Getting Mental Health Support in the Digital Age

Continuous and reliable mental health support is one of the essential components in lasting recovery. With the internet, it’s now easier than ever to stay in contact with a support network. It’s not just this contact that is a boon to those seeking mental health support. More access to digital resources has broken down barriers that kept people from seeking help, or realizing that they need help in the first place. The more awareness about mental health conditions is spread, the more likely vital information will reach those who need it the most.

However, as amazing as the internet is in assisting people, it can also bring harm. It’s important for those who rely on digital mental health support to understand common dangers they may face along the way. The internet, like most tools, can have a positive or negative effect depending on how the individual utilizes it. 

That’s why mental health care and addiction treatment facilities work to stay on top of the constant breakthroughs in digital support and care. Doing so helps keep clients safe, while also having access to new tools that can further assist in treatment and recovery. Facilities like Driftwood Recovery have even created their own app, allowing their clients and alumni to have portable support and assistance. 

The digital world is vast, but there are some common places a struggling person can look for mental health support.

Common Digital Sources of Mental Health Support

The internet is amazing in that it can connect people who are states, or even whole continents away. Easy means of creating websites, forums, and chatrooms allows for the quick creation of communities united under one topic or goal. It’s common for people to use these sources to connect with those who share a hobby, or the love for a book or television series. However, those who need mental health support can find communities centered around care, treatment, and recovery. A few searches or recommendations from a treatment provider can point you in the right direction to find them.

Local support groups or mental health care facilities may have an online chatroom or forum that clients can access alongside in-person meetings. Some facilities use telehealth, a video care service to reach clients who may be unable to leave their homes, or live far away. Telehealth has been invaluable in extending care to vulnerable people, especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. As long as you have a webcam, you can chat with a provider, or participate in a support group on Zoom, all without leaving the house.

Apps are another common source of mental health support. They can do everything from sending medication reminders to walking you through calming breathing exercises. Some people in recovery use apps to track their progress or journal their experiences. No matter what your needs are, a specialized app may exist to assist you. 

However, as useful as these digital support tools are, it’s still important to be cautious when using them.

Online Safety Tips When Seeking Mental Health Support

Several dangers can exist online — one being toxic communities and echo chambers. These communities can spread misinformation or even encourage someone to jeopardize their recovery. Before joining an online community or chat group, examine their behaviors. Do they encourage you to seek professional help, or are they trying to sell you a miracle cure? Will they hold you accountable, or will they blame your actions on others? Do they accept criticism, or do they get angry when you bring up concerns? Trust your gut, especially if they make you feel insecure or isolated.

Secondly, never give out your full name and address online. Be wary about sharing pictures, especially if they have identifying information in them. If you are meeting someone, do so in a public place and always tell someone where you are going. Some apps can also be malware or viruses in disguise. Always check reviews and only download apps from secure sites. 

If you are seeking digital mental health support, it’s always okay to talk to a mental health care professional about it. They’ll give you resources that will help you find connections with others. They may be able to recommend apps or other digital tools that can offer assistance. For those in treatment at Driftwood Recovery, there is the Driftwood Recovery app — which can further assist in the recovery process. 

The Driftwood Recovery App

As part of the alumni program, all clients, alumni, and their families have access to the Driftwood Recovery app. This app is designed to help participants stay connected, no matter how far away they are. It allows for continuous peer support, ensuring that nobody is alone or isolated. This is important, as studies show that peer support has a positive effect on recovery. The Driftwood Recovery app also offers easy access to current and future events. With regular updates, participants learn about upcoming workshops and community meetups. 

The goal of the Driftwood Recovery app is to remind participants that they are never alone, even when they struggle. There is always a way to connect with your peers. Sobriety can be challenging and having that connection available can be welcomed. Also, it’s not uncommon for peers to form lasting friendships. Being reminded of exciting upcoming events can offer mental health support by showing you that good things are coming your way. For those who struggle to pull themselves out of darkness, having such a beacon of light can help guide them out.

The digital age offers many wonders. Perhaps the most amazing of all is easier access to help for those struggling. 

The digital age has allowed for people with mental health disorders to find support and assistance from the comfort of their homes. Utilizing digital resources ensures that individuals can stay in contact with their support network or seek help quickly. The value of such tools cannot be overstated. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, we provide and guide clients to mental health digital tools to assist them in their recovery journey. With our Driftwood Recovery app, alumni can stay connected, and subsequently, stay in recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or its co-occurring mental health disorders, don’t wait to get help. Contact Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common co-occurring disorders diagnosed alongside substance use disorder (SUD). The symptoms and side effects of ADHD vary significantly from person to person and exist along a spectrum. Healthcare professionals use evidence-based and holistic modalities to treat addiction and co-occurring ADHD. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff to tailor treatment services to accommodate clients with ADHD and other conditions. 

Clients With ADHD May Experience Unique Symptoms and Side Effects

Healthcare professionals must keep in mind how co-occurring conditions, including ADHD, may impact a client’s ability to adhere to treatment guidelines and achieve lasting sobriety. Flexible rehabilitation programs treat all active conditions simultaneously and allow for accommodations. Experts in mental health and addiction work together to effectively address any symptoms or side effects clients experience during early recovery. 

Individuals diagnosed with co-occurring SUD and ADHD may experience unique symptoms, including: 

• Impulsivity 
• Difficulty delaying gratification 
• Increased cravings and intrusive thoughts 
• Forgetfulness
• Disorganization
• Intense mood swings and emotion dysregulation 
• Trouble with low stimulation and boredom 
• Chronic sleep disturbances or irregular sleep patterns 
• Impaired executive function 
• Inconsistent motivation and difficulty following through with set goals 

Clinicians benefit from collaborating with clients to determine the most effective way to manage issues affecting client focus, energy, and commitment to recovery. Treatment plans generally include a combination of evidence-based and holistic therapies. According to Cureus, “Non-pharmacologic interventions proposed for the management of ADHD include mindfulness-based stress management, exercise, and meditation amongst others.” Staff at Driftwood Recovery accommodate clients with ADHD who may need additional structure or support to remain actively engaged in treatment. 

Creating Personalized Care Plans for Specific Groups

Tailored care plans allow mental health and addiction experts to adjust treatment as needed to meet client goals. Healthcare professionals create personalized treatment plans by doing the following: 

• Utilizing comprehensive assessments
• Identifying client goals 
• Customizing therapeutic modalities 
• Offering medication management 
• Addressing sensory and environment considerations 
• Enhancing coping skills
• Offering family and social support
• Gradually exposing clients to triggers 
• Offering practical support adhering to treatment 
• Comprehensive aftercare planning 

An individualized approach to client care improves the effectiveness of addiction treatment for clients with ADHD. According to the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, “The premise is that individual differences are likely to exist in the effects of treatments and that if those individual differences can be predicted, they can be used to select the most effective treatment for a particular individual.” Tailored care plans reduce the risk of relapse. The dedicated professionals at Driftwood Recovery educate clients and their loved ones on the various treatment options to ensure they make informed decisions about their care. 

Being Mindful of Co-Occurring Conditions to Better Serve Clients

Co-occurring conditions may interfere with rehabilitation, making it more difficult for healthcare professionals to treat clients. Individuals with SUD and ADHD may have other co-occurring conditions affecting their ability to adhere to treatment programs. Being mindful of all active disorders and underlying issues ensures that addiction and mental health professionals provide appropriate treatment options to meet each client’s unique needs. 

Healthcare Professionals Can Adjust Treatment Programs to Support Clients With ADHD

Treatment programs should meet clients’ needs by anticipating and addressing issues affecting client engagement. Healthcare professionals often use an integrative approach to care and collaboration to ensure clients can access essential support. 

Some potential accommodations that addiction and mental health professionals provide to clients with ADHD include the following: 

• Allowing movement or breaks during therapy 
• Breaking therapy down into shorter sessions 
• Supplementing treatment with written or visual instructions and guidelines 
• Adjusting expectations and treating clients with compassion if they struggle with memory issues or focus
• Teaching effective strategies for emotional regulation
• Recognizing and addressing impulsivity during relapse prevention education 
• Teaching time management strategies 
• Allowing for greater flexibility in treatment sessions 

Healthcare professionals work with each client to determine what symptoms or side effects of their ADHD may need to be addressed through accommodations or other forms of support. 

How Do Professionals at Driftwood Recovery Treat Clients With ADHD?

Individuals with co-occurring SUD and ADHD benefit from tailored care focused on both conditions. According to The American Journal on Addictions, “Given the common co-occurrence of ADHD with SUD, clinicians working with patients with SUD must be proficient in the identification and treatment of ADHD.” The staff members at Driftwood Recovery treat ADHD using a combination of evidence-based and holistic therapies. 

Preparing Clients for Lasting Sobriety With Comprehensive Aftercare Planning

Clients with ADHD often struggle to manage cravings, everyday stressors, and intrusive thoughts. Healthcare professionals improve the effectiveness of treatment and help clients continue making progress in their healing journey by developing comprehensive aftercare plans. Staff prepare clients for long-term recovery by educating them in the realities of recovery from addiction with ADHD. 

Some of the factors clients and clinicians must consider during aftercare planning include: 

• Greater risk of impulsive relapse during continuing care 
• Need for increased accountability and frequent check-ins 
• Greater risk of boredom leading to relapse 
• Need for structured routines 

The experts at Driftwood Recovery work together to ensure that clients feel confident and prepared for long-term sobriety by providing detailed aftercare plans and referrals to additional resources. 

ADHD affects everyone differently. Some individuals may not need additional accommodations to successfully participate in structured treatment. However, other clients may require therapy, prescription medications, or other treatments to control symptoms of ADHD during rehabilitation and aftercare. ADHD cannot be “cured” and must be managed long-term. Healthcare professionals use their experience and expertise to help clients and their families navigate recovery. Driftwood Recovery treats clients with ADHD and other co-occurring disorders using a combination of evidence-based and holistic therapies. The personalized approach improves treatment outcomes and ensures clients have the ability to focus on their treatments. To learn more about our facility, programs, and treatments, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.

Healthcare professionals work with a wide range of individuals with different needs, including clients diagnosed with autism. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be twice as likely to experience substance use disorder (SUD). According to Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, “The high functioning group of patients with ASD will be more likely to engage in social activities and may use alcohol or drugs as a coping strategy or a form of self-medication to reduce social anxiety and increase their social skills.” Driftwood Recovery treats clients with autism using evidence-based and alternative holistic modalities. 

Creating Personalized Care Plans for Clients With Autism

Individuals with ASD benefit from personalized care plans and comprehensive support services. Healthcare professionals create a more welcoming and comfortable environment by tailoring care plans to each client’s expectations and needs. 

Addiction and mental health experts create individualized treatment plans for clients with autism by doing the following: 

• Conducting thorough evaluations and assessments to determine what factors may impact treatment and recovery 
• Collaborating with neurodevelopmental specialists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists 
• Accommodating sensory sensitivities during treatment 
• Providing structured, consistent, and predictable schedules 
• Modifying therapeutic modalities to suit each client’s preferred style of communication 
• Providing autism-friendly coping skills for managing SUD and co-occurring conditions 
• Involving family members in the treatment process 

Clinicians benefit from collaborating with professionals, clients, and families to create the most effective treatment plans. Healthcare professionals treating clients with ASD must take into consideration all factors that may affect the client-clinician relationship and the client’s comfort during rehabilitation. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to educate themselves on the needs of specific groups to ensure they provide the best care. 

Autism and Support Services

Individuals with autism may require additional support services to address underlying issues, co-occurring conditions, or other health concerns. Clinicians may refer clients to specialists to ensure they receive high-quality care. Clients with ASD also benefit from comprehensive aftercare planning and alumni support services during the transition from structured treatment to aftercare. Healthcare professionals may consult with outside professionals to ensure they provide the most appropriate care to individuals with ASD. 

Family Involvement in Treatment and Aftercare

Family involvement provides additional information for the clinical team and ensures clients have more support. According to Pediatric Research, “Most individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—a complex, life-long developmental disorder—do not have access to the care required to address their diverse health needs.” Healthcare professionals educate families and clients, providing information on additional resources to ensure they receive the best care. 

Rehabilitation programs incorporate families into the community and recovery process by doing the following: 

• Providing updates to family members with approval from the client 
• Offering family therapy and other support services 
• Using community events to educate families and introduce them to the sober community 

Individuals with autism benefit from having a solid support network. Staff at Driftwood Recovery help clients develop a support system and prepare for long-term sobriety. 

Unique Challenges Faced by Clients With Autism

Some of the unique challenges faced by clients with autism include: 

• Disruption to daily routines during treatment may cause emotional distress and resistance to change 
• Group therapy and support groups may feel intimidating and overwhelming 
• Difficulty with traditional talk therapy due to literal interpretations of language
• Clinical setting may cause sensory overload and increased anxiety 
• Difficulty identifying and expressing emotions 
• Traditional mindfulness-based therapies may not be effective 

Healthcare professionals help clients navigate these challenges using evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies. 

How Does Driftwood Recovery Treat Clients With Autism?

The clinical team and support staff at Driftwood Recovery use tailored care plans to treat clients with ASD. Therapeutic sessions, peer interactions, and program expectations may be adjusted as needed to support clients with specialized needs. Staff ensure clients and their families have the information and resources they need to successfully navigate rehabilitation and aftercare. Each client has unique needs, and every department at the facility works together to ensure those needs are met.  

Healthcare Professionals Help Clients Navigate Treatment

Clients with autism may need additional help navigating the treatment process from the initial interview until the transition to aftercare. Healthcare professionals support clients by building trust through person-centered care. Staff at Driftwood Recovery have the training and expertise needed to treat individuals with autism and ensure they feel comfortable maintaining sobriety independently. 

Healthcare professionals accommodate clients with autism by doing the following: 

• Creating sensory-friendly environments
• Using clear language and avoiding metaphors or abstract concepts to ensure effective communication 
• Providing predictable routines 
• Teaching individualized coping strategies
• Allowing for gradual social exposure and community integration 
• Adapting relapse prevention plans 
• Providing autism-friendly, trauma-informed care 
• Validating neurodivergent experiences 

Individuals with autism benefit from participating in addiction and mental health treatment programs. Healthcare professionals offer essential insights, resources, education, and support to clients and their loved ones to ensure individuals with autism have positive treatment outcomes. 

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder may experience challenges during treatment related to interpersonal connections, communication, and behavior. Healthcare professionals work with clients to determine how best to accommodate their needs and preferences while providing appropriate and effective treatment. Autism exists along a spectrum, and each client has a unique recovery experience. Experts in addiction recovery and mental health have an ethical obligation to ensure clients feel safe and comfortable during the treatment process. Staff members at Driftwood Recovery work closely with clients and their loved ones to ensure individuals with autism receive the level of support they need to heal from SUD and mental health disorders. To learn more about our staff and facility, call us at (512) 759-8330.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40.3 million people (14.5%) in the United States have a substance use disorder (SUD). In addition, as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes, 59.3 million (23.1%) U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Further, as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states, approximately 21.5 million adults in the U.S. have a co-occurring disorder. The prevalence of SUD, other mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders highlights the complexities of recovery and the need for continuing care. With continuing care in recovery, you can utilize resources like self-help groups to address various challenges in recovery. 

At Driftwood Recovery, we know fostering a connection with a community of peers in recovery is invaluable to recovery. Through the forging of deep connections with others, you can gain greater self-awareness and self-understanding. With greater self-awareness and self-understanding, you can build a strong base of connection with both the self and others to sustain recovery. The power of connection reminds you that you belong, are loved, and are deserving of healing. Thus, the power of connection with others makes self-help groups crucial to the healing process.

Yet, you may question how you can build connections with self-help groups. Often challenges with SUD and/or other mental health disorders work to disconnect you from others. SUD and mental health challenges isolate you and convince you that no one understands you or your experiences. However, self-help groups can help you recognize that you are not alone in your challenges or recovery. By increasing your knowledge of self-help groups, you can better understand their value for your well-being. 

What Are Self-Help Groups?

As noted in “Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines” by C. Khasnabis et al., self-help groups are informal groups of people who work together to address common challenges. At the core of self-help groups is the idea of mutual support in which the group members help each other. Further, as the American Psychological Association (APA) states, self-help groups meet regularly to help each other cope with various life problems. As a result, typically there is no fee or limit to the number of group members, and it is led by members rather than health professionals. Through self-help groups, you can find emotional support and practical help to share experiences, coping strategies, and resources. 

Yet, you may question why you would join a self-help group. Aren’t self-help groups and group therapy the same if they both offer things like experiential support? Why choose a self-help group when you can get professional support in group therapy? Group therapy can be invaluable to your recovery. However, understanding the difference between self-help and group therapy can provide insight into the value of self-help groups post-treatment.

Differences Between Self-Help and Group Therapy

According to “Understanding Group Therapy and Support Groups” by Marla Deibler, group therapy and self-help groups can play a significant role in your long-term well-being. Self-help groups and group therapy share many similarities and are often used in conjunction. While you can benefit from self-help groups and group therapy in your recovery, there are some key differences to note:

• Self-help groups
  • Affordable
  • Unlimited group size
  • More informal
    • May or may not have a set curriculum
    • Topics vary based on current challenges
    • Process-oriented
  • Most often led by peers
  • You can attend meetings for as long as needed
  • Supports the transition from treatment to recovery
  • Bridges gaps in support
• Group therapy
  • A greater expense but often covered by insurance
  • Small group
  • More formal
    • Follows a curriculum
    • Tailored to address specific issues
    • May include homework 
    • Focused goals
  • Guidance from clinicians
  • Often supports well-being in treatment

At the end of the day, the goal of continuing care services is to help you find the right resources for you. 

Finding Your Group: Types of Self-Help Groups

Much like your experiences, there are a variety of self-help groups that are unique in the needs they support. Some of the different self-help groups types include:

• 12-Step
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
  • Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA)
• Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery)
• Online support groups
• Condition-specific support groups
  • Alzheimer’s Association
• Educational support groups
• Family support groups

Many different types of self-help groups can overlap with each other, like educational and family support groups. Thus, there is a support group that can meet your specific needs, from meeting in person or online, using a formal or informal structure, to serving specific communities. Access to different types of self-help groups can have a profound impact on your well-being.

Benefits of Self-Help Groups

Through education, shared experiences, and peer support, you can address challenges that impact every facet of your life. Self-help groups have become known for the value they bring to psychological wellness, sobriety, and vulnerable communities. Listed below are some additional benefits of support groups:

• Self-esteem
• Motivation
• Self-regulation 
• Adaptive coping skills
• Self-efficacy
• Reduce stigma
• Sense of belonging

Further, self-help groups are cost-effective, which can help close the gap in support for individuals and communities that experience greater socioeconomic barriers.

Building Community Through Shared Experiences at Driftwood Recovery

Self-help groups’ ability to address and close gaps in socioeconomic barriers speaks to its power as a tool for change and growth throughout recovery. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a strong alumni program, where you can find connection, meet challenges head-on, and thrive at every stage of recovery. We understand that many of the challenges you have faced in treatment and recovery are intersectional. Therefore, you deserve a treatment and recovery program that meets you where you are. With compassion, guidance, support, and accountability, you can break the cycle of suffering to foster a purposeful and fulfilling life in sustained recovery.

Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health disorders does not start and end with treatment. The challenges of addiction and mental illness impact every facet of your life. Thus, access to continuing care services like an alumni program is invaluable to maintaining recovery. Through an active alumni program, you can connect with peers and access resources like self-help groups to thrive post-treatment. While group therapy and self-help groups have many similarities, outside of treatment, self-help groups offer an affordable, peer-driven, and flexible support option. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing support that fosters physical, psychological, and social wellness. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn how self-help groups can support whole-person healing and sustained recovery.

Mood disorders as a whole affect a large amount of our current population. According to statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, 21.4% of U.S. adults are estimated to have had a mood disorder at some point in their lives. Mood disorders tend to have co-occurring disorders — one of the most common being substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction. Together, this creates a dual diagnosis, when a person has two or more co-occurring mental health disorders. 

Are you more likely to have one of these disorders if you have another? Statistically, the answer is yes: 56% of people with bipolar disorder have also reported to have an SUD, along with 18% of those with major depressive disorder. However, this does not necessarily mean that one disorder will always cause the other. The true answer is a lot more complex, but there is a noticeable link between the two disorders. As more research is conducted, the more we learn why these disorders are so closely linked.

What Are Mood Disorders?

Mood disorders affect a person’s emotions and feelings to the point where it interferes with their ability to function in normal life. There are two types of mood disorder, depression and bipolar disorder. Both these disorders can be further broken down into types — such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or bipolar II disorder. Mood disorders are typically long lasting, sometimes even life-long. However, with professional help, people can and do live normal lives while living with these conditions. 

Common symptoms of depressive disorders include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Difficulties in concentration or focus 
• Self-isolation 
• Unplanned weight-loss or gain
• Difficulties falling asleep or sleeping too much 

Common symptoms of bipolar disorders include:

• Feelings of worthless or guilt
• Episodes of depression, mania and/or hypomania
• Feelings of melancholy
• Engagement in risky behavior
• Feeling a distorted sense of well-being

Though different disorders, there are some overlapping symptoms — mainly, thoughts of suicide or death. Experiencing these symptoms denotes a need for help. If you can’t stop thinking about death or suicide, reach out for help right away through the 988 Lifeline.

Why Are Mood Disorders and Addiction Linked?

It’s hard to tell which disorder came first in a dual diagnosis. Mood disorders often lead to someone self-medicating to deal with negative feelings, which leads to dependence and then addiction. Substance use can exacerbate mood degradation, which can develop into depression or other mood disorders. But what causes someone to want to engage in substance use, or develop a mood disorder? There are several theories on what may be responsible for the development of both conditions. 

Genetics may be one cause. Both mood disorders and addiction have genetic risk factors. Those with family members with either disorder are more likely to develop it themselves. By no means is this a prophecy, but many with either disorder report that they have a family member who struggles as well. 

Trauma and adverse living conditions may also be an underlying link between both disorders. Living in an abusive situation can cause the development of a mood disorder as well as a dependence on substances as a coping mechanism. This is especially true if there is an overabundance of stress. Depression may arise from feelings of helplessness due to chronic stress, and stress can facilitate self-medicating behaviors to deal with it.

Some substances themselves can mimic symptoms of depression and mania. For example, withdrawal from stimulants like cocaine can cause the development of anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) — a common symptom of depression. These symptoms are the result of a change in brain chemistry. Disorders like depression can arise with the interruption of brain chemicals like serotonin. An individual’s brain chemistry is unique and delicate. The interruption of such due to substance abuse can be a factor behind mood disorders. 

Treating a Dual Diagnosis at Driftwood Recovery

The staff at Driftwood Recovery understand the link between mood disorders and addiction and are fully prepared to offer dual diagnosis treatment. A dual diagnosis can be complex, requiring a specialized treatment plan to facilitate recovery. Although a dual diagnosis can feel impossible to overcome, plenty can and do recover from them. The goal is to address the underlying cause for full healing. This can include utilizing trauma-based therapies, family therapy, and stress management techniques. Paired with holistic methodologies and frequent evaluations, clients get the care they need for success. 

Medications may also be needed as part of treatment. Conditions like bipolar disorder do need medication to manage symptoms. Those with depressive disorders can utilize medication to help them feel more focused and comfortable as they undergo treatment. Some addictions may require medication-assisted detox or withdrawal management for the safety of the client. If you need medications, Driftwood Recovery will ensure that the process is safe.

Sometimes being removed from a toxic environment can facilitate positive change in treatment. Driftwood Recovery is designed to be a sanctuary, offering security, safety, and support to all who receive treatment there. This environment shows clients that, yes, they deserve to be treated well and to receive kindness. Such an environment is important for those who want privacy as they recover. 

Again, it’s important to reiterate that though mood disorders and addiction are linked, they are not a guarantee. However, those who struggle with both can achieve recovery as long as they are willing to accept professional help. Experiencing either condition, let alone both, is serious enough to necessitate treatment. So don’t wait, experience Driftwood Recovery for yourself. 

The link between mood disorders and addiction means that many people struggle with a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis takes specialized treatment to overcome, but recovery is possible for anyone with the right professional help. At Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients can find comprehensive and compassionate dual diagnosis treatment. With an emphasis on providing sanctuary, clients find a supportive and safe environment to find healing. Evidence-backed and holistic treatments ensure total care to an individual’s mind, body, and spirit. If you or a loved one is struggling with a mood disorder and addiction, don’t wait to get help. Reach out to Driftwood Recovery today by calling (512) 759-8330.

Stress is a common and unavoidable part of life. However, when you experience too much stress, it has a profound impact on your well-being. As the American Psychological Association (APA) notes in “Stress in America 2022”, in the United States alone, 27% of adults feel like they cannot function due to stress. Moreover, 76% of adults are experiencing physical and psychological health issues due to stress. Addressing the life stressors that contribute to different levels of stress is invaluable to healing and recovery.

At Driftwood Recovery, we know building critical life skills is crucial to fostering a new outlook and healthier life. Recovery is not only about ending substance use but also about healing the whole person. As a result, addressing life stressors is an important part of your recovery journey. We are dedicated to providing a vibrant alumni program to help you overcome life stressors and build a courageous life in sustained recovery.

Yet, you may question, if life stressors are unavoidable, how can you avoid relapse? How can an alumni program help you address life stressors? Expanding your understanding of stress can give you insight into how life stressors impact your well-being. With greater self-awareness, you can learn how to identify and manage stressors rather than become overwhelmed.

What Is Stress?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), stress is a physical and emotional reaction to an event or challenging experience. Stress is often described as a state of worry or tension that can manifest physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thus, stress can impact your physical health, mental health, and behavior. However, stress and stress responses are a natural reaction from your body when you encounter challenges or change. As Medline Plus notes, in short bursts, stress can be a positive thing in your life. Some of the ways stress can be positive include:

• Alertness to avoid danger
• Motivation to take on challenges

Everyone experiences short-term or acute stress to some degree, but when left unchecked, it can cause harm. Prolonged or chronic stress can lead to serious physical and psychological health issues. Yet, how do you recognize the difference between acute and chronic stress? When is stress helpful, and when is it harmful?

Addressing Examples of Life Stressors

Countless life stressors can contribute to acute and chronic stress. The difference between healthy and unhealthy stress can be divided into eustress and distress. Eustress motivates you, drives you, can feel exciting, and happens over a short period. In contrast, distress leaves you feeling anxious and overwhelmed over a short or long period. Listed below are some life stressors that can contribute to short-term and long-term stress:

• Eustress
  • Moving
  • Buying a home
  • Getting married
  • Having a child
  • Starting college
  • Giving a presentation at work or school
  • Learning a new hobby
  • The holiday season
• Distress
  • Job insecurity
  • Unemployment
  • Low income
  • Unstable housing
  • Relationship conflict
  • Serious injury or illness
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Separation and divorce
  • Abuse and neglect

Moreover, distress that contributes to life stressors can also come from internal challenges. Fear, ruminating thoughts, and worrying about the future can all contribute to physical and psychological distress. While some stressors come and go, other chronic stressors can have a profound impact on your well-being.

The Impact of Life Stressors on Well-Being

You are likely aware that when left unaddressed, life stressors can negatively impact your physical and psychological health. Yet, many people try to ignore or downplay stress because it feels overwhelming and scary to confront the thing causing distress. You may not recognize the seriousness of your stress or convince yourself that the stressors will go away. Understanding the impact of life stressors on your well-being is vital to addressing and overcoming those challenges. Listed below are some of the ways stress can harm your physical and psychological health:

• Headaches
• Chest pain
• High blood pressure
• Heart diseases
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Menstrual issues
• Stomach issues
• Sleep issues
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance use disorder (SUD)

Challenges with stress often stem from a complex array of life stressors, mental health difficulties, and stress-related behaviors. As noted by Frontiers in Psychology, stress-related behaviors like poor sleep and unhealthy eating can exacerbate stress-related health issues. Interrelated stressors can further increase your risk for relapse when those stressors are left to fester. When left unaddressed, life stressors can make managing cravings more difficult and impair your ability to use adaptive coping strategies. Thus, building stress management skills is an invaluable part of treatment and recovery for sustained recovery.

Stress Management: Building Strategies for Life Stressors

Many life stressors are common and unavoidable parts of life. However, you can take steps to recognize and manage the impact of those stressors on your well-being. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, building healthy coping strategies can help reduce your stress. Although everyone responds to and manages stress in different ways, listed below are some strategies you can explore for your life:

• Physical activity
• Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Practice gratitude
• Relaxation techniques
  • Deep breathing
• Self-care
  • Hobbies
• Social support
  • Loved ones
  • Self-help groups
• Sleep routine
• Well-balanced diet
• Try to eliminate stressors 
• Spend time with loved ones

Access to support can play a significant role in your ability to manage stress and eliminate stressors in your life. 

Building Tools for Stress at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive alumni services for a quality life beyond sobriety. With access to continuing care services, you can address stress-related physical and psychological barriers like unemployment and housing instability. Leaning on support from alumni can provide emotional relief, offer practical support, help you strategize, and build resilience. Therefore, access to support from an active alumni program can provide connection, guidance, and resources to support stress management. Through alumni, you can find support for employment, education, activities, and connection with a compassionate sober community. 

Life stressors are a common and unavoidable part of life. Moreover, some forms of stress can be positive, like starting a new job or having a baby. However, other stressors like unemployment and housing issues can contribute to chronic stress. When challenges with stress are left to fester, your physical and psychological well-being are negatively impacted. The combination of stress-related challenges like anxiety, depression, headaches, and poor sleep can contribute to relapse. Thus, building tools for stress management, like a support network and resources, are invaluable to sustained recovery. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing an alumni program where you can access the support and services you need to thrive. Call us at (512) 759-8330 today.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a poorly understood mental health condition that is deeply rooted in stigma. This causes those living with this condition to avoid seeking help, which in turn causes the condition to worsen. Without treatment, those living with this disorder can damage not only their relationships with others but themselves as well.

It’s why seeking a diagnosis and treatment is so critical after noticing the signs of BPD. Although it’s a life-long condition, it can still be treated and managed. Mental health care and addiction treatment facilities, such as Driftwood Recovery, treat conditions like BPD. This is because this condition and addiction commonly co-occur, resulting in a dual diagnosis. 

Admitting that you or a loved one may have BPD can be scary. It’s a condition poorly represented in popular media and often used to paint someone as the villain. Separating fact from fiction can be hard, but with the help of a mental health care professional, light can shine on this highly misunderstood condition.

A Brief Overview Of BPD

BPD is a mental health condition that results in extreme mood fluctuations and impulsivity. This can have a severe impact on the person’s interpersonal and social relationships. It is part of cluster B personality disorders, which involve dramatic and erratic behaviors. Common symptoms of BPD include:

• Extreme mood fluctuations and swings
• Patterns of unstable interpersonal relationships
• Intense fear of abandonment 
• Difficulty regulating emotions, especially anger
• Impulsive, dangerous, and reckless behavior 
• Temporary paranoid thoughts
• Repeated self-harm or suicidal behavior
• Chronic feelings of emptiness
• Unstable self-image or sense of self

It’s unknown what exactly causes BPD to develop. However, survivors of childhood abuse or trauma have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with this condition. Factors such as family history, brain changes, and being diagnosed with conditions such as depression or anxiety can also increase the risk of BPD. 

Myths and Facts Surrounding BPD

Separating the facts from misinformation is important in reducing the stigma those with BPD face. The more this stigma is lessened, the more likely those with the condition can find the assistance they need for recovery. Many struggle with this condition because they don’t know there are tools out there to help them. Spreading awareness doesn’t just help you. It also helps those around you who are hiding or making their condition.

Myth #1: BPD Only Affects Women

It was originally thought that this condition disproportionately affected women, with a belief that almost 75% of diagnoses belong to women. However, recent studies have shown that there is very little gender difference in diagnosis rates.

Myth #2: This Is a Rare Condition

Though it’s hard to get accurate estimates due to people being reluctant to seek professional help, it’s estimated that 1.6% of the US population has BPD.

Myth #3: People With BPD Are Always Attention-Seeking or Manipulating Others

BPD can cause people to act in ways in which they would not if they were mentally well. This condition is considered to be very uncomfortable, with high levels of anxiety and stress. Those engaging in manipulation or attention-seeking are usually doing so due to their fearful desperation to avoid rejection or relieve symptoms. They cannot control this behavior without professional help.

Myth #4: People With This Condition Are Dangerous

Those with BPD are more likely to harm themselves than they are another person. They may lose their temper or get physically confrontational, but they are more likely to engage in self-harming behaviors or suicide.

Myth #5: BPD Cannot Be Treated

Like other mental health conditions, BPD is treatable with professional help. With a supportive environment and quality treatment, people with BPD can live normal and successful lives. 

Seeking Treatment at Driftwood Recovery

Treating personality disorders has historically been difficult. With the future development of evidence-based treatments, people with this disorder can now receive the comprehensive treatment they need. BPD itself is mostly treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. The main psychotherapy used is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which was designed to help people with BPD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and group therapy are also helpful in treating this condition, all of which can be found at Driftwood Recovery.

What makes BPD tricky to treat is that it usually has a concurring disorder. Some common co-occurring disorders include substance use, anxiety, mood, and eating disorders. These disorders can sometimes interfere with the diagnosis process, preventing the person from getting quick treatment. Once a dual diagnosis has been confirmed, these concurring disorders must be treated alongside BPD at the same time, necessitating an individualized treatment plan. Clients at Driftwood Recovery always undergo an assessment and stabilization process. This allows professionals at Driftwood Recovery to identify additional needs, all of which are addressed in their treatment plan.

Even with quality and comprehensive treatment, it still takes hard work and time to recover from BPD and its co-occurring disorders. To give further assistance, clients have access to programs during and after treatment. Programs such as the alumni program and relapse prevention allow those with BPD to always have access to help, even when treatment is completed.

There is hope for those with BPD. With a commitment to treatment and a personal willingness to embrace change, anything is possible. All it takes is compassion and kindness to show you that despite your mental health conditions, you are still a person worthy of help and understanding.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health condition that can greatly affect a person’s ability to form healthy relationships. Though this condition is greatly misunderstood, it is, in fact, a treatable condition. Getting swift and professional help for BPD is important for a healthy and successful life. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients can find comprehensive BPD treatment. This also includes treatment for commonly co-occurring disorders, such as addiction and substance use disorder. If you or a loved one is struggling with BPD, know that people do live with this condition and lead happy, successful lives. To learn about BPD treatment at Driftwood Recovery, call (512) 759-8330 today. 

Every client has different needs and expectations during treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health issues. Healthcare professionals must determine the best ways to meet each client’s needs while following strict policies and procedures to maintain treatment quality. Clients benefit from tailored treatment plans that successfully address their current conditions and any underlying health factors affecting their recovery. Staff members at Driftwood Recovery prioritize balancing client needs with program goals. 

Setting Realistic Treatment Expectations

Individuals participating in treatment may have unachievable personal goals for their recovery. Healthcare professionals educate clients and their loved ones to ensure they set realistic expectations about treatment. Understanding what to expect from therapy sessions, program activities, and other aspects of treatment prepares clients for each stage of recovery. 

Some of the ways medical professionals set realistic expectations with clients include: 

• Explaining the treatment process step-by-step in easy-to-understand language 
• Discussing potential challenges or setbacks with clients and their families
• Setting clear and achievable short-term or long-term goals
• Providing honest timelines for recovery and explaining the effectiveness of treatment 
• Ensuring clients understand their role in the treatment process 
• Using real-world examples to illustrate potential treatment outcomes
• Regularly checking client progress and adjusting outcome expectations 

Professionals use these tools and tactics to ensure clients feel comfortable with the treatment process and fully understand the various potential outcomes. According to the Journal of Emergencies, Trauma, and Shock, “Understanding patients’ expectations can enhance their satisfaction level [. . .]. Studies have shown that as much as 70% of litigation relates to real or perceived problems involving physician communications, which influences patients’ expectations.” Setting realistic expectations reduces stress on staff members and creates a better treatment experience for clients. 

The Importance of Balancing Client Needs

Balancing client needs with the goals of healthcare programs does the following: 

• Promotes individualized and consistent client care 
• Enhances client engagement in the treatment process 
• Builds trust and shows respect to clients and their loved ones 
• Encourages better adherence to treatment plans
• Reduces burnout for healthcare professionals 
• Promotes ethical practices 
• Increases program credibility and quality 
• Supports sustainable recovery

Healthcare experts learn to effectively identify and address client needs using their expertise and the many therapeutic tools available. Driftwood Recovery uses a wide range of modalities to ensure each client receives the care, guidance, and support they need to heal. Finding the best treatment for each individual reduces strain on staff members and ensures programs succeed in helping clients achieve long-term sobriety and positive mental health. 

Meeting Clients Where They Are Today

Part of working in healthcare involves meeting clients where they are today and providing them with the resources and tools to move forward in their healing journey. Therapists and other experts work together to assess clients, identify their needs, and offer practical solutions to help them recover from the effects of SUD or mental health issues. Treatment programs provide clients with progressive stages of recovery, allowing them to slowly regain control of their lives through skill development and structured support. 

What Does Balancing Client Needs Mean?

Balancing client needs may seem complicated due to the many potential factors influencing client recovery and health. However, creating a balance between client needs and workplace expectations often develops naturally in a therapeutic relationship. For example, therapists use their skills to help clients identify areas of their lives they can change to improve their mental health, assisting them in moving through the various stages of healing within the timeframe of their treatment program. A balance between program goals and personal growth is critical to ensuring client safety and health. 

Balancing Client Needs at Driftwood Recovery

Driftwood Recovery prioritizes the needs of clients and their loved ones. Collaboration between professionals is essential to ensure clients receive consistent care throughout every level of rehabilitation. Staff members go above and beyond to ensure clients feel supported, heard, and understood throughout every stage of treatment. 

Some of the ways professionals balance client needs with program goals include: 

• Maintaining honest and empathetic communication throughout treatment 
• Respecting client autonomy
• Adjusting plans as necessary to accommodate client needs
• Providing information on various support resources for treatment and aftercare 

Driftwood Recovery offers flexibility and tailored treatment plans to ensure clients feel confident managing their condition independently during ongoing recovery. Client confidence improves the effectiveness of treatment programs and reduces stress on healthcare professionals. 

Healthcare Professionals Have an Obligation to Meet Program Goals

Professionals are obligated to succeed at filling their roles within an organization. In most cases, this involves ensuring treatment programs meet quality expectations. Understanding and fulfilling client needs within the confines of treatment programs allows clinicians to build deeper connections with clients and provide the best possible outcomes for individuals in recovery. Experts at Driftwood Recovery understand the importance of creating a personalized and balanced approach to client care that ensures clients feel comfortable with their progress while meeting program goals. 

Treatment programs have to meet clear organizational goals and expectations to succeed. Healthcare professionals must work hard to achieve these goals while ensuring client health, safety, and comfort. Collaboration between clinicians and clients sets the foundation for a healthy, balanced therapeutic relationship. Setting realistic expectations with clients and their families and educating individuals in recovery facilitates program success. Driftwood Recovery uses evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies to support clients and ensure clinicians adhere to local, state, and federal regulations. Maintaining effective rehabilitation programs that follow legal guidelines improves treatment outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder or mental health issues. To learn more about our programs, policies, and staff, call us today at (512) 759-8330.

Recovery is a complex and dynamic process that does not have a clear linear path or ending. Setbacks in recovery are a common feature of addiction and even mental health recovery. As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) notes, 60% of individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) will enter sustained recovery, but many will relapse first. According to Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, over 50% of people relapse post-treatment, with 40–75 % of relapses occurring three weeks to six months post-treatment. Despite the success rates for recovery, the prevalence of relapse is understandably daunting.

At Driftwood Recovery, we recognize the value and importance of building an attachment in treatment and recovery. Attachment is at the core of our approach to treatment and continuing care to support a strong foundation of self-awareness and understanding. With self-awareness and self-understanding, you can address and manage the difficulties that contributed to your substance use. We are dedicated to providing a vibrant alumni community where you can find the connection, guidance, accountability, and support needed to thrive in recovery. With support, setbacks in recovery do not have to equal relapse or the end of your recovery.

Yet, you may question what the setbacks in recovery are. How can attachment in alumni services prevent or dismantle setbacks in recovery? Expanding your understanding of setbacks can provide insight into the dynamic nature of recovery. Moreover, a greater understanding of setbacks in recovery can help you learn how to address challenges before relapse becomes a reality.

What Are Setbacks in Recovery?

When people think of setbacks in recovery, they often focus on relapse as the only challenge of recovery. However, there are a variety of setback challenges that can occur in recovery and eventually lead to relapse when left unaddressed. Listed below are some of the setbacks in recovery you can encounter:

• Difficulty coping with challenging emotions
• Poor stress management skills
• Boredom
• Difficulty managing cravings
• Unaddressed triggers
  • Being around friends and family who still abuse substances
  • Environments where substances are readily available
• Relationship conflict
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• Transitioning from residential treatment to other continuing care services
• Relapse

Although relapse is the most recognizable setback, the range of setbacks in recovery highlights relapse as a gradual process. A relapse typically happens in stages as it moves from emotional, mental, and finally, physical relapse. As a result, recovery must be understood in stages rather than as a singular step or a journey with an ending. Further, each stage of recovery comes with its own risk for relapse, which can make trying to overcome other setbacks in recovery feel impossible. Understanding the impact of setbacks on your well-being is an important first step toward building tools to minimize setbacks and improve outcomes.

Impact of Setbacks in Recovery on Well-Being

A relapse speaks to the negative impact setbacks in recovery can have on your well-being. However, before relapse, there are numerous difficulties rooted in other setbacks that can impede your well-being. Regardless of the setback you experience, you can be left with upsetting emotions like guilt, anger, frustration, embarrassment, sadness, and disappointment. Distressing emotions related to setbacks in recovery can contribute to low self-esteem, decreased motivation, increased stress, and poor mental health. Moreover, some of the other ways setbacks in recovery can harm your well-being include:

• Maladaptive coping
• Relationship strain
• Social isolation
• Job loss

The distressing emotions that bubble up with setbacks speak to how unaddressed challenges can contribute to negative self-beliefs. 

Dismantling Negative Beliefs in Recovery

Not only can setbacks in recovery make you feel hopeless, but they can also convince you that you have failed. Feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and depression often bubble up from the thought of failure. Listed below are some additional negative beliefs that can impair the recovery process:

• The belief that you are broken
• Black-and-white thinking
  • Believing that there is only success or failure
• The belief that you do not deserve forgiveness
• Believing your sobriety is a fluke
• The belief that no one cares about you

For those in treatment and recovery, a sense of failure takes root as you build an all-or-nothing mindset toward your recovery. Negative beliefs about yourself and your recovery can impede your psychological health and prevent you from effectively using adaptive coping skills. According to Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, a holistic model of care is crucial to addressing and dismantling negative beliefs about yourself and recovery. Yet, how do you overcome setbacks in recovery and thus their psychological harm?

Ways to Overcome Setbacks

An important first step in managing setbacks in recovery is mindset. First, recognizing that setbacks are a normal part of recovery can help diminish all-or-nothing thinking. You set yourself up for success when you understand that setbacks do not equal failure, and failure does not equal the end. Further, you can prevent and overcome setbacks in recovery by building a plan of action to help you stay on track. Listed below are some things you can include in your setback action plan:

• Identify triggers/cravings
• Give yourself grace 
• Identify warning signs or difficult days
• Treat setbacks as learning moments
• Practice adaptive coping
• Reevaluate and adjust goals
• Seek support
• Prioritize self-care

Looking at some of the steps you can take to overcome setbacks in recovery showcases the value of a positive mindset for maintaining recovery. A positive attitude is often made possible through connection with the self and others. 

Finding Resilience in Setbacks at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we believe in providing alumni services because we know how important mutual support and community are for whole-person healing. In an alumni program, you can find the support, resources, and guidance needed to overcome crisis moments. Moreover, access to positive community activities can help you foster self-worth and confidence to address setbacks and meet the challenges of life head-on. With a community of peers, you are reminded that you are loved and deserving of healing.

Experiencing setbacks in recovery can feel devastating, especially when you associate setbacks with relapse. Yet, setbacks in recovery are not exclusive to relapse. Setbacks in recovery can include poor stress management and unaddressed triggers. When stressors arise in recovery, they can contribute to negative self-beliefs that you are a failure and undeserving of forgiveness or healing. However, recovery does not have to equal failure. Recovery is a dynamic process with peaks and valleys that are equally important to your journey. With support, you can find connections, resources, guidance, and confidence to prevent, manage, and overcome setbacks. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing alumni services to support sustained recovery. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn more today.

The impact of the cycle of addiction on families cannot be understated. Studies have shown that children exposed to substance abuse by their parents are more likely to engage in substance abuse themselves. This pattern of substance abuse and behaviors influences more than the individual who is struggling. It also impacts the next generation that observes these behaviors. Although family members may not want to negatively impact their loved ones in such a way, breaking the cycle of addiction cannot occur without professional help and the willingness to change.

This willingness to change is perhaps one of the most important steps in breaking the cycle of addiction. Stigma, shame, and fear of judgment often prevent families from seeking help. Some families may choose to ignore the problem in the hopes that things will work out in the end. Those who want to break the cycle of addiction can face opposition from their families, who may want to keep “family matters” private. In such a case, it is the whole family that needs help, but change cannot happen instantaneously.

That’s why at Driftwood Recovery, we offer whole family care to assist individuals and families in breaking the cycle of addiction. With a focus on quality and compassionate treatment and the Courageous Family program, anyone can get the care they need to break the cycle once and for all. To truly break the cycle of addiction, families must discover what perpetuates this cycle and stop it.

What Begins the Cycle of Addiction in Families?

Addiction, at its heart, is a response to pain. This pain can result from trauma, stress, loneliness, the environment, or as a result of a medical or mental health issue. Family history and genetics can also play a role in addiction, as well as social and peer pressure. This is not different for families, who may turn to substance use and abuse as a form of self-medication. Such behavior is observed by subsequent children, who may grow up believing that this behavior is normal and an appropriate way to cope with stress and pain. They, in turn, model this behavior to their children, perpetuating the cycle. 

Aspects like generational trauma cannot be dismissed in their role in the cycle of addiction. One traumatized parent may inadvertently place the results of their trauma on their children, and so forth. This trauma can then pass through multiple generations of people, which can be difficult for children to process. 

Being exposed to substances such as drugs and alcohol can give children access to them at an early age. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has reported that in 2023, about one in 100 adolescents ages 12 to 13 drank alcohol in the past month. Though this can be attributed to peer pressure, some underage drinking can be the result of observed behaviors. 

Challenges Faced by Individuals Breaking Away From Addiction

As mentioned before, it can be difficult to break the cycle of addiction. An individual must first realize that something is wrong and be willing to accept professional help. When substance use and abuse are normalized in the family, it can be hard to notice that there is a problem. Once the individual decides to get help, they then have to contend with their families, who may not be supportive. Shame may cause families to refuse treatment so they can deny that there is a problem. One person deciding to break the cycle of addiction can have a cascade effect. It forces change even if it is uncomfortable or scary.

Individuals with families who outright refuse to change may face a future without them. It’s okay to cut off toxic individuals from your life if they threaten your safety and well-being. In this situation, Driftwood Recovery assists in the creation of a found family in the form of a support network. This is a support network of peers and loved ones that encourage recovery and accountability, preserving recovery progress. 

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

Before you can help someone else, you must first help yourself. That is why airlines tell you to put an oxygen mask on yourself before assisting someone else. An individual must get treatment first and achieve a state of stable sobriety before they try to assist their family. Of course, therapies such as family therapy and the Courageous Family program can help bridge the gap and foster understanding in families. Using these therapies and programs can help families realize that they have a problem and seek further treatment. This includes therapies such as psychotherapy or trauma-based therapy.

As for the individual, they will get the Driftwood Recovery approach to addiction treatment, which is a combination of evidence-based holistic and clinical therapies. For individuals breaking the cycle of addiction, care is taken to improve their self-esteem and teach healthy coping skills. As mentioned before, a peer network is vitally important, and time is taken to establish one while at Driftwood Recovery. Relapse prevention is also utilized to help clients recognize when their recovery is in danger and what steps to take to prevent it. 

It can be hard to break the cycle of addiction, especially if you are doing so alone. However, it’s always possible to break this cycle and protect future generations from the dangers of addiction. Sometimes, it takes one person recognizing that there is a problem and seeking help from others to recognize that positive change is possible. So be the change, and reach out for help today.

Addiction can become deeply rooted within a family, causing a loop or cycle that affects each generation. Breaking this cycle of addiction takes a lot of work and professional help, and it is usually started by one individual deciding to make a change. At Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, we help families break the cycle of addiction by providing quality addiction treatment and familial support. With programs such as the Courageous Family program and continuous alumni support, each client is given the tools they need to make successful and lasting changes. If you or your loved ones are struggling with addiction, don’t wait to break the cycle. Start your recovery journey today by calling (512) 759-8330.