Meal Planning: Supporting Sustained Recovery With Nutrition

According to Frontiers in Neuroscience, your physical body is the home in which your mind lives. Your body acts as the anchor point for who you are and how you navigate the world. The body and mind are deeply interconnected as each impacts your physical and mental well-being. For example, when you are sad, you might overconsume food, while a chronic pain condition can contribute to depressive feelings. Your relationship with food can play an important role in your recovery journey. Thus, meal planning can be a valuable recovery tool to support your long-term well-being.

At Driftwood Recovery, we know how important food can be as a conduit to connect and foster community and support. Through an attachment approach to treatment, you have learned the value of connection for recovery. Your ability to truly heal and sustain recovery is not only about abstaining from misusing substances, but healing the whole-person. Therefore, supporting every part of you, including your physical health, with support tools like meal planning can be invaluable to the continuation of your recovery journey.

Supporting your sustained recovery with effective meal planning starts with understanding the impact substance use disorder (SUD) has had on your nutrition and health.

Maladaptive Eating: The Impact of SUD on Nutrition

As noted in an article from Nutrition Reviews, people with SUD experience a variety of nutritional issues that can impede physical and mental well-being. For example, you may be more likely to spend the money you have on substances instead of food, which can lead to malnutrition. Or, as Medline Plus states, SUD can contribute to irregular eating and poor diet. Listed below are some of the other ways substance use can impair your nutrition:

• You eat less often
• More likely to consume foods high in refined carbohydrates and fat
  • White bread
  • Pizza
  • Cereal
  • Baked goods
• You eat few, if any, fruits and vegetables

Moreover, different substances can contribute to specific nutritional deficits. For example, alcohol misuse can lead to deficiencies in B vitamins, which contribute to anemia and neurological problems. In contrast, stimulant misuse can reduce your appetite, which can lead to weight loss and poor nutrition. Thus, the presence of food insecurity, changes in dietary habits, and poor nutrition showcase the value of meal planning in recovery. Further, meal planning can help address other challenges with substance use, like psychological well-being.

Relationship Between SUD and Well-Being

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), co-occurring mental illness is common among SUD and mental health disorders. From challenges with depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a wide variety of conditions can arise. SUD shares a bidirectional relationship with mental health disorders, as both can cause changes to your brain that impair things like impulse control. For instance, impaired thinking and impulse control increase your risk of misusing substances and developing SUD, which exasperates mental health symptoms. 

As a result, unaddressed SUD and/or mental health disorders can be detrimental to your well-being. Further, the impact of SUD on your nutritional habits can also influence psychological well-being. For example, deficiencies in certain nutrients like vitamin B12 can lead to depressive symptoms like fatigue and irritability. Balanced nutrition with support tools like meal planning can support healing challenges with depression, PTSD, and other conditions.

Finding Recovery With Nutrition and Meal Planning

Nutrition and, thus, meal planning is often overlooked as a support tool in treatment and recovery. Beyond supporting better nutritional habits, proper nutrition and meal planning can be impactful to the process of recovery. As noted in “Diet, Nutrition, and Substance Use Disorder” from Utah State University, some of the other benefits of nutrition and meal planning in treatment and recovery include:

• Improves withdrawal symptoms
  • Eating balanced meals can reduce the severity of symptoms like nausea and vomiting in opiate and opioid withdrawal
• Teaches proper nutrition
• Improves mood
  • Decreases depressive symptoms
  • Reduce cravings
• Supports physical health and chronic health conditions

Looking at the benefits of nutrition highlights its value for fostering and maintaining recovery. Therefore, you can continue to build on your recovery by incorporating meal planning into your daily life. 

Meal Planning: Ways to Break Maladaptive Patterns

In general, meal planning is planning what you are going to eat for each meal in advance. Typically, meal planning is based on a week of groceries, yet each individual is different. You can customize meal planning to best support your needs and life. Listed below are some of the ways you can build a meal plan that makes sense for you:

• Decide how many meals you need to prepare each day
• Start small by meal planning for three days before planning for a week or more
• Pick out the types of foods and serving sizes you want and need
  • Fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains 
  • Build portion goals for meals and snacks
  • Tracking food without calorie counting
• Schedule specific times to eat
  • Make sure your eating schedule works with other activities and responsibilities
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack, or you can include a morning snack and afternoon snack

The meal planning examples highlight some ways you can customize and change your meal plans to support you throughout recovery. Further, if you have other challenges like dietary restrictions and disordered eating, it is important to work with your clinician and other healthcare professionals to support your well-being.

Building Meal Planning Tools in Alumni at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we believe in taking a mind-and-body wellness approach to recovery. Your mind and body are intrinsically connected to what you consume. Through nutrition and engagement in your alumni program, you can find wellness, connection, and community to heal. From family-style dinners to milestone dinners, our alumni program is designed to support you as a whole person. You can find positive connections and balanced nutrition through a peer-driven and wellness-focused community. 

Your mind and body are so interconnected that they often inform each other. Thus, your challenges with SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders can have a negative impact on your physical and psychological well-being. However, nutritional support is not only a valuable tool in treatment to restore balance but for sustained recovery as well. Through nutrition and meal planning in recovery, you can continue to restore and foster connection with yourself in mind, body, and spirit to heal as a whole person. Therefore, at Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a vibrant alumni program with a peer-driven community and services for physical and psychological well-being in recovery. Call us today at (512) 759-8330 to learn more about alumni support.

One aspect of treatment that some clients may need to experience is medication management. Not everyone will need medication as part of their recovery journey. However, some conditions will require its use for proper management. The idea of such can be frightening to some, especially if they have never needed a medication regimen before. Misinformation about medication can also be detrimental, making many fear a tool that can bring them relief. 

That’s why it’s common for mental health care and addiction treatment facilities to have a medication management program. It’s not just providing a service to those in treatment. Medication management also is a source of education that can reduce fear. Driftwood Recovery especially is focused on medication safety, as many clients undergo a detox process for addiction during admittance. It’s a way for clients to feel confident about their treatment and trust that they will be safe.

The best way to overcome a fear is to learn more about it. Understanding the ins and outs of medication management may be the key to helping you or a loved one get the treatment they need. 

What to Expect With Medication Management

Those who live with chronic conditions, such as anxiety or depression, may require medication as part of treatment. People detoxing from addictive substances may also need medications to stay safe and comfortable during the process. Medication management itself is fairly straightforward. A medical professional makes sure that you are adjusting well to your medication. Meanwhile, a mental health care professional helps you create a routine, take your medicine regularly, and have a healthy outlook regarding medication. By working together, the client’s medical and psychological needs are cared for.

Sometimes a client will need their medication adjusted during the process. This involves a working collaboration between a client and a medical care professional to find the right medications and dosage. To accomplish this, it’s important to be honest and forthcoming about any concerns noticed. This way, medications can be adjusted as needed. During this time, a medical professional will inform the client about the medication they are taking, what it’s side-effects are, and general safety facts. Clients are always informed about their medication options and have an active role in treatment. 

Learning to remember to take your medicine is another part of medication management. Medication is most effective when taken at the same time each day. It can be easy to forget to do so, especially when caught up in other forms of treatment. In the beginning, clients will be reminded to take their medication until they become used to the process. The goal is to prepare clients to continue to do so on their own if they still require medication after treatment. 

Common Misconceptions About Medication Management

There are a few misconceptions about medication management that can be detrimental to those seeking treatment. One such misconception is that medications, especially psychiatric ones, stifle creativity and personality. That is certainly not true, as several artists and musicians can still create. Medication simply allows them to create without being exhausted from living with untreated conditions. If anything, medications allow them to create more. 

Others may be afraid that the process will be aggressive and scary. The truth is that medication management is held to the same standards as any other program at a treatment facility. Clients can expect to be treated with respect and understanding. It’s not unusual for people to need some sort of prescription medication to feel well, especially when they get older. So, no medical or mental health care professional will judge or belittle a client for needing medication. 

The medication management process is conducted in such a way that the client remains informed the entire time. No decisions are made without the direct input of the client. Those afraid that their choices will be taken from them have nothing to fear, especially in modern treatment facilities. Clients have more power than what they may expect, a standard that helps them feel more secure.

Staying Safe While Taking Medication

At Driftwood Recovery, safety is a core value. Clients who are struggling with serious addictions, such as opioid and heroin addiction, often require medical intervention for a successful detox and to manage withdrawal symptoms. Part of this may include using prescribed medications temporarily. Those living with longer-lasting or chronic conditions may need prescription medication for the foreseeable future.

To ensure each client has a safe recovery, Driftwood Recovery uses medication management to teach clients how to stay safe even after treatment is completed. Here are a few safety tips that those considering or currently taking prescription medication should remember. 

• Always take your medications exactly as prescribed and in the correct dosages
• Be honest with your medical provider about your medical history, allergies, and other medications you are taking, even if they are over-the-counter medications
• Never share your medications with others or take medications from someone else
• Ask your medical provider about side effects, what substances, foods, and other medications may interact with the ones you are prescribed, and how long it will take to see results.
• Never start or stop a medication without first speaking to a medical provider
• Always report unusual or severe side effects or reactions to your medication that you experience
• Store your medications safely by keeping them in original containers, never mixing different medicines in the same bottle, and keeping them out of direct sunlight. 

Of course, clients can always talk to a medical or mental health care provider for any reason. Needing medication doesn’t make one weak. It’s a tool to help them manage their symptoms for a more comfortable recovery. By extending trust in your providers, things like medication lose their frightening edge, allowing you to achieve the recovery you deserve. 

Some conditions are difficult to manage on their own. That’s why medications can sometimes be a part of an individual’s treatment plan to help clients find relief and manage their symptoms. Though intimidating at first, clients can learn how to effectively and safely use medications to aid in their recovery. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients who need medications receive help through medication management. This program assists those who require medication by educating them and monitoring their health. Under the supervision of medical professionals, clients can trust that they will remain safe. If you are struggling with addiction and other mental health conditions, don’t wait. Call Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330.

Burnout is a serious concern for healthcare professionals. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “Burnout among health workers has harmful consequences for patient care and safety” and may cause “increased medical errors [. . .] and staffing shortages.” Training on the job can increase the risk of burnout for some individuals. Coping skills and social support are essential to reducing the risk of emotional or physical exhaustion during on-the-job training. Driftwood Recovery supports staff members, including those in training, by providing a healthy work environment and resources to reduce physical or psychological stress.  

Burnout and Training On the Job

Training on the job has many benefits and helps professionals achieve their career goals. However, many individuals in healthcare struggle during training periods. The added pressure and stress may cause people to experience anxiety, depression, or other serious side effects.

Some of the potential factors impacting staff mental and physical health during training include: 

• Pressure to perform and meet specific goals
• A high case workload 
• Inconsistent scheduling or overscheduling
• Emotional stress caused by working with vulnerable populations 
• Witnessing or hearing about traumatic events 
• Limited resources or lack of peer support 

Driftwood Recovery understands the importance of educating staff and providing them with the tools and resources to effectively manage stress and create a healthy work-life balance. 

4 Ways to Reduce Burnout

Training is often stressful. Staff members may be new and still figuring out where they fit within the workplace community. A desire to exceed expectations and meet training goals or deadlines may cause some people to feel burnt out early in training. In addition, professionals in healthcare must provide emotional support to clients every day regardless of how they feel in their personal lives. The combination of factors may become overwhelming if staff do not have the support and resources to effectively cope with stressors. Below are four ways healthcare workers reduce stress and the risk of burnout. 

#1. Prioritizing Self-Care When Training On the Job

Self-care is essential for all healthcare workers at every stage of their careers. However, self-care is vital during initial training before individuals develop the support systems and coping skills to help them create a healthy work-life balance. 

Some common forms of self-care include: 

• Taking advantage of all breaks throughout the workday 
• Staying hydrated and eating nutritional meals 
• Speaking to loved ones about stressors at work 
• Taking quiet time each day after or before work to relax and focus on the present 

Training should not interfere with a person’s ability to maintain self-care on the job. 

#2. Setting Work-Life Boundaries

A healthy work-life balance is essential for managing the increased workload during on-the-job training. According to the Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, “Managing workload is a crucial factor in reducing burnout among healthcare workers.” Establishing and maintaining boundaries is critical to a worker’s emotional and physical well-being. 

A few examples of work boundaries people set to improve their overall wellness include: 

• Saying “no” to overtime or requests from coworkers to take over shifts 
• Turning off notifications from work emails or team messaging apps after returning home 
• Taking sick days instead of working while feeling under the weather 

Communicating needs and personal boundaries improves workplace relationships and increases positivity.

#3. Relying on Coworkers, Management, and Other Work Resources

Utilizing resources is essential for healthcare workers. Individuals with access to a solid support network have an easier time avoiding burnout. Coworkers, management, and workplace programs all play a role in ensuring staff have access to the types of support they need to maintain positive mental health. 

Staff rely on peers and management to help them avoid burnout by doing the following: 

• Discussing tasks, clients, or cases causing emotional strain or distress 
• Communicating needs to create a more balanced schedule 
• Establishing realistic goals and timelines 
• Ensuring tasks are distributed fairly between staff members

The management team and coworkers provide essential emotional and practical support to individuals in training. 

#4. Embracing Personal Growth While Training On the Job

Personal growth is essential for developing workplace skills, self-care routines, and healthy relationships. Embracing the need for personal growth helps with on-the-job training by allowing people to focus on the positive aspects of training. According to NIH News in Health, “Positive emotions expand our awareness and open us up to new ideas, so we can grow.”

Driftwood Recovery empowers personal growth by doing the following: 

• Offering staff training and continuing education opportunities 
• Building trust and communication through on-the-job training and skills development 
• Providing feedback and encouragement to clinicians and support staff in training

Burnout is not an inevitable part of working in healthcare. Individuals can embrace change, develop practical coping skills, and become part of a supportive community by focusing on personal growth. 

Training on the job is an excellent way to build new relationships and gain valuable skills. Everyone should have the opportunity to pursue on-the-job training to advance their career, learn new skills, or brush up on their knowledge. However, additional training on top of a full work schedule may leave some people feeling drained or overwhelmed. Avoiding burnout is important for people working in the healthcare field. Driftwood Recovery helps staff avoid burnout by providing a positive community of peers and access to support resources. Every staff member has the chance to increase their skills with on-the-job training and continuing education. To learn more about our services and how we prioritize client care, call us at (512) 759-8330.

Those who struggle with panic disorders live a life full of fear and worry. It’s not the disorder itself that causes such distress; it’s waiting for the next panic attack to occur that does. Panic disorders rob a person of the ability to live life to its fullest. Many who struggle with them will begin to withdraw from society until they feel isolated and alone. It’s not just distressing for the individual who is struggling. Those who love them must also see their loved one be trapped in a cycle of fear without a clear avenue of escape.

However, there is an escape. With proper treatment and support, anyone can recover from a panic disorder. It requires one to understand that they need help and accept it. At Driftwood Recovery, clients from all walks of life can find compassionate and quality mental health treatment. There, no person has to fear judgment or belittlement. Panic disorders are a real and valid condition, and those who struggle with them deserve to be understood.

To further understand how those with panic disorders can achieve recovery, we must first examine what panic disorders are. 

What Are Panic Disorders?

A panic disorder is a mental and behavioral disorder that is characterized by panic attacks that are unexpected and recurring. It’s a type of anxiety disorder that is associated with disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and phobias like agoraphobia. How a panic disorder manifests depends on the individual and any co-occurring conditions. 

Nobody is quite sure exactly what causes panic disorders, but several risk factors have been identified. Those who have a family history of panic disorders, have experienced a traumatic event, are dealing with heavy stress, smoke or drink excessive caffeine, or have experienced a major life change are at risk for a panic disorder. 

Panic disorders are marked by the presence of panic attacks. These are sudden episodes of intense fear that can trigger severe physical reactions. There is usually no real danger or apparent cause of these panic attacks. Though some can be triggered, many panic attacks will simply happen when least expected. They can be extremely frightening and make those experiencing them feel as though they are dying or having a heart attack. Though frightening, a panic attack doesn’t last forever and will eventually go away. However, the intensity of them is enough to be a constant worry. 

Signs of a panic attack include: 

• Feelings of impending doom, loss of control, death, or danger 
• Chest pains and a rapid, pounding heart rate
• Sweating
• Hot flashes or chills
• Shaking or trembling
• Abdominal cramping and nausea 
• Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness or faintness 
• Tingling sensations or numbness 
• Shortness of breath or tightness in your throat
• Feelings of detachment or that nothing is quite real 

Treatment for Panic Disorders at Driftwood Recovery

There are several ways that one can seek help for their panic disorder. Treatment facilities like Driftwood Recovery have the means to treat a wide array of conditions. Panic disorders often co-occur with other conditions, so individuals must be evaluated first before a treatment plan can come together.

The most common treatments for panic disorders are psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapies, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), work to help clients cope with their disorders. This works by providing clients with a healthier way to think, behave, and react to their feelings after or during a panic attack. Exposure therapy is another part of psychotherapy that helps clients confront the fears that may be contributing to their panic attacks. The goal is to help clients integrate back into activities that they loved but began to avoid because of their fear of panic attacks.

Medications are also commonly used to treat panic disorders. Their goal is to reduce the physical symptoms a person may feel as the result of a panic disorder, such as a racing heartbeat. Medications are also used to reduce the feelings of anxiety that may trigger a panic attack. It’s not a way to completely erase a disorder. Instead, it allows a client to become more comfortable and find relief so they can focus on their treatment. Like all medications used at Driftwood Recovery, care is taken to make sure the client adjusts to their medication safely.

Besides psychotherapy and medication, clients also have access to other forms of treatment that can help with panic disorders. Practicing wellness, understanding their nutritional needs, and participating in therapeutic recreation can all help clients who struggle with panic disorders. What treatments a client receives besides psychotherapy and medication depends on their individual needs and any co-occurring condition that they are working on.

When Will the Fear Go Away?

It takes time and hard work to recover from a panic disorder. Medications often need adjusting to find the perfect dosage to suit a client’s needs. Psychotherapy works at the pace a client sets, and it’s not a process that can be rushed. In general, it’s advised to go at a pace that feels natural, as attempting to brute force progress often results in burnout and discouragement. 

However, the fear can and will stop. Those who seek and stick with treatment find success in recovering from and managing their condition. Panic disorders are so scary because they isolate those who struggle with them. By finding support from fellow peers, clients learn that they are more than their disorder and that they are not alone.

The opposite of fear is courage. Once you find the courage to seek help, you will have the courage to overcome any type of fear and face any challenge. With this in mind, you can take back your life from panic disorders and live it to the fullest. 

There are countless people today who live with a panic disorder. Those with a panic disorder often have to restructure their lives entirely to avoid triggering it. This can make it difficult for them to live life to its fullest. Thankfully, there’s a way for those struggling with a panic disorder to take back their lives. Here at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients have access to professional and quality treatment. Under the guidance of compassionate and caring mental health care professionals, clients learn how to manage their conditions and achieve recovery. Remember, anyone can achieve recovery, no matter who they are. If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait. Call (512) 759-8330 today.

Cross-training between departments is an excellent way for professionals to increase skills and provide consistent client care. Support staff also benefit from cross-training. According to BMJ Open, “Training non-specialist workers in mental healthcare is an effective strategy to increase [. . .] knowledge, attitude, skill and confidence among health workers.” Continuing education and training empowers staff to develop additional areas of expertise. Driftwood Recovery encourages clinicians and support staff to cross-train if they have a passion and interest in more than one role within the program. 

Increasing Skills and Maintaining Consistency in Client Care

The client-clinician relationship impacts each step of the recovery process. Many clients move through a continuum of care to ensure they receive the most appropriate level of support through every stage of treatment. According to BMC Health, “[P]rovider factors (e.g., provider training, experience, communication or collaboration practices) or broader service setting or context factors (e.g., differences in organizational culture or practices between care settings, existence of transition practices or processes, laws or funding, regional location) are all known to influence” transitions between levels of care.  

Providing clients with a consistent treatment experience does the following: 

• Increases client trust in the care team and the recovery process
• Reinforces positive lifestyle changes and healthy behaviors 
• Addresses complex needs of clients with co-occurring conditions 
• Ensures the continued safety and well-being of clients as they move through various stages of treatment 

Consistency in healthcare also improves treatment outcomes by reducing the risk of complications or setbacks. Driftwood Recovery ensures all staff members have the necessary training to provide appropriate care. 

How Do People Increase Skills By Cross-Training?

Cross-training is a valuable tool for clinicians and support staff. According to Pharmacy, “Previous research [. . .] demonstrated that cross-training enhances teamwork and interpersonal collaboration.” In addition, “Research has shown that cross-training significantly improves overall teamwork, by enhancing interpersonal collaboration and communication.” Healthcare professionals work in a highly stressful environment and provide life-changing treatment to clients struggling with addiction or mental health disorders. Learning new skills ensures better treatment outcomes.

A few ways staff build new skills during cross-training include: 

• Watching coworkers use their knowledge to treat and support clients 
• Hands-on experience, working beside experienced staff 
• Evaluations and constructive feedback 
• Collaborating with coworkers on cases or projects 
• Participating in simulated scenarios or case studies

Gaining new skills or building on old ones helps staff feel more comfortable expanding their support role within the program. Often, in cross-training, a mentor-mentee relationship develops. The additional support can increase self-efficacy and boost confidence. 

Increase Skills and Make Professional Connections

Collaboration between healthcare professionals is vital to client care. Cross-training allows staff to make new professional connections and develop essential skills for addressing specific client needs. 

Building skills and networking provides staff with the following: 

• Access to individuals with specialized training and knowledge 
• Additional support for complex clients and cases 
• Effective and practical techniques for managing client care

Driftwood Recovery supports and empowers staff by giving them the space and tools to expand their skills. Some clients may have complex cases. Knowledge of multiple areas of expertise ensures staff members provide holistic care and additional support to clients with more severe or persistent symptoms. 

How Does Driftwood Recovery Encourage Clinicians to Build Skills?

Driftwood Recovery encourages clinicians and support staff to build essential skills and take on new roles as they grow within the program. Teamwork is an integral part of the culture at Driftwood Recovery. Everyone works together to uplift and empower one another. Staff meet together daily and have an opportunity to discuss their interest in learning new skills or techniques. 

Clinicians and support staff increase skills by doing the following: 

• Asking to shadow a coworker or manager in a different department
• Requesting on-the-job training or continuing education 
• Working in new positions within the facility 

Healthcare workers are at high risk of emotional and physical burnout. Sometimes, switching up day-to-day tasks and roles can reduce the risk of burnout by renewing a person’s focus. Transparency, teamwork, and honesty are essential values at Driftwood Recovery. Staff are supported when they speak up and express a desire to pursue new areas of interest.

Daily Meetings and Continuing Education

Clinicians and support staff at Driftwood Recovery check in with each other to determine if there are any gaps in treatment services. Continuing education and cross-training are encouraged to help staff expand their knowledge or move into new roles within the program.

Staff members utilize the skills they learn in cross-training to do the following: 

• Ensure clients receive accurate diagnosis and treatment 
• Provide more effective and tailored client care
• Create a more collaborative team environment 
• Communicate more effectively with clients and staff 
• Develop practical and appropriate aftercare plans 

Daily meetings ensure support staff, clinicians, and management remain on the same page and understand when additional education or training might be beneficial. 

Cross-training is an excellent way to improve communication between coworkers, learn new skills, and create a more consistent treatment experience for clients. Cross-training also allows support staff to make new connections and transition to different roles. The many benefits of cross-training make it important for healthcare professionals to identify skills they may benefit from learning. Cross-training is often combined with continuing education to create well-rounded staff who can fill different roles as needed to ensure consistent client care. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to take advantage of cross-training. Clients and coworkers benefit when people choose to work as an integrative team. To learn more about our facility and services, call us at (512) 759-8330.

According to “Life-Saving Relationships” by Kirsten Weir, supportive relationships have the power to positively influence your well-being. Whether biological, adoptive, blended, or chosen, your loved ones are instrumental to your well-being and vice versa. Your loved ones are the ones who help you make sense of who you are and the world. Moreover, your family is a source of security as you provide emotional, physical, and economic support for each other. Therefore, family involvement in recovery can be invaluable to healing. Rather than succumb to the isolation and loneliness of addiction and early recovery, you can build connections and thrive in recovery with your loved ones.

At Driftwood Recovery, we believe considering the entire family fosters the foundation to heal relationships and thrive in recovery. With family involvement in recovery, you can rebuild connection and understanding with the important people in your life. Through an attachment approach to healing, we provide a vibrant alumni program with services that will help you thrive in recovery. Thriving in recovery does not happen when you isolate yourself from those passionate about your healing. Thus, our alumni program is designed to give you tools to reintegrate and thrive in recovery.

However, you may question how your loved ones’ involvement can help you thrive in recovery. What does family involvement look like in recovery? 

Value of Family Involvement in Recovery

Recovery is a lifelong journey, and the effort you put into it is enhanced by those you share it with. There are several research articles that highlight the positive impact family involvement can have on treatment. Family-focused care in treatment can provide education, support, and personal growth opportunities for the entire family. From improving communication to greater understanding of each other, family-focused care in treatment is invaluable to healing the whole family. 

However, family involvement can also be a tool for thriving in recovery. As noted in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, active family involvement can help shift the balance for effective resources to thrive in recovery. You can move toward the consolidation of active treatment gains and facilitate routine access to recovery services. Despite the value of family involvement in recovery, it can be intimidating for you and your loved ones. You and your loved ones may not be sure how they can help you thrive in recovery.

How to Help Loved Ones Thrive in Recovery

Remaining involved in recovery with your loved ones is made easier with engagement in an active alumni program. Through an alumni program, you and your loved ones have access to services to incorporate into your daily lives. Listed below are some of the ways your loved ones can help you thrive in recovery together:

• Continue to engage in educational resources
  • Increase awareness and understanding of the recovery process
• Recognize that recovery is not a linear process
• Attend family support groups
• Continue family therapy and or individual therapy
• Model good recovery behavior
  • Do not offer or use substances in front of them
    • Alcohol
    • Cigarettes
    • Vape pen
• Create healthy, sober ways to spend time with each other
  • Go for walks 
  • Movie nights
  • Game nights
• Make time to take care of yourself too
  • Self-care is a vital tool for you to rest and recharge to better help yourself and your loved one

There are numerous ways loved ones can support and help each other thrive in recovery. However, it is important to remember that your loved one is just as human as you are. While you learn to lead a healthier life, it is equally important for your loved ones to do the same.

Importance of Self-Healing as a Support Person

Self-care is not only important for your recovery, but it can be vital to your support person’s well-being as well. Listed below are some of the ways your loved ones can best support you by taking care of themselves:

• Make time for your physical health
  • Regular physical activity
  • Nutritious eating routine
  • Sleep routine
  • Practice stress reduction techniques
    • Deep breathing
    • Meditation
    • Yoga
• Invest in hobbies that bring you joy
  • Painting
  • Gardening
  • Reading
• Attend support groups
• Seek professional support

With a greater understanding of how your loved ones can support you and themselves, there is room for growth. Now, you and your loved ones can expand on the tools you have learned in treatment to stay connected and thrive in recovery together.

Staying Connected to Thrive in Recovery Together

Addiction and early recovery are often plagued by self-isolation and loneliness. There are numerous reasons for isolation and loneliness in recovery. Some of the reasons you may isolate include a sense of shame over your addiction or fear of relapse. Yet, isolating yourself is a significant risk factor for relapse. Therefore, staying connected to your loved ones is crucial to providing support and encouragement to help you thrive in recovery. Some of the ways you can stay connected to your loved ones include:

• Schedule quality time
  • Phone calls
  • Hangout over video call
  • Text each other or use other communication apps
  • Send emails or even handwritten letters
• Plan sober activities
  • Go out for coffee
  • Cooking class
  • Hiking
  • Book club 
• Alumni 
  • Support groups
  • Activities
  • Events

Social connection can offer the sense of belonging needed to uplift you on the good and difficult days. Through connection, you are reminded that you are not alone in your courageous journey. 

Empowering Your Family to Thrive in Recovery at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we believe a strong and vibrant alumni program can give you the support and resources you need to thrive in recovery. Whether you are entering early recovery or you have been in recovery for a while, engaging with alumni can be impactful. With alumni, we give you and your loved ones the support to reconnect or deepen your relationship to heal. Accessing resources like our family support group allows the whole family to continue learning and growing on this journey.

Your relationships with your loved ones are valuable for mutual well-being as you often act as a source of physical, emotional, and economic support for each other. Through close relationships, you can improve self-esteem, communication, and understanding of each other, among other things. Thus, family involvement in recovery can help you and your loved ones thrive in recovery as you learn and grow together. Therefore, an active alumni program can provide the resources needed for you and your loved ones to heal, learn how to engage in self-care, and stay connected to each other. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing the support services needed to heal the entire family. Call us at (512) 759-8330 today.

Countless people live with the lingering effects of childhood neglect. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least one in seven children experience child abuse or neglect. The effects of this neglect are especially egregious because it occurs during childhood. This is a time when the brain rapidly develops. We spend this time learning how to be healthy individuals by observing the adults around us. The actions these adults take on us as children can ripple through generations. Sometimes, it will begin a cycle of abuse.

Raising awareness about childhood neglect is one way to help those who currently struggle with it. Another is to inform those who do struggle with it that help is possible. At treatment facilities such as Driftwood Recovery, clients can find the treatment and understanding needed to heal their inner child. As childhood neglect can be the source of many conditions, clients will have access to the individualized treatment needed to recover.

To know the effects of neglect, we must first define what that means. 

What Is Childhood Neglect?

Though childhood neglect is abusive, it is considered distinct from child abuse. Childhood neglect is defined as a form of maltreatment in which a caregiver fails to meet a child’s physical and emotional needs. Children need validation, attention, and emotional support to grow into healthy adults. They also require food, shelter, and other basic physical needs. 

Neglected children often grow up to have life-long conditions or choose any company that will give them the attention and validation they crave. This leaves them vulnerable to problems like addiction or being taken advantage of. Sometimes, these adults may have grown up believing that the neglect they experienced is normal. To have your emotional and physical needs met is a basic human right. The belief that you deserve these things can be difficult if you are taught that you don’t matter.

Some common examples of childhood neglect include:

• Lack of or inadequate attention
• Ignoring or dismissing feelings
• Lack of emotional availability and connection 
• Absence of affection 
• Lack of encouragement and validation
• Inability to provide basic physical needs, such as food, shelter, education, and medical care

The Effect of Childhood Neglect on Mental Health

Childhood neglect has a severe effect on how a person emotionally and physically develops. One such problem facing such children is toxic stress. This is when a child experiences a negative developmental trajectory due to constant and persistent stress. Toxic stress can play a significant role in stunting brain, immune, and cardiovascular development. Children living with childhood neglect often struggle with learning, attention, and memory difficulties, which can persist into their adult lives. 

Adults who grew up with childhood neglect often deal with a wide range of conditions. Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is one such condition. They may also struggle with lingering depression, guilt, and, in some cases, addiction. It’s also quite common for adults who lived with childhood neglect to feel emotionally stunted. They may have difficulties controlling “big” emotions or may be driven to seek validation in unhealthy ways. It’s not uncommon for these adults to have to spend their formative young-adult years learning the emotional regulation they should have learned as children. 

It is also quite common for those living with the weight of childhood neglect to feel alone and isolated. This is a subject that is often not spoken about, making many feel as though their experiences were isolated. It can make forming healthy relationships difficult, leaving many vulnerable to toxic relationships. 

Despite everything, anyone can recover from this level of neglect. They only need to recognize that they need help, and then reach out for it. 

Finding Treatment and Support

At Driftwood Recovery, it’s strongly believed that anyone can be helped. With the right support, quality treatment, self-drive, and time, anyone can recover from what is causing them pain. By focusing on compassionate and supportive treatment, clients everywhere can access the tools they need to change their lives. Perhaps the most important aspect of treatment is peer support, which lets individuals know that they aren’t alone in their struggle. 

Specifically, those struggling with childhood neglect find relief through psychotherapy. Also known as “talk” therapy, this therapy allows clients to change unhealthy habits and gain a healthy mindset. Clients also benefit from trauma-based therapy. This therapy is designed to treat lingering trauma and help clients work through their pain. Those afraid of becoming re-traumatized can rely on therapies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to help them process their past without being overwhelmed by it. 

The important thing is to realize that neglect is not normal. If you grew up in an environment where your emotional and physical needs were ignored, you were neglected. Neglect is never the fault of the child, and every child deserves to grow up nurtured and validated. If you feel as though you were neglected as a child, it is always okay to speak to a mental health care professional. They are specially trained to assist you in finding the help you need to become a healthier adult. 

With the Internet being more commonplace, it’s now easier than ever to find support for survivors of childhood neglect. Sometimes, knowing that you aren’t alone is enough of an encouragement to seek help. Childhood neglect may leave lasting scars, but healing is always possible. The child within deserves to heal, as well as the adult that they have become. 

Childhood neglect negatively impacts the way a person mentally and emotionally develops. It causes trauma, stunts emotional development, and causes lifetime feelings of sadness and pain. However, these effects don’t have to last forever, especially when professional help is available. Here at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients find the treatment they need to recover from childhood neglect. With a staff of caring mental health care professionals, there is no need to fear treatment. Everyone can find the support, encouragement, and healing needed to overcome their pain at Driftwood Recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of childhood neglect, don’t wait to seek help. Call Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330.

Many clients participating in treatment for substance use and mental health disorders benefit from a combination of evidence-based and complementary modalities. Clinicians and support staff must balance the various treatment and service options to ensure clients receive effective care. According to Cureus, “[T]he use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is rapidly evolving and growing in the healthcare industry.” The experts at Driftwood Recovery use evidence-based and complementary treatments to provide support for clients struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health issues. 

Common Types of Complementary Alternative Medicine

CAM practices may not always have supportive research proving their usefulness as tools in mental health and addiction recovery. Often, alternative treatments have no, limited, or mixed research regarding their effectiveness in treating specific health conditions. Healthcare professionals may introduce CAM into treatment programs based on anecdotal evidence or past client success. 

According to the previously mentioned article by Cureus, “All therapeutic modalities that are not part of standard medical practice are included in alternative medicine (AM)” and may include: 

• Herbalism 
• Homeopathy 
• Acupuncture 
• Breathing meditation
• Chiropractic medicine
• Yoga
• Progressive relaxation  
• Cupping 
• Sound Bath
• Macrobiotics 
• Hypnosis 

Healthcare professionals use complementary and alternative therapies alongside evidence-based treatments to address various conditions. Driftwood Recovery uses comprehensive assessments and screening tools to determine if a client may benefit from alternative medicine. Clinicians and support staff are responsible for educating clients to ensure they make informed decisions about their care and fully understand the possible benefits and side effects of incorporating alternative medicine. 

The Benefits of Combining Evidence-Based and Complementary Treatments

Alternative medicine has been used for thousands of years by societies around the world. Research has shown mixed to positive results for many of the most popular forms of CAM. According to the International Journal of Health Sciences, integrative medicine “neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative medicine uncritically” and recognizes “that good medicine should be based in good science, inquiry-driven and open to new paradigms, the use of natural, less invasive interventions whenever possible, the broader concepts of promotion of health and the prevention of illness as well as the treatment of disease.” 

Some of the self-reported health benefits of complementary therapies include: 

• Decreased overall stress 
• Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Better pain management 
• Increased positivity
• Relief from physical symptoms, including nausea and body aches 

The specific health benefits vary depending on many factors, including the disorder, symptom severity, and treatment plan. Many clients report that the relief provided by complementary treatments lasts for a prolonged period of time. Some individuals may experience the benefits of alternative medicine for weeks or months after the initial therapy session. For example, the positive effects of massage therapy may be cumulative and last for several weeks. 

A Whole-Person Approach to Client Care

Addictive behaviors and mental health disorders are chronic or recurring health issues for many clients. Healthcare workers utilize a range of personalized therapies to support their clients’ healing and skill development. A whole-person approach to client care, addressing emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and environmental factors, increases the effectiveness of treatment programs. CAM therapies are often flexible and easily incorporated into most care plans. Tailored treatment provides the best outcome for many people in recovery. 

Holistic and tailored client care may involve the following: 

• Comprehensive assessments 
• Treatment and aftercare planning 
• Integrative treatments 
• Nutritional counseling or guidance 
• Emotional support 
• Psychoeducation
• Collaboration between healthcare providers 

Client collaboration is an essential part of a whole-person approach to treatment. Clinicians and support staff build strong bonds with clients, assessing their needs and learning their personal preferences. 

How to Appropriately Use Evidence-Based and Complementary Treatments

Some treatments are not suitable for every client. Certain clients may not respond well to traditional therapy or oppose alternative modalities. Staff members at Driftwood Recovery ensure the appropriate use of complementary and evidence-based therapies by doing the following: 

• Adopting a holistic approach while taking into consideration the physical, emotional, and spiritual impact of various modalities 
• Staying informed and updated on the latest breakthroughs in client care 
• Educating clients about their treatment options to ensure they make informed decisions 
• Collaborating with outside healthcare providers to prioritize client safety and comfort 
• Carefully integrating complementary care into treatment and aftercare plans 
• Researching the potential benefits of various complementary treatments for addressing chronic pain or other symptoms

Healthcare professionals have the unique opportunity to introduce clients to valuable alternative therapies they can use during and after treatment. For example, acupuncture may continue to provide emotional and pain relief for clients in long-term recovery. Introducing clients to complementary services promotes overall wellness. 

Evidence-Based and Complementary Treatments at Driftwood Recovery

Driftwood Recovery provides staff with the resources and support to offer clients the following services: 

• Acupuncture 
• Pain Clinic
• Individual and group psychotherapy 

Staff members find practical ways to combine evidence-based and complementary treatments to benefit clients in recovery. 

Balancing evidence-based and complementary therapies allows clinicians and support staff to address a wide range of client symptoms and health concerns in a short period of time. A whole-person approach to treatment ensures clients feel supported, heard, and valued. Complementary therapies often deepen the bonds of trust between clients and clinicians, increasing the effectiveness of evidence-based services, including individual and group therapy. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to take advantage of the many modalities available to create well-rounded and comprehensive treatment plans for clients recovering from substance use and mental health disorders. To learn more about our programs and the services we offer, contact our office today at (512) 759-8330.

Healthcare workers benefit from remaining up-to-date on the latest research in addiction recovery and mental health treatment. Studies have shown that “[h]ealth professionals serve as the bridge between patients, the knowledge generated by scientific research, and the policies and practices to implement that knowledge.” Participating in continuing education and monitoring research outcomes allows healthcare workers to develop additional skills and gain insights into client care. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to remain current on the latest addiction recovery and mental health research. Staff members benefit from learning about research advances related to their areas of expertise. 

How Does Staying Up-to-Date on the Latest Research Help Clinicians Provide Better Care?

Research is an essential step in creating new healthcare solutions and treatments. Implementing well-researched therapeutic techniques allows healthcare professionals to support clients and discover new treatment methods. Everyone in healthcare plays a role in developing innovative methods of addressing mental health and addiction recovery. 

Staying updated on current research and treatment modalities helps clinicians and support staff provide better care by doing the following: 

• Enhancing general knowledge and ensuring healthcare professionals remain informed of the latest advancements in client care 
• Allowing healthcare professionals to implement more appropriate and effective treatments  
• Ensuring clients receive access to safer and higher-quality care 
• Enabling the care team to make educated decisions regarding client planning and care 

Learning new ways of approaching common challenges in client care improves the overall treatment experience for clinicians, support staff, clients, and their families. 

Where to Locate the Latest Research

Online libraries of free-to-read research articles and studies provide an excellent resource for individuals wanting to stay up-to-date on the latest scientific insights. 

Some trusted sources of studies, reviews, and general healthcare information include: 

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
• MedlinePlus 
• Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)
• National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI) 
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• National Library of Medicine (NLM)
• British Medical Journal (BMJ)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Helpful research articles can be found in journals published online or available at public libraries and stores. Many experts in mental health write books about cases they encounter, techniques they develop, and research they conduct. Physically published material may be based on older research, depending on how long the publishing process took and whether it was based on decades of research or recent advancements. 

Online books from reputable sources offer excellent information healthcare workers can use to improve their skills and the services provided to clients. Staff must vet e-books to ensure the content creators are qualified to write on the subject. Often, writer information includes links to author bios where healthcare workers can check the author’s education and background. 

How to Recognize a Reliable Source

Healthcare professionals should know how to identify whether a source is potentially reliable. Providing treatment based on untrustworthy sources increases the risk of staff members giving misinformation or disinformation to clients and their loved ones. Professionals are morally obligated to vet their sources and ensure they do not cause emotional or physical harm to the individuals in their care. 

Reliable sources should have the following: 

• Identifiable authors with qualifications that make them knowledgeable in that area of expertise 
• Peer reviewed content 
• Current information that reflects up-to-date scientific knowledge 
• References and citations to support claims in the content
• Transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest 
• Information about how the author gathered and analyzed their data 
• An editorial board or other form of oversight to ensure content accuracy 

Reliable domains for online information may include .gov, .edu, and .org sources. Regardless of the domain, healthcare workers should carefully assess every piece of information before incorporating it into client care. The information should be easily accessible and understood. Complex or convoluted sources may cause people to misunderstand the information, leading to potential misinformation or disinformation. Reliable sources are professional, verifiable, and created by individuals qualified to address those topics. 

When to Incorporate New Techniques Into Client Care

Initial reports of new techniques and strategies for treating mental health disorders are not always a good indication of their efficacy. Professionals should rely on proven and verifiable facts, not anecdotal evidence, when deciding whether to implement new procedures, modalities, or techniques into client care. Research is a starting point for growth and innovation, not an endpoint. Healthcare professionals should not rely solely on their own judgment to determine if they should incorporate something into a client’s treatment plan. Everyone has unconscious biases that may impact how they approach certain subjects.

How Does Driftwood Recovery Ensure Staff Remain Updated on the Latest Research?

Healthcare professionals benefit when the management team provides them with the resources and tools to easily access additional training and educational materials. Driftwood Recovery prioritizes staff training and education to ensure clients receive the best care and support. Continuing training improves services and ensures staff can address client concerns with the most relevant and up-to-date treatments, techniques, and services. Each team member is held to a high standard and taught best practices to create an environment that values teamwork, education, and skill development. 

Being aware of breakthroughs in research surrounding mental health and addiction recovery allows healthcare workers to provide better client care. Every year, new studies and papers showcase updated information about how the mind and body interact. Staying informed about the treatment options and potential connections between feelings, thoughts, and behaviors ensures clinicians and support staff offer clients relevant, effective, and appropriate care. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff to monitor research breakthroughs and stay updated on new trends, treatment options, and resources. Clients and treatment programs benefit when professionals stay informed of the latest information within medical and nonmedical fields. To learn more about how we help clients heal, call us today at (512) 759-8330.

The question of how to best support your loved one in treatment is a common one. Having the desire to help and offer support is strong, especially among family members. This urge is also present among friends and found family, proving that love is not an exclusive concept. Treatment for an addiction, mental health disorder, or condition can be difficult. Those who attempt to undergo treatment with no support are less successful than those with an active support network. However, what type of support you give can also make a difference in your loved one’s treatment and recovery.

That’s why at Driftwood Recovery, care is taken to nurture and strengthen the relationships between those in treatment and their loved ones. If you want to know how to best support your loved one, nothing beats being able to speak with a mental health care professional. There, they can walk you through what healthy and unhealthy support looks like, leaving you able to properly and lovingly support your loved one. 

Treatment is not just a place for an individual to achieve recovery. It is also a place of education about mental health. This foundation learned at a treatment facility can then be applied to other avenues in your life, creating more healthy and wholesome relationships.

To better learn how to best support your loved one, it’s good to know what unhealthy support looks like.

How to Not Support Your Loved One

It’s not unusual to want to support your loved one during treatment. However, there is a right way and a wrong way of going about it. Many people believe that “tough love” is helpful, berating and insulting their loved one in the hopes that they will “shape up.” This is extremely detrimental to a person’s mental health, and this tough attitude can banish the confidence and drive needed to seek and stick with treatment. 

Enabling is another serious problem, especially for those with loved ones recovering from addiction. Never bring prohibited items to your loved ones while they are in treatment. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but these items and substances are prohibited for a very good reason. Sneaking in items that your loved one should not have can trigger a relapse and set back recovery. If you are unsure of what is and isn’t allowed while visiting your loved one, speak to a staff member.

Giving no support at all is perhaps the worst thing you can do. Those in treatment with an active support network achieve successful recovery faster and more smoothly than someone without one. Not interacting with your loved one in treatment can make them feel abandoned and even depressed. After all, why work hard if the people they love won’t acknowledge their accomplishments? Providing healthy support, however, can make all the difference in the world in terms of their drive to succeed. 

Supporting Your Loved One Through the Courageous Family Program

Thankfully, there is a way to learn how to healthily support your loved one while they are in treatment. At Driftwood Recovery, it is strongly believed that the connection between loved ones is important for the healing and recovery process. That is why families of those in treatment have access to the Courageous Family program. This program exists as a way to bridge the gap between clients and their families by promoting healthy relationships and furthering understanding. Running two and a half days each month, this program helps you better support your loved one by:

• Improving communication skills
• Understanding the nature of addiction and other conditions
• Experiencing what treatment is like
• Fostering compassion and understanding for everyone

Utilizing this program also teaches family and friends how to provide healthy support. At Driftwood Recovery, new clients spend their first week with limited contact with loved ones to help them reflect and acclimate to treatment. After this period, clients and their loved ones are encouraged to make regular contact. This is not a place where clients are locked up with no contact. Family and friends are welcome to schedule visits, make phone calls, and send letters. 

If you have a loved one in treatment at Driftwood Recovery, be sure to speak with a staff member. They will help you utilize the Courageous Family program, as well as help you get treatment for yourself. Having a loved one struggling with a condition can be difficult. Individualized and family therapy can help everyone get the help they need for a healthier family unit.

Small Acts That Support Your Loved One

There are many small ways that you can support your loved one in treatment. The easiest of them all is to simply remind them that you love them. Many conditions, such as addiction, carry a lot of shame and stigma. Knowing that you are loved despite it all can give someone the drive they need to stick with treatment.

Staying in contact is another small way to support your loved one. You can write a heartfelt letter or make a phone call. Letters are always appreciated, as they can be kept and reread during times of difficulty. Sometimes, something as simple as a letter urging your loved one not to give up can be enough to keep them focused on treatment. 

Educating other family members about conditions and their treatment is another way to show support. It helps other family members understand their loved one better, as well as de-stigmatize mental health treatment. Being active and involved in a loved one’s recovery shows that you took the time to understand and support them instead of ignoring their journey. This mindset often is what keeps people in recovery and can prevent a relapse. 

The love we hold for each other can be incredibly healing. With this love and support, anything is possible, including recovery.

For those who have loved ones in treatment, it can be hard to know the best way to support them. It’s common to worry about offering the wrong support or doing something that will jeopardize their recovery. It can feel like you are alone, and their success rests solely on your shoulders. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, care is taken to bridge the gap between clients and their loved ones. Those with loved ones in treatment at Driftwood Recovery gain access to compassionate mental health care professionals who offer advice and guidance. If you have a loved one in treatment and want to know how to best support them, call (512) 759-8330 today.