The Estate News & Blog

Saint Patrick’s Day is traditionally celebrated with plenty of food and drinks, however, for recovering alcoholics, this holiday can be particularly difficult. Being surrounded by people who are drinking and in a festive atmosphere can be a challenge to navigate, but it is possible to make the most of the day while maintaining sobriety.

It's no secret that life after addiction rehab is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright tough. The good news is that there are things you can do to make the adjustment a little bit easier. After spending time in a rehabilitation facility, an addict may feel overwhelmed and scared of the future. The good news is that there are many ways to get back on track and achieve a “new normal” life.

Recovery from addiction is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and commitment. For many men in recovery, maintaining sobriety in a professional setting can be particularly challenging. Between demanding work schedules, high-pressure environments, and social obligations, it can be easy to lose sight of one's sobriety goals. This is where mindfulness comes in. In this article, we'll explore how mindfulness can help professional men retain their sobriety.

Alcohol related deaths are the third-leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. An estimated 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually. Included in this outrageous number is about 10,000 deaths that were from alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. The impact of alcohol related deaths is far reaching, not only are lives lost prematurely due to excessive drinking but also families and friends are left behind grieving these losses. Despite these growing concerns, many individuals continue to engage in dangerous levels of drinking. To put this into perspective, one in 10 deaths among working-age adults are due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Cocaine is an extremely powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It is commonly snorted, injected or smoked in its powder form; crystal cocaine, also known as crack cocaine, is created by processing powder cocaine with baking soda and water to create a solid form. Cocaine use can cause serious physical and mental health issues, including but not limited to organ damage, depression, paranoia, and hallucinations. It produces an intense high, followed by a crash that can cause users to feel dysphoria and depression. Cocaine use can also lead to increased risk of stroke, heart attack and overdose.

Alcohol consumption starts for many people as a social activity that occurs without consequence. The acceptable times, amounts, and reasons vary from person to person and are dependent on a number of variables. Many people will remain within their acceptable norms for drinking and never experience an increased desire for more. 

Boredom is an emotion that can lead to a variety of responses, both positive and negative. One of the most common and potentially detrimental responses to boredom is addiction. When people become bored with their current environment or activities, they may turn to addictive behaviors as a way of distracting themselves from the boredom. These behaviors might include substance abuse, gambling, or any other form of escapism. Unfortunately, these behaviors often lead to further distress and even more serious addictions that are harder to break.

If you’re one of the millions and millions of people who have to deal with chronic pain on a daily basis—and if that pain makes it difficult or impossible to work or even get through a day without being exhausted, depressed, anxious and irritable – you may be wondering whether there is any point at all to holding onto your sobriety.

Soberman’s Estate would like to congratulate our own Dr. Thomas Gazda for being honored by the American Psychiatric Association as a Distinguished Life Fellow. This recognition puts Dr. Gazda in an elite group of psychiatrists who are recognized as having made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry.

One of the most rewarding aspects of living a sober life is feeling in control of your choices and actions. No longer being at the mercy of substances allows you to fully engage in your relationships, career, and personal growth.