Author name: Stephanie Ballard PhD, LPCC, CADC

Communication is a key element to maintaining healthy relationships with others. It is important in any relationship to convey thoughts, ideas, and feelings. We communicate with co-workers, friends, partners, and even strangers. Addiction interferes with and damages relationships. Developing and maintaining healthy communication will help restore trust and avoid any misunderstandings. Here are 5 strategies [...]

Deciding what to pack for your stay in treatment can be stressful. If you know what you should bring when you are packing for treatment, the process to prepare for your stay will be more manageable. Treatment facilities may differ when it comes to certain items you should not pack. Follow the general guidelines of

Addiction affects the way a person takes care of him or herself. The addiction takes over every aspect of life and takes priority over all responsibilities. When a person is living with an addiction, they often forget about self-care. An addicted brain needs to be clear of toxic substances and retrained to function normally. Yoga

Friends and family members who drink alcohol or use drugs should not visit loved ones in rehab. In treatment, people learn how to stay sober, avoid triggers, and completely change the drinking and drug-using lifestyle through structured addiction treatment programs. Detox and treatment are hard and recovery is a lifelong process with challenges to avoid

Recovery takes hard work, optimism, and encouragement from sober loved ones. A strong support system is essential, especially when choosing among the many available addiction treatment programs. These programs vary because addiction affects each person differently. Residential treatment programs are often located in remote settings where individuals stay for a month or longer. Limited distractions