In the pursuit of long-term recovery from Substance Use Disorder, living intentionally with mindfulness is a powerful tool. Mindfulness offers a pathway to stay present, grounded, and purposeful, allowing individuals to fully engage with their sobriety journey. This article explores the concept of mindfulness, its benefits for those in recovery, and practical ways to incorporate mindfulness into daily life.
Recovery from addiction is often a challenging journey that requires commitment, strength, and resilience. Seasonal changes can often affect those on the path of sobriety, making it essential to prioritize not only physical health but also mental well-being during this process. As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, fall offers a beautiful backdrop for those in recovery to focus on their mental health. We hope to inspire you with a few ideas for some fun fall activities that can boost your overall wellbeing.
Topics: Recovery, Healthy, Mental Health
Recovery is more than just a journey of self-transformation, it’s one of redefining relationships with family and friends. At Soberman’s Estate, the importance of setting boundaries is emphasized as a critical step toward sustainable recovery. Boundaries are the invisible lines we draw to protect our well-being and respect our needs during the delicate phases of recovery.
Alin Calini LPC Primary Therapist
The Need for Boundaries in Recovery:
During treatment, men are often vulnerable to external influences. Old patterns of interaction with loved ones may trigger a relapse or hinder progress. Establishing boundaries is therefore not about isolation; it's about creating an environment conducive to healing. Boundaries allow individuals to disconnect from unhealthy relationships and behaviors and provide space for growth.
How Boundaries Aid Recovery:
Setting Boundaries with Family:
Family dynamics can be complex, and it's not uncommon for family members to inadvertently hinder the recovery process. Open communication is key. Men are encouraged to express their needs calmly and clearly, without blame. It's important to articulate what behaviors are acceptable and which are not, and to stand firm on these decisions.
Setting Boundaries with Friends:
Friendships can also challenge recovery, especially if those friendships were formed around substance use. It's crucial to identify which relationships are supportive of recovery and which are detrimental. This may mean taking a break or ending friendships that pose a risk to sobriety.
Setting boundaries is an empowering practice that is vital for recovery. It's a skill that when learned and embodied, will give men the ability to maintain healthy boundaries which will serve them well in all facets of life, and aid them in their journey of recovery.
Every year on November 19, the world celebrates International Men's Day (IMD). It's a day that serves as a reminder of the diverse challenges and triumphs men face in today's world. It's a day dedicated to celebrating men's achievements and contributions to society, family, marriage, and childcare, while also highlighting the importance of men's health and well-being.
Topics: Recovery, Healthy, Mental Health
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for individuals in recovery, it can also be a time filled with triggers, stress, and temptations that may threaten their sobriety. Staying sober during the holidays may be challenging, but it is achievable with the right strategies and support. We’ve come up with 12 practical tips to help you maintain your sobriety throughout season.
Have you ever felt stuck, like you've taken a tumble in life that you just can't recover from? Or perhaps you're one of those who can easily rise, dust off the debris, and push forward without looking back. This resilience—or lack thereof—shapes not only our experiences but also our journey toward recovery.
Imagine, for a moment, navigating the ups and downs of life as a young horse embarking on his first adventure out from the safety of a fenced arena. Take Dreamer, my young colt that was about 18-months old at the time, for example. On his inaugural trail ride, he faced an array of obstacles—a few daunting logs, a challenging incline, and even a shallow stream to cross. He accomplished each task impressively, gaining confidence despite the gusty winds that can unsettle even mature horses. Dreamer was handling the ride with confidence, grace and ease.
As my husband and I were riding back towards home, we were discussing how impressively Dreamer had performed. As the ride neared its end, however, Dreamer stumbled. Falling forward onto his knees and right shoulder, he nearly toppled over entirely. Yet, he managed to compose himself quickly. With just a subtle lift of the reins from me, Dreamer found his balance and returned to a stand. As if nothing happened, he resumed walking, carrying me safely back home. Upon arrival, the remark was made, "I'm glad you both survived the fall." A simple yet profound observation that prompted my reflection on resilience and recovery.
Topics: Recovery, Healthy, Mental Health
September is Pain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and empathy around all kinds of pain, including the emotional and psychological suffering many of us go through. When it comes to emotional pain, guilt and shame often take center stage, becoming overwhelming barriers in the path to recovery.
Topics: Addiction, Recovery, Substance Abuse, Healthy
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, there are so many messages that one can take hold of. There are also a preponderance of symbols which mark the New Year. One of the most famous is the Shofar (Ram’s Horn). Blowing the ram’s horn or shofar on Rosh Hashanah comes directly from the Torah/Old Testament.. There is a commandment that on the first day of the seventh month (Tishrei) “you shall observe complete rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts.” These loud blasts were understood to allude to the blasts of the shofar. There are a number of reasons that are indirectly given as to why we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Saddia Gaon, a famous commentator from Egypt, listed 10 reasons why the shofar is blown. Three in particular can really speak to those in recovery, those struggling with addiction or those who are impacted by addiction; 1) the beginning of the new year 2) the Mt. Sinai experience 3) the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The beginning of the new year is a natural fit. Newness allows us to reset and move forward and not stay stuck in the past. As we know, we can’t go back one second let alone a week, month, or year. By blowing the shofar, we are reminded of the beginning which allows us to reset. In 12 step programs people receive something for their yearly sobriety. It gives them an opportunity to look back on the past year and see where the successes and failures were. What needs to be strengthened and what is on solid ground. The shofar can remind an addict or anyone of what they can do to continue to improve moving forward in the upcoming year.
The second reason from Rabbi Gaon deals with Mt. Sinai. There is an idea that the shofar integrates the spiritual and physical as it comes from an animal and was the very sound that was given at Mount Sinai when the Israelities received the 10 Commandments. Becoming sober from physical addictions starts with our spiritual well being. It is almost impossible to become sober without tapping into your spirituality. Our goal in this world is to integrate the physical with our spiritual and in turn to elevate the physical into something spiritual. Whether you see yourself as a physical being having a spiritual experience or a spiritual being having a physical experience, one must tap into their spiritual side to navigate the road ahead. Whether one is a struggling addict or a person trudging the road of life, we know the importance of integrating our physical, spiritual, mental and emotional components to be successful in everything that we will experience on the long and winding road.
The third reason that Rabbi Saddia Gaon mentioned for blowing the shofar, the destruction of the Temple, is a great reminder for addicts. The destruction that our addiction inflicted upon those around us needs to be subtly reminded. No one lives in a vacuum and everything we do has an impact on those around us. Whether it is a loss of a job, emotional neglect towards those we love, financial destruction, physical scars that have or haven’t healed or anything else. The addiction caused chaos. One does not need to live in a place of guilt or perpetual suffering but, it is important to have a reminder once in a while of the consequences of our actions. This can speak to anyone, not only those that have struggled with addiction.
Whether one celebrates Rosh Hashanah or not the symbol of the shofar can relate to all of those that are working on their sobriety.
Soberman's Estate is a residential men's addiction treatment center that provides discreet, individualized, sophisticated recovery and wellness services for adult men that want to recover from substance use disorders, and or other behavioral issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, or other addictions.
The intricate, winding path of addiction is often accompanied by the heavy weights of shame, guilt and regret. Making the transition from addiction to sobriety can be as much about healing our inner world as it is about breaking free from the physical and mental bonds of substance use. Below are some insights and steps that may help in releasing these burdens and embracing the new chance at life that recovery offers.
Topics: Addiction, Treatment, Recovery, Healthy, Mental Health
Many alcoholics and addicts are selfish. They may not be aware of this, but the simple act of being under the influence is selfish and self-centered as they are not emotionally present for others. Other than being selfish about one’s sobriety, being selfish is not beneficial to recovery.
