Keeping Your Faith in Recovery During a Pandemic

At Celebrate Hope, tonight our thoughts and prayers go out to the 17,000 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States and the 223 people who have died. This pandemic is testing the faith of billions of people, and the public health crisis is far from being contained.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with other local, state, and federal public health agencies are advising everyone to stay home and limit interactions with other people. For many men and women, such advice is not challenging to adhere to, but that is not the case for most people. This is especially true for people working programs of recovery.

If you are currently working a program, then you grasp the importance of 12 Step meetings. You also know that working with others is the key to long-term recovery. Lasting sobriety is achieved together.

Still, it isn’t safe to be gathering in large groups, shaking hands, and physically embracing one another. Naturally, the above list is a 12 Step meeting to a T. The global pandemic has forced many 12 Step groups to close their doors to the public. Some peoples' homegroups are now utilizing digital platforms for conducting meetings and carrying the message, according to the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or GSO.

The AA resource center has published a statement online with information and advice for members of the recovery community. We hope you will take the time to read it at length.

The General Service of Alcoholics Anonymous U.S./Canada functions as a repository for AA members and groups who are looking for the shared experience of the Fellowship. As the global situation related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to develop, we are fully committed to continue to serve as a resource center of shared experience to help navigate this unprecedented public health emergency.

Keeping Your Faith and Recovery Intact

We hope you are keeping yourself up to date regarding pandemic developments and on proper protocols for avoiding disease contraction. Washing your hands, avoiding crowds, and staying indoors are three sound recommendations for safeguarding your health.

Those of you in recovery must continue being vigilant about your program, even if you are unable to attend in-person meetings. It’s vital that you continue staying in close contact with your support network and sponsor. Utilize the resources available online for attending digital meetings.

What’s more, sticking to your recovery routine – as best you can – will help you protect your progress. Continue to pray and ask for guidance from your higher power to help you navigate these challenging times. People in recovery cannot lose their faith!

Prayer and constant contact with a God of your understanding are often all that stands between you and a relapse. You might find that you need to pray more during this unprecedented public health disaster.

In the coming days, many people in recovery will be spending a lot of time alone, which isn’t suitable for one’s program. However, online resources are available, and you have the tools to cope with the stressful days to come. If you begin to struggle, reach out for support immediately to prevent matters from worsening.

Faith-Based Addiction Recovery Program

At Celebrate Hope, our dedicated staff is adhering to the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19. Our faith-based addiction treatment center is determined to protect the health and safety of our clients while also providing effective, evidence-based therapies. Please contact us today to learn more about our program.

Understanding Spirituality in Recovery

Individuals who battle addiction are said to be spiritually bankrupt. You hear the expression quite frequently in the rooms of 12 Step recovery. Since programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are spiritual programs, one of the primary goals is to embrace spirituality.

Unfortunately, the word spirituality – the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things – is one that many people get hung up on in early recovery. One could even argue that the term is intimidating for some as it smacks of the pulpit.

Many people in the grips of addiction do not have fond memories of their time with organized religion. Each person has their reasons, but it's essential to distinguish the difference between religion and spirituality; the latter is often referred to as the glue that holds one's recovery together.

Religion is a personal set or institutionalized system of attitudes, beliefs, and practices shared by a community that worships a common God. Spirituality is an individual practice involving a connection to something more substantial or greater than you (a Higher Power).

"Spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred," says Christina Puchalski, MD.

At Celebrate Hope, we help clients reconnect with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as they forge a path toward long-term recovery. It's a spiritual process that combines the principles of the 12 Steps with the teachings of Jesus. Many people find it helpful to follow the example of Jesus as they work to maintain a program of recovery.

Spiritual Solvency in Recovery

We should point out that religion is spiritual, but there isn't religion in spirituality. It is for that reason that newcomers shouldn't be intimidated by the higher power business of recovery. While millions of Christians work a program, countless other people believe in a different higher power.

There are no mandates on who or what you must connect with as you trudge the road of happy destiny. Find what works for you and go with it, whether it be Jesus, Buddha, or Nature. The lesson to be learned is that in recovery, you no longer maintain a delusion that you are calling the shots. Those who believe they are in complete control of every aspect of life are usually the people with the least control over their own life.

Working a program is an opportunity to break free from self-will and accepting that you cannot carry the load of life alone. People succeed in 12 Step recovery because they work together in selfless ways to achieve the goal of lasting sobriety. Each person's program is strengthened when they form a relationship with the spiritual realm.

Each person has the right to pray to whichever God they choose, and that is between them and their higher power. However, there are a significant number of people seeking recovery who once had a connection with Jesus and would like to have His guidance once more. Such individuals can benefit significantly from choosing a faith-based addiction treatment center. Such programs were designed to utilize evidence-based therapies in conjunction with Christian teaching to promote lasting recovery.

Christian Faith-Based Addiction Treatment

Please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment center. We are available around the clock to answer your questions about our program features and services. You can speak to a faith-based recovery specialist today by calling (866) 751-2028.

Friends Who are Good for Recovery

Accepting that you have an addiction means that you will have to make a number of changes if long-term recovery is to be achieved. If you have attended an addiction treatment program or meeting of recovery, then you have learned that life is different now that you are clean and sober.

Naturally, it’s vital to stay away from environments that can jeopardize your recovery. Moreover, and this part is harder, you must stay away from many people with whom you once spent time. This is especially true when it comes to old using friends.

It’s challenging to say goodbye or cut off ties with individuals even when you know that they are not beneficial to your recovery. Still, your progress depends on altering the people you keep in your circle of friends.

If you attend meetings on a regular basis, then you have already begun fostering relationships with like-minded individuals. These people are replacing the individuals you once associated with; what’s more, such men and women care about your well-being and continued progress.

Making Friends in Recovery

Hopefully, you have already said goodbye to the people from your past. If not, there is no time like the present. Put all your energy into making new friends who do not use drugs and alcohol. Meetings are the best place to find the caliber of individuals who are suitable for your program.

The people that you attend meetings with share similarities with you, and understand what you have been through; you have a lot in common with such men and women. These individuals will not just help you stay the course of recovery; they will become lifelong friends.

Prioritize your relationships with others in sobriety, especially in early recovery. Ask people to get together after the meeting so you can get to know them better. In time, you will look forward to seeing the people in your support network. They will also invite you to do things with them in their free time.

Again, we understand that it’s hard to break ties with people who were your friends for years. However, anyone who is not supportive of your recovery is probably not that great of a friend at the end of the day. Acknowledging that reality will help you make hard choices that hugely benefit your recovery.

Please do not despair if you have trouble making friends in early recovery. It may take time for you to feel comfortable confiding and opening up with new people in your life.

Trust and believe that it will become easier the longer you stick around the rooms of recovery. Do not lose hope, and you will have a friend group before you know it. That's guaranteed!

California Faith-Based Addiction Treatment

Please contact Celebrate Hope today to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program in Southern California. We can help you break the cycle of addiction, adopt a program of recovery, and assist you in reconnecting with your Lord and Savior. (866) 751-2028

Thanksgiving in Recovery: Gratitude Matters

If you are like many individuals in early recovery, then you may be dreading the coming week. Thanksgiving is less than a week away, which means a good many men and women are about to have their recovery tested.

It’s an unfortunate fact that higher rates of relapse accompany significant holidays. Select days of the year bring out many undesired emotions; left unchecked, they can put people on a path toward drugs and alcohol.

During the holiday season, one must keep their finger on the pulse of his or her emotions. They must be willing to be open and honestly talk about their feelings with their support network. Bottling up how you feel is a recipe for disaster in recovery.

Perhaps this is your first Thanksgiving in recovery. If so, then Celebrate Hope is happy to report to you that keeping your sobriety intact is possible. However, preventing a relapse will require extra effort on your part.

You may find that you have to double up on meetings in the coming days. Even if you feel a desire to isolate, you must resist the temptation. Stick close to those who help you continue down the road of recovery each day. You are not alone; you have allies who are committed to supporting you, and they need your help too. Men and women recover together!

Thanksgiving in Recovery

The holiday season demands much of men and women in recovery. You will find that maintaining a positive attitude is of significant benefit. Everything may not be right in your life, but remember this path you are on is a process. It’s probably fair to say that your things are starting to look up when compared to where things stood just a short time ago.

Thanksgiving is about more than merely sitting down with friends and family to eat turkey and pumpkin pie. This time of year is an opportunity to exercise an attitude of gratitude. Each day in sobriety is both a gift and an accomplishment worthy of recognition.

Taking the time to make a gratitude list will help you stay grounded, especially if you find yourself having difficulty during the holiday. In recovery, men and women have so much to be thankful for, as it is a blessing to no longer be in the grips of addiction. You have real friends in your life today; people who care about your progress and well-being.

Take stock of all the individuals who have accompanied you on this remarkable journey of healing. Let them know how vital they are to your continued progress. Doing so will not only brighten their spirits; it will make you feel better too.

Perhaps you are working a program of the 12 Step variety; if so, then you probably have a sponsor. Take a moment to share with him or her your sincerest gratitude; it’s worth remembering that their guidance has been instrumental, day in and day out. It costs nothing to be grateful, but being the opposite can be costly.

Again, you must remain close to your support network in the following days. Be sure to attend your regular meetings and then some. You may find that going to several meetings on Thanksgiving is beneficial, as well. Share with your support network how you are feeling, especially if you find yourself experiencing cravings. It’s always easier to call before you fall; never hesitate to reach out for help if you are in a situation that can jeopardize your program.

Faith-Based Addiction Recovery

Celebrate Hope is here for men and women who require assistance with alcohol or substance use disorders. Our highly qualified team is also equipped to treat men and women who meet the criteria for co-occurring mental illnesses.

At Celebrate Hope, we combine evidence-based therapies with the teachings of Jesus Christ to help individuals get on a path toward healing. Please reach out at your earliest convenience to learn more about the programs we offer and to begin the life-changing journey of recovery.

Staying Clean, Sober, and Fit in Recovery

Following stays in addiction treatment, people in recovery understand that life will be different going forward. While they grasp the importance of finding healthy ways to occupy time, still many are unsure of how they will direct their energies. The first months after rehab can be a time of uncertainty.

Most men and women in the first year of their recovery spend a significant amount of time in the company of other clean and sober people. Attending meetings, working with sponsors or recovery coaches, and engaging with peers in recovery in one's free time is a recipe for success, after all. As one becomes stronger in their sobriety, a desire to do more and see other dreams realized is inevitable.

Each person's ambitions are different; some will endeavor to start a career or to bring one to new heights. In both scenarios, going back to school may be necessary for acquiring specific skills and credentials. One of the gifts that recovery provides is an ability to start something new and see it to the end.

After years of alcohol and substance abuse, it is common not to know what path to take once in recovery. A significant number of individuals in recovery never expected to find freedom from drugs and alcohol in the first place. As such, little forethought was ever put into what one would do if he or she ever found independence.

A route that some people in sobriety take involves choosing a career path that consists in being of service. There are many opportunities in the fields of addiction medicine and support. Helping other men and women walk a path of sobriety is a critical facet of recovery. So, it makes sense that some will opt to make a career of assisting others. Gary Rutherford of the UK is one of those individuals.

Helping People Stay Sober, and Get Fit in the Process

Rutherford combined his passion for sobriety and fitness to create a personal training program for men and women in recovery, BBC News reports. Sober for eight years now, he shows men and women with alcohol and substance-use disorders how to bolster both fitness and recovery. A desire to give others living with addiction hope was the impetus for ARC.

"I want to find the strength in that person and draw it out," Rutherford said. "I want to make that person feel like a person, empower them, make them thrive, encourage them."

In sobriety, Gary knew that he wanted to help others, so he went back to school to become an addiction nurse therapist. At the same time, he developed a passion for running and eventually CrossFit and strength training, according to the article. This led him to create ARC Fitness; ARC stands for Addiction Recovery Coaching. The not-for-profit personal training program's website states:

ARC Fitness supports individuals with substance use disorders to achieve healthy and sustainable recovery through the application of physical activity and positive lifestyle choices. 

Scott Reid was among the first group of six clients to go through ARC. He shares that he relapsed after completing a London-based treatment program and that he was feeling alone before finding Rutherford. ARC helped Scott reprioritize his recovery and gave him a sense of community.

"A group of six strangers came together and left as friends that understood one another. So if one of us felt down or was struggling we could pick up the phone or go out for a coffee or a walk or something."

Faith-Based Addiction Treatment

Celebrate Hope can assist you in ending the cycle of addiction and learning how to thrive in recovery. Our faith-based recovery programs rely on evidence-based therapies, in conjunction with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Please contact us today to learn more.

Patrick Kennedy Reflects on Cousin's Overdose

The Kennedy family has a long history of falling victim to tragedy, from assassinations to substance abuse and mental health issues. Many Americans are familiar with Ted Kennedy’s alcohol use earlier in his career, which led to a car wreck that took the life of a young woman. His son Patrick, a vocal advocate for recovery and mental health parity, also struggled with substance use for many years.

Recently deceased author Christopher Kennedy Lawford was also in recovery for mental health-related issues. Last week, tragedy struck the family once again when Robert Kennedy’s granddaughter died from a suspected overdose, People reports. Saoirse Kennedy Hill, Patrick Kennedy’s cousin, died at the age of 22.

If the reports are accurate, Saoirse is now among the staggering number of Americans who lose their lives to an overdose. Three years before the young lady’s untimely death, she wrote an essay for her high school newspaper about her battles with depression and suicidal ideation.

"My depression took root in the beginning of my middle school years and will be with me for the rest of my life," Saoirse wrote. "Although I was mostly a happy child, I suffered bouts of deep sadness that felt like a heavy boulder on my chest."

At a time like this, who better to speak on the subject than former Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy. 

 

Bringing Depression and Addiction Out of the Shadows

Patrick Kennedy has been fighting to end the stigma of addiction and mental health disorders for years. He has a track record for working on expanding access to treatment and recovery services. His effort to ensure that insurance companies cover mental health services, in the same way they would other diseases, has been instrumental in protecting the rights of millions of Americans.

Following his cousin’s death, Patrick shared some kind words about her with People. He said that "She opened the door for her peers to also come out and not feel shamed by this illness and she is a real hero in my family."

"She broke the silence. And we mourn her loss but her memory will live on as someone who wasn’t going to keep silent and wasn’t going to be feeling as if she had something shameful, but rather something medical that she sought treatment for."

Saoirse’s story is not unique; millions of Americans continue to struggle in the shadows with mental illness and substance use disorder. Patrick Kennedy used the opportunity to call for a more significant response in dealing with the epidemic we face.

"This affects every single family in America," said Kennedy. "It’s way past time that we deal with this in a way that we would deal with any other public health crisis."

Seeking Help for Addiction and Mental Illness

At Celebrate Hope, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kennedy family. We understand the deadly nature of mental disease and hope that Hill’s memory will inspire other young people to seek assistance.

Please contact us at your earliest convenience if you are struggling with alcohol or substance use disorder. We offer several programs that can help you learn how to lead a life in recovery.

Honing Life Skills in Recovery

Addiction recovery teaches people how to deal effectively with life on life’s terms. Even though a person has stopped drinking or drugging, they are still going to struggle with the demands and challenges of life. Since stress is one of the leading causes of relapse, it’s prudent to discuss some ways to keep it at bay. There are many things you can do to make navigating life in recovery less challenging.

Most people, it’s fair to say, lack specific life skills when they get to addiction treatment. Alcohol and substance use disorders take precedent over practically all else. It takes an enormous amount of effort to ensure one has their drink or drug of choice, day in and day out. Few people can manage other important tasks when in the grips of the disease. This is especially true for those who began using at a young age.

Neglecting nutrition, school, work, and bills go hand in hand with mental illness. Being responsible and accountable is not often said about those living with a use disorder. Neglecting aspects of one’s life becomes a vicious cycle. Failing to accomplish everyday tasks causes stress in a person’s life; addicts and alcoholics will use drugs and alcohol to cope with that stress.

In recovery, people learn that mitigating stress is vital. Men and women are taught that fostering life skills is a must, in order to maintain balance. Addiction thrives in extremes; if life becomes chaotic, the risk of relapse increases significantly. To avoid doing things that can jeopardize progress, men and women need to discover ways to keep their lives in order.

Life Skills for Addiction Recovery

There are several types of life skills, such as managing finances and living within your means. Other fundamental skills in life include practicing self-care (i.e., eating right and exercising), time management, and keeping an organized living space. Naturally, we could dedicate separate posts to each of the above skill sets. Today’s post will focus on the need for emphasizing the importance of organization.

Early recovery is a fragile time for individuals for several reasons. Sobriety is not a natural state for people with a history of addiction, nor is doing something every day to prevent a return to drugs and alcohol. Years and years of substance use changes how people think and process information. Such men and women have trouble dealing with anything that is outside their control. As such, it is vital to do things that establish and support equilibrium.

Organization is central to preventing outside variables from causing stress. Keeping a tidy household is critical since we spend most of our time in the place we reside. Knowing where essential belongings are will help you avoid getting upset when something can’t be found.

Doing laundry each week will ensure you have clean clothes for work and social engagements. Dedicating small chunks of time throughout the week to domestic chores will help you stay organized and prepared for whatever comes up. Moreover, having a clean living space can also improve how you feel.

Keeping an orderly domicile is a skill that dovetails nicely with financial management. Many people are inclined to let their mail pile up; they sometimes open envelopes weeks after receipt. Making a point of sorting your mail will contribute to tidiness and also help you stay on top of your bills. When bills are paid on time, it alleviates stress.

Honing your life skills takes practice, but it’s doable for anyone clean and sober. You might try dedicating certain days of the week for a particular task (i.e., dusting on Monday, laundry on Wednesday, and bills on Friday). It will make things more manageable.

Learning Life Skills in Christian Rehab

At Celebrate Hope, we believe that clients who adopt new routines are less likely to fall back on old behaviors. We work with clients to hone their life skills. Please contact us today to learn how our Christian drug and alcohol rehab center can help you overcome the emotional and physical bondage of addiction.