For decades, individuals suffering from addiction have traveled the same route toward recovery with some measure of success. That route entailed combining a recovery program, such as AA, with therapy.

The problem with this traditional route is that therapists and program leaders had only marginal potential for influencing patients outside the office or treatment center. Once outside these walls, patients are free to walk away from any plan or situation they feel restrictive and uncomfortable.

For this reason, it has increasingly become the norm to include family and friends into the treatment plan. This invaluable network of loved ones can work together and spur the patient into action. Brought to act in concert, loved ones can serve as a sort of therapeutic device.

Here are some ways that a supportive network of loved ones can help in the treatment of addiction.

Social Cohesiveness

Social cohesiveness is the glue that keeps a group of people together. Whether that group is a society, a sports team or a business organization, the psychological and emotional well-being of all members of that group is directly proportional to the feelings of cohesiveness shared by all.

When the relationship between cohesiveness and emotional being is harnessed within a social network of loved ones and the patient forms a bond and closeness with this network, the group can encourage the patient to meet their expectations through abstinence.

An Inability Toward Denial

Addicts are known for self-destructive behavior. The only way they can live day-to-day in such a destructive manner is to develop patterns of denial. For instance, their job is on the line NOT because of their addiction, but because their boss has always had it out for them.

Obviously, these denial patterns are in direct contrast to the realistic, common sense views held by members of the support network. In order to feel accepted into this group, the addict must resolve this conflict and adopt the viewpoint of loved ones. Of course, this doesn’t happen easily or overnight. Usually an addict will become defensive and even withdrawn. But through the continued support of loved ones, over time the addict can change their own perceptions.

Coercion

Coercion typically carries a negative connotation, but in this instance, coercion can help an addict change their behavior. Any group or society has the power to “force” reluctant members to comply with its norms of behavior. This is done through social pressures.

Within a group of loved ones, actions such as the withdrawal of affection, the expression of group disapproval or the disruption of social interactions desirable to the addict can be very coercive. Interestingly enough, the steps do not even have to be taken. Just the threat of them is often more than enough to encourage the addict’s compliance.

When acted in concert and guided by a trained mental health professional, loved ones can play a crucial role in the recovery of an addict.

If you are a loved of an addict and are interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help your family.

Completing drug rehab is the first step in beginning a recovery program. Many addicts, while recognizing the toll addiction has taken on their relationships, don’t realize the additional affects it has had on their physical health and wellbeing.

Addiction often leads to malnourishment, which forces the body to work in less than optimal conditions. A poor diet is tough on the digestive system, which is often already experiencing diarrhea, indigestion, and constipation from the drug abuse. Should an addict try and eat well, the drugs and alcohol prevent the body from absorbing vital minerals and nutrients found in healthy foods.

Addiction can also damage your immune system, disrupting the body’s natural ability to keep itself healthy. A compromised immune system leads to not only colds and the flu, but also the risk of developing certain cancers.

And finally, addiction can take a big toll on the liver. The liver is the organ responsible for filtering toxins out of the blood, and individuals who abuse alcohol and drugs make their liver work overtime. This eventually causes the liver to swell and stop working properly.

Nutrition Tips to Help in Recovery

While it may not be possible to reverse all of the damage caused by addiction, good nutrition can go a long way toward becoming healthier and stronger. If you have access to a dietician or nutritionist, he or she can customize a plan to help your body recover and heal.

If you don’t have access to a dietician or nutritionist, the following tips can help you boost and support your immune system and brain chemistry so you can become a healthier, happier version of yourself.

Avoid Sugar

When it comes to foods that alter your mood and make it difficult to make healthy choices, sugar can be one of the worst. Do your best to stay away from refined carbohydrates such as cookies, cakes and white bread.

Load Up on Produce

Your body needs antioxidants to boost your immune system and keep you healthy. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will support your immune system and your journey toward recovery.

Be a Smart Snacker

Snacking throughout the day will help stabilize your sugar levels and keep your mood stable as well, minimalizing cravings. Just be sure to snack healthily, eating fruits, nuts and other quality proteins and whole foods.

If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and is interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.

For many people, drinking alcohol is something that is done on occasion and in moderation. Having a glass or two of champagne on New Year’s Eve or a cocktail out with friends is nothing to be concerned about.

For others, however, alcohol is not something one marks a special occasion with; it is the main event.

There are a variety of factors that can influence a person’s behavior when it comes to drinking such as genetics, biology and the environment. While the reasons one becomes addicted to alcohol can vary, what is consistent is a desire to keep drinking, despite being shown the devastation it is causing to their life.

Here are some of the most common excuses people make to keep drinking:

I’ll Lose My Friends if I Quit Drinking

Many a social life is based on partying and having a good time, and that typically includes drinking alcohol. This is especially true for younger people, who feel pressured to drink when they are around their friends. “No one will invite me to their parties if I refuse to drink.” “Everyone will think I’m weird or uptight if I’m the only one not drinking.”

While friends and associates may take notice, it’s important to realize that real friends will want to spend time with you no matter what. Those that don’t may have a drinking problem themselves and are uncomfortable around your healthy change in behavior.

Wine is Good for Me

While numerous studies have suggested consuming alcohol, red wine in particular, can benefit the heart and improve cholesterol levels, all speak of consuming in moderate amounts. In fact, a majority of US health agencies recommend no more than two drinks a day for men, and only one for women.

So, while some studies suggest drinking in moderation is good for health, the amount is really key. If you find you are drinking more than one or two glasses each day, you are no longer promoting health.

Drinking Relieves Stress

It’s no secret that stress can wreak havoc on our health. And no one can really blame a person if they want to somehow “take the edge off.” But alcohol consumption is not the healthiest ways to deal with stress. For those with unhealthy drinking behaviors, the one or two glasses needed to take that edge off turns into three, four and more. Stress and alcohol feed off of each other.

There are much healthier ways to alleviate stress such as meditation and yoga.

Quitting drinking is incredibly difficult, but, with the right support, it can be done. If you or a loved one has a drinking problem and is interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.