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  • Five (5) facts about benzodiazepine withdrawal (you need to know)

    Five (5) facts about benzodiazepine withdrawal (you need to know)

    Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be debilitating. The limbic system in the brain kicks into overdrive. Symptoms such as extreme fatigue, depression, and panic are common. How can you support yourself during the months-years long process of detox from benzos? Quitting a benzodiazepine medication can be made easier if you are prepared for what to expect and equipped with the right information about what benzo addiction is, how you can find the best addiction treatment program for you, and the rehab process entail. Learn more in this Benzodiazepine Addiction Treatment Programs and Help guide. With a section at the end for your questions and comments.

    Benzos overexcite our minds and bodies

    Before we talk about what you can do to support yourself when going through benzodiazepine withdrawal, let’s review how benzos affect the brain.

    There are two opposing systems in the brain: the glutamate and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) systems. Think of glutamate as the gas pedal: it excites things into action. GABA, on the other hand, puts on the brakes. Benzodiazepines damage GABA receptors so that glutamate is free to run rampant, overly exciting everything in our bodies.

    Without enough working GABA receptors to calm down the excitement from glutamate, our central nervous system goes into overdrive. The limbic system, the region of the brain responsible for flight, fight or freeze kicks into action around the clock. We experience:

    • fear
    • terror
    • debilitating panic

    Derealization and depersonalization are common withdrawal symptoms, as well. Severe depression, crushing fatigue, weakness, dizziness, burning skin, and a host of other debilitating symptoms can occur from taking a benzodiazepine.

    We’re still learning about benzo withdrawal

    It’s true that not everyone taking a benzo will experience a horrific withdrawal. Genetic mutations are the suspected culprits that cause the drug to mangle some brains but not others. However, the exact pathway of damage is not yet known.

    What we do know about the experience of detoxing from benzo withdrawal comes from the collective stories of people who have survived it. The Internet is helping collect information about withdrawal and to disseminate more accurate facts to help people better navigate benzo withdrawal.

    Five (5) benzodiazepine withdrawal facts

    Here are five (5) of the facts that everyone taking a benzodiazepine should know:

    1.  Going to a doctor who is not benzo-wise can make you worse.

    Most doctors are not very well educated about the dangers of benzos or the withdrawal process and symptoms. It is important that you educate yourself by studying the Ashton Manual, the gold standard to date for getting off a benzo. You may want to join one of the new online benzo communities run by benzo survivors that are springing up in response to the global need for help and guidance in benzo withdrawal.

    Rehabs and detox centers are not the place to go to stop taking a benzo. Both taper patients off very quickly, which shocks the brain so to speak. This can result in a more symptomatic and longer withdrawal.

    TIP 1: Consult with a medical doctor with experience in benzodiazepine withdrawal.

    2.  Time is the only thing that heals.

    There are no pills, potions, or lotions that speed up the healing process or make it go away. Some things can take the edge off, however. Many of those things come with a steep price tag of their own to pay when you want to stop taking them. It may be better to gut out withdrawal without adding insult to injury.

    Many drugs, vitamins and supplements make us worse, not better. Compiling the stories of so many that have gone though withdrawal we now know that vitamin D, vitamin B and magnesium often rev up our symptoms. Further, herbs and supplements that work on GABA receptors should be avoided. Kava Kava, Valerian, Phenibut, and Chamomille are known to cause problems.

    Medical marijuana usually makes people have an increase in symptoms. Anxiety, depersonalization, derealization, fear, paranoia and panic can result from smoking or eating edibles. CBD, (cannabidiol) is a marijuana compound that does not cause a high. It is not psychoactive like THC. CBD has been shown to reduce seizures and pain. However, some people in benzo withdrawal react negatively to it. It is best to avoid the use of medical marijuana in benzo withdrawal.

    Many naturopaths, acupuncturists and functional medicine doctors like to prescribe vitamins and supplements. You must do your homework before you agree to take any thing no matter how natural or organic it may be. Not sure how to find out if what you want to take is known to cause problems? Join one of the many online benzo groups and ask other members. Remember, we can’t rely on doctors (yet) because they are not educated about benzo withdrawal. They mean well, however, the often harm instead of help.

    TIP 2: Avoid the following vitamins and supplements:

    • Chamomille
    • Kava Kava
    • Magnesium
    • Medical marijuana
    • Phenibut
    • Valerian
    • Vitamin B
    • Vitamin D
    • Any herbs and supplements that work on GABA receptors

    3.  Watch what you eat. Food can trigger an avalanche of symptoms.

    It’s not just drugs, vitamins, herbs or supplements that can cause an unbearable spike in benzo symptoms. Food can trigger very uncomfortable reactions as well. Many people going through benzo withdrawal become food sensitive. I couldn’t eat garbanzo beans without an increase in symptoms. Salmon revved up my symptoms too. Cane sugar and honey can increase withdrawal symptoms.

    Monosodium glutamate (MSG) needs to be avoided. It is an excitotoxin. Food additives, colorings, preservatives and artificial sugars can increase withdrawal symptoms. Sugar substitutes such a xylitol have been known to cause severe gastro problems. Caffeine and alcohol also make us much worse and should be avoided.

    Benzo survivors usually try many different eating styles in order to feel better. Some try the GAPS diet, while others go Paleo. Some become strict vegans, while others just shun gluten. Diet is personal choice that only you can decide for yourself. Nothing to date speeds up the healing of the damaged GABA receptors, however, some diets do allow us to feel a bit better than others.

    TIP 3: Find a diet that works for you. Look into GAPS, Paleo, vegan, or gluten-free diets. Avoid certain foods like:

    • Alcohol
    • Artificial sugars or sugar substitutes
    • Caffeine
    • Cane sugar
    • Food additives, preservatives, or coloring
    • Garbanzo beans
    • Honey
    • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
    • Salmon

    4.  Don’t up dose or reinstate unless it is to save your life.

    One of the worse pieces of advice people are given in benzo withdrawal is to take more of the drug if they are struggling while tapering, or to reinstate (go back on the drug) if they are off.

    A process called “kindling” can take place once you have been exposed to a benzodiazepine. No one knows exactly what takes place in the brain to cause this phenomenon. However, we know that it exists. If you go down in dose then go up, getting back down can be even harder the second time. The brain has been “kindled.”

    If you are off the drug, especially for more than four (4) weeks, going back on the drug can backfire. You may become tolerant to the dose you reinstate on, and up dosing will not bring relief. You may be far more symptomatic and tapering may be brutally hard.

    TIP 4: Keep moving down in dose. Once off, stay off, unless you feel your life may be in danger.

    5.  Chances are good your old anxiety will be history!

    Many people who have navigated benzo withdrawal find that the original complaint that drove them to see their doctor is long gone after withdrawal ends. You may be frightened in the midst of withdrawal and feel that your old anxiety has returned. That is your damaged brain misfiring fear.

    You’ll know when withdrawal ends if you still have your original anxiety. (you’ll be able to seek appropriate help if you feel you need to do so.) Once we are healed, many of us feel we are made of titanium. We’ve lived through hell on earth. Nothing much ruffles our feathers. Chances are good that you will feel this way, too.

    TIP 5: No matter how much fear, anxiety and panic you have in withdrawal, know that once your brain heals, it will fade away. The amount of fear you feel in the depths of withdrawal is not the way you will feel the rest of your life.

    Freedom from benzos is a new beginning

    Benzo withdrawal is not a walk in the park for many. However, getting free from the drug increases your health and possibly your life span. For the millions who have gotten free, a whole new life awaits! Many are happier and far healthier than they were pre-benzo or on a benzo.

    You can get free!

    You can be whole, happy and healthy again.

    If you are struggling, please send us a message in the comments section below. We’ll do our best to respond to you personally and promptly.

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • Using Spiritual or Religious Beliefs when Fighting Addiction

    Using Spiritual or Religious Beliefs when Fighting Addiction

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Religious and spiritual beliefs can moderate the relationship between life stressors and quality of life. In fact, reliance on your beliefs can give you hope, strength, and provide meaning in addiction recovery.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    What does the science say?

    Advocates of the 12 Steps and a spiritual way of life have been saying for decades that faith and belief are cornerstones to recovery. However, agnostics and atheists still have a hard time accepting the notion that spirituality must be a part of recovery. So, what does the science say?

    The facts are quite clear. Persons with strong religious beliefs report higher levels of life satisfaction, greater happiness, and fewer negative psychosocial consequences of traumatic life events.

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    In fact, scientific literature strongly supports the notion that spiritual or religious beliefs can enhance health and quality of life, also called QOL. In a review of 200 + studies, positive relationships were reported between a person’s belief and positive life outcomes. Indeed, the following positive relationships have been documented in people who actively practice religion in their lives:

    • Improved coping abilities
    • Greater emotional well-being
    • Reduced psychopathology
    • Physical and functional status

    These studies show that religious and spiritual beliefs typically play a positive role in adjustment and in better health. Furthermore, spirituality was included in the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life instrument, the WHOQOL, after focus group participants worldwide reported that spirituality was an important component of their QOL.

    The bottom line is: Suspended disbelief can lead to wonders.

    And if so, what are we up against? First, we are fighting inner demons. Then, we have to fight the world outside.

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    Common beliefs about addiction

    We find that addiction recovery is an uphill struggle. Not only do we deal with the inner demons, we are also demonized by the world around us. People who are diagnosed with substance use disorders may experience stigma as a consequence of the culturally endorsed stereotypes that surround the health condition. In addition, social stigma links addictive behaviors to a range of other health conditions such as:

    • HIV/AIDS
    • Hepatitis C virus
    • Mental illness
    • Unsafe behaviors (e.g. impaired driving)
    • Social problems (e.g. poverty, criminality)

    The negative stereotypes around addiction guide social action, public policy and allocation of health-care expenditures. Very often people who have substance use disorders are perceived to have control over their illness.

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    The blame and pressure thrown at us during addiction can change the way we view ourselves.

    People respond to this stigma with anger and punishment or avoidance, holding people in addiction recovery wholly responsible for their behavior. Psychological breakdown is a common occurrence during these hard emotional and/or physical attacks. So, how might we build resilience as we fight addiction? How can we fall back onto spiritual or religious practice?

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    Core concepts of addiction

    Before we examine the ways that we can use our own beliefs in recovery, it can help to look at models and concepts. It’s helpful to know how people see addiction…so that we can begin to position ourselves in the world accordingly. This serves two purposes. First, you can start to understand how and what others believe about addiction. Second, you can strengthen your own belief.

    These different concepts of addiction have been based in research but are not conclusive. Indeed, some have fallen out of professional acceptance altogether, such as the moral volitional model. Even though these outdated concepts do not accurately describe the nature of addiction, individuals may hold beliefs related to these concepts. So, although research suggests that addiction does not result from weak morals, people may believe that addicts lack moral fortitude. The most common core concepts of addiction follow.

    1. The Moral or Volitional Concept.

    The moral model finds people lacking in moral fortitude and suffering from addiction as a result of weakness. Proponents of this model deny that addiction is in any way an illness. Any reported “loss of control” is interpreted as evidence of weak character and depravity.

    2. The Psychoanalytic Concept.

    The psychoanalytic model defines addiction as the result of an underlying neurosis. Treatment consists of psychotherapy which seeks to lead to a mature lifestyle by penetrating early childhood emotions and memories. Therapy is typically a long and involved process with minimal success. The psychoanalytic model gave rise to notion of the addictive personality, which is the idea that certain negative personality traits are common to anyone diagnosed with substance use disorder.

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    3. The Family Interaction Concept.

    Family-interaction proponents view alcoholism or drug addiction as a role assigned to an individual family member, while the other relatives play complementary parts. Because the family members define themselves by the roles they play, removing the key actor results in the other members trying to restore him/her to an addictive state. A life of sobriety is possible with family therapy.

    4. The Alcoholics Anonymous Concept.

    The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) model states that alcoholism is a spiritual problem. The group identifies a need for a spiritual recovery in order to lead a life of sobriety. Participation in the meeting of AA helps the recovering alcoholic to maintain his/her relationship with a healing Higher Power. The AA model also states that untreated, alcoholism is a progressive and fatal disease, specifically a disease of the mind.

    5. The Disease Concept.

    The disease concept, or medical model, describes addiction as a progressive disease with its own set of symptoms. Often, the disease is hereditary and can be fatal. Most at risk are those whose body chemistry allows them to become addicted more readily than the general population. Under the medical model, addiction must be identified as a primary disorder and treated as such.

    6. The Adaptive Model.

    The adaptive model of addiction defines addiction as a failure to reach adult levels of integration. This failure drives the individual to find substitutes to provide meaning, social support, and organization. As a heuristic for clinical intervention and treatment, the disease concept serves a purpose. However, if its purpose is only to be an antidote for the guilt individuals feel over his/her substance use, then other models should be considered.

    Can your beliefs help you recover from addiction?

    Yes!

    Your beliefs can help you recover from addiction. In addition to enhancing the quality of life and offering resiliency in stressful situations, spiritual and religious beliefs have been studied in association with substance use behavior.

    Studies have shown that spirituality and religiosity reduced the impact of life stress on initial level of substance use and on rate of growth in substance use over time among adolescents.

    Possible protective mechanisms conferred by religious involvement may include:

    • Avoidance of drugs.
    • Social support advocating abstinence or moderation.
    • Time-occupying activities that are incompatible with drug use.
    • Promotion of pro-social values by the religious affiliation that includes leading a drug-free life.

    Additionally, many studies support the notion that religiousness and spirituality can increase success rates and help you attain and maintain your sobriety. Recovering individuals often report that religion and/or spirituality are critical factors in the recovery process. Research has shown that spirituality increases from pre to post-recovery and that among recovering individuals, higher levels of religious beliefs and spirituality are associated with cognitive processes which have been linked to more positive health outcomes, including:

    • Higher resilience to stress
    • Lower levels of anxiety
    • More optimistic life orientation
    • Positive & effective coping skills

    In sum, there is support for the positive impact that spiritual and religious beliefs can have on minimizing substance use behavior.

    Your Questions

    After reading, this article, we imagine that you might want to weigh in. What’s your perspective? Or, do you still have questions that you’d like to learn the answers to? Feel free to ask us anything about this topic. We will do our best to provide you with a personal, and prompt response.

    Reference Sources:  Illinois Wesleyan University: Concepts of Addiction: Assessing the Beliefs of Addiction in University and Treatment Center Populations
    NCBI: The Role of Social Supports, Spirituality, Religiousness, Life Meaning and Affiliation with 12-Step Fellowships in Quality of Life Satisfaction Among Individuals in Recovery from Alcohol and Drug Problems
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    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • How Exercise Can Help Addiction Recovery

    How Exercise Can Help Addiction Recovery

    By Chris Jansen

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: This article reviews the benefits of exercise during addiction recovery….to give you some extra motivation to get your heart pumping!

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: 5 minutes

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Balance in the Body

    Addiction recovery is all about restoring balance to the body. Through therapy, training, practice and support, people suffering from addiction can overcome their dependence on a substance or behavior, and find healthier ways to live.

    Most accounts of addiction recovery tend to focus on mental aspects of recovery – and with good reason, as the mind is central to the process of personal growth and improvement. But the mind is also heavily influenced by the rest of the body, since changes in activity alter the body’s production of chemicals that help shape mood and behavior.

    Diet, sleep patterns, and a person’s immediate environment can all greatly affect the success or failure of an addiction recovery effort.

    But exercise is arguably as important as any of these factors, for reasons we list below. The main principle is this: When we ignore any of the three components of being – mind, body, or spirit – we are cutting off our lifeline to wellness.

    Why Exercise?

    So why do treatment centers or aftercare programs focus on exercise in the first place? Following are some of the reasons why recovery programs that include an exercise component were found by researchers to be more effective than programs that do not incorporate exercise.

    First, endorphins moderate brain chemistry. The brain is hard wired to experience and repeat pleasure. But when we use drugs and alcohol, this natural system gets tweaked. Exercise helps us establish balance again.

    Second, exercise offers us better overall health and energy levels. Just think about how you feel after a vigorous 30 minute walk. Now, compare that to 30 minutes in front of the T.V. Hands down, circulating blood and oxygenizing the cardiovascular system rewards us with energy…and wellness.

    Finally, exercise can be a part of structured daily activities. When we use drugs and alcohol, we throw off rhythm cycles of sleeping and eating. Exercise can help us get back into these rhythms. When we set a regular daily or weekly exercise regimen, we settle into routine. And routine is good!

    Benefits of Exercising in Recovery

    If you or a loved one are entering a period of addiction recovery, consider the following advantages of exercise as you plan out your effort:

    1. It puts you in a good mood.

    Exercise releases endorphins, which creates feelings of happiness and activates the brain’s reward system. When you are in a better mood, you will feel more motivated to continue the addiction recovery process. A bonus effect is that the body will find it easier to say goodbye to the addictive substance or behavior, because it is getting the chemicals it needs from a new source.

    2. It gives you energy.

    Exercise wakes up your muscles and gets the blood pumping, sending more oxygen throughout your body. This heightened body state allows you to be more vigilant in fighting off urges, and helps give you the endurance needed to succeed in the long term.

    3. It gets the stress out.

    Even as exercise gives you new and positive energy, it also lets you release the built-up energy that comes from stress, anxiety, or other negative feelings. By cleansing your body of these negative forces, you will find yourself more free – and ready to focus your full attention on the challenge of recovery.

    4. It gives you a new hobby.

    People who are facing addiction issues should remain active; otherwise, they will need to spend more time thinking about (and fighting) their addictive impulses. By making exercise a regular part of your daily schedule, you can train your body to settle into a newer and more healthy routine.

    5. It helps you sleep.

    By using up your spare muscle energy during the day, exercise lets your body get ready for a full rest at night. A healthy sleep cycle is important for your body as it works to stay internally balanced.

    What Kinds of Exercise?

    Aerobics, outdoor activities, and yoga have been singled out as particularly effective types of exercisefor people recovering from addiction. Aerobic exercise helps improve overall health, while yoga incorporates a meditative practice that enhances personal focus and reduces negative thoughts. By spending time outdoors, individuals can reconnect with nature and also boost their body’s production of vitamin D.

    These recommendations match well with the experiences of addiction recovery experts at rehab centers around the world, many of which are adding an exercise component to their recovery programs. We spoke with Tony Tan, Clinical Director at The Dawn, a rehab in Thailand, for his take on the subject. He told us:

    “When a person is trying to overcome addiction, the mind and body crave the substance that was producing endorphins and dopamine in the brain and creating the feeling of being “high”. Add to this is the stress of daily life, and the cravings can reach unbearable levels.

    Vigorous exercise can also release endorphins, causing the client to feel a “runner’s high” — the same sensation of euphoria that accompanies a chemical high. Although it may be less intense than what the client used to experience with drugs or alcohol, the effects can be pleasurable both mentally and physically.

    In fact, our experience of treating clients with substance abuse show that exercise can lead to a sense of accomplishment and increased confidence in staying sober. We have seen real success in their ability to maintain a strong recovery after treatment.”

    As with addiction therapy techniques, different exercises can be more effective with some people than with others. Some clients are more suited to lower-intensity exercises like walking, yoga and Pilates, while others benefit from strenuous exercises like:

    • Core strength building
    • Hiking
    • Long distance cycling
    • Rafting
    • Rock climbing

    Group exercise within natural settings can be a particularly effective way to foster unity during treatment. The exercise itself is a great help, but these activities also have the additional benefit of giving recovering addicts a feeling of family-like support as they participate, as well as exposing them to situations that require collaboration and peer support.

    Finding Peace through a Well-Rounded Recovery Process

    An ideal recovery process should include high-quality therapy that focuses on the body as well as the mind. A growing number of rehab centers are following this holistic model – including The Dawn, whose program includes advanced treatment techniques as well as a complementary program of physical healing and exercise.This combined physical and mental approach to recovery allows patients to have a rehab experience that is as enjoyable and revitalizing as it is effective.

    Your Questions

    Have questions about exercising?

    Please leave us your questions – or personal experience – in the comments section below. We try to respond to all real life questions personally.

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • 7 Tips for Building Your Addiction Recovery Support Network

    7 Tips for Building Your Addiction Recovery Support Network

    Support and Addiction Recovery

    Recovery brings about a lot of changes in your life, including who you surround yourself with. It is critical that you reevaluate your current relationships and cut ties with anyone who is not supportive of your new sober lifestyle. While this might diminish your social circle, do not get discouraged. Forming new, positive connections is a rewarding part of recovery.

    While reaching out to new people can be intimidating at first, surrounding yourself with positive people will not only keep you motivated in your recovery but will improve your overall happiness. Below, you’ll find some tips on how to build a strong sober support network that can help you overcome any challenges ahead and will be there to celebrate all your victories.

    TIP #1: Be Honest.

    To form a strong support network that can effectively help you navigate through all the changes in your new life, you first need to ask yourself what you are looking for. Explore your true needs. Ask yourself:

    • Do I need someone who will go to meetings with me?
    • Do I need someone who will encourage you to I healthier and work out more?
    • Do I need someone who will tell me what I need to hear, even if it is not what I want to hear?

    Knowing what you need will make it easier to recognize who should be a part of your support network.

    While it is important that you are honest about your needs, you also need to be able to relay them to those around you. Your friends and family want to help but they may not know how. So, be open and honest. Do not be afraid to educate them about what you are going through, how you are feeling, and what they can do to help. If you need them to be more patient and understanding with you because you are having a tough day, let them know. If you are feeling lazy or uninspired and need someone to push you to go to a meeting or practice some self-care, ask for help. Remember, you cannot get what you want unless you ask for it.

    TIP #2: Choose Wisely.

    Who you include as part of your support network is very important. When making new friends, ask yourself:

    Do they abuse drugs or alcohol? If they do, they should not be a part of your network as they could be a source of temptations and triggers that could derail your progress. Note that not everyone in your network has to be in recovery. You will likely have friends or family who drink during social occasions. Just be sure to establish boundaries, such as asking them to not drink in front of you or not ask you to go to bars with them.

    How do they make me feel? Is their positivity contagious? Do they encourage you to go out of your comfort zone or inspire you to be better? Or does their negativity cause you stress or make you feel down? Being around negative people can be stressful, so avoid this trait when forming new friendships.

    Are they living healthy lives? Surrounding yourself with people who take care of themselves and value their well-being will encourage you to do the same.

    TIP #3: Embrace Diversity.

    While surrounding yourself with others like you provides a sense of comfort, having a diverse group of friends gives you access to fresh new perspectives. When building your support network, consider attending 12 Step meetings and introducing yourself to everyone and seeing who you click with. By including individuals of different ages, cultures, backgrounds, and years of sobriety in your life, you will be exposed to a wealth of knowledge.

    Another great way to make new friends is by attending sober events. Many treatment centers hold educational workshops and fun sober activities for their alumni to socialize with one another. If you went to treatment, reach out to the staff there and see if they have an alumni group. Sober events can range from open mic nights to mountain climbing and are a great way for you to not only meet new people but relearn to have fun sober.

    TIP #4: Go Beyond.

    Don’t limit yourself to only making friends in recovery. Go beyond your comfort zone and interact with others, even those who may have no experience with addiction. Know that while you are sober, sobriety is not your full identity. There are many other things that make you who you are. So, think about what you are passionate about and get involved ⎼ take a cooking class, go to the gym, start volunteering, take a computer course ⎼ and make an effort to meet others there, too.

    Befriending individuals outside of the recovery community can be intimidating for some. A common worry is explaining that you are sober. While this is an understandable concern, know that no one worth having as a friend will think of you any differently just because you are choosing to live a healthier life.

    TIP #5: Try Online.

    Spending too much time on your phone, particularly on social media, can distract you. It can also slow your progress in recovery. But going online does provide you access to many sober social networks where you can connect with others who may be going through similar things. Mobile apps like Sober Grid can help you connect to other sober people no matter the time of day, which can be particularly helpful when you are going through a crisis or experiencing cravings. Sites like MeetUp – and even using the hashtag #livingsober on Instagram – can also introduce you to others living healthy, fulfilling lives.

    TIP #6: Remain Open.

    A big part of recovery is rediscovering yourself, your passions, and how to enjoy life sober. To do this, you need to remain open-minded about trying new things and meeting new people. Try doing things you have never experienced before, such as going kayaking, singing karaoke, or painting. Even if you decide this is not the activity for you, you may end up making genuine connections with people there. It is not so much about what you do but who you spend that time with.

    In sum, fight back against any resistance you may feel towards trying new things and get out of your comfort zone. The more you put yourself out there, the more you and your support network will grow.

    TIP #7: Don’t Rush.

    Seeing all the positive changes in your life is exciting but be sure to take everything one step at a time. Do not rush into friendships because you feel the pressure to have a support network set up. Allow friendships to form naturally rather than forcing them. Similarly, once you have made new friends, practice tolerance. Recovery might be new to them and you cannot expect them to fully understand everything you have gone through. Understand that you are forming new connections and you need to build them up over time.

    Your Support Network Is Your Lifeline

    While addiction might have been isolating and lonely, your recovery should not be. Positive relationships are a key component of a healthy, fulfilling life. So, reinforce your current relationships and allow yourself to form new ones. Having a group of individuals you can both reach out to during tough times and celebrate your accomplishments with can make all the difference in your recovery.

    And if you need help, reach out. You can use this article as a place to begin. Please leave your questions or comments in the section below. We’ll do our best to respond to you personally and promptly!

    About the Author: John Hamilton is Chief Clinical Outreach Officer for Mountainside Treatment Center. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. At Mountainside, he communicates the depth and intricacies of the company’s portfolio of programs and offerings, which have redefined addiction treatment for thousands of individuals across the country. John has been a consultant for the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).

    View the original article at

  • Horse Riding as Therapy in Addiction Treatment

    Horse Riding as Therapy in Addiction Treatment

    Equine Therapy: Does It Help Address Addiction?

    Yes, equine therapy be used to help address issues related to addiction. It helps us shift emotional and mental patterns, and discover new ways of being. While relatively new, this type of therapy has been shown to have many widespread benefits for both mental and emotional health.

    How?

    Well, to begin, addiction is a complicated disease. It affects the mind, body, and soul…so overcoming cravings and patterns to use drug or alcohol can be constant struggle, one that requires effort. This why we have to be active in our sobriety, not passive, even when we rack up some time in recovery.

    Getting there initially can be the hardest part of the journey. The pull towards drugs or alcohol can be powerful, and it isn’t uncommon that people face many false starts on the road to recovery. Relapses are almost expected, as drug or alcohol use has an allure when we first quit. What that means may be poorly understood by those around the sufferer.

    Even those in the scientific community are learning more about the recovery process every day.

    When a relapse occurs, or when we’re first trying to get sober, we may feel helpless and hopeless. The guilt, both of the addiction itself and the things we have done while in the throes of it, can make the urge to self-medicate all the more tempting.

    Sometimes, talk therapy can feel theoretical. Equine therapy forces you to step into the moment. You change your focus from yourself to another living creature.

    That is why utilizing multiple therapeutic approaches to addiction recovery are so effective. While going to voluntary, “peer-supported” meetings are an awesome way to hold yourself accountable and find acceptance among others who know your struggles, sometimes a 12-step approach isn’t quite enough.

    Dealing with the intense emotional core of addiction takes a professional, and you have many options to choose from. Therapy, counselor-led support groups, psychologist/psychiatrist combos, inpatient treatments, outpatient treatments—they are all proven to be excellent choices. A more experimental—but still highly praised—option to consider is equine therapy.

    What Is Equine Therapy?

    Equine therapy is riding and caring for horses in a therapeutic setting as part of a larger mental health program. During your time in equine therapy, you will bond with a horse, help care for their needs, feed them, brush them, saddle them, clean their stall, ride them and otherwise become connected to the animal on a deeper level.

    How does this help you recover from an addiction? It all starts with an external focus.

    Addiction is a selfish disease. It eats away at you from the inside, making you self-obsessed. So much of your life becomes about the addiction itself, whether it is when you can get your next fix, or how you will hide behavior from those around you.

    When you are coming off of drugs or alcohol, you have that same internal obsession. You are trying not to think about using. You are trying to put forward a certain attitude and appearance. You are stuck in your own head as you battle with the demons that kept you using for so long.

    Equine therapy forces you to move your focus to another living creature. Other animal forms of therapy that exist for addicts are the use of companion animals/support animals, such as cats and dogs. In addition to being larger than us, horses are highly feeling, intelligent animals. Their riders can become very attached to them and able to connect on many levels. Trust is built during both riding and caring for a horse, on both sides.

    Equine Therapy For Other Disorders

    Horse therapy has been used for other disorders as well, including in the treatment of mental health issues in children and teens. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADD/ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression, anxiety, personality disorders and more can all benefit from time spent in equine therapy.

    As addiction can often overlap with the above other conditions, making this an effective form of therapeutic intervention that can be added to additional treatments being received by the sufferer.

    What You Will Get From Equine Therapy

    Equine therapy provides its own set of benefits. It is fun and enjoyable. It can be highly relaxing. It gives the mind something to focus on. It heals the body and helps build strength. It offers immediate emotional feedback from the horse, a highly empathetic creature.

    The rider will also learn things about themselves they never knew. They will find discipline and consistency in their activities. They will have time to sort out their own thoughts and emotions in a safe space, on their own time. They will even be able to learn to create and maintain healthy, trusting relationships in an environment meant to help them grow emotionally.

    How To Find Equine Therapy In My Area

    Many stables offer the ability to ride horses that they keep. However, those are not the programs that are catered directly to those needing assistance with addiction or mental health issues and should be a secondary source of interaction with horses.

    PATH International is a great, official source for information and finding an equine therapy program in your area. They are a network of licensed and trained mental health providers who use equine therapy as part of their overall treatment recommendations.

    Once you have found a provider that works for you, it is wise to speak to them about how their program works. Some will offer a staff of therapists in different specialties that work with you alongside the equine therapy.

    Others will have you continue treatment for your addiction and mental health with your own therapist or doctor, in addition to your equine therapy. This combination is a great option for those who have already established a relationship with a provider and want to continue working with them while adding equine therapy to their treatment plan.

    Equine therapy is an amazing, if somewhat experimental, method of treating addiction. It has been shown to have many widespread benefits for mental and emotional health. If you have been struggling with your path to sobriety, maybe equine therapy is the missing puzzle piece.

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