Using Grounding Techniques to Support Clients Experiencing Trauma Responses

Individuals in rehabilitation for substance use disorder (SUD) or dual diagnosis have a greater likelihood of experiencing trauma triggers, including triggers specific to clinical settings. Many clients participate in multiple programs, and some may have previously had negative interactions with medical professionals. A history of trauma can cause some clients to feel uncomfortable trusting their care team. Healthcare workers build trust by creating a welcoming environment that keeps clients focused on the present. Grounding techniques are an excellent tool for helping clients manage trigger responses during clinical interactions. 

What Are Grounding Techniques?

People use grounding techniques and exercises to strengthen the mind-body connection and increase self-awareness. Studies have shown that “[g]rounding techniques are important skills for assessors and all other behavioral health service providers who interact with traumatized clients (e.g., nurses, security, administrators, clinicians).” Grounding techniques can be used during everyday interactions to reduce stress, improve communication, and keep clients engaged in their treatment. 

Simple Grounding Techniques Healthcare Professionals Use During Everyday Interactions

Everyone has different methods for communicating with coworkers and clients. Healthcare professionals can improve their communication skills, allowing them to build more effective relationships. Using grounding techniques during treatment sessions can also help clients experience better outcomes. Therapists and other healthcare professionals model healthy coping skills and guide clients through learning to use those skills to manage triggers.

Some examples of simple grounding techniques healthcare professionals use in everyday interactions include: 

• Encouraging clients to take slow, deep breaths if they appear nervous or anxious
• Physically grounding clients by encouraging them to touch surfaces or objects (e.g., offering an anxious client a stress ball)
• Increasing body awareness by asking clients to focus on sensations in their body (e.g., asking clients to connect physical sensations such as tension with emotions like anxiety)
• Mindful movement by guiding clients through simple movements (e.g., brief stretching exercises) 
• Asking clients to engage in simple tasks to improve focus and engagement 

Grounding techniques can facilitate more effective client communication by helping clients stay in the moment. The type of client-clinician interaction will determine which grounding exercises may provide the best results. For example, if a client begins to panic, a physical therapist may encourage stretching, while a psychotherapist may suggest slow, deep breaths. 

How Do Grounding Techniques Decrease the Impact of Triggers?

Grounding techniques are often used to help clients successfully manage triggers and mental health symptoms related to trauma or stress. Focusing on actions, sensations, or objects in the present allows clients to remain in control of their emotional and physiological reactions to trauma triggers. 

Every person is unique, and not all coping techniques will work for everyone. Healthcare professionals should practice mindfulness in how they approach grounding techniques. For example, touching a client’s shoulder to ground them may backfire if the client is averse to touch due to severe trauma. Familiarity with client preferences and their medical history ensures that healthcare workers introduce effective and appropriate coping skills in treatment sessions. 

Benefits of Using Grounding Techniques in Treatment

Some of the primary benefits of using grounding exercises in treatment include: 

• Familiarizing clients with helpful coping techniques 
• Reducing overall anxiety and stress 
• Improving emotion and mood regulation
• Interrupting cycles within a trauma response by preventing escalation 
• Building trust with clients by helping them overcome trauma triggers
• Supporting trauma recovery through practical coping skills

Clients may feel more confident in themselves and their ability to manage triggers if they learn effective coping methods. Driftwood Recovery ensures staff have the necessary training and skills to help clients manage trauma triggers and other challenges during treatment. 

The Importance of Providing Comfort and De-Escalating Tension During Appointments

Some clients feel overwhelmed or tense during clinical appointments. Staff members may use grounding techniques, such as distracting clients or offering new coping tools, to help them manage their emotional or physical reactions to triggers. If the situation causes a trauma response, the client may find it challenging to move forward with the appointments. Identifying and addressing the cause of the trigger can de-escalate the situation and refocus the client. De-escalation skills and clear communication reduce anxiety and stress. 

Driftwood Recovery Teaches Clients Effective Coping Skills

Clients benefit from learning practical grounding exercises and other skills that reduce the side effects of trauma triggers. Healthcare professionals play an essential role in teaching and reinforcing positive coping skills. 

Clinicians teach clients to successfully manage their reactions to triggers using various treatment services, including: 

• Individual and group therapy
• Mindfulness-based therapies 
• Holistic therapies, including guided meditation 

Driftwood Recovery offers tailored treatment plans to clients struggling with SUD or dual diagnosis. Healthcare professionals collaborate closely with clients and their families to reduce the negative impact of trauma triggers during rehabilitation. The goal of treatment is to prepare clients to reintegrate back into the community. Healthcare professionals do this by ensuring clients have the necessary coping skills to manage their condition after transitioning out of treatment. Grounding techniques give clients greater confidence in their ability to maintain sobriety and overcome trauma triggers.

Trauma responses can happen at any time. Individuals feeling anxious or stressed often have more profound reactions to triggers. Therapy sessions and other treatment services may cause some clients with a history of trauma to feel on edge. Triggers can significantly interfere with treatment by affecting client focus. Healthcare professionals offer clients emotional and practical support. Grounding techniques are an excellent tool for helping clients cope with the effects of trauma triggers during clinical interactions. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to use grounding techniques and other therapeutic tools to create a more comfortable and safe space for clients. To learn more about our trauma therapy services, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.

Healthcare professionals build trust with clients to create a positive treatment experience. An open line of communication ensures clients receive appropriate care and access the best treatments to meet their needs. Active listening and other communication skills allow healthcare professionals to develop healthier relationships with clients and coworkers, facilitating better treatment outcomes. The experts at Driftwood Recovery use effective communication to guide clients through the recovery process. 

What Is Active Listening?

Active listening is an essential part of interpersonal communication. According to Social Neuroscience, “[A]ctive listening is an influential behavior, which can affect the social responses of others.” In addition, “Perceiving active listening behavior in a partner can facilitate a positive interaction.” Active listening requires empathy and a lack of judgment. People often mirror the other person through behavior or verbal patterns to show they have heard what has been said. 

A few ways professionals practice active listening during everyday client interactions include: 

• Mirroring nonverbal cues
• Maintaining eye contact
• Paraphrasing and summarizing 
• Asking open-ended questions 
• Offering verbal acknowledgement
• Not interrupting the other speaker
• Asking for clarification 

Healthcare professionals collaborate with clients to create care plans and implement treatments. Empathetic and active listening is essential to keep clients at ease. Active listening involves showing the other person they have been heard through various methods, including body language, summarizing key points of the conversation, and mirroring phrases or words used by the other person. 

Creating an Honest and Clear Line of Communication

Honest communication fosters trust and helps clients feel more comfortable discussing concerns or asking questions. Transparency creates a healthy foundation for honest communication. Some clients may have a history of negative experiences with healthcare professionals, making them hesitant to speak up. Maybe their concerns were ignored, or they were made to feel like less than the other person. Driftwood Recovery aims to help these individuals build healthier relationships with medical professionals by providing clients with a welcoming environment and compassionate professionals. 

Some of the ways healthcare professionals develop empathetic and honest communication with clients include: 

• Using simple language instead of medical jargon 
• Sharing information openly 
• Being culturally sensitive and respectful 
• Keeping clients informed with consistent updates 
• Setting clear and realistic expectations 
• Using visual or written aids to help clients better understand complex medical topics
• Respecting client confidentiality and privacy 

Clients rely on healthcare professionals to lead by example. Healthcare professionals have an obligation to model healthy patterns of communication with clients. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to build client relationships through active listening and a compassionate approach to care. 

Clients may have never been able to develop healthy communication skills. Often, part of treatment for substance abuse or mental health disorders involves building up these skills. Clinicians and support staff play an essential role in helping clients learn to communicate more effectively. 

Building Relationships With Active Listening

Developing trusting relationships with clients requires active listening. Healthcare professionals at Driftwood Recovery are trained to resolve conflicts, de-escalate situations, and ease client concerns by educating clients and providing them with healthier ways to express their needs. By practicing honest and transparent communication, healthcare workers create an environment that fosters trust and respect. 

Client trust is essential because it does the following: 

• Facilitates more productive interactions 
• Promotes honesty and openness 
• Enhances treatment outcomes 
• Reduces anxiety 
• Builds long-term relationships 
• Encourages healthy vulnerability 
• Strengthens rapport between staff and clients
• Empowers clients to make healthier choices
• Reduces miscommunication 

Building relationships with clients involves recognizing their needs and finding ways to meet them where they are today. Active listening allows professionals to better understand their clients and provide more effective care. 

How Driftwood Recovery Encourages Active Listening

Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to create healthy relationships with clients and coworkers through active listening. Active listening involves showing the other person that their time and opinions matter. Many clients feel safer and more comfortable under the care of professionals who listen to and act on their feedback. Healthcare professionals can take constructive feedback and adjust client treatment plans to accommodate the new information.

Individuals in treatment for substance abuse or mental health disorders may have a history of negative interactions with authority figures. Building trust can take time. Consistently showing interest in their thoughts and feelings while actively listening can show clients that their voice matters. Effective listening leads to action. Being attentive during a conversation is meaningless unless real action is taken to implement feedback and provide solutions to problems. Clients feel heard and valued when their care team actively listens and uses the information they provide to address issues or acknowledge their opinions. 

Regular Daily Check-Ins With Staff

Communicating effectively with coworkers reduces miscommunication and decreases unnecessary stress in the workplace. Professionals should be able to rely on one another to listen attentively and provide appropriate support throughout the workday. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “Listening has been identified as a key workplace skill, important for ensuring high-quality communication, building relationships, and motivating employees.” Healthcare professionals provide better client care when they can rely on their coworkers for support.

Communication is key to developing a deep and honest connection with clients. Healthcare professionals create a welcoming and comfortable environment where clients feel safe and heard. Active listening is one of the most critical tools for healthy communication. Showing a genuine interest in what clients have to say and expressing a desire to further understand can set clients at ease and create a more positive dynamic between clients and clinicians. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to use active listening and other communication skills to develop better client relationships, facilitating a more positive treatment experience. To learn more about our programs and how we provide client support, call us today at (512) 759-8330.

Work and home responsibilities often feel more overwhelming during the holidays, when many people feel constantly on the go. Healthcare workers are at a higher risk of experiencing physical and emotional exhaustion and burnout during the holidays unless they prioritize self-care. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to create a healthy balance between personal and professional responsibilities during busy times of the year, including the holidays. 

The Need for a Balance Between Work and Home Responsibilities

Healthcare professionals must find a healthy balance between work and home responsibilities to reduce their risk of burnout or mental health issues. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “The primary concern for burnout is not being able to emotionally take care of each patient individually or uniquely.” During the holidays, when staff often feel the most emotionally drained, clients frequently experience more challenges. Addressing the risk of healthcare worker burnout ensures clients receive appropriate care. 

Creating a work-life balance involves doing the following: 

• Setting specific times for work hours and personal time 
• Focusing on time-intensive and high-priority tasks first 
• Openly communicating needs and concerns with supervisors and family members 
• Using time management tools, including apps and calendars, to track responsibilities 
• Taking regular breaks 
• Setting realistic personal and professional goals

The more steps a person takes to separate work from their home life, the easier it is to create a sense of balance. Healthcare workers frequently face workplace stress, and the holidays cause additional stress in their home lives. If left unaddressed, the combination of pressures may interfere with a person’s ability to function. 

Maintaining Healthy Boundaries With Supervisors and Coworkers

Boundaries at work allow people to say “no” if they are asked to work additional hours or perform tasks that might negatively impact their mental and physical health. The holidays involve shopping for gifts, preparing meals, connecting with distant relatives, and other time-intensive activities. Healthcare workers must allow themselves to take the time they need to do these tasks without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Setting clear boundaries reduces stress and will enable professionals to enjoy their holiday plans while remaining productive at work. 

How Work and Home Responsibilities Can Affect Mental Health

Some of the ways work and home responsibilities impact mental health during the holidays include: 

• Higher caseloads, holiday staff shortages, and increased hours increase workplace demands
• Long and irregular hours reduce time spent with family 
• Holidays often intensify emotional reactions to client discomfort and pain
• Missing family traditions or events may lead to guilt, stress, and resentment 
• Reduced access to support networks due to traveling or other holiday plans

Healthcare workers can take steps to protect their emotional wellness by preparing for these potential challenges before the holidays arrive. Informing loved ones of possible shifts in work hours, completing holiday shopping in advance, and doing other things to lower stress around the holidays can help healthcare workers maintain emotional stability. 

Avoiding Unnecessary Tasks

The holiday season is full of personal and professional tasks people must complete to meet their goals. Avoiding unnecessary tasks can give people additional time to complete other things they must do at home or work. 

Some examples of unnecessary tasks people can delegate to others or avoid entirely include: 

• Household deep cleaning to impress family or neighbors
• Last-minute shopping trips 
• Overly complex or extensive holiday decorations 
• Personally preparing every dish for a holiday meal
• Sending personalized holiday cards to friends and family 
• Attending all social events 
• Responding to nonemergency work calls during time off.

Professionals significantly minimize holiday stress and anxiety by reducing home and work responsibilities. 

Spending Time With Loved Ones During the Holidays

Social engagement is essential to positive mental health. Professionals are less likely to feel burnt out if they spend time with loved ones during the holidays, making new memories and enjoying the company of the people they care about most. According to Plos One, “[S]ocial connectedness protects and promotes mental and physical health.” Driftwood Recovery ensures staff members have the time to disconnect from work and spend time with their loved ones. 

Practical Ways to Avoid Burnout From Work and Home Stress

Staff with mental health disorders have an increased risk of developing more severe symptoms during periods of heightened stress. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “64 percent of individuals living with a mental illness reported that their conditions worsened around the holidays.” Prioritizing self-care and taking the time to reenergize each week helps healthcare professionals avoid burnout from the combination of work and home stressors. Using self-care to address symptoms and lower stress levels can help healthcare workers with mental health disorders experience fewer side effects during the holidays. Driftwood Recovery supports staff experiencing additional stress during the holidays, ensuring they have the resources to create effective work-life boundaries. 

Balancing work and home responsibilities is difficult for healthcare workers during the holiday season. Some individuals may have large family get-togethers or mandatory work events interfering with their ability to remain productive while connecting with loved ones over the holidays. Workplace stress may also interfere with personal relationships unless people establish firm boundaries between their work and home life. Driftwood Recovery supports employees’ mental health by encouraging staff members to create strict limits that set apart their personal and professional responsibilities during the holidays. Management has an open-door policy and is always available to help staff cope with stressors. To learn more about our workplace culture or treatment programs, call us today at (512) 759-8330.

Many healthcare facilities treating substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health issues see a spike in clients during the holidays. The increased caseload has the potential to cause burnout and additional stress for healthcare workers unless they take steps to prioritize their mental and physical health. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to create a healthy work-life balance and work as a team to address any increased client load during the holidays. 

What Causes an Increased Client Load During the Holidays?

Holiday social gatherings may lead some people to realize their need for help. In addition, families that may not connect throughout the year often meet for holidays. Sometimes, families take the opportunity to prompt loved ones to get help. The holidays also create a sense of fellowship in many communities, causing people to reach out to individuals struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues. 

Holiday plans may significantly reduce the number of healthcare workers available to take new cases. Time off for family vacations and traveling causes some departments to have fewer people available to keep up with increased client loads. Flexible scheduling and other solutions support staff without sacrificing the quality of client care. 

Interventions Are More Popular During the Holidays

Many people seek treatment during the holidays. Families often use the holidays as an opportunity to host interventions or urge loved ones to get the help they need to manage substance abuse and mental health disorders. Frequently, people go directly from the intervention location to a treatment center, causing a spike in potential clients for some healthcare facilities during the holidays. Intervention specialists may contact rehabilitation programs and facilitate the transfer of intervention clients on behalf of families. 

How Can Healthcare Workers Manage an Increased Client Load During the Holidays?

Clients may come all at once or as a steady stream of intakes. Healthcare professionals must find ways to manage the increased client load. Additional personal responsibilities during the holidays may make it more difficult for some professionals to focus at work. Combining additional responsibilities and more clients can stretch some people’s skills to breaking. Healthcare professionals need to plan for these moments and develop strategies to avoid emotional burnout during busy seasons. 

Some of the ways staff at rehabilitation programs manage a large influx of clients during the holidays include:

• Temporarily increasing staff or cross-training to fill empty spaces in schedules
• Implementing a more streamlined intake process to more quickly assess and treat new clients 
• Offering additional group therapy options to accommodate more individuals in treatment programs 
• Providing flexible scheduling 
• Offering telehealth services for individuals who do not require in-person care
• Partnering with private and community-based services 
• Consistently communicating with families to facilitate family engagement during the holidays 

Healthcare workers and supervisors can take many steps to improve the experience for clinicians and clients, reducing stress and increasing the effectiveness of treatment. 

Setting Realistic Expectations and Strict Work-Life Boundaries

Professionals must set realistic expectations with clients, coworkers, family members, and friends to avoid feeling pulled in multiple directions. The best way to do this is by being specific and considering all factors affecting their ability to achieve the goal. 

Clinicians treating SUD and mental health disorders often talk to clients about creating S.M.A.R.T. goals. Professionals can use the same principles to develop realistic expectations for work and home. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives is a good way to plan the steps to meet” short and long-term goals.

Making S.M.A.R.T. goals involves doing the following: 

• Clearly defining what you want to achieve by setting specific goals
• Identifying criteria for tracking progress 
• Setting attainable goals 
• Ensuring smaller goals align with larger objectives 

Structured and realistic goals set healthy expectations and increase the likelihood of success. 

Effectively Navigating an Increased Client Load Without Compromising Treatment Quality

Driftwood Recovery is a leading rehabilitation center with luxury accommodations and high-quality services. The clinical team maintains high standards and provides world-class treatment programs. Staff members learn to effectively navigate increases in client loads without compromising treatment quality or client engagement. Professionals use their support network to develop healthy strategies for remaining productive with a large workload. 

Practicing Self-Compassion and Self-Care

Healthcare professionals must treat themselves with grace and compassion to avoid feeling overworked and underappreciated. The holiday season is a difficult time for many people. Some professionals feel guilty for working longer hours and spending less time with family during the holiday rush. Practicing self-care and self-compassion can help healthcare professionals develop a more positive mindset. 

Clients and coworkers benefit when clinicians give themselves the time and space to reenergize each week. A few examples of self-care people use to manage higher stress levels at work include: 

• Spending time alone meditating or practicing mindfulness 
• Participating in hobbies or other enjoyable activities 
• Spending time with pets, loved ones, or social circles
• Setting clear boundaries 
• Getting quality sleep each night 
• Eating balanced, nutritious meals

Healthcare workers can provide exceptional care while maintaining positive mental health during the holidays. 

During the winter months, many treatment facilities get inundated with new clients, contact from potential clients and their families, and alumni needing additional support navigating their first holiday sober. The increase in workload significantly impacts the emotional and physical health of clinicians and support staff. Management at Driftwood Recovery encourages employees to develop a work-life balance and set boundaries to support their mental health during the holidays. Staff need to prioritize their own well-being to provide high-quality care to clients recovering from addiction or mental health disorders. To learn more about our facility and how we support staff members during the holidays, contact our office today by calling (512) 759-8330.

Oppositional defiance disorder is a poorly understood mental health condition. Though usually seen in children, this condition can affect adults as well. Many of these adults struggle with patterns of anger and vindictiveness without knowing its source. It can be severe enough that adults struggling with oppositional defiance disorder turn to self-medicating to ease their symptoms. In the end, self-medicating often leads to substance abuse and addiction. Oppositional defiance disorder is not just an isolating condition. It also can be life-threatening. 

That’s why at Driftwood Recovery, clients living with oppositional defiance disorder can find comprehensive and compassionate treatment. The staff at Driftwood Recovery understands that the drive behind these behaviors is not the client’s fault. However, with treatment, adults with oppositional defiance disorder can learn how to control their behavior and cope with their condition. In time, these adults can live healthy, fulfilling lives. All it takes is the willingness to reach out for help.

To see how oppositional defiance disorder is treated, we must first gain an understanding of the condition. This education serves two purposes. First, it educates the average person about this condition and encourages empathy and understanding. Secondly, it provides hope to those struggling with oppositional defiance disorder that treatment and recovery are possible for themselves and their loved ones. 

A Brief Overview of Oppositional Defiance Disorder

Oppositional defiance disorder (or oppositional defiant disorder) is a condition identified by the DSM-5 as “a pattern of angry/irritable mood, argumentative/defiant behavior, or vindictiveness.” This disorder is typically diagnosed in children, but adults may also be diagnosed with oppositional defiance disorder as well. Children often outgrow this condition, but about half of them will continue to experience symptoms through adulthood. Oppositional defiance disorder is genetic and will often affect several members of a family line. 

The angry, defiant, and vindictive behavior is usually targeted toward positions of authority, perceived or real. Examples include parents, teachers, coworkers, bosses, and law enforcement officials. This makes it difficult for adults with oppositional defiance disorder to function at work, home, or school. Common symptoms of oppositional defiance disorder are:

• Commonly feeling oppressed or “kept down” by an authority figure or rules
• Loses temper often, which can sometimes result in violent behaviors
• Is easily annoyed by others 
• Argues constantly with family and coworkers with a distinct need to “win” the argument 
• Intense feelings of anger and resentment
• Is highly defensive when criticized and blames others for their mistakes or misbehavior
• Actively refuses to comply with rules or laws, even when detrimental to personal safety 
• Deliberately annoys people or pick fights 
• Engages in spiteful or vindictive behaviors 

Note that oppositional defiance disorder is not a person with a bad temper. This is a serious condition that prevents a person from living a normal life – as seen by its effect on a person’s mental health. 

The Effects of Oppositional Defiance Disorder on Mental Health

Adults who live with oppositional defiance disorder are not just angry or irritable from time to time. They struggle with feelings of intense anger at the world every day. Losing your temper is a regular occurrence. This may manifest in dangerous activities, such as road rage or picking fights with law enforcement. Those struggling with this condition may also become verbally or physically abusive – abuse which is often levied at the people they love and care about. There are times when those with this condition put themselves in deadly danger by disobeying those they feel are in authority, which often leads to accidents and other preventable harm. 

It’s not just issues like getting into trouble with the law, losing a job, or putting oneself in danger. Oppositional defiance disorder is an incredibly isolating condition. Those who know they are constantly angry may withdraw from others to protect their loved ones. They often struggle with feelings of being disliked or misunderstood, which can feed into the cycle of anger. Oppositional defiance disorder often leads to other mental health conditions, such as depression, addiction, and antisocial personality disorder. 

That’s why it’s vital for those struggling with this condition to get help; the sooner, the better. Treatment doesn’t just improve relationships and help you feel better – it can also save your life. 

Compassionate Treatment at Driftwood Recovery

Treatment at Driftwood Recovery for oppositional defiance disorder consists of a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and coping skills training. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is perhaps the most used form of psychotherapy in the treatment of this condition. It helps clients identify what triggers their condition and grasp the consequences of their actions. Therapists also use CBT to help clients learn relaxation techniques to keep them calm during angering situations.

Emotional regulation is also important for oppositional defiance disorder treatment. It teaches clients how to react to anger-provoking situations with socially appropriate responses. Emotional regulation also teaches clients how to be more aware of their emotions. Doing so can mitigate outbursts and help clients think through their actions before they commit to them. Peer group therapy is commonly part of treatment plans for oppositional defiance disorder as it offers training for clients on how to appropriately interact with their peers. The goal is to focus on having positive interactions, not combative ones. 

Finally, medication is sometimes used to address coexisting conditions. For example, a person with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may feel frustrated, which can feed into outbursts and worsen the symptoms of oppositional defiance disorder. Providing medication can reduce the frustrating effect of ADHD, which in turn reduces the symptoms of oppositional defiance disorder.

It’s important to remember that even though it looks daunting, oppositional defiance disorder is a treatable condition. Reaching out for help at Driftwood Recovery doesn’t just help treat this misunderstood condition – it can also give you a new lease on life. 

Those living with oppositional defiance disorder can experience many hardships. Keeping a job, having a healthy relationship with parents, and even staying out of legal trouble are made much more difficult with this disorder. For those struggling, it can feel hopeless. Oppositional defiance disorder, however, is a treatable condition. Those who seek treatment have a high likelihood of success and long-lasting recovery. That’s why Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, offers extensive and comprehensive treatment for oppositional defiance disorder. There is no judgment here, only the sincere desire to help. If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait. Learn more about our oppositional defiance disorder treatment plan today by calling (512) 759-8330.

The holidays can be triggering and often leave people feeling uncertain about the future. Healthcare providers often fill a critical gap for clients who lack a support system at home. Clients with less support from friends or family may experience additional stress, loneliness, or anxiety during the holiday season. Addressing these issues immediately reduces their impact on a client’s rehabilitation. Staff members at Driftwood Recovery support clients by providing additional emotional and practical support during the holidays. 

Providing Emotional Support to Clients During the Holidays

Healthcare professionals play an essential role in empowering and uplifting clients during their recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) or dual diagnosis. Professionals in healthcare do this by providing emotional support to clients during the holidays. Many clients in treatment do not have family members able or willing to spend the holidays with them during the treatment process. The lack of family support may cause some clients to backslide and rely on maladaptive coping mechanisms to make it through the holiday season. Healthcare workers reduce the risk of relapse and keep clients moving forward in their recovery by providing additional support and encouragement during the holidays. 

Managing Triggers and Reducing Stress

The holidays are when many people get together with friends and loved ones to celebrate the year. Past events may have involved alcohol or other addictive substances, causing clients to experience intense cravings during the holiday season. People also experience additional stress related to holiday get-togethers.

Some of the most common stress triggers clients experience during the holidays include: 

• Questions from loved ones about the future 
• Loneliness 
• Being separated from friends or family
• Mourning the loss of a loved one 
• Cravings caused by holiday imagery involving alcohol 

Triggers may cause significant emotional distress and potential complications for clients in recovery. Healthcare professionals decrease the adverse side effects of cravings and other symptoms of SUD by helping clients manage triggers. Emotional support and therapeutic guidance help clients navigate holiday triggers without feeling overwhelmed or falling back into unhealthy patterns. 

How Do the Holidays Impact the Mental Health of Clients in Residential or Outpatient Care?

Mental health directly affects physical wellness and a person’s outlook on life. Individuals in outpatient and residential care may face different challenges during the holidays. For example, clients in residential programs may miss being able to travel to visit loved ones for the holiday, increasing feelings of isolation or shame. However, clients in outpatient programs may struggle to meet family expectations or feel overwhelmed by stigmas and triggers they encounter during holiday events. Healthcare professionals help mitigate these issues by preparing clients in advance and ensuring they have the skills to effectively cope with holiday-related stressors. Addressing mental health needs helps clients remain safe and move forward in their recovery journey. 

Family Pressure to Meet Recovery Goals

Intense family pressure to meet recovery goals is one of the most significant stressors for many clients during the holidays. Often, families are unaware of the realities of addiction, and they may believe a few weeks of treatment will “cure” their loved one. However, the disease of addiction takes time and effort to manage. Clients may struggle to communicate their experiences with loved ones or worry about letting their family down. People often experience shame, regret, anger, and other strong emotions about their choices and current circumstances during the holidays. Healthcare professionals provide an outside perspective and encourage clients to continue healing. 

Making The Holidays a Positive Experience for Clients

Everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and encouraged during the holidays. Healthcare professionals help clients by making the holidays a positive experience. Putting in the extra effort to make every interaction uplifting and compassionate may inspire clients and make day-to-day tasks more enjoyable for healthcare workers. Mindfulness-based exercises and techniques improve positivity and reduce stress management. According to Cureus, “Mindfulness-based interventions have [. . .] demonstrated benefits.” For example, “Healthcare workers in qualitative studies have described benefits for themselves, their colleagues, and their patients, such as nurses who reported improvements in coping with workplace stress and developing feelings of inner calm.” Staff members at Driftwood Recovery use mindfulness-based techniques to improve productivity and provide higher-quality service to clients in rehabilitation. 

Celebrating Milestones in Recovery and Building Deeper Connections

Healthcare workers play an important part in motivating clients to make essential lifestyle changes that support lasting recovery. Celebrating milestones with clients during the holidays can uplift their spirits and give them additional motivation. The staff at Driftwood Recovery treats every client like a family member and takes steps to celebrate every single success in treatment, no matter how large or small. Focusing on the positives helps clients and clinicians remain healthy and purposeful in their actions. The holiday season is an excellent time to check in on treatment progress and make new goals for the future. Staff at Driftwood Recovery use the opportunity to help clients focus on the future.

Treating clients during the holidays requires healthcare workers to dedicate more time to clients who may not have others to support them. Clients may feel more lonely and separated from others if they are forced to attend residential treatment during the holiday season. Healthcare workers encourage those individuals by practicing empathy and compassion. The holiday season often significantly increases client cases, putting stress on treatment facilities and individual staff members. Driftwood Recovery provides additional services to help clients and staff navigate holiday-related stressors successfully. By addressing staffing concerns, management ensures clients receive the highest level of care. To learn more about our facility and thriving sober community, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.

Sustained recovery is not about just getting by or getting through the day. True whole-person recovery is about giving you the tools and support you need to thrive in every part of your life. As the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (ODMHAS) states, recovery requires a community for individual sustained recovery. Community engagement is an important and necessary process for healing and reintegration into society. 

At Driftwood Recovery, we recognize that an important part of sustained recovery is community integration. Through community engagement, you can reintegrate into your community and society to build a meaningful life without substances. When you continue to invest in yourself and community building in recovery, you continue to learn and grow. Yet, what is community engagement? 

Understanding Community Engagement

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), community engagement is the process of developing relationships that enable communities to work together to address health-related issues and promote well-being. Although community engagement can take many forms, the core principles that can be supported in a recovery community include:

• Transparency 
• Trust
• Diversity 
• Inclusion
• Collaboration 
• Shared purpose
• Openness 
• Learning
• Making a difference in the community

Through community engagement, you work together with other community members to address health issues and stigma to promote well-being. The work is done in collaboration with the community’s health in mind, which puts the value of whole-person healing at the forefront of recovery. When you utilize your alumni program to help others, you deepen your sense of purpose and connection with the wider community. Understanding what community-based treatment is can be invaluable to fostering sustained connection and recovery. 

What Is Community-Based Treatment?

In traditional outreach and treatment programs, the focus is placed on abstinence and reducing the risk of relapse. Abstinence and relapse prevention are important cornerstones of treatment and recovery. However, true recovery is about more than maintaining your sobriety. As noted in Frontiers in Psychiatry, treatment and recovery must also work to heal other domains of life like social rehabilitation and inclusion. By taking a community engagement approach to recovery, you can support healing the whole of your parts rather than one piece of the pie. 

Yet, what is community-based treatment? What does community engagement look like for lasting recovery? As further noted in the Frontiers in Psychiatry article, community-based treatment takes a recovery-oriented perspective to recovery. A recovery-oriented approach to community engagement understands that treatment and recovery services need to adapt to people’s needs instead of people adapting to service requirements. Many of the practices and services found in recovery-oriented models of community engagement include:

• Supporting special subgroups
  • Culturally responsive
  • Gender-specific
  • Comorbid disorders
• Housing security
• Supported employment
• Develop skills to manage symptoms
• Active involvement in local organizations

Whole-person care and community engagement can be invaluable to lasting recovery. Yet, much like treatment itself, some barriers attempt to impede your ability to reintegrate into society after treatment.

Addressing the Challenges of Reintegration in Recovery

In treatment, you learn and develop tools for self-efficacy, symptom management, hope, and empowerment. Despite the tools you developed in treatment, learning how to reintegrate into your life and society can be challenging. Many systems are not designed with the needs of different communities in mind. For many individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), there are stigma-based barriers that impede maintaining recovery. 

People in recovery often experience public, structural, and self-stigma that contribute to psychological and tangible resource barriers. As stated in the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, stigma exposure to societal prejudice and discrimination can harm recovery. Listed below are some of the ways SUD stigma impedes community engagement for reintegration:

• Increases stress
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Decreases motivation
• Erodes self-esteem
• Decreases self-efficacy
• Internalizing stigma
• Feeling culturally disconnected 
• Identity crisis
• Employment and housing instability
• Poor access to healthcare
• Small or nonexistent support network

Barriers to sustained recovery can feel daunting. However, you can overcome obstacles to reintegration with alumni support. With support, you can lean on your sober community to help you access resources for community engagement and recovery.

The Value of Community Engagement in Recovery

Community engagement is important for helping you discover the sense of purpose and meaning needed for motivation to sustain recovery. You foster a sense of belonging by actively participating in services and resources like support groups, volunteer work, sober events, workshops, and community activities. Further, through community engagement, you can find support, understanding, encouragement, guidance, and accountability to thrive in recovery. Often, feelings of guilt and shame around addiction can convince you that you are not wanted or deserving of connection and community. 

However, community engagement, at its core, is built on the idea that social connectedness helps you feel supported, valued, and cared for in your relationships. The sense of belonging that connection and community offer is a fountain of positivity and courage that empowers you to grow and flourish. Community engagement reminds you that you are not alone in your recovery journey. You are deserving of healing and recovery.

Learning How to Reintegrate Into Your Community at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we know recovery is a journey that continues long after addiction treatment. A strong, active alumni community reminds you that you are not alone on your journey to recovery. With support, reintegration does not have to be a frightening thing. Rather, alumni offer compassion, service, accountability, and the encouragement needed to thrive in every domain of life.

You are worthy of self-love, you are worthy of recovery, and you deserve space for learning and growth to lead a fulfilling life. We are dedicated to providing an active alumni program to support community engagement and reintegration to lead a courageous life in sustained recovery.  

Community engagement fosters a sense of belonging that allows for whole-person healing and reintegration. Yet, it can be difficult to engage in the connection offered in community engagement due to barriers like public and structural stigma. Stigma can limit access to resources while contributing to guilt and shame, which leads to social withdrawal rather than engagement. Through a strong alumni program, you can access community-based treatment and other resources to address multiple domains in need of healing, like housing, employment, and interpersonal relationships. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a peer-driven network where you can build lifelong connections in a community that celebrates you at every stage of recovery. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn more.

Individuals in minority groups may find it more difficult to access necessary treatment. Healthcare workers play an important role in connecting clients with the services they need to thrive in recovery. According to Health Services Research, “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are populations at elevated risk for mental health disorders, substance abuse, and psychiatric comorbidity relative to their heterosexual and cisgender peers.” Driftwood Recovery offers an affirming therapeutic space for LGBTQIA+ clients to heal from the effects of substance use disorder (SUD) and dual diagnosis. 

Addressing the Challenges LGBTQIA+ Clients Face in Treatment

LGBTQIA+ clients may face additional challenges during treatment and ongoing recovery. Healthcare providers must consider these factors during treatment planning and throughout rehabilitation. Individuals in minority groups often face greater stigma and social discrimination during treatment. In addition, many LGBTQIA+ individuals do not have a stable support system to help them navigate treatment and ongoing recovery. Staff members may need to step up and take on more of a support role, providing clients with additional resources and services to fill gaps in their support system. 

How Clinicians Support LGBTQIA+ Clients

LGBTQIA+ clients may need more one-on-one and community assistance compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers. Some of the practical ways staff support LGBTQIA+ clients during treatment for SUD include: 

• Offering access to gender-specific and LGBTQIA+ support groups 
• Providing access to LGBTQIA+ relevant aftercare resources 
• Using inclusive and gender-affirming language
• Creating a safe and non-judgmental environment 
• Ensuring privacy and confidentiality regarding sexual orientation and gender identity 
• Providing trauma-specific care for clients who may have experienced discrimination 

Driftwood Recovery educates the community on how to combat stigmas and discrimination, creating a more inclusive space for client healing. Healthcare workers provide guidance and motivation for minority clients struggling with the effects of SUD or dual diagnosis. Personalizing support services to address the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals ensures a better treatment experience for clients and clinicians. 

Healthcare Professionals Create a Safe Space

LGBTQIA+ clients may find it more challenging to open up about their experiences. Healthcare professionals can break down that barrier by building trust and creating a safe space where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves. The relationship of trust starts during the initial intake interview.

Some of the ways healthcare workers create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ clients include: 

• Displaying inclusive symbols of support, including pride flags or ally signs 
• Using intake and assessment forms that include diverse forms of gender identity and sexual orientation 
• Including LGBTQIA+ cultural competency training for all staff members 
• Building partnerships with LGBTQIA+ organizations that offer support services for clients 
• Using inclusive language in all reading materials and treatment sessions 

Healthcare professionals play a significant role in normalizing positive and affirming conversations about gender identity and sexual orientation. 

Building Trust and Developing Personalized Care Plans

Personalized care plans allow clinicians to address unique issues impacting clients and their recovery from substance use or mental health disorders. Tailoring treatment also builds trust by showing clients that clinicians care about their comfort, safety, and personal goals. Culturally competent care is essential to ensure positive treatment outcomes. 

Studies have shown that “[t]he healthcare needs of the LGBTQ community should be considered to provide the best care and avoid inequalities of care.” Healthcare professionals use comprehensive assessments and other tools to create effective care plans addressing the needs of LGBTQIA+ clients. 

How Driftwood Recovery Supports LGBTQIA+ Clients

Driftwood Recovery welcomes individuals of all cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. Staff members receive sensitivity training and other instructions to help them best serve each individual in their care. The thorough intake assessments and client-focused programs at Driftwood Recovery provide clinicians with the necessary tools to ensure clients receive the care they need to heal. 

Addiction and mental health professionals address the needs of LGBTQIA+ clients by doing the following: 

• Using inclusive language and respecting client pronouns, names, and gender identities 
• Addressing risk factors that disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ individuals 
• Identifying and addressing any heteronormative or cisnormative assumptions in treatment planning 

Every client deserves to feel respected and valued during treatment. Healthcare professionals can consult with community-based support programs and services focused on providing care to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Access to An Affirming and Empowering Community

Driftwood Recovery offers clients access to an affirming and empowering community of peers. Healthcare professionals collaborate with clients to ensure that peers engage with one another and actively participate in the treatment process. LGBTQIA+ individuals may struggle with low self-esteem and self-confidence. Empowerment through evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies promotes more positive thoughts and healthier behaviors. Recovering from substance abuse and mental health disorders is more manageable when people feel comfortable speaking up about their needs. The inclusive community at Driftwood Recovery encourages clinicians and clients to support and uplift one another. 

Individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ often face additional challenges during and after treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. LGBTQIA+ clients also have a higher risk of experiencing co-occurring conditions and severe symptoms. Healthcare professionals can take steps to create a nurturing space for LGBTQIA+ individuals, reducing their risk of relapse and improving treatment outcomes. Driftwood Recovery offers a safe and welcoming space for anyone seeking treatment. Staff members receive culturally sensitive training and offer trauma-specific care to help clients heal and build a healthy foundation for sobriety and positive mental health. To learn more about our inclusive programs and how our experts support LGBTQIA+ clients, call our office today at (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.

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