What Phobia Treatment Is Like at Driftwood Recovery

Some people may scoff at the idea of phobia treatment. After all, phobias are consistently played for laughs in media as something to mock. The fact is that the fear a person feels from a phobia is real and valid. Phobias are more common than one may think, with an estimated 12.5% of U.S. adults experiencing a specific phobia at least once in their lives. Most people know what common phobias are but not why they occur or how they are treated. 

The fear phobias cause can be crippling and require specialized phobia treatment to help them recover enough to live a normal life. Driftwood Recovery offers phobia treatment as a way to ease mental health conditions such as anxiety, panic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Those recovering from addiction may also benefit from phobia treatment, as sometimes they may develop a phobia as a response to their experiences. 

It’s vital to understand that phobias, though serious, can be treated with great amounts of success. Countless people are struggling with a phobia but assume that it’s a normal part of life or are ashamed to seek help. Understanding the nature of phobias not only de-stigmatizes the condition but encourages those struggling to seek the phobia treatment they need.

What Are Phobias?

Simply put, a phobia is a persistent, unrealistic, and excessive fear of a person, animal, object, activity, or situation. Phobias force the person with the phobia to constantly worry about encountering the source of their fear. A person with a phobia will take great pains to avoid the source of their fear, often to the detriment of their lives and mental health. Encountering the source is enough to cause great distress and anguish. 

It’s a serious enough condition to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). As a result, phobias are considered a sub-type of anxiety disorder and classified into three distinct categories. These categories are:

• Specific phobias: These are fears of particular objects, living beings, or situations that cause distress and avoidance behaviors. Phobias in this category can be further broken down into animals, natural environment, medical treatment or issues, specific situations, and others. Some common examples include disease (pathophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), burglary (scelerophobia), and the ocean (thalassophobia).
• Agoraphobia: Defined as the fear of leaving your home or familiar “safe” area, which panic attacks may follow. This phobia is often associated with or caused by other conditions, such as OCD due to phobia of germs/contamination or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to traumatic events. 
• Social anxiety disorder: Also known as social phobia, this is the fear and avoidance of social situations. Those struggling with this phobia excessively worry about being judged or mocked when participating in social activities. 

Phobias are often caused by negative experiences, trauma, genetics, or through informational transmission. It’s normal for a person to fear potentially dangerous things. However, when someone completely rearranges their life or stops engaging in life to avoid said fear, it becomes a serious problem. 

What Happens in Phobia Treatment?

A client begins phobia treatment by speaking with a treatment provider. Then, a treatment provider can create a treatment plan to most effectively treat their client. Usually, this is a mix of various therapies and sometimes medications to treat the extreme symptoms of anxiety. Clients may receive specialized therapies in their treatment plan to treat underlying mental health conditions, such as OCD. If the source of the phobia stems from trauma, clients will receive trauma treatment as well.

Exposure therapy is one part of phobia treatment, but it’s a slow and gradual process. This is when a client is exposed to the source of their fear in a safe environment. For example, a person with a phobia of spiders may start by listening to facts about spiders. They then progress to looking at drawings of spiders, photographs, and video footage. The goal is for the client to be able to exist in the same space as a spider without panicking or experiencing symptoms of distress. 

Psychotherapy is also useful in phobia treatment. It guides clients into discovering the source of their phobia, be it trauma or a taught fear. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is especially helpful in teaching clients how to change harmful thoughts and behavioral patterns. Group therapy may also be used, especially for more common fears. This therapy allows clients to interact with others experiencing struggles similar to their own. Sometimes, it’s humbling and encouraging to know that someone understands what you are going through.

Overall, a client can expect phobia treatment to be a judgment-free and encouraging process, especially at Driftwood Recovery. All staff members and treatment providers take phobias seriously, as they know how debilitating they can be. Phobia treatment is set to a challenging pace but will not overwhelm or rush the client. Driftwood Recovery takes comfort and safety seriously, allowing clients to recover in a private and secure environment. 

Why Phobia Treatment Is Effective

Phobia treatments are effective because they don’t just treat the cause of the phobia. It also relieves and reduces the physical and mental symptoms of a phobia. Many times, a person struggles with their phobia because all attempts to address it result in increased stress and fear. Phobia treatment is specifically designed to prevent a client from being re-traumatized or triggering a panic attack. By addressing all aspects of a client’s needs, phobia treatment provides comprehensive care. This can include utilizing medication, engaging in wellness activities, and providing caring support. 

Anyone can recover from a phobia, but it requires one being willing to admit that they have a problem and seek help for it. Reaching out for help is one fear that can be conquered. Once you can do that, you may find that your other fears are conquerable too. 

Fear is an instinct that keeps us safe and tells us to avoid things and situations that can harm us. Phobias, however, occur when this fear is so strong and constant that it causes someone to avoid living life. This is no way to live, and nobody deserves to be in a consistent state of fear. At Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients struggling with phobias receive compassionate and non-judgemental treatment. No matter how “silly” the phobia may be, the fear a person experiences from them is real and valid. If you or a loved one is struggling with a phobia, don’t wait. Take back your life from fear today by calling (512) 759-8330.

Trust is vital to the client-clinician relationship during treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. People in treatment may have a history of negative experiences with medical personnel or authority figures. Establishing trust with the care team is a part of the initial intake process. According to BMC Psychology, “Trust and respect may be an important component of client-provider relationships.” The experts at Driftwood Recovery have created a safe and welcoming space for clients and their loved ones to receive treatment. 

Why Is Establishing Trust Important?

Trust keeps clients engaged and willing to open up with their care team. Developing that relationship early in treatment promotes faster healing and better outcomes. Healthcare professionals are responsible for providing clients with a safe and comfortable environment for healing. Creating a bond of trust facilitates a deeper connection between clients and staff members, ensuring clients feel confident following their care provider’s advice. People are more likely to engage with healthcare workers and actively participate in their recovery if they trust their care team. 

Trust is vital in developing a healthy therapeutic relationship with clients. Professionals in treatment programs foster trust by doing the following: 

• Creating a safe and supportive environment
• Actively listening to clients and responding to their concerns
• Maintaining confidentiality and protecting client records
• Respecting cultural, religious, and personal boundaries 
• Encouraging open and honest communication 
• Modeling healthy behaviors and interactions 

Healthcare workers guide clients through recovery, preparing them to transition out of structured care and into aftercare. Reintegrating back into the community is more manageable for clients who trust the interactions and advice of their care team. Clients are often more willing to develop new behaviors and routines if they feel supported by professionals who have their best interests in mind. 

Building a Healthy Client-Clinician Relationship

Treatment programs only work if staff find ways to engage clients. Collaboration between clients and staff requires trust and a willingness to make necessary lifestyle changes. Some people participating in treatment find it difficult to stop maladaptive behaviors or negative thought patterns. Clinicians who develop a deeper connection with clients help them overcome these barriers to recovery. 

A healthy client-clinician relationship involves the following: 

• Effective communication 
• Compassion and empathy
• Mutual respect 
• Collaborative goal setting 
• Consistent support and follow-up
• Regular progress monitoring
• Flexibility and adaptability 
• Offering constructive feedback 
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness 
• A non-judgmental approach to client care

Staff at Driftwood Recovery prioritize individualized care and offer clients one-on-one therapy sessions to help people heal from the effects of substance use disorder (SUD) or dual diagnosis. Clinicians benefit from encouraging client autonomy and empowering clients to make informed decisions about their care.

Challenges Clinicians Face When Establishing Trust

Some of the most common challenges addiction recovery and mental health experts face when establishing trust with new clients include: 

• Helping clients overcome hesitancy due to past trauma or negative experiences with treatment programs
• Resistance from clients who may be in denial about their condition and need for treatment 
• Stigmas surrounding treatment may make clients feel ashamed or have difficulty opening up about their experiences 
• Navigating cultural or language barriers during treatment sessions 
• Managing unrealistic client expectations and treatment goals 
• Creating professional boundaries to reduce the risk of miscommunication 
• Ensuring clients feel secure and safe sharing their experiences in treatment 

Clinicians use evidence-based and complementary modalities to address factors impacting client trust. Overcoming challenges involves tailoring care to client needs and adjusting expectations to reflect the realities of recovering from SUD. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to be open and transparent with clients to foster trust and build a stronger bond. 

Establishing Trust Between Clients and Clinicians at Driftwood Recovery

Clients often have expectations about treatment based on their past experience with medical professionals or rehabilitation programs. Sometimes, those expectations can get in the way of healing by stopping clients from fully engaging in treatment. Healthcare professionals at Driftwood Recovery address these problems by providing psychoeducation and other resources to clients. People are more likely to trust clinicians who display expertise in their field. Educational sessions also build trust and ensure clients fully understand what to expect from each stage of treatment. 

Developing a Deeper Connection With Clients

Healthcare professionals develop deeper connections with clients by doing the following: 

• Showing empathy and compassion 
• Creating a safe space where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves 
• Providing ongoing support and consistent care between treatment programs 
• Validating client experiences and offering affirmations to empower clients 
• Promoting a sense of partnership through collaboration 

Driftwood Recovery helps experts connect with clients by providing a multidisciplinary approach to client care. The care team collaborates closely with clients and their loved ones to build a foundation of trust and understanding. Strengthening the client-clinician relationship during treatment benefits everyone involved in the recovery process.  

Many people diagnosed with substance abuse or mental health disorders have experienced trauma that affects their ability to trust in their care team during treatment. A lack of trust seriously limits the effectiveness of treatment and strains the client-clinician relationship. Healthcare professionals can help clients feel more comfortable by learning to identify and address underlying issues affecting trust and interpersonal engagement. Addiction recovery and mental health experts at Driftwood Recovery receive training to help them navigate complex cases. Professionals use various resources and techniques to ensure clients and their loved ones feel safe, comfortable, and heard through every stage of treatment. To learn more about our treatment programs and how our facility supports a healthy client-clinician relationship, call (512) 759-8330.

At Driftwood Recovery, we know how important rebuilding a connection to self and others is for healing. Through an attachment-based approach to recovery, you have learned how to foster healthy attachments to the self and others. However, challenges with stigma can disrupt your ability to maintain your recovery. The impact of stigma can erode your resilience and impair your self-perception. We are committed to providing support services and resources through an active alumni program to rebuild those important connections.  

Yet, you may question how stigma can disrupt your recovery post-treatment. Although going through treatment is designed to help you build tools to overcome challenges, you are human. There will be challenges you face in recovery that will attempt to erode your resilience, such as stigma. 

Stigma, in particular, can make the tools you have learned inadequate. Without support, it can feel impossible to weather the storm of life stressors alone, let alone with stigma as well. Understanding the impact of stigma is vital to building individual tools and a strong support network to thrive in recovery.

What Is Stigma?

In general, stigma is a set of negative attitudes and stereotypes about an individual or group that impairs physical and psychological well-being. However, the impact of stigma is complex in how it exists and shapes society. As the Journal of Evaluation Clinical Practice notes, stigma happens at the axis where interrelated components converge. There are five converging components of stigma:

• Humans distinguish and label differences
• People label and link undesirable characteristics to negative stereotypes through cultural beliefs
• Negatively labeled people are placed in distinct categories to create separation
  • Results in othering by categorizing people as “us” and “them”
• Labeled people experience a loss of status and increased discrimination
• Stigma is dependent on social, economic, and political asymmetrical power
  • Those in different positions of power can identify differences, construct stereotypes, separate labeled persons into distinct categories, and execute disapproval, rejection, exclusion, and discrimination against labeled persons

The coverage points of stigma overlap and reinforce each other to cause great harm in every domain of life. 

Understanding the Impact of Stigma on SUD and Mental Health Disorders

Countless groups experience the impact of stigma, from race and ethnicity to sex and gender identity. However, individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders often face overlapping stigma that impedes access to resources and services to support recovery. According to “Stigma toward substance use disorders” by Samer El Hayek et al., the impact of stigma from beliefs to language causes countless barriers to treatment, recovery, and reintegration into society:

• Discourages seeking treatment 
• Limits access to treatment options
• Impedes access to healthcare, housing, and employment
• Ignores co-occurring challenges
  • Mental health disorders

Further, the impact of stigma on mental health disorders that often co-occur with SUD is profound. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the consequences that result from the three main types of stigma, structural, public, and self, include:

• Structural: Discriminatory laws, policies, and practices negatively impact stigmatized groups
  • Prejudice and discrimination in public and private institutions create social, cultural, economic, educational, and political barriers
  • Restricted liberties
  • Discriminatory practices
  • Reduced privacy 
• Public/social: Negative stereotypes about a group perceived to have socially undesirable characteristics
  • Results in social segregation and diminished self-efficacy
    • Loss of financial autonomy
    • Restricts opportunities for independence, education, and relationships
    • Coercive treatment 
• Self-stigma: You believe the negative stereotypes about yourself
  • Negative self-perception further harms your mental health
    • Low self-esteem
    • Decreases self-efficacy
    • Increases embarrassment and shame
    • Erodes motivation 

Looking at the impact of stigma on your personal and public life highlights stigma’s role in recovery.

The Impact of Stigma as a Barrier to Recovery

As previously mentioned, one of the most profound impacts of stigma is the barriers it places on sustaining recovery. It is well known that stigma can impede help-seeking behaviors. However, that impairment to help-seeking can persist even after you complete treatment because of the guilt and shame stigma causes. Listed below are some of the ways the impact of stigma can impair your recovery:

• Increases risk for mental health disorders or exacerbates preexisting issues
• Higher rates of relapse 
• Prejudice and discrimination limit resources
  • Fewer support groups
  • Housing and employment 
  • Social exclusion

The impact of stigma in recovery can impair your sense of belonging, purpose, and hope to thrive in recovery. However, stigma does not have to be the end of your recovery. With advances in holistic support, you can utilize resources like digital media to reintegrate and thrive.

Dismantling the Impact of Stigma With Digital Media

Digital media, like social media, can be effective tools for addressing the impact of stigma on well-being. Social media and other digital media technologies allow information to be disseminated to a large, diverse audience. Therefore, digital media, like social media campaigns, can reach and dismantle stereotypes about SUD and mental health to support the well-being of the stigmatized and stigmatizers. Some of the ways digital media tools can help dismantle the impact of stigma include:

• Increase hope for recovery
• Support trust between the public and people in recovery
• Increase openness to seeking support during treatment and post-treatment
• Decrease perception of otherness
• Reduce depression, anxiety, and loneliness
• Enhance your quality of life
• Build resilience

Looking at the benefits of digital media for reducing the impact of stigma showcases the value of education in recovery. With alumni support, you can continue to learn and grow in your recovery.

Empowering Sustained Recovery With Education at Driftwood Recovery

We know recovery and reintegration are complex. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a person-centered approach to reintegration during and after treatment. Stigma can leave you feeling ashamed and alone in your recovery. Through our active and peer-driven network of alumni, we remind you that you are not alone and deserving of a meaningful life. With an alumni program, you can find the service, support, accountability, and encouragement needed to build a courageous life in sustained recovery.

Learning to reintegrate into society can feel overwhelming. The impact of stigma can further complicate and hinder your ability to lead a fulfilling life in recovery. Stigma, in its many converging components like public, self, and structural stigma, can leave you feeling too ashamed and alone to seek support as you learn how to live in recovery. However, with education support resources like digital media literacy, you can build tools to combat the stigma that impedes opportunities to rebuild your life. With an active alumni program at Driftwood Recovery, you can find the support and educational resources needed to thrive in sustained recovery. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn more today.

Craving management is an essential skill for those recovering from addiction. The fact is that cravings happen and often continue to happen long after a person has detoxed from a substance. Why this happens can be a frightening mystery to many. Comprehensive addiction education is not as common as it should be, with many content to ignore the problem. An educated population reduces fear, shame, and judgment. This includes education about recovery and what a person can expect when practicing sobriety.

That’s why the staff at Driftwood Recovery work to spread education and awareness about addiction and its treatment. The more a person understands about addiction, the more likely they are to seek treatment. Understanding concepts like peer pressure and craving management keeps people in recovery by preventing relapses. Having a clear idea of what to expect reduces the fear of the unknown.

This is especially true for cravings. Examining why they happen and how they can be managed inspires hope that life can and will improve for anyone, including yourself.

Why Do We Experience Cravings?

A craving in the context of addiction recovery is defined by a strong urge or abnormal desire for a certain activity or substance. People are not born with an urge or desire to use substances. However, if a person uses substances regularly, the brain and body “remember” it. This is because when using substances, the brain is bathed with chemicals and induces a flood of dopamine, which is pleasurable. Over time, the brain and body are trained to accept this state as the new “normal.”

The body and brain will start craving the substance to keep feeling “normal” and “good.” It is similar to how you may crave water or leafy greens when thirsty or lacking an essential vitamin. It’s how the body and brain work to correct imbalances or encourage you to consume needed nutrition. However, not all cravings in this manner are healthy, such as cravings for sugar and, in this case, substances. After substance use, the body is so used to the substance being present that it tries to “correct” the perceived imbalance by reinforcing substance use. 

Cravings often occur after a person experiences common addiction triggers, such as high stress or experiencing environmental cues of previous substance use. Recent studies have identified a neuro marker called the NCS (neural craving signature), which may be able to predict how intense drug cravings will be for a recovering individual. Though cravings can be distressing, they will pass and decrease in frequency over time. Some common examples of cravings are:

• Intrusive and distracting thoughts about using substances
• A physical urge to use substances
• An inability to think about anything else but using substances
• Desiring positive mental or physical feelings from using substances

How Craving Management Works

Craving management works by guiding clients into making healthy choices in their lives. Firstly, a client must accept that cravings will occur, and it doesn’t make them a bad or weak person for experiencing them. It takes time for the brain and body to recover from the damage dealt by substance abuse. However, the brain can and will heal, especially when helped along by professional help. In a way, craving management “resets” the brain and trains it to get used to a healthy new normal. 

Much like how the brain gets used to substance use over time, so too will healthy coping skills and habits become equally ingrained. Clients in craving management spend time practicing coping skills until it’s second nature. Boredom is a major addiction and craving trigger, so clients learn how to keep themselves busy as part of recovery. Discovering new hobbies, establishing an exercise regimen, and practicing wellness are all examples of typical activities encouraged in craving management.

Sometimes, medications can be useful as part of craving management. Some drugs and substances are particularly potent and can be difficult to detox from fully. Medications may be used to relieve withdrawal symptoms, including cravings, so clients can detox as safely and comfortably as they can. These medications, however, are only to be used for a brief amount of time and not forever. 

Overall, craving management is a toolkit that gives clients several options for effectively coping with cravings in their lives. 

What to Expect From Craving Management at Driftwood Recovery

Craving management at Driftwood Recovery is influenced by its goal of comprehensive and holistic treatments. Clients can expect all aspects of themselves to receive equal attention as a part of treatment, which is the mind, body, and spirit. Psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), are utilized to help clients cope with and understand their cravings. Programs like relapse prevention are an integral part of craving management, as they help clients practice their skills to navigate addiction triggers that can result in a craving. Clients build confidence and self-esteem through team-building exercises, experiential therapy, and therapeutic recreation. 

Driftwood Recovery also teaches clients how to be healthier once they finish treatments. This includes learning about proper nutrition, establishing an exercise routine, and finding activities and hobbies that give them joy. All of this teaches clients that there is more to life than cravings. In time, clients learn how to allow cravings to come and go while remaining healthy and sober. Staying active in your recovery leaves little room for cravings, and Driftwood Recovery balances activity with times to rest and relax. 

Of course, the skills clients learn in craving management can help others. Clients may be called upon to assist fellow peers in learning how to manage their cravings. Young family members will observe how alumni healthily deal with their cravings. The staff at Driftwood Recovery work to spread awareness that anyone can recover from addiction. By demonstrating their success, alumni show others that healing and recovery are possible for everyone. That includes understanding the nature of cravings and not allowing them to rule your life. 

Cravings are an unfortunate and often difficult part of addiction recovery. The longer a person has abused substances, the more intense the cravings can be. However, it’s possible to manage these cravings so you can live your life in recovery without fear. Here at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, craving management gives clients back their lives. With an emphasis on holistic and comprehensive treatment, clients collaborate with mental health care professionals to create a successful treatment plan. Cravings may be distressing, but they don’t last forever. If you or a loved one is struggling with cravings, don’t wait to get help. Find out more about our addiction treatment program today by calling (512) 759-8330.

Individuals in healthcare may experience unusual or emotionally charged situations with coworkers and clients, leading to ethical dilemmas. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Moral dilemmas arise when two or more principles or values conflict and there are mutually inconsistent courses of action.” Driftwood Recovery provides comprehensive training and staff support to help clinicians navigate ethical dilemmas with dignity and compassion. 

5 Common Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare and How to Address Them

Ethics is a cornerstone of good healthcare. Ethical guidelines protect clients and healthcare professionals from legal issues, ensuring people have access to relevant and appropriate care. Identifying and adequately addressing moral dilemmas improves treatment outcomes for clients and reduces workplace stress for clinicians. Below are five common ethical dilemmas encountered in healthcare and how professionals can manage them. 

#1. Maintaining Client Privacy While Addressing Threats to Public Safety

Client privacy is essential to the therapeutic process. Ensuring confidentiality and privacy builds trust and confidence in the client-clinician relationship. However, some situations may make it challenging to maintain client privacy while balancing public health and safety. For example, clinicians may have to break confidentiality if a client expresses intent to harm themselves or others. Finding the right balance between ensuring public safety and maintaining client trust involves practicing good judgment. Driftwood Recovery has strict guidelines and protocols for managing client privacy and adhering to privacy laws. HIPAA and other laws ensure healthcare workers know when to break and when to protect client confidentiality. 

#2. Informed Consent and Clients With Limited Capacity to Understand Treatment Options

The effects of chronic substance abuse, complex mental health issues, and developmental factors may impact a client’s capacity to understand their treatment options. Individuals with a decreased capacity to recognize their needs and identify effective treatment plans may have difficulty understanding their situation. Healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring clients under their care give informed consent for treatment services. Some clinicians may struggle with determining if a client has the mental capacity to provide informed consent. 

Ongoing assessments and ethical judgment help healthcare workers recognize when a client needs an advocate. Driftwood Recovery ensures all staff know how to identify the signs of a client’s capacity to give informed consent. In cases where clients may not be able to consent, the clinical team follows legal guidelines for working with client families or representatives to make the best decisions for their care. 

#3. Refusal of Treatment Despite Severe or Life-Threatening Consequences

Individuals experiencing complex mental health issues, substance use disorder, or dual diagnosis may refuse treatment despite a high risk of relapse or self-harming behaviors. Mentally competent adults have the right to refuse treatment regardless of how this may affect their physical or emotional health. However, determining mental competency can sometimes be difficult and cause moral dilemmas for healthcare professionals. 

Studies have shown that when “a patient’s illness is affecting their capacity to refuse care, and they are considered a danger to themselves or to others, the healthcare provider is expected to treat the patient regardless of their refusal.” Every state has different laws regarding involuntary treatment. Driftwood Recovery educates clinicians on state, local, and federal laws for treating patients who have refused care. 

#4. Balancing Respect for Cultural Beliefs With Evidence-Based Care

Some people’s cultural beliefs may clash with evidence-based care, making it difficult to treat conditions impacting the client’s mental and physical health. Responding with compassion and curiosity instead of judgment can help healthcare professionals develop tailored approaches to care that meet client needs while respecting their cultural beliefs. 

Mental health and addiction recovery experts balance respect for client cultural beliefs with evidence-based treatments by doing the following: 

• Conducting cultural competency training 
• Actively listening to client needs and preferences 
• Collaborating with clients and their families to tailor treatment 
• Using culturally appropriate assessment tools 
• Providing access to bilingual counselors 
• Encouraging family involvement in treatment 

Healthcare professionals can respect cultural beliefs and stigmas surrounding treatment while gently introducing evidence-based modalities into treatment plans. 

#5. Setting Professional Boundaries With Compassionate Care

Boundaries may become blurred sometimes, making it difficult for healthcare professionals to set limits on how they interact with clients. Professionals set clear boundaries with clients by doing the following: 

• Defining professional roles at the start of treatment 
• Maintaining consistent and clear communication 
• Avoiding dual relationships, such as becoming a personal friend with therapy clients 
• Practicing self-awareness and mindfulness during interactions with clients 
• Consulting coworkers or supervisors if boundary issues become a problem 
• Respecting client autonomy

Boundaries help clients avoid confusion or miscommunication during treatment. Maintaining a professional distance from clients while treating them with dignity and compassion improves the effectiveness of treatment services and helps clients learn to set their own healthy boundaries. 

Mental health and addiction recovery programs involve many gray areas that may lead to ethical dilemmas for healthcare professionals. Strict workplace policies ensure staff members understand when they must legally report certain situations and how to react appropriately to moral dilemmas. Experts are humans, too, and may experience a lack of judgment. Comprehensive workplace guidelines help professionals know how to respond to various complex or sensitive situations. Driftwood Recovery trains staff to recognize and address potentially challenging interactions using compassion, objectivity, and transparency. Healthcare professionals benefit from relying on their supervisors and coworkers to help them navigate unusual issues that may have them worried about providing the best care to clients. To learn more about our policies, call (512) 759-8330.

Individuals working in healthcare must practice compassion and empathy with every client to provide the best care. Some professionals may struggle with compassion fatigue (CF) if they experience chronic stress or other issues impacting their mental health. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Professionals regularly exposed to the traumatic experiences of the people they service, such as healthcare, emergency and community service workers, are particularly susceptible to developing CF.” Driftwood Recovery helps staff avoid compassion fatigue by providing professional support and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. 

What Is Compassion Fatigue?

People experience compassion fatigue after being exposed to the trauma of others. CF takes time to develop, and multiple factors influence who may experience it. According to the previously mentioned article by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “CF has been described as the convergence of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and cumulative burnout (BO), a state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by a depleted ability to cope with one’s everyday environment.”

Individuals with the following may have a higher risk of CF: 

• Lack of professional support
• Reduced social support 
• Lack of practical coping skills 
• Insufficient training to address trauma 
• Personal history of trauma 
• Difficulties maintaining emotional stability 
• Mental health disorders 
• Reduced stress threshold 

Many potential factors impact who develops compassion fatigue. The condition often causes guilt, shame, and other negative feelings, compounding the adverse effects of CF. Addressing the underlying causes of CF and finding healthy ways to express compassion and empathy can help healthcare workers create a better work-life balance. 

3 Ways to Manage Compassion Fatigue

Individuals with CF often feel overwhelmed by the trauma of others. The condition may affect relationships, work productivity, and overall health. Driftwood Recovery supports employees and provides them with the tools and resources to manage stress effectively. Finding positive ways to manage compassion fatigue reduces the potential side effects and improves the treatment process for clients and professionals. Below are three of the ways healthcare workers address and manage CF. 

#1. Emotional and Social Support

Seeking emotional and social support from loved ones and peers is the most effective method for managing the increased stress of CF. Healthcare workers often work long hours. Making the time to connect in person, over the phone, or in text with a support system, including workplace and personal support networks, reduces stress and provides critical cathartic release. Discussing the effects of someone else’s trauma can stabilize emotional responses and improve resilience. Many healthcare workers gain greater social and emotional support by prioritizing spending time with loved ones and building mutually empowering relationships with coworkers. 

#2. Setting Clear Work-Life Boundaries

Often, healthcare workers have extended hours, inconsistent schedules, and other factors interfering with their ability to establish clear work-life boundaries. The lack of work-life balance can cause some people to experience burnout and compassion fatigue. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “Our workplaces play a significant role in our lives,” affecting “both our physical and mental well-being — in good ways and bad.”

Driftwood Recovery encourages staff to set firm limits to reduce the emotional impact of work stressors. Creating boundaries allows people to practice self-care and establish healthy routines supporting emotional stability. Stress management is more manageable for individuals who set a clear line between their work and home lives. 

#3. Treating Yourself With Compassion

Compassion fatigue often causes people to stop treating themselves with kindness and grace. According to Psychology Research and Behavior Management, “The importance of cultivating self-compassion is an often neglected issue among mental health professionals despite the risks to occupational well-being present in psychological care, such as burnout or compassion fatigue.” Taking the time to practice introspection often helps people identify if they have begun to treat themselves callously due to compassion fatigue. Self-awareness reduces negativity and fosters self-compassion. 

How Does Driftwood Recovery Help Professionals Avoid Compassion Fatigue?

Many factors contribute to the development of CF and emotional burnout. Driftwood Recovery helps professionals avoid CF and other problems in the workplace by creating a supportive and caring environment where coworkers uplift one another and normalize conversations about mental health. Staff members are encouraged to speak with management if they feel emotionally overwhelmed. Various resources are available to meet employee mental health needs. Driftwood Recovery understands the importance of prioritizing professionals’ emotional and physical health during and after work. 

The management team helps healthcare professionals avoid compassion fatigue by doing the following: 

• Providing training to recognize the signs of CF
• Offering mental health resources 
• Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through flexible scheduling and time-off policies 
• Promoting peer support 
• Encouraging honest and open communication 
• Implementing manageable caseloads 
• Offering professional development opportunities 
• Regularly assessing workplace stressors and addressing them with policy updates 

Driftwood Recovery supports every staff member and provides them with essential guidance during moments of high stress. Professionals can avoid CF by relying on workplace support services and other resources to manage stress.

Individuals who feel compassion and empathy for others often enter healthcare fields to provide support to individuals in need. However, constantly being exposed to the trauma and suffering of others can have a negative impact on a professional’s mental health unless they learn effective ways of managing their emotional responses. Compassion fatigue is a common concern among individuals working in healthcare. Mental health and addiction recovery specialist have a higher risk of being exposed to multiple secondhand traumas throughout their career. Driftwood Recovery protects employees from compassion fatigue by providing training and resources. All staff members receive the support of managers and coworkers as they develop healthy coping mechanisms. To learn more about our workplace policies, call (512) 759-8330

At Driftwood Recovery, we believe staying connected through a peer-driven network is integral to lasting recovery. We believe that mutually supportive attachment with others can give you the tools you need to reintegrate into everyday life. Engaging in a robust alumni program allows you to connect with your peers and other resources like digital media for lasting recovery. 

Yet, you may question how digital media can offer positive interpersonal connections to thrive in recovery. You have likely heard stories about digital media making people more distant from each other. Despite how interconnected and instant digital media has made us, a great number of people are experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Thus, understanding digital media and its relationship to substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health is important for recovery. 

Connecting Digital Media With Mental Health and SUD

The use of digital media is broad in scope. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in general, digital media is on-demand mass communication that is distributed digitally. For example, digital media can include things like blogs, podcasts, video games, and social media. Therefore, most people’s domains, such as work, school, and health, have been touched by digital media in some way. 

When you use a smartphone, apps, a computer, or tablet, you are engaged in and consuming digital media. Despite the broadness of digital media, at its root, it connects people. Whether that connection is through interactions, sharing information, or creative expression, digital media is a source of connection. However, that source of connection can also expose you to content that advertises and glorifies substance use. Social media, in particular, normalizes the overconsumption of alcohol and drugs as a positive. 

In addition, digital media impacts your mental health. According to Cureus, digital media, like social media, can increase your risk for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Despite being social creatures with the desire and need for companionship, digital media can distort those meaningful sources of connection. Digital media often leads to fewer face-to-face social interactions and can influence how you view and maintain your relationships. Thus, recognizing digital media’s influence on mental health and addiction can highlight its impact on recovery.

The Impact of Social Media on Recovery

Recovering from addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges can be difficult enough on its own. The addition of digital media can further compound stressors that may have contributed to your substance use. Listed below are some of the ways social media can hinder the recovery process:

• Advertisements
  • Romanticizing your past substance use
  • Can trigger cravings and negative emotions
• Information overload and online conflict
  • Increases risk for depression and anxiety
  • Difficulty dealing with stress, anger, and frustration
• Substituting addiction
  • Spending an unhealthy amount of time scrolling on social media
    • Distraction from recovery work
    • Disrupts sleeping patterns
    • Sense of disconnection from others
• Self-perception and fear of missing out (FOMO)
  • Decreases self-esteem 
  • Loneliness and isolation
  • Impairs mental health
  • Increases temptation 

The pervasiveness of social media highlights how digital media can act as a barrier to recovery. However, social media can also be used as a tool to dismantle barriers to sustaining recovery.

Dismantling Recovery Barriers With Digital Media

Some common barriers to maintaining recovery include lack of transportation and access to services, financial instability, and stigma. In addition to traditional recovery barriers, there can be barriers to accessing digital resources. According to JMIR Human Factors, barriers to the uptake and engagement of recovery apps can include:

• Poor access to smartphones, Wi-Fi, and mobile data
• Low motivation

While there are broad structural issues with digital exclusion and marginalization, digital recovery tools can still act as supplementary tools for healing. Through your alumni program, you can find the support needed to effectively utilize holistic intervention in digital technologies. Therefore, access to an active alumni program, both in person and digitally, can provide the tools needed to build connections and dismantle barriers. 

As noted in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, peer-to-peer recovery support is valuable to healing and recovery. Thus, digital sources can help leverage peer-to-peer connections for addiction and mental health recovery. With digital sources like online meetings, social networking sites, and recovery apps, you can find support no matter where you are. 

Some of the ways digital tools like recovery apps can support you include:

• Connection
• Community
• Educational information 
• Motivation
• Accountability
• Monitor progress

Yet, you may question how you can benefit from digital media without being harmed by the pitfalls of social media.

Ways to Build a Positive Relationship With Digital Media

Despite the challenges digital media presents to well-being, it can also support wellness when used thoughtfully. Finding recovery value in digital technologies starts with learning how to build positive relationships with digital media. Listed below are some of the ways you can build a positive relationship with digital technologies:

• Role of digital technology in your life
• Set clear and healthy boundaries
  • Types of media use
  • How much time is spent on digital media
  • Tech-free zones
• Engage in mindful media consumption
  • Seek out positive and educational content
• Practice digital detox days
• Prioritize non-digital activities 

There are many healthy ways that you can engage in digital technologies. With alumni support, you can continue to expand on your personal growth in every domain of your life.

Enhancing Healing Through Digital Connection With Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we know healing takes time; change takes time, and we are committed to your long-term well-being. Therefore, we provide a wide range of support services and resources like our alumni app. No matter where you are, our recovery app can help you stay connected to yourself and your peers to thrive in recovery. We are with you along every step of your journey, from sharing recovery milestones to access to recovery-focused podcasts. Through our sober community, you can find connections for belonging, compassion, understanding, and guidance.

Digital media has become integral to life, from work and school to expression and connection. However, exposure to glorified representations of substance use, information overload, and curated highlight reels of others’ lives can increase your risk for SUD relapse, along with challenges with depression and anxiety. Despite the harm digital media can do to your well-being and recovery, digital technologies like social media and recovery apps can be beneficial to sustaining recovery. You can find connections, motivation, and resources to support your recovery through digital technologies like recovery apps. With support from a vibrant alumni community at Driftwood Recovery, you can learn how to build a positive relationship with digital media. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn more today.

A 12-Step program is simultaneously well-known and mysterious to the average person. Many people have seen a 12-Step program parodied in movies and cartoons, so they have an idea that it’s a program that helps those struggling with addiction. However, the inner workings of a 12-Step program are not well known unless a person or their family member has been involved with it. Understanding what are the uniting principles behind 12-Step programs allows those who are struggling or have a family member struggling with an addiction to make informed decisions about their care. 

12-Step programs are effective enough to be essential parts of addiction treatment facilities. Driftwood Recovery is no exception by using a 12-Step program as part of comprehensive addiction treatment. The specific one used for each client depends on their wishes, as clients have the right to choose the programs they feel meet their values the most. No matter which program is chosen, clients can expect to receive peer support and tools to assist them in their recovery journey. 

To further understand the principles that make these programs so effective, we must first examine what a 12-Step program entails. 

What Is a 12-Step Program?

12-Step programs originated from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a spiritual foundation for recovery from alcoholism, so they are named after the program’s Twelve Steps to recovery. It’s designed as a way for a person not just to help themselves but also to help the family, friends, and community that their alcoholism may have harmed. The goal is to encourage clients to help themselves by seeking out and attending meetings. This model has been adapted and used for other addiction recovery groups. The original AA 12-Step program encourages individuals to surrender to a higher power as a source of strength. 

However, some people in the mental health care community do not agree with the original message of being powerless or embracing a higher power, as it’s believed it could isolate or discourage some people from seeking help. Secular versions such as SMART Recovery have been developed as an alternative to the AA 12-Step program model. SMART Recovery, especially, is commonly used in addiction treatment facilities. 

Though different, the goal of providing peer support and personal accountability is still the same regardless of the specific program. 

The Principles of a 12-Step Program

A 12-Step program operates on, of course, twelve guiding principles or traditions to encourage recovery. To summarize, a person utilizing a 12-Step program must:

• Be honest about their addiction and recognize how their behaviors impact themselves and those around them
• Accept that this is a battle they cannot win alone and seek help
• Take responsibility for their actions by making contact with those they are wronged and make sincere amends for any harm caused to them
• Find spiritual support and have faith in a higher being to give them strength to overcome addiction
• Perform acts of service to their peers and community
• Maintain their sobriety by attending meetings and practicing coping skills

Overall, 12-Step programs focus on the power of faith, forgiveness, and personal service as a way to remain in recovery. AA and other 12-Step programs based on it have the philosophy that addiction is a manageable chronic disease but ultimately a lifelong affliction. SMART Recovery, however, does not view addiction as a disease, only as behaviors that can be corrected. Instead of Twelve Steps, SMART Recovery utilizes a four-point program, which involves:

• Building and maintaining motivation so you can resolve to remain sober
• Coping with urges by identifying triggers and reducing or coping with them
• Manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to avoid relapse and find self-acceptance
• Living a balanced life by making healthy, realistic changes to promote recovery

Clients may use one or both program types to receive support during their recovery journey. Regardless of which program a client ultimately chooses, multiple studies have shown both programs to be effective for recovery. 

Finding Lifelong Support at Driftwood Recovery

The staff at Driftwood Recovery is just as diverse as its client base. People from all walks of life come to Driftwood Recovery to find a safe and secure place to heal. With a holistic treatment philosophy, great care is taken to be sure a wide range of treatment options is available. This includes the choice to participate in a 12-Step program, SMART Recovery, both, or neither. The power of choice is a fundamental human right. A right that Driftwood Recovery seriously upholds.

If choosing a traditional 12-Step program, clients will have meetings with their fellow peers. These meetings help clients take responsibility for their actions and make honest life changes. The Courageous Family program often goes hand in hand with a 12-Step program. They both work as a way for the client and their family to rebuild their relationships. SMART Recovery also features meetings where clients can practice and discuss the coping skills they have learned in treatment.

Regardless of the program chosen, clients are encouraged to support each other and help their communities. Alumni in the alumni program often become mentors to others. This shows the person being mentored that healthy sober living is possible and gives them a person they can call for help when they need strength. Of course, sober living and social skills are taught as part of treatment. However, going off on your own can be a frightening time that is made better with a supportive mentor. 

The goal of every mental health care and addiction treatment facility is for its clients to be successful in their recovery. With the help of a 12-Step program and SMART Recovery, clients find the community they need to be successful. Though treatment can feel overwhelming, it gets easier with each step forward. 

To an average person, the idea of a 12-Step program conjures images of people sitting in a room as they admit that they have an addiction. The truth is that a 12-Step program is much more complex than that. These programs assist clients in changing their lives and taking responsibility for their actions. For many, it’s another step in their recovery that can bring immense healing. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients have access to 12-Step programs as an essential part of addiction treatment. Everyone, including yourself and those you love, can recover from addiction with the right treatment. So don’t wait to start your healing journey; call (512) 759-8330 today.

Recovery is a lifelong process of change, and rebuilding your life does not happen overnight. However, you can rebuild your life and recover the self by fostering purpose and meaning. You can find purpose and meaning by working on the different domains of your life that may have been disrupted by substance abuse and other mental health challenges. Power in education, in particular, can be incredibly valuable to support your ability to rebuild and thrive in other domains of life, like work.

At Driftwood Recovery, we know access to support through services and resources in an alumni program can turn clinical insight into action. The action of clinical insight is not born solely out of treatment but the willingness to open yourself to learning and growing in every domain of life. Thus, power in education can be an integral part of the recovery process. Through the power of education, you gain access to tools that can help you unlock deeper recesses of the inner self. With greater self-understanding comes positive change inside and out to help you heal and lead a self-directed life.

Despite the potential advantages found in power in education, pursuing education can be daunting. You may have previous experience in school settings that left you feeling stressed and overwhelmed. In some cases, school-related stress may have contributed to your self-medicating with substances to cope. Thus, concerns about putting your recovery in jeopardy if you return or start your education are understandable. However, with the support of alumni, you can reduce the risk factors found in educational settings and thrive in power in education.

Expanding your awareness of stress and co-occurring disorders on college campuses is an important step toward building a healthy plan for your education.

Stressed Out: Impact of Stress on Recovery

Stress is a common trigger for addiction relapse and mental distress. Yet, stress is a normal part of life and even works as a useful survival skill. Thus, it is impossible to lead a stress-free life as stress pops up in your home, work, and school life. However, stress becomes a problem and a risk factor when you lack the tools for healthy coping. College, in particular, can be a significant source of stress as you navigate deadlines, social relationships, and exposure to substances. 

The Presence of Co-Occurring Disorders in College

Attending college can be a stressful time for any student, but there has been a surge in reported mental health disorders among college students. According to “College and University Response to Mental Health Crises” from Mental Health America (MHA), an estimated 26% of people 18 and older in the U.S. have a diagnosable mental health condition. Academic performance and well-being are greatly diminished by untreated mental conditions. For many students, challenges with stress and mental illness also contribute to substance misuse. 

As noted in “Monitoring the Future” from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), young adults had a historically high prevalence of substance misuse like vaping and alcohol. The prevalence of substance use during college is tied to multiple contributors, including party culture, academic stress, and mental illness. Thus, the risk for relapse among students in recovery makes addressing co-occurring disorders paramount. Some of the ways colleges are supporting mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) challenges include:

• Communication about mental health and SUD
  • University-wide emails
  • Social media 
  • Educational and social events
• Integrated training for faculty and staff
• Community-based services
• Collegiate recovery programs (CRPs)

Colleges are taking important steps toward supporting students both in and not in recovery with resources like CRPs.

Finding Power in Education With College Recovery Programs

Yet, what are CRPs? According to the Journal of American College Health, CRPs are campus-based communities of students in SUD recovery. With professional support, CRPs create a peer-driven network of students committed to maintaining their recovery and achieving their educational goals. At the university level, CRPs can support power in education through seamless access to resources like:

• Sober events
• Peer support
• Sober housing
• Stress management
• Relapse prevention
• Mutual support meetings
• Crisis support
• Financial benefits
• Academic benefits

No matter where you are on your recovery journey, an alumni program can support your recovery. Through recovery high schools, CRPs, and stress management, you can thrive in recovery.

Learning to Manage Stress Through Power in Education

Whether you are ready to pursue a GED or higher education, there is space to grow. Leaning on the support of an alumni program can help you find power in education in other domains of life, like stress management. Listed below are some of the ways you can manage stress in school and your daily life:

• Sleep routine
• Eat nutritious food
• Physical movement
• Do hobbies and activities
• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Spend time with loved ones
• Plan ahead
• Chunk tasks into manageable pieces
• Seek professional support

While stress is a normal part of life and college, it does not have to jeopardize your recovery and well-being. With support, you can pursue your life goals, like higher education, to lead a meaningful and purposeful life.

Fostering Power in Education With Alumni at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we believe access to a wide variety of services and resources strengthens our therapeutic impact for lasting recovery. Alone, recovery can feel daunting, and it can be difficult to figure out how to move forward in other domains of life. However, with support, you can be empowered by education to thrive in recovery. Therefore, access to resources like CRPs and stress management is made possible by services in our alumni program. 

We believe in your ability to do courageous things for yourself, your loved ones, and the wider community. Thus, we provide access to resources like education consultants through our compassionate peer-driven network. Whether you want to pursue higher education, employment, or build relationships, you can find support to achieve your life goals with a vibrant alumni community.

Rebuilding your life in recovery can feel daunting, especially if you want to pursue higher education. College life can expose you to greater stress, substances, and mental health disorders that can increase your risk for relapse. However, you can find power in education with support resources and services like collegiate recovery programs (CRPs). Through a strong treatment alumni program, you have access to a peer-driven network and resources like education consultants to build a meaningful and purposeful life in recovery. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a wide range of services and resources to meet you where you are on your recovery journey. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn how our alumni program can support you.

As we grow and mature, we learn several life skills to function as successful adults. Unfortunately, some slip through the cracks and don’t get the opportunity to learn these essential skills. There are many reasons why this may be the case. A person may have been isolated in their early development and youth, which prevented them from practicing social skills with their peers. Others may have struggled with underlying mental health conditions, which may have prevented them from successfully learning and practicing these skills. No matter the reason, everyone needs to learn these skills to succeed, especially those in treatment and recovery.

That’s why at Driftwood Recovery, every client has the opportunity to learn and practice these essential life skills. With the help of knowledgeable and compassionate mental health care professionals, clients also gain much-needed confidence. These skills don’t just make adult life easier for those who learn them. They also keep alumni in recovery and help those in treatment find success in their efforts.

Life skills, however, are a little more complicated than most people would think. 

What Are Some Common Life Skills?

When people think of life skills, they often think of a person being able to accomplish tasks such as cooking and writing a resume. These skills are, of course, vital to living a healthy and independent life and are important. However, these skills can be learned easily enough through online tutorials, school, or community resources. The life skills needed for recovery are a little more tricky to learn if they are not directly taught when young. 

To be specific, life skills in this context refer to a person’s ability to adapt positively to difficulties and navigate relationships healthily. Relationship-wise, a healthy person should be able to handle criticism, effectively community, assert their needs, cooperate, and display empathy. When it comes to difficulties, a person should be flexible and resilient, think critically, make healthy decisions, and problem-solve. A person should also be self-aware and be able to think creatively, recognize their emotions, and manage themselves and their time.

This applies not just to life but to treatment and recovery as well. Skills such as mental wellness, stress management, and relapse prevention are all considered life skills. It’s also important for clients to be able to reflect on their recovery journey and be honest with their treatment provider. Of course, not everyone goes into life or treatment automatically learning these skills. This is why, at Driftwood Recovery, clients receive instruction on how to utilize these skills during and after treatment. 

How Does Driftwood Recovery Teach These Life Skills?

Driftwood Recovery utilizes several therapies and programs to teach clients essential life skills for recovery. There is traditional psychotherapy, or talk therapy, that is effective in helping clients break through the walls they put up around themselves. This also helps clients connect to themselves and be more self-aware of their actions and choices. Clients also learn how to care for themselves by learning about nutrition, exercise, and wellness to maintain a healthy body. Learning to work with others and gain confidence is also important, so clients participate in activities that foster teamwork, communication, and understanding,

The goal at Driftwood Recovery is not to force clients into learning these skills. Instead, clients learn these skills organically through activities that encourage these skills. Of course, some skills, such as relapse prevention, require an active workshop and teaching to get correct. However, clients learn important communication skills through interacting with their peers and alumni. Programs such as the courageous family Program further help interpersonal skills by providing healing for struggling families. 

Of course, the most important life skill learned at Driftwood Recovery is that each person matters. There is something special and strong within each person. Sometimes, it is difficult to see, but it becomes easier to recognize it with the support and encouragement of compassionate and understanding staff. 

Establishing a Foundation in Recovery

The life skills learned at Driftwood Recovery are useful not only in treatment but also in are essential in keeping someone in recovery so they can enjoy their sober lives. The introspective skills allow alumni to examine themselves and recognize when they require further help. Skills that involve communication and relationships allow one to maintain a healthy support network. Resilience allows one to choose healthy coping skills over unhealthy ones. All of these life skills come together to create a healthier and more robust individual. 

It’s also essential to help alumni recognize the dangers to their recovery and act accordingly. Peer pressure and toxic individuals can and will threaten a person’s sobriety if they are not careful. Recognizing your self-worth and being able to stand up for yourself does more to keep yourself in recovery than what you may have expected. 

Remember that it takes time to learn these life skills. Some people are lucky enough to have learned and practiced these skills while young. Learning them as an adult can be difficult but never impossible. Though it may be hard, never give up. In time, you will learn these skills and make them a daily part of your life. This effort is made much easier with the help of a mental health care professional. So, if you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait. The best time to start is today. 

Life skills are essential to maintain a happy and healthy sober life during and after treatment. Sometimes, a person may fear being unprepared for life outside of treatment and worry about making mistakes or failing. To mitigate this issue, mental health care and treatment facilities work to make sure their clients are well-prepared for the challenges of life. Here at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients learn these life skills through several methods. Through practice, guided instruction, therapeutic techniques, and shared wisdom from peers, clients gain the skills they need to succeed in their recovery. To learn more about how Driftwood Recovery can help you or a loved one prepare for recovery, call (512) 759-8330 today.