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Showing posts from June, 2024

Preventing Implosion

  Preventing Implosion: A Recovering Counselor's Guide to Not Completely Losing Your Mind As someone who has danced with the devil of burnout and stumbled through the minefield of recovery, I can confidently say that finding balance is not optional, it's a matter of survival. And when you're a counselor navigating the chaos of a new job, parenting a tiny human with autism, and attempting to be a student, well, things can get real interesting, real fast. I've been there - the dropped classes, the shameful C's on the transcript, the work projects that sat gathering dust, the dirty dishes that seemed to multiply in the sink. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion, thinking "this is gonna be bad". But from the ashes of that hot mess, I learned a few things the hard way. Self-compassion is your BFF: When things start to go sideways, it's easy to break out the ol' trusty whip and start beating yourself with "shoulds". But let's ...

Conquering Addiction in the Badger State

Conquering Addiction in the Badger State: A Comprehensive Guide to Wisconsin's Recovery Resources Wisconsin, known for its picturesque landscapes and warm Midwestern hospitality, is also home to a robust network of addiction resources. From traditional treatment centers to innovative harm reduction initiatives, the state offers a wealth of options for those battling substance use disorders. This guide will navigate you through the diverse recovery landscape, highlighting key services, success stories, and the challenges that remain. Treatment Options: A Spectrum of Care Wisconsin's treatment offerings span the continuum of care, from outpatient counseling to inpatient rehabilitation. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, which combine therapy with FDA-approved medications, are increasingly available. Specialty programs, such as those focused on veterans, youth, or co-occurring mental health disorders, ensure care is tailored to individual needs. Sober Living: A Supporti...

Where to Find Your Tribe

  Recovery: Where to Find Your Tribe (and Why It's a Real Pain to Talk About Sometimes) Let's get real – recovery is awesome, but it can also be super isolating. There's a reason they say "your using friends won't understand your recovery goals." Those buddies from back in the day might not get why you're suddenly obsessed with kale smoothies and 6am spin class. (Side note: I'm obsessed with neither of those things. I just like a good stereotype.) But seriously, finding your people in recovery is like finding the holy grail. It's like finally understanding a language everyone else has been speaking for years. And lucky for us, there's about a million ways to connect with fellow travelers on this wild sobriety journey. The OG: Meetings AA, NA, CA, DA... the alphabet soup of 12-step programs is still going strong. And for good reason! There's magic in a room full of people who just get it . The camaraderie, the shared war stories, the free (u...

The Crazy Walk of Early Recovery

  The Crazy Walk of Early Recovery: Finding Balance Without Losing Your Mind Early recovery is a whirlwind. It's like being dropped into the middle of a tornado and expected to build a sturdy house. There's the physical detox, the emotional rollercoaster, and the daunting task of rebuilding a life. It's no wonder that stress and overwhelm are constant companions for many of us in the early days. And yet, boredom is a threat too. We've all heard the saying, "Idle hands are the devil's playground." Too much downtime can lead to rumination, anxiety, and a greater risk of relapse. So how do we strike a balance? How do we keep ourselves occupied without taking on so much that we end up face-planting into a heap of stress and resentment? Enter the power of routine. The Pros of Routine Routine gets a bad rap. It sounds boring, restrictive, the enemy of spontaneity and fun. But in early recovery, a well-crafted routine can be a lifesaver. Research shows that havin...

Summer Lovin', Had Me a Blast...Or Did I?

  Summer Lovin', Had Me a Blast...Or Did I? Navigating Recovery in the Warmest Season Ah, summer. The season of sun, fun, and a whole lot of temptations for those in recovery. While the warmer months can bring a carefree vibe that's awesome for sobriety, they also come with their own set of challenges. Let's dive in and explore the highs and lows of summer recovery, all while keeping things light and funny because, let's face it, laughter is the best medicine (after sobriety, of course)! Pros: Vitamin D is my love language. Natural sunlight boosts those feel-good endorphins, which can help combat seasonal depression and anxiety that might trigger cravings. Just don't forget that SPF - lobster mode isn't cute on anyone. Outdoor activities for days. Hiking, swimming, outdoor yoga...there are a ton of healthy ways to get those endorphins pumping without turning to substances. You might just find your inner zen master or realize you're really bad at stand-up p...

From Shame to Hope

From Shame to Hope: Breaking Down the Barriers of Addiction Stigma Addiction is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Yet, despite its prevalence, addiction is often shrouded in stigma and misconception. This stigma – both from society at large and from within the minds of those struggling with addiction – can be a major barrier to seeking help and finding recovery. The Weight of Stigma People with addiction often fear being judged, labeled, and ostracized. They may hesitate to seek treatment due to concerns about how others will perceive them. The media often perpetuates negative stereotypes, portraying individuals with addiction as morally flawed or dangerous. Even the language we use to describe addiction can contribute to stigma, with terms like "junkie" or "addict" dehumanizing those struggling with the disease. This stigma can lead to a dangerous cycle of self-blame and shame. Individuals with addiction may feel like they are to blame fo...

Lets talk Feelings..YAY

Feeling Again: The Wild Ride of Emotions in Early Recovery So, you've made it through rehab, and the fog of active addiction is starting to lift. Congratulations, you've taken a huge step. But now, you're faced with a whole new kind of overwhelming - your feelings. All of them. At once. It's like someone flipped a switch and suddenly you're drowning in a sea of emotion. This is the rollercoaster of early recovery. Why the Emotional Tsunami? In active addiction, drugs and alcohol were your go-to coping mechanism. You used them to numb out uncomfortable feelings, to celebrate, to deal with stress...basically, to avoid really feeling anything. Now that you're sober, all that's left is...feeling. It's like the volume on your emotions got cranked up to 11. Dealing with difficult emotions is one of the biggest recovery challenges because drug and alcohol use often begins as a way of coping with... Enter Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence (EQ) is lik...

Anthem for the Addiction Generation

NF's Anthem for the Addiction Generation: How Could You Leave Us NF's "How Could You Leave Us": A Heart-Wrenching Ode to Loss and the Grip of Addiction Music has a way of tapping into our rawest emotions, of giving voice to the pain we can't quite articulate. For many, NF's song "How Could You Leave Us" has become an anthem, a cathartic expression of grief, anger, and the bewildering sense of abandonment that follows loss – often, loss at the hands of addiction. A Son's Plea The song opens with NF's signature rapid-fire flow, but there's a desperation here that cuts deeper than usual. He's not just rapping – he's pleading, his words a frenzied mix of confusion and raw pain. "How could you leave us?...How could you leave us to mourn?" He repeats it like a mantra, a stunned question directed at the parent who left him behind, consumed by the very addiction that ultimately took their life. The Agony of Abandonment NF's ...

Asking for help... What's that?

The 1000 Pound Phone: Why Asking for Help in Recovery Feels Like Lifting Weights I'll never forget the first time I realized I needed help. I was sitting on my couch, staring blankly at my phone as if it were an ancient artifact I couldn't decipher. I had the overwhelming urge to call someone, anyone, and just...talk. But my fingers felt heavy, like they were stuck to my leg with superglue. The phone, that inanimate object, had somehow transformed into a 1000 pound weight I couldn't budge. This, my friends, is the paradox of asking for help in recovery. We know we need it, we desperately crave connection and support, yet our brains (and sometimes our hands) seem to conspire against us. Why does something so vital feel so impossible? Pride, Shame, and the Company They Keep Recovery has a way of stripping us bare, exposing all our deepest fears and insecurities. It's like standing in the town square, naked and pointing at our flaws for everyone to see. Pride, that protect...

Best for me- Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll.

Echoes of Hope in the Melody of Struggle: Breaking Down 'Best for Me' by Joyner Lucas and Jelly Roll In the realm of music, there are songs that entertain, songs that distract, and then there are songs that reach deep into the tapestry of human experience and resonate with the raw, unvarnished truth of life. "Best for Me" by Joyner Lucas and Jelly Roll is a powerful testament to this latter kind, a song that speaks to the heart of addiction, struggle, and the glimmer of hope that persists even in the darkest of times. The track opens with a haunting melody, setting a tone that is both introspective and laden with a sense of impending catharsis. Joyner Lucas, known for his sharp lyricism and ability to weave complex narratives, does not disappoint. His words are more than just rhymes; they are confessions, revelations, and a search for redemption. *"I've been losing my mind trying to figure it out, But I'm stuck in a drought, I guess I'll start again. ...

Thinking your way sober?

SMART Recovery: The Brainy Approach to Beating Addiction Welcome to the world of SMART Recovery, where your journey to sobriety is led by the head, not just the heart. If you're looking for a recovery program that's less "Higher Power" and more "power of your own thinking," then you've clicked on the right post. Let’s dive into the world of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), a program that's as practical as a Swiss Army knife and as modern as your smartphone's latest update. The SMART Formula: Science + Support = Sobriety SMART Recovery is like the cool, rational cousin of the recovery program family. It's based on scientific research and focuses on cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational strategies. Think of it as a mental gym where you work out your brain to overcome addiction. It's for anyone who wants to bid farewell to any type of addictive behavior, not just alcohol or drugs, but also gambling, eating disorders, an...