Sometimes, especially when times are tough, we just want someone to sit with us. Someone who won’t ask questions or offer advice. Someone who can offer comfort and kindness without saying a word. Someone whose love for us is unconditional and unwavering. Having access to someone like that can be a benefit to anyone—and especially...Read More

All of us are subject to the full range of human emotions. Sometimes, we know what causes a certain emotion (for example, when seeing someone you love makes you feel happy). Other times, the source of an emotion is less clear (for example, when you wake up feeling sad and are not sure why). No...Read More

When it comes to seeking out treatment for a substance use disorder, it is extremely important to find the recovery center that is right for you. It will not surprise you to learn that we think Bel Aire Recovery Center is an excellent choice—and in this blog entry, we will tell you why. It All...Read More

It is so easy to let our minds wander. And when they wander, they often take us on journeys we would rather avoid. Our mind might dwell on past mistakes or disappointments; our thoughts might get tangled up in worry about the future; or our mind might simply drift away from the present moment while...Read More

Loneliness Is the Enemy of Sobriety In a recent blog entry, we discussed the various ways in which staying single in the early days of recovery can be a good idea. Rushing into a romantic entanglement can add complications to an already challenging situation and is often not the best strategy for maintaining your hard-won...Read More

In a perfect world, a person would go through detoxification and treatment for a substance use disorder and never again feel the urge to return to drugs or alcohol. But of course, this isn’t a perfect world, and cravings happen. Have a Plan In reality, nearly every single person in recovery for a substance use...Read More

Recovery from a substance use disorder is an ongoing journey—and the trip is not always smooth. That is why it is so important to develop a range of skills that can help you maintain your sobriety when the going gets tough. Work-Related Stress One of the many things that can make recovery difficult is stress...Read More

When you think about it, it is kind of amazing how frequently we fail to do something we know we really ought to do, and the roadblocks we face.   You know you should go to bed, so you won’t be exhausted in the morning. But you stay up to binge a few more episodes...Read More

Emotions have a way of sneaking up on a person. One moment, you are feeling perfectly fine, but then a stray memory makes you feel sad. Or you are working steadily on a project, but then a series of small setbacks add up to mounting feelings of frustration. Or you are feeling down in the...Read More

Family Systems Therapy can be particularly beneficial in the context of addiction recovery. Substance use disorder, (formerly known as substance abuse), and addiction not only affect the individual struggling with the addiction but also have a significant impact on the entire family unit. Family members may experience feelings of helplessness, anger, guilt, and anxiety, and...Read More