When most people think of addiction treatment, they think of residential treatment, colloquially referred to as “rehab.” In the popular imagination, addiction is a problem with only one solution. You’ll hear things like “she needs to go to rehab,” “I’m trying to get him into rehab,” and “they’re trying to make me go to rehab.” [...]
Structure. Routine. Discipline. What do these words mean to you? For some, they represent safety, sameness, predictability. Others feel stifled or even oppressed by what these concepts represent. Our previous experiences - or lack of experience - with structure and routine will often color how we feel about embracing these tools in recovery. Whatever these [...]
If you’re in recovery, you know that it’s important to have a game plan for handling special occasions in new and healthy ways - without relying on old patterns to get you through. That means staying connected to your recovery program during the holiday season, thinking outside the box, making new traditions, and exploring [...]
Have you ever heard the acronym HALT? It stands for Hungry, Lonely, Angry and Tired. When we are feeling some or all of these symptoms, it’s much easier for us to make bad decisions that we will regret later. This is true of all humans, regardless of mental health diagnosis - everyone can be [...]
When you are in recovery from substance use disorder, it is very, VERY common to dream about using. A lot of folks find these dreams really disturbing and upsetting. When you have a “drug dream,” do you find yourself wondering: If you are at risk of relapse? If you are working your program hard [...]
Wintertime blues are nothing new. It’s usually that time before spring’s first bulbs but after the holidays that hits people the hardest. Dark days, bad weather and chilly temperatures tend to get the best of us down. But when you’re in recovery, it’s so important to do everything you can to practice self-care, stay [...]
Note: Trauma can impact us deeply. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, reach out to Lines for Life right away. Local, understanding people are available to listen 24/7. Their number is 800-273-8255. This article deals with trauma. If you do not feel safe to read material about potentially upsetting subjects right now, please [...]
If you struggle with addiction, it can feel very important to know why substance use has become a problem for you. If you have a friend or family member who struggles with addiction, you may want to know if there’s something you did to cause substance abuse in that loved one. Although the [...]
Alcohol is fun - until it isn’t. At Shanti Recovery and Wellness, we meet people in our Portland, OR office who want to stop or reduce their drinking everyday. We treat alcoholism - a form of substance use disorder - with nutrition, talk therapy and medication using the highest level of evidence-based care available [...]
How are you holding up? All of us at Shanti Recovery and Wellness are working overtime to respond to this unprecedented health and economic crisis that our nation and our world is currently facing. These are difficult times but we will get through them together. Here’s a quick update on what’s going on at [...]
