Emotional Neglect: A Common Addiction Trigger

photo of a man standing alone

There are many different approaches to addiction treatment. But, studies have shown that the most successful ones do more than simply alter superficial behaviors and temporarily mitigate the symptoms of withdrawal. Treatment methodologies that aim to understand and address the underlying causes and triggers of addiction are almost always the most profoundly impactful.

Given that, many addiction specialists work with clients to explore their personal relationships since many people who have experienced chronic emotional neglect turn to drugs and alcohol later in life.

But what is emotional neglect? Simply put, this occurs when someone is unable to provide the affection and emotional support that is needed.

In adults, some of the symptoms of emotional neglect include:

  • Feeling numb to your feelings
  • Being easily discouraged
  • Continually experiencing low self-esteem
  • Holding yourself up to unrealistic standards
  • Experiencing extreme self-doubt

If you are on a journey towards sobriety and identify with one or more of these symptoms of emotional neglect, it may be helpful to speak with your addiction recovery team to see if there is a connection. Because, there are ways you can empower yourself, move forward and protect your sobriety.

After consulting your addiction recovery team, here are a few strategies you might consider:

(1) Embrace what you are feeling. If you’ve spent your life trying to escape from your emotions using drugs or alcohol to numb those feelings, it may seem foreign at first. But, a healthy first step is to simply embrace the full range of human emotions. If you don’t feel comfortable expressing those thoughts with others, try journaling and simply spend a few moments each day to reflect on your experiences.

(2) Reflect on what you want. If you’ve experienced emotional neglect, you may have fallen into destructive relationships and put the needs of others before your own. Think about what you want and what you deserve in close relationships with friends and family members. That can help shape the connections that you make moving forward.

(3) Be compassionate with yourself. You can’t change the past and simply ruminating on what happened won’t change anything. Focus on creating a more positive future for yourself moving forward.

Individual Therapy at 10 Acre Ranch

In some cases, private therapy sessions may also be needed to delve into relapse motivation, addiction history, and coexisting diagnoses. To learn more about our Southern California men’s rehab facility or request individual therapy information, submit a confidential inquiry today. Call 877-228-4679 to learn more.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health in the New Year

photo of a smiling man

In the New Year, a lot of people are investing in resolutions to lose weight, exercise more often, quit smoking and go to the gym on a regular basis. While it’s always a good idea to pay more attention to your physical health to prevent chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, why not take the same approach to take care of your mental health, too?

All too often, individuals with behavioral health issues like anxiety and depression wait until they start to experience the physical symptoms of those conditions before seeking help. But, with the right self-care, you can reduce your risk of developing some conditions. And for those starting a new sober lifestyle, taking a holistic approach to total body wellness can also protect your sobriety since you’ll be less tempted to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.

While there are a lot of factors that contribute to behavioral health issues and some are out of your control (like genetics), you can make a few lifestyle adjustments that can help you feel better and more in control of your emotions.

3 Strategies to Actively Support Your Mental Health

(1) Spend time with nature.

Have you ever had a rough day and spent some time outdoors and wondered why it made you feel so much better? How the great outdoors boosts our mood isn’t entirely clear, though it is well documented. In a study conducted by Stanford researchers, people who walked for 90 minutes in a quiet area outside showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression.

(2) Be aware of how you are dealing with stress.

Chronic exposure to stress can actually change your brain chemistry making you more susceptible to common behavioral health issues like anxiety and depression. While you can’t completely avoid stressful situations, you do have a choice in how you react. Talk to your addiction recovery team about developing a list of stress-relieving activities that might work best for you including mindful meditation, yoga and talk therapy.

(3) Surround yourself with positive people!

There are specific things you can do to protect your mental health and you might be surprised to learn that simply being around those with a positive and grateful outlook can also do wonders for your mental health too.

If you’re starting the New Year with a few resolutions, consider adding a few that are designed to help support your overall health – mentally, physically and spiritually.

Get Help at 10 Acre Ranch

At 10 Acre Ranch, we know that behavioral health and substance use disorders often create a vicious cycle, as the symptoms of one disorder can exacerbate the symptoms of the other. Fortunately, there are ways to treat both disorders, regardless of which came first. At 10 Acre Ranch, our highly-trained staff works with male clients to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses mental health and substance use disorders to reduce symptoms and to increase the likelihood of long-term recovery. To learn more, call today: (877) 228-4679.

(Mental Health) Exercise: Building Emotional Resilience

photo of a man lifting weights at the gym

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.” – John F. Kennedy

Sometimes life is punctuated by stressful events. Family members get sick. A major financial curve-ball is thrown your way. The basement floods – again.

But, while you may not always be able to prescribe what happens to you, you do have the power to control how you react. That’s why developing emotional resilience is an important life skill to cultivate.

So what exactly what does it mean to become more resilient? It’s not about being tough, turning a blind eye or acting like everything is just okay. It’s actually much more courageous, honest and powerful than that. Emotional resilience is about being strong enough to acknowledge those challenges and uncomfortable emotions. And, knowing how to react.

JFK summed up resilience very well. Life isn’t about focusing on the roadblocks you might encounter. It’s about understanding that you are empowered to solve those challenges – while learning and growing from those experiences.

Learning emotional resilience is important. And, it is especially important for those starting a life of sobriety. By learning how to draw from your inner strength, you can avoid turning to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope.

Here are strategies you can use to build a reservoir of emotional resilience:

(1) Understand that you are not alone. Life happens. To everyone.

The good and the well – not so good. So, the next time you get a speeding ticket on the way home from work, don’t beat yourself up. While it may seem frustrating in the moment, you can lessen the initial “sting” but reminding yourself that other people have gone through similar situations.

(2) Ask family and friends how they might handle the situation.

The next time you face adversity, take a proactive approach and talk to someone about it. Focus on the possible solutions, not the problem. You’ll feel more empowered and you just might learn how they have dealt with a similar situation in the past.

(3) Acknowledge. Learn. And move on.

Try reframing the situation as a learning opportunity. If you’ve had a particularly tough day, take a few moments to think about how you can personally grow from the experience.

Benefits of an Individual Therapy Approach

10 Acre Ranch drug rehab is a social treatment model that emphasizes therapeutic group activities like anger management, cognitive therapy, and 12-step programming. Living in a supportive community prevents clients from becoming alienated during recovery, and teaches them interpersonal skills that are helpful during and after rehabilitation. To learn more about our addiction rehab program and life skills training, call (877) 228-4679.

Recovery on the Road: Staying Sober During the Holidays

photo of a man sittin in the waiting area inside an airport

It’s official. The holiday season is officially upon us. In addition to gift-giving, tree trimming and the occasionally awkward office party at work, this time of year is also associated with traveling to visit friends and family. And, for most, that can bring with it the stress and anxiety of navigating endless lines at airport security, long car rides and the like.

But, for those on a journey to addiction recovery, holiday travel can present even more obstacles. It can be challenging to maintain your sobriety without your support system around and having your normal routine thrown off. Though, with the right strategies in place, you can still enjoy the holidays and stay sober.

Traveling During the Holidays? Here Are a Few Tips.

(1) Create a travel plan. Even if you’re not on a path to addiction recovery, traveling can be stressful. Before you even leave your house, think about your upcoming trip, the potential relapse triggers you might encounter and how you can prepare yourself to respond.

(2) Take everything with a grain of salt. Keep things in perspective and don’t let yourself get upset about things you can’t control. When you’re faced with a challenging situation, try to find a way to smile and know that it’s just a temporary inconvenience.

(3) Plan ahead and schedule some sober activities. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of getting bored and turning to drugs and alcohol as a crutch. Before you leave home, do a little bit of research online to find some interesting and healthy ways to spend your time. Check out local museums, parks and hiking trails.

(4) Use your trip to fulfill a personal goal. Spending time away from home can be stressful but it can also give you an opportunity to tackle a new project, learn a new hobby or ramp up your exercise routine. By focusing on a specific goal, you can use that determination and momentum to maintain a sober lifestyle.

If you’re on a journey to addiction recovery, you can still enjoy spending time with friends and family. With a little planning in advance, you can learn how to navigate holiday travel while staying sober.

Life Skills Training During Recovery in Southern California

At 10 Acre Ranch, we encourage clients to focus on recovery assignments that help them better understand themselves and learn important life skills including stress management, the importance of self-care, communication skills and relapse prevention strategies. To learn about our comprehensive addiction services, inquire about fees and insurance coverage, or discuss a loved one’s addiction cycle, contact the 10 Acre team today: (877) 228-4679 today.

Retraining Your Brain for Greater Impulse Control

photo of a woman meditating in the forest

Have you ever experienced “buyer’s remorse”, jumped to conclusions or let your temper get the best of you – only later to berate yourself for not thinking things through? While there are only so many hours in the day to plan each next step, a repeated pattern of impulsive behavior can become a destructive force in your life that makes you feel out of control, erratic and unpredictable. Not a healthy way to live.

Controlling your behavior is an important aspect of living an emotionally stable and healthy lifestyle and it is a life skill that is especially critical for those on a path to addiction recovery. By training your brain to recognize the leading indicators of impulsive behaviors, you can apply those same skills to reduce your risk of addiction relapse.

Here Are 3 Strategies You Can Use to Become More Mindful and Less Impulsive Throughout the Day.

(1) Make a list of the impulsive behaviors that you want to correct. But, the goal here isn’t to strive for “perfection”. Just think about the types of behaviors you can change that will have the most positive impact on your life.

(2) Identify the triggers that lead to those impulsive decisions. For example, do you want to cut back on making impulsive purchases can start saving money towards a new car? Think about the people, places or emotions that typically are associated with spending money on things you don’t really need. Sometimes, the simple act of recognizing your behaviors can help you curb your impulsive instincts to react.

(3) Take a mental health break. If you do start to feel “wound up” and exposed to some of your impulsive behavior triggers, make the choice to take a step back and remove yourself from the situation. Chances are, you’ll be able to calm down, become more mindful of your emotions and take a more rational approach to your actions.

Access Comprehensive Addiction Treatment While Addressing Behavioral Health Issues

Many individuals struggling with chemical dependency are also dealing with mental illness. When addiction co-occurs with other disorders, clients require a specialized addiction recovery plan. 10 Acre Ranch counselors, social workers, and addiction specialists can help clients manage both diagnoses to optimize the chance of treatment success.

To learn more about our CA men’s rehab program and how we can help, call 10 Acre Ranch at (877) 228-4679 today.

“My best friend has an addiction issue. What should I do?”

Some say that friends are the family you choose for yourself. And, rightly so. The bonds of friendship are so powerful that studies have found that close ties with others help us live longer, feel better and can even make you more productive at work.

Given the fact that friendships are so important to our physical and emotional health, what should you do when you recognize that a close friend is dealing with an addiction to drugs or alcohol? Where do you draw the line between being their health advocate and an enabler?

If someone you care about is potentially dealing with an addiction issue, here are a few proven strategies you should consider to help them heal.

help-friends-addiction-treatment-California-Riverside-detox

5 Ways You Can Help a Friend Who is Struggling With Addiction

(1) Consult experts in addiction recovery. The disease of addiction is a complicated, and potentially dangerous one. While you can educate yourself on the nature of the condition, you need the help of an experienced addiction specialist. They can help you navigate the complex and sensitive terrain of addiction.

(2) Avoid “negative enabling”. One of the most powerful ways you can support your friend is to stop supporting their lifestyle of addiction. Negative enabling is a destructive relationship pattern where a friend or family member goes out of their way to “help” the addict continue their destructive lifestyle.

(3) Talk to close members of their family. If you suspect that your friend is dealing with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, there is a good chance that his or her family is aware of the issue too. Though, by creating a larger support system, you can partner with others to help your friend find the resources and professional guidance they need.

(4) Offer your support. If someone close to you is dealing with addiction issues, they likely feel isolated and ashamed of their condition. The simple act of offering your friendship and support can quite possibly give them the strength they need to finally seek professional help.

(5) Don’t try to talk to them while they are drunk or high. If you do want to start a conversation about helping them find recovery, wait until they are in a sober frame of mind to talk. They will be less likely to be confrontational and more receptive to your message.

Experienced Addiction Recovery Professionals

Our Southern California drug rehab facility is licensed for six beds by the California Department of Health Care Services. We intentionally keep our program small to accommodate clients’ therapy needs, encourage fellowship and relationship building, and provide frequent leisure and recreation opportunities for all residents. To learn more, contact us at (877) 228-4679 to speak with a 10 Acre Ranch treatment specialist today.