We don’t have to tell you that addiction recovery requires on-going work and that every little bit of extra motivation can help. In fact, this is exactly why even the smallest victory – breathing through a stressful moment, for instance – should be celebrated. Whether you’re new to recovery or have been living clean for years, every little recovery win helps to propel you forward and empower you to reach your lifelong goal of lasting sobriety.

Here are a few healthy and sober ways to celebrate your small recovery victories – whether you took a different route to avoid the liquor store or ordered water at the restaurant:

• Keep a daily or monthly journal. This way you can track your progress and record your “wins.” Or, consider writing down your victories on index cards or small pieces of paper and storing them in a Mason jar or shoebox. This way you can revisit them for extra motivation.
• Gather friends for a fancy dinner. Call the restaurant ahead of time to request the removal of the drink list or to ask the waist staff not to offer any alcoholic drinks to your party. 
• Celebrate with Mother Nature. Spending time in nature is a great way to honor your recovery and the toxic parts of your life that you have eliminated. Take a long hike or arrange a pick-up game of flag football or Frisbee in the park with friends.
• Share your story. Whether you begin a blog or simply update your Facebook status with a recent milestone, sharing your story can help you acknowledge your successes and help others in the recovery community come forward, too.

Celebrating the New You
At Christian Rehab Network, we can help you learn valuable life skills to build a fulfilling life of sobriety and reduce your risk of relapse. If you are searching for help strengthening your relationship with Christ while overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol, call today: 877-310-9545.

Giving back is a perfect way to kickoff the holiday season and it’s great for your recovery, too.  For one, it simply feels good to give. Beyond that, acts of altruism have been linked with lower levels of depression, greater positivity, increased confidence and self-worth and better overall life satisfaction.

Depending on how you choose to be charitable, it may also help you to meet new like-minded people and gain new skills and a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it feeds the soul and spirit.

Ready to get back as much (if not more) than you give? In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, here are few ways to give back during recovery:

• Become an advocate for recovery. You can become an advocate of alcohol and/or drug addiction recovery by simply sharing your story. This is a great service to help reduce the stigma of addiction and its treatment, to encourage someone who is struggling and to strengthen your own sobriety. When you do meaningful work, you have more to lose and less reason to relapse.
• Volunteer in the local community. Many addiction specialists consider volunteering a cornerstone of recovery. Find out if your local church has any volunteer initiatives, like soup kitchens or clothes drive, that need an extra hand this season.
• Work with pets. If you’re not yet secure around others, volunteering with animals can be a good fit. Working with pets is both a learning experience and a healing experience for people in recovery. Check with your local animal shelter about any volunteer opportunities.

Continual Growth at Christian Rehab
At Christian Rehab Network, we can help you explore your own recovery journey while learning to heal relationships and build a sober social network. If you are searching for help strengthening your relationship with Christ while overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol, call today: 877-310-9545.

Dwelling on the past can be detrimental to your recovery. This is because it can prevent you from moving forward and giving yourself the self-love and self-encouragement you need to endure the hard work of rehab. While it's okay to learn from the past, you must also learn how to leave it behind and move toward a better, brighter, healthier future. These steps can help:

• Make amends. Now isn’t the time to dwell on what you did to others but how to work toward repairing these relationships or making amends.
• Seek support. If you find yourself having a hard time leaving the past in the past, talk with your pastor or addiction counselor or recovery peers.
• Build goals. Having both short- and long-term goals will help point you in the right direction, so you’re moving toward the future and you’re not stuck in the past.
• Practice gratitude. Having an attitude of gratitude also means feeling thankful about you -- about how far you’ve come, where you are now, and how you are bettering your life.  Being grateful can give you the fuel you need to move past the past.
• Forgive yourself. Letting go of the past often starts with forgiving yourself – for past actions and behaviors. Do your best to encourage and forgive yourself. For example, tell yourself things like, “I’m taking steps to get better,” or “I made mistakes but I'm making amends.” And remember, recovery is your chance to start fresh and become the person you’ve always wanted to become.

Moving Forward Toward Sobriety
At Christian Rehab Network, we can help you learn valuable life skills to build a fulfilling life of sobriety and reduce your risk of relapse. If you are searching for help strengthening your relationship with Christ while overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol, call today: 877-310-9545.

Self-esteem plays a big part in your loved one’s recovery. After all, high self-esteem will help your loved one to:

• Act independently and responsibly
• Take pride in his/her accomplishments
• Attempt new tasks and challenges
• Better handle positive and negative emotions
• And more...

Conversely, low self-esteem can prevent your loved one from working toward personal recovery goals and can even lead to relapse, if your loved one feels so badly about himself that he gives up and starts drinking or drugging again.

You can play a positive part in helping your loved one build or rebuild his or her self-esteem. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind:

• Exercise with your loved one. Whether you go for a morning walk together or sign up for a yoga class, this will help encourage self-care, which is key to self-esteem.
• Help your loved one find a hobby. Whether writing a poem, playing a musical instrument, or going for a hike, identifying an enjoyable hobby/activity is the perfect way to help your loved one feel more confident and happy.
• Laugh with your loved one and encourage him to laugh at himself. People who take themselves very seriously are undoubtedly decreasing their enjoyment in life. A good sense of humor and the ability to make light of life are important ingredients for handling the ups and downs of sobriety.
• Remind him that mistakes are okay. Especially when you go outside your comfort zone, you’re bound to stumble along the way.

Healing Families at Christian Rehab
If you or someone you care about is caught in the bondage of drugs or alcoholism, Christian Rehab Network can help. We help families to find faith-based drug rehab programs based in Biblical truth. To learn more, call today: 877-310-9545.

Experiencing a relapse – or even multiple relapses – during recovery is pretty common, but it’s not inevitable. In fact, long before the first drink or drug use occurs, there are typically warning signs.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), when people who have had a stable recovery and have done well begin to relapse they may experience the following:

• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Forgetfulness
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Lack of motivation
• Feeling slowed down or speeded up
• Being uncaring
• Avoiding others or isolating
• Being obsessed with something that doesn’t really matter
• Displaying of irrational thought patterns
• Feeling unconnected to your body
• Increased irritability
• Increased negativity
• Not keeping appointments
• Changes in appetite
• Restlessness

It goes without saying, then, that a smart relapse prevention plan should include your individual warning signs as well as your personal triggers. Many addiction experts recommend keeping a running list – and refining it as you progress in your recovery. If this isn’t your first slip, you may even want to go a step further and ask your family, friends, pastor and/or counselor what signs they’ve noticed in you prior to your relapse.

In addition, the SAMHSA recommends taking action with one of these tips to prevent a relapse:

• Reach out to a counselor, pastor or sober friends or family members.
• Remove yourself from the situation and take a walk around the block a few times.
• Distract yourself with a healthy snack or a book or movie.
• Ask your friends and family to stop you if you begin talking about the fun you had while drinking or using.
• Make a list of the good things about your new life: better relationships, more success at work or school, healthier appearance, more hobbies, etc.
• If you have already relapsed at least once, think of how it happened. What can you do differently this time? “Just be strong and say no” is not enough to handle the situations you will face, notes SAMHSA.

Aftercare for Lifetime Sobriety
Built on the same spiritual foundations as the inpatient facilities and detox services we offer, the use of outpatient drug and alcohol, mental health or other services can be used to help you develop relapse prevention strategies and build on the recovery you gained during rehab. To learn more, call today: 877-310-9545.

Of course, having confidence and being mentally strong will undoubtedly help you maintain your sobriety. But that doesn’t mean that it will always be easy to find or tap into your inner strength.

These tips may help you find the courage and strength you need.

• Be patient and kind to yourself. Unfortunately, negative thinking can become yet another bad habit to break for many in recovery. With time, you can learn to turn negative chatter into positive thinking. Your first step: Remind yourself that recovery takes time and that there will be a lot of ups and downs and curves along the way.
• Practice positive thinking. Believe it or not, you do have control over how you choose to view situations. For example, if you wake up feeling defeated or guilty about not meeting a recovery goal, you can make a conscious choice to accept those feeling and then move forward with your recovery plans for the day.
• Avoid comparing yourself to others. Everyone’s journey toward recovery is different (and should be), so comparing your progress with the progress of your peer is counterproductive. Instead, focus on your own experiences, how far you’ve come and how much hope and good is ahead for you.
• Lean on your support system. If you find yourself feeling like you can’t do this or that you are a failure, you need to talk with your pastor or addiction counselor. These feeling are perfectly normal but can be a slippery slope into relapse if not addressed properly.

Finding Strength in Christ
You’ll find that strength comes easily and your willpower is seemingly fortified by the presence of the Lord in your recovery process, and we are here to ensure you find a facility that leads you down his path and into sobriety for the rest of your life. To learn more about our addiction services, call today: 877-310-9545.

More and more studies have linked good friends to good health, including a lower risk of anxiety and depression and, of course, loneliness. Friendships can be a powerful part of your long-term recovery plan. After all, the right people can help you through the ups and downs and curves as you embark on the road toward lasting sobriety.  

That said: Making friends isn’t always easy — and it can be even harder when you’re just getting comfortable with socializing sober. These steps can help ease the process:

• Start with a smile. A simple smile is a great ice breaker. After all, wouldn't you rather speak to someone who has a smile on their face rather than a frown. Take a deep breath and flash a winning smile.
• Put your fears aside: Whether you’re worried about saying something wrong or that the other person won’t like you, try to push those negative thoughts away. Instead, focus on your assets and the qualities that can make you a good friend.
• Take time to give back. Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded folks who may very well become friends. It will also help make you more confident in yourself as you put yourself out there socially.
• Try a new hobby or social sport. Sign up for a yoga class, adult soccer league or local running group. This will help keep you busy, provide a great outlet for stress release and allow you to get to know others with similar interests.
• Put together a social event: Playing host by setting up a sober activity or get-together will help you feel more at ease so you can get to know people better and they can get to know you. Some ideas: a book club, a Bible study, a painting party, game night.
• Take it slow: Developing friendships can take time, so try to be patient. If you choose your friends carefully, you’ll have a lifelong support system.
• Remember that practice makes perfect: The more you make an effort to meet others and socialize, the easier it will become. And by socializing with others, both those in recovery and those who are not but understand your situation, you’ll continue to improve upon your social interactions without the crutch of drugs or alcohol.

Continual Growth at Christian Rehab
At Christian Rehab Network, we can help you explore your own recovery journey while learning to heal relationships and build a sober social network. If you are searching for help strengthening your relationship with Christ while overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol, call today: 877-310-9545.

You’ve likely heard that addiction is a family disease. And, along the same lines, recovery is a long, hard road for both you and your loved one with a substance use disorder. In honor of Mental Illness Awareness Week, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) created some articles for caregivers to help support and encourage family members and friends struggling with mental illness. Here, we take some of their best tips and talk about how they can help you on your loved one’s journey toward sobriety:

• Maintain your own mental health. This means eating right, sleeping, exercising and managing stress. The more effort you put into your own health, the more energy and encouragement you’ll be able to devote to your loved one.
• Learn about your loved one’s addiction. The more you know about addiction and its treatments, the more you’ll be able to be supportive and understanding as your loved one undergoes rehab. Along the same lines, don't be afraid to ask your loved one’s addiction counselor or therapist questions or for recommendations on where to go to learn more.
• Listen carefully. Simply listening is perhaps the best way to show your support. Your loved one is going through a tough time and may say some hurtful things. Do your best to recognize the emotions behind the words (anxiety, confusion, fear) rather than focusing on the words themselves, notes the NAMI.
• Resume "normal" activities and routines. While caring for your loved one is a big part of your life, it’s not everything. Do your best to return to your regular routine and don’t forget to make time for fun activities like watching a movie or going to the park.
• Find support. Outside support and encouragement is critical for everyone in the family, not only the person struggling with addiction. And face it: Stress is easier to handle when you regularly talk to people who understand your experience, notes the NAMI.

Healing Families at Christian Rehab
If you or someone you care about is caught in the bondage of drugs or alcoholism, Christian Rehab Network can help. We help families to find faith-based drug rehab programs based in Biblical truth. To learn more, call today: 877-310-9545.

Nature can play a pretty powerful role in your recovery – boosting your physical and mental health. For one, nature is a natural stress killer. Just think about how relaxed (in mind, body and spirit) you felt last time you spent an afternoon in the sunshine. Spending time in nature has been linked to lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure, better cholesterol and heightened immunity.

Plus, here are a few more benefits that can help your recovery:

You’ll have…

• Less anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. This is especially true if you add exercise to the mix. Bonus: The color green (think trees, grass, plants) may even help make exercise easier, according to research.
• Improved sleep. Crack those windows and let the fresh air help you fall (and stay) asleep.
• Reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Smell the flowers; the scent of many flowers has been study-proven to kick the body into relaxation mode.
• More positivity. A stroll through nature can help tame negative, obsessive thoughts, according to scientists.
• Improved social life. Why not ask a recovery peer to accompany you to the park or on a hike.

The Bible says that nature speaks to us of God’s character and His attributes. Spending time in nature gives us a chance to slow down and notice what it’s communicating.

Here are a few ways to enjoy the fall and head outside:

• Go for a stroll and admire the fall foliage.
• Take a long hike.
• Head to your local farmer’s market.
• Plan a picnic in the park.
• Sit under a tree and get lost in a book.
• Start your morning with outdoor motivation.
• Walk or jog outside each morning.

Your Spiritual Guidance
Many rehab services address the physical, mental, and emotional facets of your care, but we believe that spiritual guidance is just as critical. Integrating Bible-based truths into each of our behavioral health and addiction recovery programs, we will work with you to customize your behavioral health or dual-diagnosis plan. To learn more, call today: 877-310-9545.

Despite the many life-changing benefits of addiction treatment, many people view it negatively. For instance, you might see it as an embarrassing or unmentionable part of life.

This type of thinking can get in the way of your recovery, however. Remember, committing to rehab is a positive and healthy decision so you can achieve sobriety and regain control of your life.

Here are a few more reminders why you should never feel embarrassed about seeking help:

• You’re not alone. Millions of people are struggling with some form of drug or alcohol addiction. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence notes that one in every 12 adult Americans abuse alcohol or have a severe dependence. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 23.5 million Americans ages 12 and older need treatment for a substance use disorder – and yet only 11.2 percent receive proper treatment at a specialty facility.
• Addiction affects everyone. Addiction does not discriminate and can impact men and women, young and old, rich and poor, all races, all religions and all walks of life. While drug use is highest among 18 to 20 year olds, drug use is increasing among people in their 50s and 60s, according to a SAMHSA survey.
• Addiction is a chronic disease. Becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol is not a sign of weakness, nor is it a symptom of questionable morals. Prolonged use of addictive substances can change the structure of the brain, making it difficult to control impulses or focus on anything other than using drugs.
• Your genes are to blame. Genetics play a major role along with such environmental factors as family life, upbringing and peer influences. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, genetics accounts for 40% to 60% of your predisposition to addiction.
• Seeking help means you’re strong and smart. Overcoming a drug or alcohol addiction alone is nearly impossible. You should feel proud (not embarrassed) for taking a brave step to take back control of your health and get the help you need to heal safely.

Benefits of Seeking Addiction Treatment
You should never feel embarrassed about making the decision to seek help for your own addiction. It’s likely the biggest and most important choice of your life. Let us lead the way. To learn more about our Christian rehab, call today: 877-310-9545.