While the holidays can be a magical time for many of us, for those in recovery (especially early recovery) they can be a source of anxiety, fears of relapse, and a time of feeling even more conspicuous than usual. While our families and friends continue to enjoy the usual parties and traditional libations of the season, many of us in our first holiday season of sobriety can find ourselves feeling isolated, alienated, and overwhelmed by the fear of potential triggers and temptations.

So, how can we adopt a more empowering mindset in what can be some of the most challenging weeks of the year while still allowing ourselves to enjoy the true essence of the season and successfully emerge with our sobriety intact? Here are some mindful strategies and practices to consider to remain engaged in our traditions without succumbing to triggers, temptations, and traps that no longer serve us.

Express Gratitude

Most people who have participated in any type of formal recovery program are familiar with the concept of a gratitude list. For those that may not be familiar, a gratitude list is exactly what it sounds like: a list of all the things you feel grateful for. Many addiction recovery programs incorporate a gratitude list into their treatment regimens, typically in the early days of recovery. Creating a list of things you’re grateful for can be extremely helpful in maintaining sobriety and motivation throughout treatment.

While gratitude lists can be effective tools to help keep the momentum of treatment moving, meditating from a place of true gratitude, however, changes the brain and the way the brain functions. When done properly, anxiety diminishes, the focus of our thinking changes, and best of all, we can look at the life we’ve been given in a way that recognizes its worth.

Practicing gratitude is not an exercise in the denial of difficult circumstances in our lives, nor is it the practice of taking inventory of our material possessions. Instead, it is simply remembering that there is value in everything, that life itself is a gift, and that the humility it requires to express thanks makes us more “right-sized” in our perceptions of ourselves. Gratitude is the cornerstone of serenity which is often scarce this time of year.

Confront Resentments

Nothing can lead us to entitlement faster than resentments. This time of year, there are countless opportunities to harbor, nurture, and rehearse them in our minds. Everything from the extra obligations we take on to the lack of appreciation we may experience for all our efforts to create the perfect holiday backdrop for our loved ones can take center stage.

Take time to take inventory of all your resentments. Name them, list them, and acknowledge them. Then; surrender them. They have the potential to convince us that we deserve whatever we want in the moment regardless of the outcomes. Nothing says “relapse” like holiday entitlement.

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Confront Unrealistic Expectations

Everyone has a wish list for the holidays, but far too often that list becomes a set of expectations rather than wants. When we live in a state of expectation, we will almost always be disappointed. Not only do our expectations serve to rob us of the joy of the moment, but they also have a way of getting transmitted to those around us. Expectations set the stage for our feelings of entitlement.

Anticipation, on the other hand, is living with a loose grip and being willing to accept the gift that is the moment at hand. Expectations demand; while anticipation waits in wonder. During the holiday season, remember to regularly take stock of what unmet expectations could be robbing you of your holiday joy. Accepting life on life’s terms requires living with the loose grip of anticipation rather than the tight fist of expectation.

Navigating Social Gatherings

It is important, especially in early sobriety, to never feel trapped at any holiday social gatherings, especially since there are likely to be temptations or triggers that need to be averted. Having an exit strategy for these events is imperative. Driving ourselves to a party or being sure we can access a car service should we carpool is an important detail to keep in mind. Sharing rides with friends who will want to stay the entire evening is too risky if we begin to feel uncomfortable.

In early sobriety, it may be that we allow ourselves a half-hour at the beginning of the event to simply make an appearance, say our hello’s, and slip out quietly. Once we make a lap around the room to greet everyone, we can feel fairly certain that we won’t be missed once others are into their second, third, and fourth martini, at which time we will be back at home safe and sound. If it feels safe to stay at the party into the night then by all means enjoy the evening, but if feeling triggered or tempted starts to enter the picture we need to have a plan to exit without excuse.

Manage Self-Care

Taking care of our personal needs is always an important component of recovery, but during the holidays it is even more important. Time demands can cause us to skip our contemplative practices, miss our exercise times, and grab far too many treats from the office goodie table at work and call it “lunch.”

Our lack of self-care can often cause us to lose our focus and discipline, and ultimately find ourselves in self-loathing, restlessness, irritability, and discontentment; all of which have the potential to cause us to slip. Recognizing that self-care is as important as the other tasks on your to-do list can help put yourself at the top, and stop you from succumbing to holiday temptations.

Initiate Connection

All of us need connection and support in our recovery; especially during the holidays. Make your recovery meetings a priority, find time with friends who enrich you, and surround yourself with those who make you feel known and loved. The holidays can be a very lonely time for many. Depression spikes and relapses escalate during this season. Maintaining our connections to others is part of staying present and accountable for our recovery.

Seek To Serve

Volunteer, serve at an event for underserved people, and make an intentional effort to express gratitude by sharing time and effort that benefits others. Engaging in service work is far more beneficial for our sobriety than simply writing end-of-the-year checks to our favorite charities. Sacrificing for others is the fastest way to take our focus off ourselves and shift it to the world around us. Being a part of the bigger story is where we find purpose and hope which shifts our gaze away from the self-centered fear of our addiction.

When we allow ourselves intentional connection with others, a mindset of gratitude for the life we have been given, continue to practice self-care without feeling self-centered, and experience our traditions with anticipation rather than expectation, we can embrace the true essence of this season of peace (sober serenity) and goodwill (service to others) with genuine comfort and joy.

Get Help Before The Holidays

The holidays can be an incredibly stressful time for anyone, especially those struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health condition. While the New Year is a popular time to make a change for the better, waiting to get the help you need is never the best option. To get started on your recovery journey, contact a treatment provider to learn more about your options.

The post How To Celebrate The Holidays While Staying Sober appeared first on Addiction Center.

Have you ever heard of the term “California sober?” It’s a phrase that has been popularized by singer/actress Demi Lovato in a recent documentary detailing her battle with addiction. According to the star, the term means avoiding all addictive substances except “soft” drugs like Marijuana and alcohol. The practice is rooted in harm reduction rather than absolutism. 

People who are “California sober,” also known as “Cali sober,” either moderately use or forgo alcohol and “hard” drugs. A few examples of  “hard drugs” are Heroin, Cocaine, and crystal Methamphetamine. Instead, they use “soft” drugs like Marijuana, LSD, or Psilocybin. Demi Lovato explains it’s a form of “balanced” sobriety that has helped her stay away from harder drugs. Lovato clarifies, “I’ve learned that it doesn’t work for me to say that I’m never going to do this again.” She explains cutting off all substances was “setting myself up for failure because I am such a black-and-white thinker.” Since Lovato’s interview, the term California sober has blown up on social media. Still, does it work? 

Does “California Sober” Work?

Demi Lovato claims California sobriety works for her but is it for everyone? Unfortunately, no, it is not. Exposing yourself to light alcohol and drug use may be ok for certain people while disastrous for those who have struggled with addiction. According to research, people once addicted to a substance that return to drinking or smoking are more likely to relapse. Even if an individual refrains from using “softer” drugs or alcohol, they are likely to backslide. According to the American Medical Association Journal, nearly 50% of people relapse within a year of treatment. 

Staying away, or abstaining, from all drugs and alcohol is necessary for those in recovery. To some, it may seem like absolutism, but in reality, it is the best chance a person has to improve their odds of staying “clean.” The practice of reintroducing “soft” drugs to a person’s system is risky. Both alcohol and Marijuana are part of the 3 most commonly used addictive drugs in the United States. More than 11.8 million people admit to using Marijuana, and about 30% of them have a Marijuana use disorder. Nearly 70% of adults over-consume alcohol, and about 14.5 million are battling an alcohol use disorder. 

California Sober Is Not Medically Proven Or Regulated

Though celebrities rave about being “Cali sober,” it is essential to note that the term is not medically recognized or regulated. There is no way of knowing what 2 different people consider as okay while “Cali sober.” Some individuals use alcohol and smoke weed, while others take shrooms and do not drink. The term is arbitrary with little to no clear criteria or scientific basis. 

Besides being confusing, going “Cali sober” can still lead to a dependency on Marijuana and alcohol. The goal of treatment is to help patients stop drug abuse. By using “soft” drugs, individuals are, in a way delaying true sobriety. Still, medical professionals must do much more research to understand if being “Cali sober” is beneficial for some people.

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Find Help 

If you or a loved one are battling addiction or experiencing a relapse, there is help available. Contact a treatment provider today to explore available treatment options. Treatment providers can answer rehab-related questions and provide valuable information about treatment. Reach out to a treatment provider today!

The post What Does It Mean To Be “California Sober?” appeared first on Addiction Center.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the onset of a global pandemic. COVID-19 spread throughout the globe, uprooting the daily lives of millions. As the world hunkered down to quarantine, millions of Americans canceled activities and prepared. Some turned to alcohol to cope with the sudden change. 

Right after the announcement of the global pandemic, the sales of alcoholic beverages spiked. In the United States, the overall alcohol market grew by 55%, and online alcohol sales skyrocketed to a startling 243%. Despite bar, club, and restaurant closure, liquor revenue rose from $29 billion in 2019 to $31.2 billion in 2020. 

COVID-19 Alcohol And Addiction 

The effects of COVID-19 have trickled across countless households. Families are experiencing high levels of stress while juggling their children’s school activities, work-from-home responsibilities, and housework. Others are struggling financially, with social isolation and general uncertainties. The high levels of stress have triggered a spike in alcohol demand and addiction rates in the U.S. Stress is associated with an increased risk for alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, and alcohol use disorders (AUD). Some of the most common health manifestations due to COVID-19 include anxiety, poor sleep, and hypochondriac beliefs.

Alcohol abuse hit an all-time-high in 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 13% of Americans used alcohol or drugs to deal with COVID-19 related stressors. Those under lockdown or quarantine increased their heavy alcohol use from 21.0% (in March) to 40.7% (in September). The surge in alcohol use has the scientific and health community highly concerned.

In the U.S., more than 95,000 people die from dangerous alcohol use every year. Alcohol abuse shortens the life of an individual an average of 29 years. Every year a total of 2.8 million years of potential life is lost to alcohol.

Previous Devastations And Alcohol Misuse

With increased alcohol use, sales, and ER visits related to alcohol use, there is no question that COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the lives of Americans and people around the world. The stress that has been caused by the pandemic is not isolated to this single experience. Other devastating occurrences such as terrorist attacks and recessions cause similar levels of stress, mental health disturbances, and potentially increased alcohol abuse.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology looked into the Oklahoma City bombing, 9/11, and terrorist events in Israel and England and discovered that there was increased alcohol use up to 2 years after these events. An estimated 7.3% of people exposed to one of these events presented with alcohol misuse. The study also found that those who were exposed to terrorist attacks had higher rates of binge drinking, which increased with how involved they were with the event, such as if they knew someone who lost their life in the attack. Alcohol abuse was even more common in those with PTSD symptoms.

Researchers from the Frontiers study examined drinking patterns and the Great Recession of 2008 and found that there was decreased alcohol consumption during this time. This was likely due to reduced wages, higher debts, and loss of purchasing power. However, during this time the rate of binge drinking increased in certain populations like the unemployed, young people, and men. Economic adversity has been found to be associated with increased rates of alcohol misuse.

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Finding Treatment For Alcohol Addiction

Drinking is a popular pastime in the U.S., and in 2020, while people quarantined, it became even more common. However, reaching for an alcoholic beverage every time a person is bored/stressed is problematic. Habitual alcohol use can lead to an alcohol use disorder (AUD). More than 15 million people are battling AUD in the U.S. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, young men are at an increased risk of developing an AUD. If the individuals recently lost their primary jobs due to COVID-19, the risk is even higher.  

Developing an AUD can happen to anyone. Alcohol use disorders are the most common addictions in America. Unfortunately, SARS-CoV-2 contributed to the spike in rates among Americans, as seen in alcohol sales for 2020. Fortunately, there are several addiction treatment centers ready to help anyone battling a substance use disorder. Thousands of people are prioritizing their health and seeking treatment. Contact a treatment provider and discover the many options you or a loved one have. Begin to take back control of your life by contacting a treatment provider today.   

The post Alcohol Sales Spike In 2020 Due To COVID-19 appeared first on Addiction Center.

Resilience. The set of characteristics one possesses to overcome difficult situations. A positive response versus a maladaptive one when faced with adversity. Resilience is something we are born with and develop over time as we interact with the world around us. Resiliency is something that can also be broken down.

How resilient someone is depends on multiple factors including innate genetic qualities, coping styles, attitude, personality traits, positive relationships, supportive environments, healthy modeling, and the cultivation of capacities as we grow from infancy towards adulthood. In order for our brains to develop healthy and adaptive capabilities, we need to expose ourselves to a certain amount of stimuli which molds how we respond to life events. If supportive external components are absent, or significant trauma or adversity is profound, the brain’s health is compromised. The risk of lessened resilience occurs, while the risk of psychological and physical illness increases. However, we do need to face circumstances, even difficult ones, in order to give ourselves an opportunity to learn from them and strengthen ourselves.

Resiliency Of The Body And Mind

Our brains work off of a feedback mechanism, both internally with our organs and externally with the outside world. Too much imbalance can result in the brain and body being unable to fight or defend itself against illness. One of the ways we gain physical immunity (resilience to disease), for example, is that we develop antibodies via our immune system in order to fight off disease. Through exposure with the world, we develop our immune system little by little. Another example is through vaccination, which introduces a small amount of a substance, often an illness producing particle itself, triggering our bodies to build immunity to help defend against a more significant blow later on. Either way, this system of defense is a result of us being exposed to something. This allows our body to recognize it and react to it in order to properly defend against a similar, larger attack. Our physical body is constantly learning.

Compare this to psychological immunity, or mental resilience of our mind. It works similarly. In order for our minds to be able to overcome adversity, we need to be “inoculated” with life’s experiences themselves, both good and bad. We deal with many stressors throughout our lifespan, many which our brains will process and develop resistance against. These processes warn us, allow us to cope, or nurture us to help navigate more adaptively when a similar situation occurs at a later time. We need that recognition and feedback mechanism intact in order to mount a healthy psychological response. Adolescence for example, a critical time of anatomic and physiologic brain growth, should occur within an environment which grooms healthy brain development. Unfortunately, that is also a time when one first starts experimenting with drugs or alcohol.  If we continue to use, our healthy progression is that much more impeded.

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How Drugs And Alcohol Break Resiliency

When we use drugs or alcohol to defend ourselves against difficult experiences of the mind, we have broken that recognition and feedback mechanism. We are essentially living in a bubble as we stop the inoculation process. We stop the brain’s ability to identify the psychological threat, analyze and process it, digest it, absorb or extract from that experience what is beneficial, while spitting out or eliminating the waste that is not. We fail to give ourselves an opportunity to develop immunity and cope with that circumstance. Unfortunately, when a pattern of drug or alcohol use spirals into addiction, there is a consistent cycling of absence from both healthy and unhealthy experiences. The brain is no longer benefitting from any positive experiences which could cultivate our mind and make us strong, or negative experiences which could produce an adaptive response to help us cope during difficult experiences which are later thrown at us. Addiction deprives the mind and body of being inoculated, or vaccinated, with life. As drugs or alcohol consume the body from the inside out, we further weaken our mind and body. This is most evident when we stop using these substances. When we come out of this bubble, we have developed no mental immunity. The negative experiences and trauma that went unresolved and unprocessed, now creep up on us making us sick. The realities which we have not become accustomed to, seem overwhelming and terrifying. Normal processes seem strange, and difficult processes seem unbearable. This often triggers us to use again.

Breaking The Cycle

There is hope within the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse. Gaining sobriety helps heal this broken resiliency. In spite of the difficulties we face when first stopping drug and alcohol use, the healing process starts right away. It is not an easy process, but our brains are remarkable in that they can actually heal. Our minds can rebuild resiliency. Seeking treatment and getting help is often the first step in this process. Medically supervised detoxification often is needed to help safely come off drugs and alcohol and help prepare the body and brain to achieve a level of stability that allows things to start making sense for us. Therapy is often needed to help us process those unresolved experiences and bring clarity to our emotions and behaviors. As time goes on, we learn to cope with our lives again, and have the ability to once again become resilient.

For more information about addiction and finding treatment, contact a treatment provider today.

The post Inside The “Bubble” Of Addiction And Broken Resiliency appeared first on Addiction Center.

Synaptogenesis is a hallmark of brain development that involves synapse formation between neurons in the nervous system. While it occurs throughout an individual’s lifetime, there is a surge of synaptogenesis during infancy and a second during adolescence, which facilitates learning, memory, and adaptation. MRI studies have demonstrated a surge of neuronal growth and thickening of the grey matter in the brain right before puberty, similar to neuronal growth during infancy. Crucial developmental changes occur in a young person’s brain that are incomplete until around age 25. While there is no set age range to define adolescence, it is generally described as a time including puberty and teenage years and a transition from childhood into adulthood. In terms of brain development, some researchers define adolescence as the time between age 10 and 24.

The brain plasticity of adolescence allows a time for intellectual and emotional growth, an ability to adapt, and acts as a time to develop lifelong interests, talents, and passions. Dopamine, serotonin, and melatonin are 3 neurotransmitters that play a major role in adolescent behavior and produce both positive and negative emotions and reactions. Impulse control is impacted by decreased levels of serotonin, earning teenagers the reputation of being risk-takers. Taking risks is a part of growth and personal development, but when these risks involve drug and alcohol abuse, oftentimes it is no longer a method of temporary self-exploration but an action that can have serious and long-time effects on brain development.

Drug Use During Brain Development

Due to the neurodevelopmental processes that occurs during adolescence, teenagers are more likely to take risks, including drug use, than children and adults according to research published by the National Institutes of Health. This drug use can be particularly dangerous, as drug use as an adolescent significantly increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder later in life. Some research has found that the earlier the onset of drug use, the higher the chance that a person will develop a drug problem. When drug use and other negative occurrences, like trauma and chronic stress, take place during early brain development, this can have a damaging impact on brain maturation.

When someone uses certain drugs, the substances flood the brain with dopamine. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter often referred to as the “feel good” neurotransmitter, as it plays a large role in feelings of pleasure. When the brain is overloaded with dopamine because of a drug, the brain responds by producing less dopamine naturally. With continued drug use, a person may be unable to feel happy without their drug of choice. Depending on the substance and frequency of use, it can take hours or weeks for the brain to regain balance.

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Alcohol Abuse During Brain Development

Among American youth, alcohol is the most widely abused substance. In fact, over 29% of teens have already tried alcohol by age 15. Young people drink in larger quantities than adults, with 90% of the alcohol consumed by young people being alcohol consumed via binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as a female having 4 or more drinks within a 2-hour period, and a male having 5 or more drinks within a 2-hour period. Drinking heavily during adolescence should not be considered a normal part of growing up, as it can come with serious and long-term effects.

Research by the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society found that, “Abnormalities have been seen in brain structure volume, white matter quality, and activation to cognitive tasks, even in youth with as little as 1–2 years of heavy drinking and consumption levels of 20 drinks per month.” The critical period of brain development in youth may be interrupted by alcohol abuse, and cause issues later in life related to academic, occupational, and social functioning. Drug and alcohol abuse may also put people more at risk for mental health disorders and risky sexual activity. Some research has suggested that heavy alcohol abuse can reduce the size of the hippocampus; the part of the brain that is involved in the formation of memories as well as learning.

In one study examining alcohol, Marijuana, and stimulant use among youth, the youth with a history of light drinking performed better on cognitive tasks than youth with a history of heavy drinking. Those who had displayed alcohol withdrawal symptoms like nausea and irritability had decreased performance skills, primarily on tests of spatial functioning. Another study found that the prefrontal cortexes of adolescent drinkers were smaller in heavy drinkers, compared to non-drinkers. This difference was especially pronounced in females. Animal studies have also demonstrated long-lasting changes in functional brain activity when adolescent rats were administered ethanol vapors.

Substance Abuse Treatment For Youth

Many adolescents take unnecessary risks and make decisions that can be difficult for the adults in their lives to understand. While a young person needs the freedom to start making their own choices and figuring out who they want to be, it is important to intervene when drug and alcohol abuse become present. A professional diagnosis that examines any underlying mental health disorders and understands their pattern of abuse is crucial for formulating the most appropriate treatment option for each individual. Early intervention can make a world of difference during a time when youth are so susceptible, and it could prevent the development of a substance use disorder later in life. Contact a treatment provider to find out more about treatment options for people of all ages.

The post Drug Use During Brain Development: The Wrong Insult At The Wrong Time appeared first on Addiction Center.

The 16^th season of ABC’s reality show The Bachelorette has been unlike any other season so far. The show started with Clare Crawley as the lead, but after 4 episodes, she decided to call off the rest of the competition and settle down with one contestant, Dale Moss. This left the rest of the contestants hanging, until a new lead, 30-year-old Tayshia Adams was brought in to take over Clare’s position as the lead. Unlike previous seasons, where cast and crew travel to exotic destinations throughout the season, the 16^th season is held solely at the La Quinta Resort & Club in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This season also has openly discussed issues like racial inequality, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Bachelorette contestant Zac Clark, who made an early connection with Adams, shared his story of addiction and recovery on Tuesday’s episode of the show.

Zac Clark From The Bachelorette Opens Up About Heroin And Crack Use

From the beginning of Adam’s season as the Bachelorette, 36-year-old Zac Clark has received a positive edit from producers of the show, with plenty of screen time that shows his growing connection and relationship with Adams. For this reason, Clark is expected to go far in the competition and is seen as a front-runner, and on the latest episode, airing December 1^st, 2020, Clark opened up about his substance use disorder and his recovery.

The pair started out on a classic “one-on-one” date, with a wedding themed photoshoot, followed by dinner, and then a ride on a Ferris wheel. During the wedding outfit photoshoot, Adams and Clark connect over the fact that they had both previously been married. The topic of conversation continued to get more in depth as they moved to the dinner portion of the date. Clark began by telling Adams he grew up in an amazing home with an amazing family that he loves and that he graduated college, until he, “wasn’t feeling well.” After an x-ray, doctors discovered that Clark had a brain tumor. Clark explained that after his surgery for the tumor, he started abusing pain medication. Many people who start taking prescription pain killers after an injury or surgery develop an Opioid use disorder, and sometimes transition to illicit drugs as their addiction worsens.

The Bachelorette is not the first time Zac Clark has opened up about his struggles with addiction. A 2014 article published in a Pennsylvania newspaper, Reading Eagle, quoted a speech by Clark given to students at Alvernia University. Thirty years old at the time, Clark told the students about how his first drink as a teenager, “set off like 15 years of lying.” In high school he drank alcohol and smoked Marijuana and started experimenting with prescription medications. He used Adderall that he bought from girls who had prescriptions for the drug. Clark explained, “I had the numbers of 5 people who I could call at any time and buy their extra doses off them.” Clark played 3 sports in high school and baseball in college, but all the while he was drinking heavily and abusing drugs.

Clark’s substance abuse disorder only got worse after the surgery to remove his brain tumor in his early 20s. He now had access to drugs like Morphine and Dilaudid, telling Alvernia University students, “Now I had something I could go to doctors with, legitimate.” Bachelorette contestant Zac Clark began smoking and snorting OxyContin, the brand name for Oxycodone, a powerful and addictive Opioid medication that has played a major role in the Opioid epidemic. During this time, Clark was able to graduate and hold down a job, and even get married at 23, but his drug use was severe. Clark explained that at the time, his greatest concern was figuring out how to get drugs during his honeymoon in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A quote from Clark in the 2014 article stated, “I have got to leave the country for 10 days and for a guy with a serious, serious drug problem, that’s not cool.”

In his conversation with Adams on the Bachelorette, Clark said, “I was hanging out with some sketchy people, it wasn’t pretty. So I got arrested.” Clark was arrested for possession of Crack Cocaine and driving under the influence (DUI). This resulted in his wife leaving him and getting a divorce. Clark started on an 8-month drug binge where he injected Heroin, smoked Crack Cocaine, and did Whippets. Whippets are a type of Inhalant drug where the user inhales nitrous oxide to experience a recreational high. He explained the dark and hopeless place that he was in, and how some days he felt as though he wasn’t going to make it until tomorrow. After attempting to cash one of his father’s checks, the bank teller called his father and told him what was going on. This moment sparked a realization in Clark where he felt like, “it was time.”

Zac Clark’s Recovery From Substance Abuse

After that moment with his father at the bank, Bachelorette contestant Zac Clark entered rehab for 4 and a half months at Caron Treatment, a treatment program that Clark now serves on the board of. Clark went on to found Release Recovery in 2017, an addiction treatment center in New York, “with the goal of helping people reclaim their lives from addiction.” Clark admitted to going to rehab once before, and he had to show his family his dedication towards his recovery. Clark’s work has paid off. In his conversation with Adams, he said, “just the fact that I’m sitting here is kind of a miracle.”

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Living With A Drug Or Alcohol Problem

Anyone can succumb to the powerful hold drugs and alcohol can have over a person. Over 20 million American adults have a substance use disorder, and only a small fraction of them receive treatment for it. It doesn’t matter what your personal, family, or financial background is. There are options to get help. Overcoming a substance use disorder can feel impossible without help, but professionals are out there who can help with a medically supervised detox, treatment, and an aftercare plan to stay on the path of recovery. To talk to someone about options for you or a loved one, reach out to a treatment provider for free, available 24/7.

The post Bachelorette Contestant Zac Clark Shares Story Of Addiction appeared first on Addiction Center.

Have you ever felt lonely? That feeling you get at a party when you don’t know anyone? Maybe after a long week without hearing from any friends or family? Loneliness is similar to sadness and unhappiness. It is an experience of distress or discomfort caused by a desire for social connection or lack of it. Though typically noticed during isolation, loneliness can be sensed when surrounded by others. 

Being around people does not always guarantee connection (the opposite of loneliness). There are plenty of people with countless friends who feel lonely. You can feel lonesome in a crowded room or at a party if you are unheard or misunderstood. According to a 2018 survey published by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 22% of adults in the United States struggle with loneliness. When a person is lonely, there is a discrepancy between desires for social connection and its actual experiences. 

To be clear, loneliness is not depression, though the two may be linked. Depression is a mental health condition that can linger and get worse even with authentic connections. Loneliness is a transient state that can be satiated with genuine relationships. Depression sometimes does not go away while loneliness can. 

The Risks Of Loneliness And Using Alcohol To Cope

Feeling lonely is as bad for your health as smoking. Chronic loneliness can trigger genes that cause inflammation within the body. They also trigger a release of cortisol (a stress hormone), resulting in physical and mental damage. Over time, high cortisol levels and inflammation can lead to disorders like cancer, autoimmune disease, or early mortality. The long term effects of loneliness are catastrophic and disruptive. It is critical to take steps to reduce loneliness by improving social connections. Unfortunately, as a way of coping, many individuals turn to alcohol. 

Over time the regular consumption of alcohol as a temporary form of relief causes negative consequences. For healthy adults, the suggested moderate consumption of alcohol is three drinks a week. People struggling with loneliness, however, are very likely to exceed the advised amount. A study published by the National Library of Medicine reported alcohol use as significantly higher in people battling loneliness. Over 66.1% of people who drink an average of 4–7 days a week report feeling lonesome often or sometimes. When used as a “salve” for emotional distress, alcohol’s high consumption can lead to more anguish in the long run. 

Prolonged alcohol abuse increases the risk of developing severe health problems, like: 

• Cancer (breast, throat, esophagus, liver and of the mouth)
• Pancreatitis
• Cardiovascular disease related to sudden deaths
• Heart muscle damage (alcoholic cardiomyopathy) 
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Liver disease
• Suicide
• Serious injury 
• Accidental death
• Brain damage 
• Problems in an unborn child
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome

The risks associated with drinking alcohol outweigh all possible health benefits. Consuming alcohol to forget or not feel lonely is a temporary fix that can lead to addiction or early death. Luckily there are plenty of other ways to soothe and eliminate loneliness. 

Six Ways To Deal With Loneliness Without Alcohol 

If you are dealing with loneliness, you are not alone; 3 out of 10 adults in the United States are battling the same phenomenon. Just like a new exercise regimen that improves your health, you can develop a routine to combat loneliness. By building emotional strength and resilience, you will improve your quality of life. Below are 6 ways you can deal with loneliness without alcohol.

Get Some Sun Daily

Exposure to the sun’s natural rays is excellent for your health. Sunlight is essential for the mind and body. It gives us a boost of energy in the mornings and alerts our body when it’s time to begin winding down.

A healthy dose of sunlight has a positive effect on:

• Mental health
• Healthy aging
• Sleep
• The risk of developing cancer
• Weight loss
• Bone density
• Blood pressure
• Overall mood

Under exposure to sunlight is as dangerous as smoking and obesity. If you want to feel an instant dose of happiness, step outside and breathe in the fresh air, just make sure you do it safely by wearing sunblock lotion!

Examine Your Relationships

Loneliness is sometimes due to a lack of genuine relationships. Take a moment to examine the people you are surrounded by. Consider your circle of friends, work colleagues, and family. Are the majority of your relationships superficial or genuine? If most of your relationships are skin-deep, consider deepening them or making new friends.  

Develop Genuine Relationships 

After a thorough examination of your relationships, take action, and begin to deepen the connections you want to keep. Make an effort to reach out to your friends and family. Check-in regularly with your coworkers and acknowledge their important life events, like a son’s birthday party or recent promotion. By putting in effort to create and maintain genuine relationships, you can combat loneliness without resorting to alcohol for relief.

Organize Events 

Organize events, activities, or a party for friends, family, and coworkers. Make a list of your interests or hobbies and begin talking to your acquaintances about starting a running group or weekly game night. By actively organizing outings, you can meet your own emotional and social needs. 

Go Out More

Make an effort to go out more. Avoid streaming another series alone or sleeping all day; instead, do something new. Take a bike ride through town and invite others to join. Look up outdoor community events that sound interesting to you. Whatever you do, just make sure you are having fun and breaking up your daily routine. 

Volunteer

One of the best ways to make social connections and fight off loneliness is by becoming a volunteer. People who volunteer are in constant contact with others. The regular interactions help volunteers develop a healthy support system. Volunteers are an essential part of society and tend to have excellent relationship skills. To start volunteering, reach out to hospitals, animal shelters, or long term care facilities. 

Having strong social connections takes effort and practice. By creating genuine friendships, you can actively fight off loneliness without becoming a victim of the phenomenon. Alcohol may be a quick fix, but it is not sustainable. Using alcohol as a temporary comfort can lead to addiction and further loneliness. Instead, actively strengthen your relationships.

Find Help For Alcohol Addiction And Loneliness

Often, loneliness can lead to alcohol addiction. If you or someone you know is battling alcohol addiction and loneliness, inpatient rehab may be the best option to recover. Contact a treatment provider today to start your journey towards recovery.

The post How You Can Deal With Loneliness Without Alcohol appeared first on Addiction Center.

Loneliness is often viewed as a negative state of existence, although some alone time is needed to recharge. A Harvard study mentions “25% to 60% of older Americans suffer from loneliness. Another site reflected loneliness in younger audiences with “79% of Gen Z, aged 18 to 22 feeling lonely” and secondly, “71% of Millennials reported feeling lonely.” The link between loneliness and addiction should be something that people are aware of during these uncertain times. Being alone and being lonely are characteristically different with varying effects on our mind, body, and emotions. Furthermore, being alone can be seen as healthy as people can find being alone as way to disconnect from a stressful life. For example, perhaps you are at a park enjoying the scenery around you. Your mood may be peaceful and joyful; there is a sense of feeling complete despite being in solitude.

In contrast, you can be in relationships and be miserable and lonely due to a lack of connection. Loneliness often includes being alone and feeling as if there is a loss or an inner void needing to be filled. It is a state of mind that causes someone to feel rejected, unloved, excluded, ignored, and invalidated. For example, lonely people may seek companionship but because of sadness, anxiety, depression, or negative thoughts and other factors, he or she may find it difficult to connect with others, creating a cycle of isolation and pain.

How Loneliness Impacts Health And Wellbeing

Loneliness impacts social experiences, emotional states of being, mental health, and physical health. Psychology Today includes states that loneliness is a risk factor for depression, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis, weaker immune systems, poor sleep patterns, and increased stress. This does not include feelings of low self-esteem; being antisocial; poor cardiovascular function; anxiety; poor brain function; increased cigarette smoking; increased alcoholism or drug use; poor memory; suicidal thoughts, acts of suicide or suicidal attempts, and an increased mortality rate. If someone you love has been talking about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Additionally, those feeling lonely lack social support needed to overcome low moods and feel whole. Lastly, with the current state of COVID-19 and isolation due to quarantine, those experiencing loneliness may have worsened episodes of depression, anxiety, or grief and isolation. As a result, he or she can cope in unhealthy methods, like turning to drugs or alcohol for comfort.

How Loneliness And Addiction Are Linked

Because of the increased likelihood of depression and possibly poor self-esteem, someone can decide to cope with these emotions in an unhealthy manner. Loneliness and addiction go hand-in-hand for a large number of people suffering from a substance use disorder. Using harmful substances to cope with challenges like depression, anxiety, and trauma are called co-morbid disorders. In cases of loneliness, someone can easily fall into the lure of drinking to cope. A study conducted by the Journal of Aging and Health cited loneliness as a risk factor for alcohol abuse.

Moreover, the study found alcohol consumption more common in older adults. A reported 65% of “adults aged 45 years or older who have been diagnosed with drug or alcohol abuse report being lonely.” Ironically, those who have begun a drug or alcohol habit may often choose isolation to hide their habit from loved ones or friends, increasingly become lonelier to cope with feelings of being lonely. As a result, one can use alcohol or drugs to find short-term relief. To add, other drugs like cocaine or meth can become a substance of choice to increase low moods, give someone energy, and produce euphoric feelings to combat depression. Once someone has become dependent on harmful drugs like these, professional help is best to relieve the mind and body of cravings and reduce the risk of a fatal or non-fatal overdose.

Loneliness And Alcoholism

Once someone starts drinking to ease loneliness or depression, he or she further increases their sense of loneliness. Additionally, someone drinking can quickly develop a tolerance once he or she drinks a few times. Someone who has 2 to 3 drinks per sitting may soon realize they need a stronger amount of alcohol or more servings per sitting. This can also translate to binge drinking—which is drinking 4 or more drinks in 2 hours for women and 5 or more drinks in 2 hours for men. Although people may drink for a host of reasons, being lonely can put them at increased risk and they should be aware of the link between loneliness and addiction.

Drinking this much  can reduce the feelings of being intoxicated until people seek more alcohol. For example, some binge drinkers can transition into heavy drinking because the amount of alcohol just doesn’t cut it anymore. Moreover, since alcohol alters the chemistry in the brain, long-term alcohol use can be extremely difficult to stop. Going cold turkey may prove to be extremely difficult as alcohol withdrawal symptoms like cravings, nausea, vomiting, and hallucinations can encourage prolonged drinking.

If someone is abusing drugs like Xanax, cocaine, or other highly addictive substances, he or she can equally find it hard to quit or go cold turkey. If you or a loved one has fallen victim to an alcohol use disorder, or drug abuse, know there is help available. Loneliness and addiction can be difficult to overcome, but it is possible. Talk to a treatment provider today.

The post Loneliness And Addiction appeared first on Addiction Center.

Everyone has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic on some level. Frontline workers such as nurses and doctors have witnessed increases in poor mental health and poor sleep patterns. The constant struggle of saving thousands of lives while protecting themselves and their family adds stress to the anxiety of the pandemic. Furthermore, thousands of quarantined people face fear as they practice social distancing and safety procedures to ensure their survival.

Essential workers such as people in law enforcement, nurses, and mail clerks, for example, are able to work, but other employees in other fields may not have such luck. Recently, several career fields have been impacted by the Coronavirus, impacting the level of peace and security throughout the world. The first to get affected have been stylists, hospitality workers, and bartenders.

Hotel Workers And COVID-19 Job Loss

Members in the hospitality industry, such as hotel employees, hostess and hosts of restaurants, bartenders, and servers have directly been impacted by the Coronavirus. One of the first industries to shut down in order to avoid contamination has been the food industry. According to the Oxford Economic Study Data, 7 out of 10 hotels were empty, reducing the hours and demand for hospitality workers nationwide.

An additional $3.5 million in hotel revenue was lost each week due to the lack of demand for rooms. States like Alabama witnessed 82,164 lost hotel jobs this year. California lost 1,104,600 hotel-related jobs, and Illinois lost 292,588 hotel workers. This resulted in 70% of hotel workers being laid off or furloughed, resulting in significantly reduced paychecks. Overall, 2.8 to 3.4 million hotel jobs were lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Servers, Restaurant Workers And COVID-19 Job Loss

Restaurant employees from servers to dishwashers and bartenders are experiencing the frustrations of job loss. Today reported 154,400 New York restaurant employees lost their jobs. Furthermore, restaurant owners have to face debt occurring over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many restaurants have managed to include take out options to stay afloat, while others have shut down.

Job losses have had a deep impact on revenues and the job security of thousands of people, forcing them to spend more time at home, frustrated and possibly anxious or depressed from lack of jobs. Unfortunately, some restaurants may not reopen after the pandemic, causing feelings of hopelessness as their dreams may not become a reality.

Mental Health, COVID-19 Job Loss And Addiction

Thousands of people, especially hospitality workers, are enduring mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and compulsive behavior. Some of this is in response for dying loved ones, and furthermore, as well as job scarcity in some fields. An ABC News article referenced anxiety and depression becoming a normal condition amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statistics confirm there are 7 million Americans battling anxiety which will increase after the COVID-19 pandemic. The loss of jobs and death of loved ones certainty create difficult emotions for many. Often times in the face of challenging mental and emotional conditions, people can choose to cope in unhealthy manners. The article noted how connections between poor mental health and substance abuse disorders such as alcoholism and drug abuse can become more commonplace depending on the mental health of individuals.

Signs of Substance Abuse During Quarantine

Substance abuse can be complicated and difficult to detect depending on the chemical used. Substances like marijuana can be more subtle, and if someone drinks often but in small amounts, he or she may not seem to be struggling with an alcohol addiction. Some signs of people battling mental health challenges include, but are not limited to:

• Increased alcohol use.
• Increased spending on drug paraphernalia (spoons, needles).
• Depression and increased apathy.
• Needing to spend even more time alone.
• Risk taking tendencies in getting drugs (leaving the house often).
• Hopelessness with job loss and life.
• Combining alcohol with other substances.
• Lack of appetite, poor sleeping habits, increased irritability and mood swings.

Despite times being challenging for several people, putting your family’s health first is wise. If you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse, contact a treatment provider. Rehabs are still accepting patients during this time and can provide mental health services like counseling as well as a safe space to get access to medication for recovery.

The post Hospitality Workers, Job Loss, And COVID-19 Related Addiction appeared first on Addiction Center.