leads to many thinking DIY alcohol detox is the best way forward. However, there are many reasons why DIY alcohol detox does not work and in some cases, can be extremely detrimental to someone’s health.

As evidenced by the millions of people all over the world sharing their lives with pets, the bond humans have with animals is widely considered life-enhancing. It’s perhaps no surprise that animals can have huge benefits for someone going through alcohol and drug detox and that animal-assisted therapy in recovery is becoming more commonplace.

Dependency can be reliance on a substance, activity or person where an individual treats something or someone as more important than themselves.

When someone is struggling with addiction issues, they are not the only ones to suffer the consequences. Family members are also plunged into feelings of pain, fear, loss and weariness and everyone close to the addict is affected. Learning how to live with an addict can be difficult because it requires knowing the difference between helping their suffering and enabling their addiction.

It is important to remember that despite seeking drug and alcohol treatment, it doesn’t guarantee you a life of sobriety.  Living with addiction becomes habitual to sufferers and represents a comfort zone they are reluctant to leave, but once committed to rehab and recovery; these issues can seem less overwhelming.

Dependency can be reliance on a substance, activity or person where an individual treats something or someone as more important than themselves.

Dependency can be reliance on a substance, activity or person where an individual treats something or someone as more important than themselves.