The Dangerous Connection Between Alcohol and Anger

photo of an angry man sitting on the floor and reaching for the bottle while being addicted to alcohol

Consistently abusing alcohol for many years can have serious and lasting effects on your body. Long-term overconsumption of beer, wine and liquor is often associated with cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cognitive impairment, thiamine deficiencies and memory disorders.

Plus, it also puts your emotional health at risk too. While alcohol affects everyone differently, for many, it increases their risk of experiencing emotional outbursts, violent behavior and excessive anger. And, if you don’t arm yourself with healthy coping mechanisms, allowing feelings of frustration and aggravation to go unchecked can increase your risk of relapse for those working on a path to addiction recovery.

Given that alcohol and anger are so interlaced, learning how to control your anger and respond to challenging situations in a healthy way is critical for those on a path to sobriety.

If you are building a new sober lifestyle, the following includes a few strategies to help keep your emotions in check.

(1) When you get tense, think about what you are about to say. In a disagreement with your spouse? See a post on social media that makes you upset? Chances are, if you are getting upset, you likely know it. The next time you feel your blood pressure rise, take this into consideration. Think before you speak, or better yet, tell the other person that it’s not a productive time to talk and make plans to discuss the issue after you’ve had time to cool down.

(2) Get a fresh perspective. If you are upset about a situation or how someone treated you, it’s easy to get into a tailspin of anger and frustration. Sometimes the best way to keep your anger in check is to simply talk to a friend who can provide an objective opinion. They may be able so share a different viewpoint that you may not have considered.

(3) Take a break. Being angry in certain situations is a normal reaction – it’s when you let your feelings escalate uncontrolled that you get yourself into trouble. The next time you do start to feel irritated, take the high road and don’t get caught up in the situation. Take a walk outside, meditate or go to a local yoga class to clear your head.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment at 10 Acre Ranch

One of Southern California’s most reputable rehab facilities, 10 Acre Ranch is an affordable alcohol addiction treatment center serving men 18 and over. We provide a comprehensive range of addiction recovery services based on a social treatment model. Our welcoming program gives residents an opportunity to participate in daily process groups, make positive behavioral changes, and prepare for life after recovery.

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

4 Good Reasons Why Dogs Are Great for Your Holistic Health

They call them man’s best friend for good reason. Dogs can offer unconditional love, great companionship and are always up for having a good time. But, you might be surprised to know that adopting a dog can actually be good for your addiction recovery too by supporting your physical and mental health.

If you are trying to quit drugs and alcohol and finally start a life of sobriety, here are four reasons why a canine might be a good addition to your new, sober lifestyle.

(1) You can meet new friends. It’s a common misconception that the only way to meet new people is by going to the bar or attending social events where drugs or alcohol are the main event. If you are a pet owner, you’ll find new opportunities to meet neighbors while on walks or at the dog park.

(2) Walking your dog can help support your weight loss goals. Thinking about getting back into shape and losing a few unwanted pounds? The simple act of dog walking for a few minutes each day can help you burn extra calories and get closer to your fitness goals. In one study, researchers followed individuals over the course of a year who walked “loaner” dogs five times a week. In just twelve months, research participants lost an average of 14 pounds without changing their diet or eating habits.

(3) Dogs are good for your heart health. In a study conducted by the American Heart Association, researchers found that dog owners are more likely to exercise, have lower blood pressure and be more likely to survive a heart attack.

(4) Dogs are a natural mood booster. In addition to helping to support your physical health, owning a dog can actually improve your emotional health too. And, scientists have backed up that claim. Studies have shown that after a few minutes of play time, pet owners report feeling substantially more relaxed and less stressed.

Expanding your family to offer a dog a forever home can bring more joy into your life while also providing a wealth of health benefits along the way. Though, adopting a dog isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. If you’re thinking about adopting a pet, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter first before taking that next step.

Hope, Healing and Recovery
Calming your mind and recharging your body is an essential part of addiction recovery. At 10 Acre Ranch, we use a comprehensive approach to addiction treatment to treat the whole person. To learn more about our CA men’s rehab program and how we can help, call 10 Acre Ranch at (877) 228-4679 today.

Taking Control of Your Financial Health During Addiction Recovery

photo of a man writing on a paper creating financial plan

Addiction takes a toll on virtually every part of the addict’s life – often contributing to behavioral health issues like depression and anxiety, physical problems including insomnia and fatigue – and it can wreak havoc on personal relationships too.

A life of addiction can also cause financial difficulties. If you have been completely absorbed in using and abusing drugs and alcohol, you may have let important financial issues like paying bills on time go by the wayside. Embracing a life of sobriety is an opportunity to heal every aspect of your life – including your financial health too.

Though, you don’t have be a professional financial planner to make substantial changes today that can help you build a solid financial future.

3 Tips for Repairing Your Financial Health

  1. Start small. It may seem overwhelming at first if you are dealing with financial hardships, but the key is to start tackling the simple tasks first. Make a list of your recurring bills and their due dates so you can start paying your bills on time to protect your credit score. If you’ve had trouble remembering what bills are due and when, consider adding a reminder on your phone that alerts you two or three days in advance of the due date.
  2. Rein in credit card spending. It’s common for those dealing with addiction to make impulsive purchasing decisions to fund their lifestyle. If you do have credit cards, make an inventory of your current balances and make a plan for paying off your debts. You may even be able to lower your interest rates by simply contacting your creditors to see if you can quality for more attractive terms.
  3. Make a budget and track your spending. The simple act of creating a budget and monitoring your progress towards your financial goals can be incredibly empowering. And, there are wide range of planning tools available to you online. With sites like mint.com (which provide basic services for free), you can easily create a monthly budget to allocate how you want to spend your money and many also even offer free credit reporting monitoring so you can track your progress.

Addiction recovery isn’t easy. But, it can offer an opportunity for you to spend more time and energy focusing on rebuilding your life – physically and mentally – while creating a brighter economic future.

Looking for Help Overcoming a Life of Addiction?

10 Acre Ranch is licensed by California’s Department of Health Care Services and offers residential, and partial residential programs for drug and alcohol addiction. To tour our facility or discuss alcohol rehab for yourself or a loved one, dial (877) 228-4679 or submit a confidential online inquiry today.