Deciding that you are going to choose recovery is one of the hardest steps. What comes next isn’t all that easy, however. Some people decide to gradually taper off of their substance, while others decide to quit cold turkey. By quitting cold turkey, we mean that the individual stops all substance use at once. For some people, one method may be better than the other. In truth, there is no
Pinnacle Recovery has written previously about how addiction is not a choice — it’s a disease. Diseases have a genetic component to them. You may be asking, “Does addiction have a genetic component?” We have the answer for you. According to the National Institute of Health, “The phenomena characterize addiction: craving (preoccupation/anticipation), binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect.” They then go on to say that “Addictive drugs induce adaptive changes in gene
From when you were very young, your parents probably warned you about being careful who you spend your time with. “Choose your friends wisely,” they would say. Although what they were saying was probably annoying at the time, they were just trying to help. As you grew up, your friend group may have changed; for some people, your friend group may still be the same. What can be difficult, no
There are times during your recovery where you’ll feel like you’re in a plateau. You aren’t getting worse, but you don’t really feel like you’re moving forward either. It can be a tough place to be. You may feel a lack of motivation during this time. How can you help yourself to keep moving forward? Pinnacle Recovery has got those answers for you! Set a goal for the day You
There are all kinds of treatment and services that you can be a part of on your journey to sobriety and recovery. Support groups are a haven for many people struggling with an addiction. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are based on 12 steps. The 12 steps help people with addictions tackle them via these steps. Listed below are the 12 steps of Alcoholics
Recovery is tricky. Things can be going smoothly and then all of a sudden you’re slammed with stressors you weren’t expecting. You were probably feeling pretty comfortable before that, too. Life was going relatively well — you got comfortable. It always hits when you least expect it. Many people often fear the unknown. Uncomfortable situations are unavoidable, however; thus, it’s necessary to learn to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. Start
Risk taking among teenagers is relatively high. According to Center On Addiction: “The use of addictive substances during adolescence interferes with the brain development, reduces academic performance, and increases the risk of accidents, homicides, suicides, and serious health conditions, including addiction.” Teenagers brains are still developing, which is why it is even more dangerous for them to be using and abusing substances. There is a direct correlation between substance use
It can be hard to let go of things that are out of your control. For some people, control can be a defense mechanism that you use. Although this defense mechanism may seem like it is working for you, you are often left unhappy because it seems like there is more you cannot control than you can control. There is no sense in getting bent out of shape because of
Finding a therapist that you connect with is essential when you are in recovery. It can be hard to find someone trustworthy. The process of finding a therapist may be awkward, but it is necessary to find someone you genuinely connect with. There are also other things to look for in a therapist. Remember that a therapist isn’t supposed to be your friend. Instead of looking for someone who is
Like many things, alcohol is okay in moderation. For people with addictions, however, they may have trouble deciding where moderation is and sticking to it. For some people, avoiding alcohol as a whole is necessary. It’s important to set limits and define what “moderation” is. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines moderate drinking as: “Up to one (1) drink per day for women and up to
