Both are essential and together, they pave the way for lasting change and a brighter, substance-free future. But I don’t want to have so much fear that I never make a move to change and improve my life. I don’t want to be too scared to get off my buns and build the life I want. I started to shift my thinking to be more positive and grounded in gratitude (for all the things I take for granted everyday 🤦‍♀️) instead of being negative and always mad about what I didn’t have. I started to be considerate of other people instead of only looking out for what I wanted from everyone. I wasn’t honest, I wasn’t always a good friend, I was selfish, and I did some crappy hurtful things in my drinking life.

Why Combining Alcohol and Flexeril is Dangerous

Some individuals may choose to focus on sobriety first, while others may prioritize a more holistic approach to healing. It’s important to find the path that works best for you and to seek support and resources along the way. Maintaining sobriety can be challenging, but achieving full recovery can be even more difficult.

The Power of Goal-Setting in Addiction Recovery

He or she will struggle with this feeling all the time until relapse. A person in recovery is continually making an effort to work through the issues that caused the alcohol abuse to occur in the first place. A “dry drunk” is someone who is sober but is struggling with the emotional and psychological issues that led them to have a problem with alcohol in the first place. Surrounded by a supportive community and structured routines, we combine holistic approaches with evidence-based therapies to help you free yourself from temptation.

They can also create additional stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and general discomfort. For me, I had to get sober before I could recover and I think this is true for most people. White knuckling your sobriety means you are trying to manage your addiction without help. You are using your will power or trying to fix yourself with your mind.

Addictions Counselor

• The terminology isn’t sacred for many, but some do insist it’s important, not just for the healing process, but for people seeking help and opening up in front of their peers.
• For example, the same determination that once fueled addiction can become a force for positive change when directed toward healthy goals.
• Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all being the best father to his three young boys.
• Surrounded by a supportive community and structured routines, we combine holistic approaches with evidence-based therapies to help you free yourself from temptation.
• I have experience working with all age groups and backgrounds and have worked in hospitals, inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs providing clinical social work services.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Kevin’s expertise and experience as a Primary Therapist, paired with his natural talents and abilities as a speaker and an artist, have uniquely equipped him to reach our population and render top-notch care. Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey.

How Your Life Changes: Sobriety vs. Recovery

While often used interchangeably, spirituality and religion are distinct concepts, especially in recovery settings. Spirituality primarily refers to an individual’s personal quest for meaning, inner peace, or connection https://www.linautilus.com/lincoln_nautilus_fuel_and_refueling_precautions-1046.html with something greater—be it the universe, nature, or inner self. It is flexible, adaptable, and deeply personalized, often involving practices like gratitude, self-reflection, and connection to inner values. Explore the sober curious lifestyle, its impact on health and social norms, and steps to embrace it. Discover what is Zohydro addiction, its risks, effects, and treatment options to support recovery.

• This can include attending support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, where individuals can connect with others who are also in recovery.
• The first step in recovery is returning to a state of physical and mental health.
• They also have not developed healthy coping mechanisms to replace the urge to use.
• This is why treatment programs, support groups, therapy, and aftercare plans emphasize the importance of ongoing recovery efforts, not just stopping use.
• An alcoholic who is in “recovery” is essentially in remission from alcoholism.

His theories have changed the field, stimulated additional research, and led to new understanding and treatments for opioid use disorders, cocaine use disorders, overeating, smoking, and depression. Michelle Lhooq coined the term “California sober” (Cali sober) in her article on abstaining from the most addicting and dangerous substances (for her), but not all substances. Lhooq’s goal was to avoid alcohol and cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine — not marijuana and psychedelics. Also be aware of old habits surfacing, including visiting friends who also deal with substance abuse issues, or unexplained deviations from responsible behavior. When you start to see signs, open communication can help your partner seek the help that they need. “Triggers are common for stress, certain social situations, being alone, or certain individuals/places.

She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors. With the right support and unwavering commitment, you can create a life that transcends the limitations of addiction, opening doors to new opportunities and deeper connections. In some ways, it’s not nearly as hard as it seems, at the same time, it’s all delayed gratification.

How to identify unhealthy coping mechanisms

While sobriety is an important milestone in addiction recovery, there are many benefits to achieving full recovery beyond just abstaining from substance use. These can include improved relationships, better mental and physical health, and a sense of purpose and fulfillment. InAlcoholics Anonymous, members use the phrase “dry drunk” to refer to someone who has simply stopped drinking. This means that the person may continue exhibiting destructive behaviors, such as being dishonest, blaming and failing to keep commitments.

How to Create a Healthy Work-Life Balance During Sobriety

Those seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction often wonder http://www.spomeniteni.org/international-covenant-on-civil-and-political-rights.html what the difference is when it comes to sobriety vs recovery. These terms are commonly used in the field of drug and alcohol treatment, and understanding the similarities and differences can make a difference in the outcome of the treatment process. The conversation surrounding sobriety vs. recovery is a healthy one! It can become heated or even unhelpful when people begin to speak in absolutes or pass judgment on you, but thinking about the foundational concepts of life after addiction is important.

We’re here for you at Extra Mile Recovery, whether you’ve relapsed or seek additional support. So, you’ll feel surrounded with the support you need to continue in recovery and live a sober life. Experiencing a relapse isn’t the end of your recovery journey—it’s a detour. Each step you take following a relapse is a step toward regaining your strength and advancing further than before. Each experience, including setbacks, is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and refine your approach to wellness.