Tips for Choosing a Sponsor

a photo of a beautiful lady thinking about choosing a sponsor for her loved-one's long term sobriety

Finding the right sponsor is critical for your continuing sobriety and, for many, it’s one of the most important relationships ever made in recovery. This is why it pays to carve out some time to figure out the best possible choice for you and your long-term sobriety. Of course, you’ll want to choose someone whose recovery you respect and admire and who you can relate to and trust.

It also goes without saying that your sponsor should have at least one year of sobriety under his or her belt. You also want to choose someone of the same gender and/or someone you wouldn’t potentially be attracted to. The reasoning behind this well-known guideline: You don’t want to risk romantic involvement and/or relapse. Most experts advise against dating for at least the first year of recovery.

Beyond these sponsor “rules,” there are some solid considerations that should be top of mind when choosing a sponsor. Here, we take a look at a few:

  • Your sponsor should have a sponsor. Choosing someone who has worked the steps themselves and is under the guidance of another sponsor is always a good idea. This will ensure accountability.
  • Your sponsor should be able to devote time to you. While having more than one sponsees likely means that person is reliable and trustworthy, it might also mean that he or she is spread too thin. Especially during early recovery, you’ll need to know that your sponsor is realistically available to call you back or meet up. Along these lines, once you do pick your sponsor, be sure to set up some communication ground rules.
  • Your sponsor should enjoy life. An important part of lasting sobriety is building a life that’s better than the one you had while in active addiction – and your sponsor should serve as a living example. Ask yourself: Do I admire his or her recovery and new sober life? Does this person smile or laugh or seem genuinely positive? These questions are crucial to choosing a good sponsor.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should never feel trapped in your sponsor relationship.  Your needs may change at different stages of recovery and, if you’re not getting what you need, don’t be afraid to search out a new sponsor.

12 Step Integration at 10 Acre Ranch
Our rehab integrates 12-step tenets from programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA) into our group therapy approach. This helps guide our clients during recovery and ensures they have a solid support network post-rehab. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.

Study: Smoking Pots Harms Your Heart

a photo of a lady with marijuana addiction smoking pot

We already know that marijuana can be addictive — about nine percent of  those who smoke pot will become addicted, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

We also know that some people experience an acute psychotic reaction (disturbed perceptions and thoughts, paranoia) or panic attacks while under the influence of pot. Marijuana also has negative effects on attention, memory and learning — and it can certainly hurt your lungs. In fact, regular users have been found to experience similar breathing and lung problems as tobacco smokers.

A recent study shows that smoking pot might also be hurting your heart – upping your risk of hypertension, according to researchers from Georgia State University. Marijuana users were more than three times likely to die from high blood pressure than non-users. And, for each year of use, their risk increased by four percent, according to the study.

“Marijuana stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increases in heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen demand,” said lead author Barbara Yankey.

Caring for Your Heart in Recovery
Getting help for your addiction is perhaps the best thing you can do for your ticker. You might also want to consider adding these heart-healthy steps to your long-term sobriety plan:

  • Quit smoking. Ask your doctor to recommend a smoking cessation plan.
  • Get your numbers tested, including blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.
  • Prioritize sleep. Six to 8 hours per night is the goal.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Consult a healthcare professional about your ideal range.
  • Limit salt, sugar and processed foods.
  • Add fatty fish – salmon, herring, sardines or tuna – into your diet.
  • Make exercise a priority. Strive for 30 minutes per day on most days of the week.
  • Meditate daily. Try to meditate the same time each day so it becomes a habit.
  • Manage stress. Experiment with a few relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing.

Overcoming Your Marijuana Addiction
As one of the most affordable drug and alcohol treatment centers in California and the United States, 10 Acre Ranch specializes in helping men overcome their marijuana addiction. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.

4 Common Meditation Mistakes

photo of a man meditating on top of a mountain

By now, you know that meditation is important for achieving and maintaining lasting recovery and finding joy in a life without drugs or alcohol.

To recap: It will help you reduce stress; give you greater self-awareness, self-acceptance and emotional control; improve energy and motivation to stay sober; and more!

Yet you may not be getting the most out of your practice. In fact, many people struggle with some common mistakes when it comes to meditating. Here are a few:

  • You haven’t experimented enough. While you likely don’t have the time or resources to test-drive every meditative morsel out there, you can do some homework in order to better understand some of the main types of mediation. Then, give one or two a try and see if one technique works better for you than the other.
  • You’re not consistent. Meditation needs to be practiced daily for it to make a true impact on your mental and emotional health. The easiest way to create this habit is by meditating first thing in the morning, before you even get out of bed.
  • You’re expecting to completely clear your mind. You can’t stop your thoughts but you can learn to not react to them. Many experts say to think of yourself as an air traffic controller of your thoughts – allowing some in and others to pass.
  • You’re relying on external aids. A major part of meditation is learning to tap into your inner thoughts – without apps, music, or guided visualization. While these aids may help in the beginning, you may miss an opportunity for self-realization if you depend on them solely.

Daily Readings, Reflection & Meditation
Each day at the Ranch begins with morning meditation, which is a cornerstone of our program. Our credentialed therapists encourage clients to adopt a post-rehab meditation practice as part of a healthy, vibrant lifestyle. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.

Superfoods for Addiction Recovery

photo of healthy foods

Eating healthy shouldn’t be an afterthought during recovery. In fact, adding the right foods into your diet can help repair your body, boost your mood, and give you more energy to endure the hard work of rehab.

If the idea of healthful eating makes your head (and stomach) whirl a little, don’t worry. You don’t need to overhaul your diet at once. Take it slow, experiment with some new recipes, and work your way up to enjoying these superfoods on a regular basis.

  • Poultry and fish: These foods are great sources of low-fat protein and also contain an amino acid called tyrosine, which is essential in the creation of the feel-good neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.
  • Bananas: This fruit contains tryptophan, another amino acid that’s not processed correctly when using drugs and alcohol. It works to promote relaxation and proper sleep.
  • Yogurt: Especially if you’re recovering from an alcohol or opiate addiction, you’ll need nutritional help to repair your gastrointestinal system. This probiotic-friendly food will help eliminate constipation and/or diarrhea and work to get your digestive tract running smoothly.
  • Blueberries: These tiny powerhouses are bursting with antioxidants, which can help boost your immune system and rid the body of toxins.
  • Vegetables: A vegetable-rich diet helps to restore many of those key nutrients lost during active addiction. Broccoli, cabbage and kale, for example, can help support liver detoxification and dark leafy greens (think spinach) can help heal tissue damage.
  • Whole-grain pasta and brown rice. These fiber-rich grains can help jump-start your digestive system, which may have suffered while using.

Nutritional Therapy at 10 Acre Ranch
Proper nutrition is a vital part of healthy rehabilitation, and aids in managing withdrawal symptoms, restoring physical health, and supporting the neurological system. At 10 Acre Ranch, we emphasize the importance of diet as part of a radical lifestyle change. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.

The Benefits of Aftercare

photo of rehab group listening to man standing up introducing himself at therapy session

Did you know that more than half of people will consume alcohol or drugs in the year following discharge from rehab? Or, that between 25 percent to 35 percent of people who complete addiction treatment will be readmitted to treatment within one year — and that 50 percent will be readmitted within five years?

Recovery from a substance use disorder doesn’t stop when rehab ends, which is why many addiction experts recommend considering aftercare as a form of continued treatment. Just like rehab, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach and you can choose from a variety of options, including:

  • Outpatient and partial hospitalization programs
  • Group counseling
  • Individual therapy
  • 12-step programs
  • Support groups
  • Sober living homes

3 Reasons to Choose Aftercare
Aside from relapse prevention, there are many reasons to take advantage of an individualized aftercare strategy. Here are a few of the benefits:

1. You’ll ease the transition from rehab to “real-life.” Aftercare helps smooth the transition from life in treatment to life with family, work or school, and other responsibilities.

2. You’ll build a support system. Surrounding yourself with others who have been in the same position and are serious about making a change for the better can help keep you accountable and re-energized as you continue to move forward.

3. You’ll learn life skills. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of aftercare support is the guidance and coping skills you’ll learn to address, including:

  • Dealing with triggers and cravings
  • Managing stress, anxiety and/or anger
  • Preventing relapse
  • Rebuilding relationships
  • Starting a career

An Entire Continuum of Care & Support
10 Acre Ranch offers a multitude of addiction treatment programs in order to provide the appropriate level of care to each individual. The program best suited for you or someone you love will depend on the length and nature of your addiction prior to entering treatment. To find out more about the various stages of treatment, call today: 877-228-4679.

How to Find the Right Hobby for You

photo of Beautiful young female sitting on a car and looking outside the window

Discovering a hobby can be an important part of your new sober lifestyle. In fact, the right hobby will not only help you occupy your time but it can make you less stressed and more focused. It will also help boost your confidence, creativity and overall happiness. But what if you don’t have a particular passion as an adult? Where do you start?

Ask yourself these questions:

What did I enjoy as a kid? Chances are you still have the same if not similar interests – for example, if you loved climbing trees than rock climbing may be your thing.

What would help me unwind and distress? The right hobby shouldn’t be something that just occupies your time – it should give you a sense of me-time and make you forget the worries of your day.

What types of purchases make me happy? For example, are you always searching for the right wall art? Why not test your hand at photography or painting? Or maybe you love used books? Writing may be the answer.

How do you want to better yourself? A hobby can help you meet personal goals, whether you want to learn a new language or run a marathon one day.

What were my past hobbies? You may have had a hobby prior to your addiction and simply forgot about it. Think back about any DYI projects you used to love to do and you may rediscover an old passion.

What captures my attention? Start to take notice of the things and activities that appeal most to you – whether you find yourself drawn to cooking shows, golf games, music or something else.

10 Acre Ranch Recreational Activities for Men
For individuals who have abused their body with drugs and alcohol, healthy recreation is often a distant thought. The 10 Acre Ranch residential program exposes clients to therapeutic activities during treatment and encourages them to carry these lifestyle changes into post-rehab. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.