Call 24/7
(833) 883-9235
Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

A Fresh Start for the New Year

Many individuals do not subscribe to the idea of making a resolution for the new year. Whether you do or not, celebrating the new year can be an opportunity to make a fresh start in your personal or professional life. However, it is a misconception that we need a new year to make a fresh start. Rather, we can decide any day that we will be a better version of the person we were yesterday.

While every day is a good day for seeking addiction treatment or maintaining recovery, the new year can be a blank canvas for making a fresh start. That goes for whether you are seeking treatment for the first time or looking for new ways to stay motivated to maintain sobriety.

Recovery is a lifelong process, which, at times, can feel daunting. Whether or not you subscribe to the whole new year’s resolution thing, you can use the new year to recharge and reset your intention for sobriety, including seeking treatment if that’s what you need.

Making Resolutions

People make resolutions for a number of reasons. Some of the most typical resolutions individuals make, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), include:

  • Losing weight
  • Exercising more
  • Quitting smoking
  • Improve finances
  • Focus on self-care

While good intentions fuel resolutions, the execution tends to be shaky. For example, weight loss is the most common resolution. However, instead of consulting a doctor or making dietary changes, individuals experiment with dieting fads or unhealthy weight loss methods.

Though the DHS indicates that many Americans do not follow through on their resolutions, they also claim making a resolution has “positive effects on behavior change.” They reference a study from the Journal of Clinical Psychology, which found that people who set resolutions are “10 times more likely to change their behavior” than people who do not. However, everyone is different. People should not think there is anything wrong with not making a resolution.

Another reason it can be challenging for people to stick to a resolution is they try to make too many changes at once. Making life changes is not always an easy task. Some believe it takes at least 21 days before a change becomes a habit. Yet, when trying to make five to ten significant changes together, you risk becoming overwhelmed, frustrated, and giving up those changes altogether. Instead of tackling multiple things at once, focus on a single resolution you hope to achieve this new year, and remember, any day of the year can be a good day to change your life.

Seeking Treatment for the First Time This New Year

Some may utilize the new year to make significantly life-saving changes, like seeking addiction treatment. Again, you can seek treatment any day of the year, but if it has been on your mind, this is a sign to take that first step. There are many treatment options available whether you are struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) or behavioral addiction.

Some of the treatment options you can explore include:

Finding the right program will depend on your situation. First, you must reach out to a facility, rehab, or treatment center. During this time, an initial assessment will be conducted so that the facility can get to know you and our situation better. That includes learning more about the substance you are using, how long you have been using that substance, and whether or not you are experiencing co-occurring disorders.

The initial assessment will help clinicians learn the best path to recovery. A treatment plan will be created, and during this time, you will learn how to live life post-treatment. However, sobriety is a long-term process. There will be times when you need to find extra motivation to maintain your sobriety.

Staying Motivated in Recovery

In addition to making resolutions, there are simple things you can do not just in the new year but throughout the year to stay motivated in recovery. Some of the things you can do include:

  • Connecting with a support group and making connections with new people you meet there
  • Setting new goals for yourself that are achievable and can help guide you throughout the year
  • Keeping a journal to document your recovery journey
  • Maintaining a daily schedule for yourself and making a plan to bring more structure to your daily life
  • Consider volunteering for an organization, becoming a sponsor, or helping others in recovery in a unique way
  • Practicing self-care, whether that includes nutrition and exercise, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, or taking up new hobbies

Make Changes This Year

These are just a few changes you can consider implementing this year. If you have not yet sought treatment, decide that this is the year you change your life. The road to recovery can be long, but it is well worth it.

Not everyone subscribes to the practice of making a resolution every new year. However, some research indicates that those who make a resolution are more likely to change their behaviors. One of the changes you may want to make this year is to stop substance use. There are 365 days a year to make this change, but the new year is like a blank canvas you can mold into a newfound life of recovery. To learn more about addiction treatment and program options, contact Excel Treatment Center. Through initial assessments, our clinicians can create an effective treatment plan to help you achieve recovery this new year. Call (833) 883-9235 to learn more today. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

How Toxic Relationships Threaten Recovery

There are a number of things that can potentially threaten your recovery. One example is the people we surround ourselves with in life. Toxic relationships – whether they are romantic, familial, or friendships – can threaten recovery and significantly increase the risk of relapse.

If you or someone you love was in a toxic relationship before seeking treatment, know that the relationship can be detrimental to your sobriety. In order to maintain recovery post-treatment, changes must be made. That may include ending a relationship that is not conducive to your sobriety.

Excel Treatment Center can help you or a loved one achieve a life of recovery today. There is a better way, and we can help you find it.

What Is a Toxic Relationship?

Toxic relationships can exhibit many characteristics. There is no singular definition for a toxic relationship except for being in a relationship that does not make you feel good. Both friendships and romantic relationships should be relatively joyful experiences. Every relationship has its ups and downs, but when everything about a relationship makes you feel worse, unsupported, or unsafe, there is a problem.

Some people typically associate these relationships with domestic violence or abuse. However, a toxic relationship is not solely characterized by violence or abuse. Gaslighting, emotional and verbal abuse, and other behaviors can be harmful. Toxic relationships are not only within romantic partnerships either. They can occur within school friendships, professional connections, and family dynamics.

A toxic relationship can be any connection with a person where your emotional, mental, and physical well-being is at risk.

Recognizing the Signs of Toxic Relationships

Since so many factors can play a part in a toxic relationship, it is challenging to determine what the signs of one are. They can include the warning signs of a potentially violent relationship, such as:

  • Your partner speaking to you in a disrespectful or insulting manner
  • Placed blame that makes you feel like all problems are your fault
  • Lack of control in a relationship or inability to make decisions
  • Fear of discussing certain things with your partner
  • Feeling forced to do something you do not want to do

However, warning signs of a toxic relationship are not limited to these. Other signs to look out for include:

  • Lack of support from your partner
  • Holding on to grudges
  • Being dishonest with each other
  • Feeling like you are walking on eggshells
  • Not prioritizing your mental, physical, or emotional well-being
  • Feeling like you give more than you receive
  • Needs not being taken care of in a relationship
  • Feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem
  • Bringing out the worst in each other and never feeling like you are your best selves when together
  • Feeling like you are always to blame for things that go wrong

If you recognize any of these signs within your relationship, you may want to reconsider your situation. Perhaps couples therapy or other interventions can save the relationship. However, it takes two to tango. Both individuals in the relationship must want to make amends. Likewise, understand that there are situations where a connection can meet a point of no return.

Gaslighting

A common thing seen within toxic relationships is gaslighting. In a 2023 article published by Forbes Health, contributor Marissa Conrad defines gaslighting as “a form of psychological manipulation that hinges on creating self-doubt.” When someone gaslights you, they are trying to “distort reality” in a way that allows them to manipulate you for a number of reasons.

The more someone manipulates you in a relationship, the more you may begin to believe the lies. Additionally, gaslighting can lead individuals to experience a number of other mental illnesses or related symptoms. Gaslighting victims may encounter anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or suicidal thoughts.

Toxic Relationships and Addiction

Another indicator of a toxic relationship is if the relationship seems to be based on substance use. You and your partner can seek treatment together, but you must both be on board. That can be hard to do, especially if one partner is abusive and unable to recognize they are struggling with addiction.

Additionally, it is not unheard of for people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to cope with their toxic relationship. If your relationship is causing you to self-medicate, it is a clear sign that something is wrong. Self-medication can quickly turn to dependency. No toxic relationship is worth a life of active addiction.

Knowing When to Walk Away

Walking away from a partner after years of manipulation, gaslighting, and other toxic practices can be challenging. It is, however, necessary for recovery. Staying in a toxic relationship post-treatment can be triggering and may increase your risk of relapse. Consider seeking treatment. You can learn how to confidently walk away from one for the sake of your sobriety.

Toxic relationships can be hard to recognize, especially if your partner, family member, or work superior is gaslighting or manipulating you in other ways. In many cases, toxic friendships or romantic relationships are fueled by substance use. Either the foundation of your relationships is founded on substance use, or you turn to substances to cope with a toxic relationship. In either scenario, it is quite easy to become dependent on drugs and alcohol if you begin self-medicating. For that reason, although it can be challenging, leaving toxic relationships is crucial. If you are struggling with addiction and are seeking treatment, call (833) 883-9235 today. Excel Treatment Center would love to help you. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

Handling Parenthood and Recovery Simultaneously

Achieving sobriety is a challenging feat. If you are a parent, you may wonder how you can balance parenthood and recovery simultaneously. Upon leaving treatment, you will face a number of new challenges. Depending on your chosen treatment program, you may return home to your children for the first time in at least 30 days. Reclamation with the everyday hustle and bustle of work, kids, and other responsibilities may take a bit to get used to. However, it is imperative to know that you can successfully balance recovery and the responsibility of being a parent simultaneously – even if it takes a little help.

Managing Your Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Before you leave treatment and return to everyday life, you must be able to manage your substance use disorder (SUD). That requires you to take what you learned during treatment in rehab and apply it to your life. It also requires you to make changes to maintain sobriety as you tackle all the challenges recovery throws your way.

In order to maintain sobriety long-term, you must create a recovery plan. There is no one “right” plan. Recovery plans are most effective when they are individualized. Before leaving treatment, it is necessary to sit down with a clinician or case manager and plan as much as possible for the road ahead. That includes finding a local support group and a therapist to see on a regular basis. You may also need to end toxic relationships and potentially find a new place to live if your situation prior to treatment is no longer suitable for you or your children.

Many people find it beneficial to move home post-treatment to be closer to family. Family support is critical to a successful recovery and can also help when kids are involved. For example, attending therapy and support meetings will require your children to stay with trusted individuals. That may be grandparents, family friends, or others you trust to watch your child when you must focus on sobriety.

Speaking of therapy and support group meetings, you may be wondering how much of a benefit they will be to you post-treatment. Specifically, how can therapy and support groups help you balance a life of parenthood and recovery?

The Importance of Attending Therapy and Support Groups

There are several benefits of continuing therapy post-treatment. Therapy can improve your communication skills, allow you to experience more happiness, and improve mental function and relationships. When the mind is well, the body is well too. Attending therapy will also help you learn how to prioritize your physical and emotional well-being and focus on sobriety and your mental health.

Therapy also helps people feel empowered. As you continue going to therapy post-treatment, you will learn more about your addiction and ways to cope with it. Managing daily life challenges during recovery will be triggering. Therapy can help you through those triggers.

Similarly, support group meetings are vital to coping with triggers, cravings, and anything else life throws at you. Hearing the stories of others will inspire and motivate you to persevere, especially on days when you feel like giving up. Many of the people in these meetings may also have children. Peers who have been in recovery for a while will be able to offer advice and guidance on balancing parenthood and recovery.

Finding the right therapist and support group may take time, especially if this is your first time seeking mental health services and being in recovery. Patience and persistence are vital during that time of searching.

Balancing Parenthood and Recovery

Once you have a recovery plan, a therapist, and a strong support network, you can find new ways to balance parenthood and recovery. Here are a few ways you can start balancing the two today:

  • Never shy away from asking for help – children do not come with an instruction manual.
  • Be sure to attend mental health appointments and meetings.
  • Discuss recovery with your children in a way most suitable for them.
  • Be proactive when experiencing triggers. Go to a meeting, discuss them with your therapist, or reach out to a peer for help immediately.
  • Prioritize self-care, whether that includes going for a walk with your children, taking day trips with them as much as possible, or spending some quiet time with yourself when able.

Parenthood and Recovery Are Possible

At the end of the day, there is no sure way for people to balance parenthood and recovery simultaneously. Sometimes it will be trial and error, just like anything else in life. The best thing you can do is focus on your children, stick to your recovery plan, heed the advice of others, and know that you are not alone.

If you or someone you love is a parent struggling with addiction, reach out to Excel Treatment Center today.

Sometimes when you seek addiction recovery, other factors influence your decision to do so. For many, that factor is their children. During treatment, you will create a recovery plan to help you maintain sobriety long-term. This plan will help you cope with the challenges life will throw at you post-treatment. Unfortunately, balancing parenthood and recovery post-treatment will take some time, but with the help of your support system, you can do it today. Know that there is a better life than one in active addiction and that maintaining sobriety long-term is possible. For the sake of yourself and your children, reach out to a treatment facility today. Call Excel Treatment Center at (833) 883-9235. 

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

Coping With Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Do you experience intense sadness during the fall and winter or feel unexplainably down around the time the days get shorter? If so, you are not alone. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects many individuals, making it difficult to maintain recovery or mental health. Understanding SAD and how it impacts your overall mental health is the first step toward managing it long-term. Like depression, you can learn to cope with SAD and maintain your sobriety simultaneously despite related symptoms and risks of relapse.

What Is SAD?

SAD is a type of depression the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes as “significant changes in your mood and behavior whenever the seasons change.” For some, symptoms may be moderate. Individuals experience slight mood changes when the seasons change; we all feel the winter blues a little bit. However, symptoms can become severe for many. Especially among individuals already struggling with their mental health, the changing seasons can trigger and exacerbate symptoms of mental illness.

Individuals aware of their SAD can successfully prepare for it. Fortunately, the seasons change around the same time every year. We know when the days get shorter and when to expect the start of spring. Knowing this pattern is great because it prevents a season’s triggers from sneaking up on us.

When Does SAD Occur?

According to the NIMH, SAD typically begins in late fall or early winter and goes away during the spring or summer. This pattern is called “winter-pattern SAD,” also known as “winter depression.” However, it is possible to experience depressive symptoms during the spring or summer. When that happens, it is called “summer-pattern SAD” or “summer depression.” Though it is less common, summer-pattern SAD does happen. On average, symptoms of SAD will last for about four to five months on average.

Symptoms vary depending on a couple of factors. For example, because SAD is a type of depression, there are major related symptoms you may experience. Additionally, symptoms may vary depending on whether you experience winter-pattern or summer-pattern SAD.

Typical Symptoms

Symptoms of SAD, according to the NIMH, include:

  • Major depression symptoms
    • Feeling depressed almost all day, every day
    • Losing interest in enjoyable activities or hobbies
    • Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
    • Having problems with sleep and feeling sluggish or agitated
    • Experiencing a loss of energy
    • Feeling hopeless or worthless
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  • Winter-pattern SAD symptoms  
    • Experiencing hypersomnia (oversleeping)
    • Overeating, and especially experiencing a craving for carbohydrates
    • Weight gain
    • Social withdrawal
  • Summer-pattern SAD symptoms 
    • Experiencing insomnia
    • Weight loss as a result of poor appetite
    • Experiencing restlessness and agitation
    • Feeling anxious
    • Experiencing episodes of violent or erratic behavior

SAD and Substance Use Disorder

Managing a mood disorder and substance use disorder (SUD) can be a slippery slope. The journal Science & Practice Perspectives, published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), indicates that mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorders, “are the most common psychiatric comorbidities among patients with substance use disorders.” Further, treating a co-occurring mood disorder can “reduce substance craving,” but individuals in treatment will raise the question of how they can manage their mood disorder post-treatment.

Individuals who seek treatment for depression and SUD have an advantage when it comes to handling SAD symptoms. That is simply because they have already learned and practiced techniques to cope with their conditions. This is why dual diagnosis is so crucial to addiction treatment. If clinicians know you are struggling with a mood disorder alongside SUD, they can create a specific treatment plan with that in mind. Then, once in recovery, you can utilize what you learned in treatment and apply it when you experience symptoms of that mood disorder, such as SUD.

Treatment

Learning to manage SAD symptoms is vital. Fortunately, treatment can help. Some of the treatment methods for SAD include:

  • Light therapy – a mainstay for the treatment of SAD since the 1980s, which includes exposure to a bright light daily day to compensate for the lack of sunshine in the winter months
  • Psychotherapies – such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). There is a type of CBT specifically adapted for treating SAD called CBT-SAD.
  • Antidepressant medication – which increases serotonin levels
  • Vitamin D – which you can obtain from a supplement or through light therapy

How to Manage SAD Symptoms

In addition to treatment, you can manage SAD symptoms on your own by doing the following:

  1. Changing your environment to let in more natural light into your home and working spaces
  2. Spending time outside as much as possible
  3. Exercising every day
  4. Improving your sleeping patterns
  5. Practicing other forms of self-care

Consider implementing these changes today to manage your SAD symptoms and enjoy a better winter season, this year and in the future.

Do you find yourself growing irritable or experiencing depressive moods when the seasons change? More specifically, do the darker days of winter and lack of sunlight impact you mentally and emotionally? If so, you may be struggling with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to changes in moods and behaviors whenever the seasons change. As a type of depression, symptoms of SAD sometimes mimic the symptoms of major depression. These symptoms vary depending on whether you have winter-pattern SAD or (less common) summer-pattern SAD. Treatment methods for SAD are also similar to those for depression. You can manage your symptoms of SAD and substance use disorder (SUD) through behavioral therapies and self-care practices. For more information or to get help, call Excel Treatment Center at (833) 883-9235

Author Stephanie Maitner Categories Uncategorized

The Dangers of Self-Medicating

Self-medicating is a typical practice nowadays. Individuals often turn to substance use to cope with life stressors despite their awareness of the potential consequences. While there are many dangers of self-medication, the major one you may expect is the development of addiction. The more we use drugs or alcohol, the more the body requires it. If your journey with self-medicating has led to a substance use disorder (SUD), consider treatment immediately.

Causes of Self-Medicating

People may start self-medicating for a variety of reasons. These can include but are not limited to trauma, mental illness, and chronic illnesses. Let’s explore these causes further.

Trauma

While there are many reasons individuals start self-medicating, trauma is a typical instigator. Trauma occurs throughout life, but traumatic events during adolescents can lead to substance use.

A study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine showcases the connection between early exposure to traumatic events and intoxication through substance use. Researchers examined self-medication among youths in residential treatment for “antisocial behavior via recursive and non-recursive relationships between trauma history, substance misuse, and psychological distress.”

The study focuses on two hypotheses:

#1. The effects of trauma are somewhat “mediated by substance misuse.”

#2. The experience of trauma causes “a feedback loop between substance misuse and psychological distress.”

At the end of their study, the research supported these hypotheses. With this in mind, it’s reasonable to say that trauma likely creates a cycle of emotional distress and substance consumption.

Mental Illness

Trauma is not the only cause of substance use or the only reason people turn to self-medication. Many self-medicate to cope with mental illness symptoms. In fact, results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated that 9.5 million people in the United States were diagnosed with a mental illness and SUD. From this, we can infer that untreated mental illness may be a leading cause of self-medication.

Chronic Illness

Trauma and mental illness are not the only potential instigators of substance use. Other chronic conditions may lead to self-medication. Individuals diagnosed with chronic pain, cancer, or any other chronic illness may turn to substance use to cope with symptoms. Additionally, they may want to numb complex feelings surrounding their diagnosis.

Forms of Self-Medicating

One of the most common ways people self-medicate is with alcohol. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is prevalent across the United States. People drink to escape their problems, have a good time, be more social, and ultimately inebriate themselves. Especially when trying to avoid stress, alcohol helps people temporarily forget their problems.

Drug use is another form of self-medication. Substances, like drugs, impact the reward circuit of the brain. This causes a euphoric effect which only perpetuates further drug use. People begin drug use for similar reasons — escape problems, inebriate themselves, or experience euphoric effects. There are a number of known dangers to drug use, including dependency, overdose, and death though.

Dangers of Self-Medicating

One of the main dangers of self-medicating is the development of SUD. With SUD, there are several short- and long-term effects, as well as the potential development of chronic health conditions and overdose.

Drinking causes several risks. Excessive drinking can lead to the following:

  • Violence
  • Risky behaviors like unprotected sex and drunk driving
  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Chronic conditions like heart or liver disease, a weakened immune system, or cancers

There are several potential risks of excessive drug use due to the number of drugs available. However, many dangers are similar to excessive drinking – chronic health conditions, drug overdose, impaired cognitive function, and death.

Another danger of self-medicating is that it does not resolve the underlying problem. Mental illness, trauma, and other distressing events have a profound impact on our overall well-being. Substance use only numbs us to pain and causes an uproar of future problems.

Treatment for Self-Medicating

If you are self-medicating to cope with a deeper problem, we encourage you to educate yourself further on the dangers of self-medicating. As discussed, it can lead to addiction and many other damages. Psychoeducation is the first step. It often helps a person understand the need for treatment.

Dual-diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders is the next step. A mental illness and SUD experienced in conjunction with one another are referred to as co-occurring disorders. It is usually hard to indicate which was present first In either case, dual diagnosis is required, and individuals must seek treatment for all conditions involved.

An integrated dual-diagnosis program offers many benefits. Individuals can begin to understand the relationship between these two disorders. Additionally, they learn coping skills to manage both and engage in treatments that help them heal and maintain recovery.

Lastly, you should find a support system. This can look like a 12-Step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. It can also mean reconnecting with friends and family. Moreover, it can involve leaning on others in your treatment program. The support system will ensure you have help building long-term recovery.

Do you drink or use drugs in order to deal with stress, block out traumatic memories, or cope with emotionally volatile situations? If so, we encourage you to educate yourself on the dangers and potential harm of self-medicating. Substance use can lead to addiction, chronic health conditions, and a number of other problems. To truly recover from trauma and mental illness, you must seek treatment. Excel treatment center offers comprehensive treatment to those struggling with addiction and mental illness. We provide a dual diagnosis program led by our expert staff. During your program, you might participate in traditional therapies, support groups, and holistic therapies. With our help, you can cease all self-medication. For help, call us at (833) 883-9235

1 … 4 5 6 7 8 … 14

(833) 883-9235

We're available 24/7

58 N Sussex St, Dover, NJ 07801

Visit Us Today

info@exceltreatmentcenter.com

Send us a message

Excel Treatment Center is an addiction treatment center in New Jersey that offers high-quality treatment designed around each client’s personal needs.

Programs

What We Treat

Get Started

About