How to Respond If Client Families Present a Safety Risk

Families often play an integral role in client recovery during treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health conditions. Healthcare professionals must navigate the family dynamics affecting client care and safety. Studies have shown that “family dynamics and the quality of family relationships can positively or negatively impact health.” Driftwood Recovery does comprehensive assessments and a full client history to determine if family relationships may complicate treatment and long-term recovery. Staff members use a compassionate approach to address client families and their concerns.

What Is a Safety Risk?

Safety risks are factors that negatively impact the emotional or physical well-being of individuals in treatment. Families play an important role in creating a healthy and nurturing environment for recovery. According to the Research Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (RAHRQ), “As essential members of the care team, families play a critical role in reducing harm and improving safety for patients.” However, in some cases, unhealthy family dynamics may pose a danger to individuals in treatment. 

Examples of client safety risks healthcare providers may encounter include: 

• Self-harming or self-destructive behaviors
• Adverse reactions to treatment or prescription medications 
• Clients not understanding their treatment or making informed decisions about their care 
• Family members removing clients from care against medical advice 

Client safety is a top priority for the experts at Driftwood Recovery. Staff members regularly check in with clients and practice transparency to ensure clients feel comfortable disclosing any concerns. Clinicians and support staff understand the importance of remaining vigilant to signs of unsafe individuals interacting with clients. Communication or visitation rights may be revoked for individuals who pose a safety hazard to clients or staff. 

Assessing Client Families and Relationship Dynamics

Healthcare professionals must assess clients to determine what underlying factors may impact their mental health and physical safety. Family relationships significantly affect how people see the world and think about their condition. Unhealthy family dynamics may cause some clients to feel ambivalent about treatment. Toxic relationships may also cause physical safety issues if they lead to domestic or family abuse. 

Some of the ways healthcare professionals assess clients and their relationships with family members include: 

• Gathering a family history 
• Direct observation of family interactions and behavioral cues
• Structured interviews with clients and families 
• Identifying roles within the family to determine relationship dynamics 
• Assessing boundaries within the family
• Gaining cultural and socioeconomic context for clients and their families 
• Identifying client resources and support networks 

Healthcare professionals use these methods to better understand the relationships between clients and their family members. A comprehensive review of family dynamics allows staff members to create tailored care plans and address unique challenges clients face during treatment and ongoing recovery. 

How Can Client Families Become a Safety Risk?

Families may pose a physical or emotional safety risk to clients by interfering with treatment or putting clients in danger. Healthcare professionals are mandatory reporters and must act if they notice any abuse affecting clients under their care. 

Families may become a safety risk if they do the following: 

• Enable substance abuse or other unhealthy behaviors
• Cause clients to be overly dependent on them for emotional or practical support 
• Act abusive or aggressive toward the client
• Purposefully expose clients to triggers 
• Dismiss the client’s need for treatment due to ignorance or stigma 
• Violate client boundaries 
• Emotionally manipulate the client 
• Involve the client in illegal activities 
• Fail to acknowledge or address toxic behavior

Clients may have difficulty recognizing unhealthy relationship dynamics. Staff may need to help clients work through understanding how remaining in unhealthy relationships could reduce the effectiveness of treatment, increase the risk of relapse, and cause them to experience complications in recovery. 

Navigating Communication With Client Families During Treatment

Healthcare professionals should remain objective, calm, and focused on conflict resolution while communicating with families. Honesty and transparency also reduce the risk of causing further complications. Ultimately, clients control what information their care team can share with family members. Navigating conversations with client families should be handled with compassion and professionalism. 

Following the HIPAA Privacy Rule

Healthcare professionals must adhere to HIPPA privacy laws while providing support and guidance to clients during treatment. Client information, medical records, and treatment progress cannot be shared with unauthorized family members without the client’s permission.

Toxic or unhealthy family dynamics often cause abusive and controlling family members to try to take control of their loved one’s treatment. Even well-meaning families may struggle to let go of control if clients choose not to include them in their recovery. Staff members must navigate those conversations with empathy and professionalism. 

Following HIPAA requirements means clinicians and support staff cannot share the following with family members without client permission: 

• Conversations between medical professionals about the client’s health and treatment 
• Client contact information, including phone number and home address 
• Information about billing and payments 
• Client health records, including test results and official diagnosis 
• Additional details of the treatment plan

Staff members at Driftwood Recovery protect clients by providing referrals to protective services for individuals struggling with relationship abuse or conflict.

Healthcare professionals may have to navigate situations where clients and their families have unhealthy or dangerous relationships. Domestic violence, abuse, severely co-dependent relationships, and other family dynamics may hurt a client’s mental health and/or substance abuse recovery during treatment. Family members often play a role in treatment and recovery. Rehabilitation and mental health programs provide clients with the resources and tools needed to address unhealthy or unsafe family dynamics. The staff members at Driftwood Recovery receive training on how to recognize and respond appropriately if clients’ families pose any type of safety risk. To learn more about maintaining client safety and addressing family issues, contact our office today at (512) 759-8330.

In recovery, you have learned how important self-care is for your physical and psychological well-being. You may even be well aware of the nine key attributes of self-care, like awareness, self-control, and self-reliance. Yet, effectively and safely engaging in self-care is easier said than done. Thus, building a self-care plan is invaluable to healthy self-care and sustained recovery.

At Driftwood Recovery, we know how easy it can be to get bogged down by fears about maintaining sobriety. With fear often comes an overachiever mindset that manifests itself as trying to take on too much in recovery. However, through an alumni program, you can find the connection, accountability, and support you need to meet challenges with balance. Through community integration, you learn how to process stress and build life skills like a self-care plan. Thus, building a self-care plan can be your first step toward fostering inner connection and healing rather than harming yourself.

You may still have questions about building a balanced self-care plan. How can self-care be anything other than useful in recovery? In what ways can self-care do more harm than good in recovery? You can learn how to build a healthy self-care plan by first understanding self-care fatigue and its impact on well-being.

What Is Self-Care Fatigue?

Talking about self-care has become more common in the general public. Whether it is a host on a show or the HR department at your job, everyone is talking about self-care. Despite the benefits of self-care, you can find yourself in a state of self-care fatigue. Self-care fatigue often happens when your life does not match how you want to feel despite engaging in self-care. 

Now, the thought that you can do self-care incorrectly may sound baffling. In reality, there is not necessarily a wrong way to do self-care. Self-care, much like addiction treatment, should match the specific needs of the individual. While there is no wrong way to do self-care, there are misconceptions that can lead you to make unhealthy choices. Thus, self-care fatigue often bubbles up from a place of emotional exhaustion. 

You keep engaging in things you perceive as self-care, yet you still have not seen a change in certain aspects of your life. Without change, you can lose hope and find yourself stuck. Therefore, reducing self-care fatigue and building an effective self-care plan starts with breaking down the myths and misconceptions that plague a supportive self-care plan.

Self-Care Myths: Impact of Myths on Building a Self-Care Plan

Numerous myths and misconceptions about self-care can lead you to build an unhealthy self-care plan. Some of the myths of self-care include:

• It is selfish and expensive
  • Taking time for yourself allows you to rest and recharge 
  • You do not have to go to luxury spas or buy expensive equipment
• Self-care is not for everyone
  • Everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or ability, can benefit from self-care
    • While everyone’s experiences are different, everyone has faced stress and challenges 
• It is time-consuming
  • Self-care does not have a fixed schedule or a specific amount you must do
    • Anything from five to forty-five minutes can be valuable for self-care
    • It is less about time and more about how the act of self-care makes you feel
    • A self-care plan can be as structured or loose as you need it to be
• Self-care is anything that soothes you
  • It should be relaxing and enjoyable, but it should not be done to excess or impair other areas of well-being in your life like your physical health

How your self-care plan should look is often misconstrued by myths that contribute to emotional exhaustion and unbalanced self-care. Listed below are some examples of a poor self-care plan:

• Only engaging in look-based activities
  • Manicures
  • Pedicures
  • Hair appointments
• Avoiding things that make you uncomfortable
  • Exercising
  • Attending a support group
• Doing a self-care activity because someone else does it
  • Spending a weekend reading on a beach when you dislike the beach

Now, you may question how you can build a healthy self-care plan that fits you and your life.

How to Build a Self-Care Plan

According to “Building Your Self-Care” from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), part of building a self-care plan is picking different types of strategies to add to your toolkit. Although you do not have to incorporate each strategy into your self-care plan, each strategy may offer something that works for you:

• Physical 
• Social 
• Mental 
• Environmental 
• Work-related 
• Recreational 
• Mindfulness 
• Spiritual 

Beyond picking strategies, it is also important to evaluate your positive and negative coping skills and identify your self-care needs. With a better idea of your needs and skills, you can build a self-care plan that will support sustained recovery.

Sustainable Tools for Your Self-Care Plan

Much like picking self-care strategies, within those strategies are a variety of tools you can use in your daily life. Listed below are some sustainable tools that may be effective in your regular and emergency self-care plan:

• Regular self-care
  • Dancing to music while you get ready
  • Working out while watching a show
  • Cooking dinner with a loved one
  • Family book club
  • Listening to relaxing soundscapes before bed
  • Attending a support group
  • Write one thing you are grateful for before bed
• Emergency self-care
  • Deep breathing
  • Taking a walk
  • Support person

By practicing different tools in your self-care plan toolbox, you can support your well-being and maintain recovery.

Learning How to Build Your Self-Care Toolkit at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we know building a strong foundation to sustain recovery starts with a connection to self and others. Through an active alumni program, you have access to services and activities for community and self-care. You can strengthen your mind, body, and spirit as your peers act as a source of guidance and accountability for well-being. Therefore, we are dedicated to connection and community integration to help you build a unique self-care plan to maintain your recovery.

One commonly occurring instance in life that is greatly harmful to one’s mental health is toxic relationships. These relationships can occur among family, friends, and peers. What makes these relationships dangerous is that they can sabotage treatment progress or even trigger a relapse for those in recovery. Perhaps the most heartbreaking thing about these relationships is that the connections you feel for them are real, which makes them difficult to break away from.

Learning to recognize and let go of toxic relationships is never easy. It’s especially true for those who are victims of manipulation tactics, such as gaslighting. At Driftwood Recovery, it’s considered an essential skill as part of recovery to identify and let go of toxic relationships. Recognizing who will help or hinder you during and after treatment can be stressful, but you don’t have to make these choices alone.

Mental health care professionals and providers are always there to help you examine your relationships to determine if they are toxic or healthy. Before clients can understand that they are in a toxic relationship, they must first know what a toxic relationship looks like. 

What Are Toxic Toxic Relationships?

Many traits define a relationship as toxic. Simply put, it’s a relationship where a person, either inadvertently or maliciously, causes you persistent harm. This harm can be direct, such as physical hitting or outright insults. However, it can be subtle, such as isolating a person or manipulating them to serve a selfish goal. A healthy relationship is about support and mutual care, which makes us feel good. Toxic ones are heavily one-sided and will feel very unfair, tiring, or frightening. 

These toxic relationships are difficult to deal with because of how prevalent they may be in intimate circles. They can come from family, a peer group, or even from a spouse or partner. It’s normal to still love and care about these people, even if they hurt you. It can make severing yourself from these relationships difficult. Toxic relationships also cause conditions such as depression, addiction, and suicidal ideation. 

It’s normal to feel love for the people who hurt you. Sometimes, what makes toxic relationships so difficult is that when you can end the relationship, you may still mourn and grieve for the relationship you thought you had. Toxic relationships still cause harm in this way, and the experiences they leave with an individual often require professional help to treat.

How Do Toxic Relationships Harm Recovery?

Toxic relationships are dangerous to recovery for several reasons. Perhaps the most serious problem is that can trigger a relapse. Often, this is because toxic relationships are highly stressful, and a person may strongly feel the urge to use substances as a coping mechanism. Other times, a toxic person may maliciously or indirectly trigger a relapse by ignoring a person’s boundaries. 

For example, a person completes treatment for alcohol addiction. A toxic person may refuse to limit their drinking around the person, may constantly invite them to places where drinking is present, or even encourage them to drink again. “Come on, you’re not fun anymore now that you are sober” and “It’s just one drink to celebrate” are all examples of manipulations that can trigger a relapse. 

Toxic relationships are also bad for one’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem. A toxic person can grind down a person’s confidence and make them feel as though they are a failure. One thing a toxic person cannot stand is someone who is bettering their life. As a result, those who try to seek treatment may face sabotage. An example of this is a toxic person threatening to harm themselves if you try to leave them or seek opportunities such as getting a new job or undergoing treatment. 

Finding Help at Driftwood Recovery

There are ways in which a person can learn to recognize and navigate toxic relationships. Such skills are important at Driftwood Recovery, as they allow clients to protect their recovery during and after treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one such therapy used to help those struggling with a toxic relationship. This therapy helps clients identify harmful thoughts and behaviors and guide them into making positive changes. CBT is also a critical therapy used to teach clients how to set and stick with healthy boundaries.

Group therapy is also helpful in identifying and navigating toxic relationships. Participants in group therapy have experienced many things and have plenty of wisdom to share. They very well may be the ones who can point out if you are being mistreated. Sometimes, having a sounding board of individuals that you don’t know can show you that your relationships are not healthy. Group therapy participants may also have advice on what to do and can share their personal experiences, showing that they are not alone. 

Building confidence and establishing new and healthy support networks is another way to overcome toxic relationships. At Driftwood Recovery, clients learn that they are valid and worthy of care. This is often done through team-building exercises where clients learn to trust each other. Other times, it’s allowed to happen organically through recreation and downtime. Through each step, mental health care professionals are there to offer support and guidance. Once a client finishes treatment, they can join the alumni program, where they can continue the connections forged at Driftwood Recovery and beyond. 

Recovering from a toxic relationship can be difficult, but healing is always possible. When someone recognizes they need help and accepts it, new doors open up to them. 

Toxic relationships are one of the major contributors to addiction and other mental health conditions. They also will keep people from seeking help, achieving recovery, or even outright sabotaging a person’s sobriety. Learning how to recognize and let go of these toxic relationships is essential to achieving and maintaining recovery. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients have access to a wide array of therapies designed to help them recognize and remove toxic relationships from their lives. It’s never an easy thing to do, but with newfound confidence and self-respect, clients can take a stand to protect themselves and their recovery. To learn more about treatment at Driftwood Recovery, call (512) 759-8330 today.

Many healthcare workers experience chronic stress as a result of workplace and personal stressors. Supervisors and treatment facilities have an obligation to help staff reduce and manage stress. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare facilities can “[e]ncourage employees to make self-care a priority, keeping consistent daily routines when possible (e.g., try to get adequate sleep, make time for eating healthy meals, and take breaks during work shifts to rest, stretch, or check in with supportive colleagues, coworkers, friends, and family).” The supervisors at Driftwood Recovery understand the importance of supporting staff and provide various forms of assistance to ensure staff experience less stress at work. 

Side Effects of Chronic Stress

Unmanaged stress can profoundly affect people’s lives and their ability to function at work. Individuals who experience trauma or chronic stress in the workplace may have a more difficult time finding effective ways to lower stress.

The side effects of chronic stress may include: 

• Relationship conflict 
• Physical health conditions, including headaches, muscle pain, high blood pressure, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues 
• Difficulty maintaining emotional stability 
• Significant changes to eating and sleeping patterns 
• Increased risk of developing mental health disorders 
• Difficulty concentrating

Everyone reacts differently to the symptoms and side effects of stress. According to Future Science OA, “In situations in which the stressor is overwhelming and cannot be resolved, stress becomes chronic.” Healthcare workers protect themselves by addressing problem areas immediately. Exploring healthy solutions for reducing workplace or home stressors supports positive mental health. 

Workplace Risk Factors

Some of the most common workplace risk factors for increased stress include: 

• Lack of work-life balance 
• Unrealistic workplace expectations 
• Excessive workload and inflexible scheduling
• Lack of quality time with loved ones due to overworking 
• Uncomfortable work environment 
• Unclear job responsibilities 
• Heading about, witnessing, or experiencing trauma related to clients 
• Interpersonal conflict between coworkers 
• Limited opportunities for advancement 
• Inconsistent, unclear, or ineffective communication 

Identifying the factors impacting people’s mental health and stress levels makes it easier for them to develop effective and practical solutions. For example, healthcare professionals who feel underappreciated and overworked may benefit from transferring to a position where they have greater control over their schedule and access to a supportive environment. 

4 Ways to Address Chronic Stress

Everyone reacts differently to stress. Below are four methods people use to address chronic stress and improve mental health. 

#1. Setting Healthy Boundaries

Developing boundaries is essential at home and work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Setting boundaries at work and home helps other people understand how to work with you.” In addition, “If someone steps over the line, you need to be able to name the behavior, and say that it isn’t acceptable.” 

Not everyone knows how to set clear boundaries. Establishing boundaries at work involves doing the following: 

• Defining workplace tasks and responsibilities, setting reasonable limits to protect mental and physical health 
• Assertively communicating boundaries with coworkers and supervisors 
• Ensuring family, coworkers, and management understand personal and professional limits 
• Politely declining additional tasks or responsibilities interfering with a healthy work-life balance 
• Avoiding work-related tasks at home and personal responsibilities while at work
• Taking regular breaks throughout the day 
• Prioritizing tasks and delegating when appropriate 
• Setting realistic goals and deadlines 
• Utilizing support networks 
• Regularly assessing boundaries and adjusting them as needed 

Setting boundaries is an excellent way to reduce stress and improve mental health. 

#2. Reducing Stressors at Work

Workplace stressors can come from many sources, including coworkers, supervisors, workplace policies, clients, and client families. Reducing stressors at work helps people avoid exposure to chronic stress. Identifying stressors and developing creative solutions for overcoming them ensures healthcare workers maintain positivity and a healthy work-life balance. 

Some examples of how healthcare professionals reduce work stress include: 

• Prioritizing self-care every day 
• Avoiding excessive tasks and responsibilities 
• Practicing self-compassion and patience 

Every day brings new challenges, and people protect their mental health by caring for themselves. Healthcare workers cannot provide high-quality and effective care without prioritizing their psychological and physical wellness. 

#3. Managing Expectations and Setting Realistic Goals

Everyone has goals they want to achieve in their personal and professional lives. However, some individuals may expect too much from themselves, coworkers, or their careers. Setting realistic expectations reduces stress by making personal and professional goals achievable. 

People set achievable goals at work by focusing on the following: 

• Specifying goals in exact detail 
• Tracking goals using precise measurements 
• Ensuring goals are based on current skill level and knowledge 
• Making goals relevant to workplace responsibilities 
• Setting clear deadlines for achieving goals 
• Breaking down large-picture goals into smaller goals
• Celebrating successes and progress in achieving goals 

#4. Relying on Friends and Loved Ones to Manage Chronic Stress

Chronic stress can impact how people feel about themselves and others. Relying on loved ones, sharing challenges, and asking for advice or support allows people to manage chronic stress more effectively. Driftwood Recovery staff members know they can rely on their supervisors, coworkers, and peers to help them navigate stressors in the workplace.  

Many healthcare professionals experience chronic stress in the workplace, and some may have difficulty managing the various side effects. If left unaddressed, many minor life stressors may add up to cause extreme emotional distress and prolonged mental health issues. Healthcare professionals work in a high-demand environment where they may encounter traumatic or emotionally distressing situations. Pressure to meet unrealistic goals may also increase stress. Setting clear boundaries and achievable goals helps healthcare workers successfully manage stress. Driftwood Recovery ensures all staff have the resources and tools to avoid chronic stress and address issues impacting their mental health. To learn more about our facility, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.

According to Addiction Relapse Prevention, approximately 50% of people relapse within the first 12 weeks. However, the risk of recovery burnout in long-term recovery is often overlooked. Recovery burnout is an important phenomenon. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notes, 7 in 10 adults are in addiction recovery. Therefore, recognizing recovery burnout can be invaluable to maintaining long-term recovery.

At Driftwood Recovery, we know recovery is a journey that continues long after addiction treatment. However, we also know how difficult it can be to stay connected to a sober community. Losing those recovery connections over time makes it easier to lose yourself in recovery. The work needed to maintain recovery, especially alone, can increase recovery burnout. Therefore, we are dedicated to providing a vibrant alumni program with support and accountability. With support and connection with alumni, you can avoid recovery burnout to sustain recovery.

However, you may still have questions about recovery burnout. What is recovery burnout, and what causes it? How does recovery burnout impact your long-term well-being and recovery? 

What Is Recovery Burnout?

You may be familiar with burnout concerning other domains like work and school. Burnout has recently become synonymous with healthcare workers and college students. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is a syndrome that comes from chronic workplace stress that is not effectively managed. Thus, burnout, in general, is often thought of as an occupational phenomenon. 

However, the world has expanded to be entangled in other domains and life challenges. Recovery, much like treatment, requires a lot of courage and work to build and maintain. Therefore, when you have been in recovery for a while, you can start to feel exhausted from the effort, time, and commitment you have to put into sustaining recovery. 

Recovery burnout is a loss of the energy that motivates your dedication to recovery. Moreover, recovery burnout can lead to negative feelings about recovery as the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion takes over. Although entering recovery after the structure of a residential treatment program can feel daunting, it may be difficult to imagine ever experiencing recovery burnout. You may think of recovery as this grand prize for all your hard work and the final step in a new life. While recovery does present an opportunity for a new, fulfilling life without substances, it is not a destination. 

Misconceptions that recovery is the end of the journey are born out of the pink cloud syndrome in early recovery. Thus, understanding the pink cloud syndrome can help you better understand how recovery burnout develops.

Pink Cloud Syndrome: Understanding Challenges of Early Recovery

Although recovery is a lifelong process, there are some stages on your journey to recovery. Some of the stages of recovery include seeking support, detox, treatment, and early recovery. In and around early recovery is where pink cloud syndrome or pink clouding is found. Pink cloud syndrome is the phase in early recovery following withdrawal symptoms that leave you filled with feelings of euphoria and elation. 

In many ways, pink cloud syndrome is like the honeymoon phase of recovery in which you have just discovered the joy of life without substances. Moreover, you are overjoyed and optimistic about the progress you have made and are completely confident in your ability to maintain recovery. Feeling happy about the progress you have made toward recovery is something you should be proud of. However, the dangers of pink cloud syndrome are an unrealistic and overconfident perspective that does not last. Some of the issues of pink cloud syndrome include:

• Preoccupation with the positive aspects of recovery
• Excessive optimism
• Withdrawal from your support system

Thus, ignoring the reality of recovery as a dynamic process with peaks and valleys sets you up for recovery burnout.

Addressing Unhealthy and Health Habits in Recovery

With recovery burnout, you can get stuck in unhealthy habits that leave you feeling unbalanced and overworked. Thus, recognizing and addressing unhealthy habits is important to effective long-term recovery. According to NIH News in Health, habits often arise through repetition and when the brain’s reward centers are triggered. Therefore, healthy and unhealthy habits often stem from the same process. For example, your brain may crave the reward feeling and familiarity of one too many glasses of wine before bed, the same way meditating before bed can become a healthy habit. Yet, how do you dismantle the unhealthy habits of overachieving in recovery burnout?

Finding Healthy Ways to Cope With Recovery Burnout

The NIH states that changing unhealthy habits is a process. Recovery does not happen overnight or require perfection, as pink clouding and early recovery lead you to believe. Your ability to find balance in recovery and avoid recovery burnout starts with building healthy coping strategies to combat stress and an overachiever mentality. While everyone’s needs to overcome recovery burnout is unique, some adaptive coping skills you can use to reestablish balance include:

• Recognize and accept your feelings
• Give yourself space to relax
• Set boundaries 
• Reach out for support
• Find healthy outlets 
  • Drawing
  • Journaling
• Make time for wellness
  • Yoga
  • Sleep hygiene
• Change up the recovery resources you use
  • Online and app-based resources
  • Sober activities

With greater self-awareness, you can effectively address and reduce your risk for recovery burnout.

Fostering Recovery Burnout Tools for Lasting Recovery at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, we know the connection to self and others in alumni is vital to sustained recovery. No matter where you are on your recovery journey, it can be thrilling and overwhelming. Feeling overwhelmed in recovery is not something to feel ashamed about but rather something you acknowledge and lean on your support system for. Healing is not meant to be done alone, and engaging with alumni reminds you that balance in recovery is possible. Through a peer-driven network, you can find the support, resources, guidance, and accountability you need to lead a courageous life in recovery.

Learning how to manage stress is an important part of growing up. As children, we learn how to manage stress and our emotions by observing and copying the behaviors of both our peers and adults. The presence of or lack of healthy coping skills learned as youth can greatly impact our ability to cope with difficulties once we become adults.

This is especially important when undergoing treatment for addiction and its co-occurring conditions. Although steps are taken to make treatment as smooth as possible, it’s still a stressful endeavor. Those who cannot healthily manage stress during treatment run the risk of burnout and may give up before treatment is completed.

That’s why at Driftwood Recovery, clients utilize therapies to teach them how to manage stress on their own. While learning these essential skills, clients also have access to stress-managing activities. Knowing when you are feeling stressed is also important, as well as recognizing when you need to manage it. Overall, stress management will become second nature over time, especially when given opportunities to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment. 

Although not a comprehensive list, here are a few tips all clients can follow to manage their stress.

Tip 1 – Manage Stress by Moving Your Body

Exercise and moving your body release endorphins, which are a feel-good chemical. It has been proven that exercise can help boost your mental health. Psychical activity allows stress to leave the body, especially when engaging in enjoyable activities. 

At Driftwood Recovery, all clients are encouraged to move their bodies as part of treatment. It can be vigorous movement, such as playing a sport through therapeutic recreation, or more relaxing, such as yoga. Before beginning any physical activity, it’s important to speak with a professional to prevent injuries. They can give you the tips you need to enjoy physical activity safely.

Tip 2 – Self-Care for Stress Relief

Taking care of your physical and emotional needs is essential to manage stress. Many times, stress can be relieved by satisfying vital biological functions. Getting proper sleep and rest is one such way to manage stress, as it bolsters your body. Eating nutritious food at regular intervals, as well as remaining properly hydrated, can all reduce stress. If you feel stressed, it might be because you are tired, hungry, or thirsty.

Self-care also refers to fulfilling one’s emotional and spiritual needs as well. Engaging in activities that you feel are purposeful or working to better yourself are all forms of self-care. Many times people feel stressed because they feel as though they have no direction in life. Actively working towards a goal to fulfill this need can also manage stress. 

Tip 3 – Find Healthy Outlets to Manage Stress

Stress is harmful because it remains inside a person until it can be expressed. Those engaging in unhealthy stress relief may engage in substance abuse or other dangerous activities to feel better. However, there are ways for a person to manage stress healthily without resorting to harmful activities. 

Driftwood Recovery encourages clients to find hobbies and activities that release stress and give them joy. Some common examples of hobbies that can be used to manage stress include crafts, gardening, or playing games. Therapies designed to manage stress, such as art therapy, can provide a client with a lifelong outlet for stress. 

Tip 4 – Reduce Stressors by Accepting Help

Another way to manage stress is to accept professional help. Attempting to accomplish a difficult task on your own can be highly stressful and frustrating. It’s especially true if you experience repeated failures, which can work to demotivate a person. In time, a person may even stop trying, which is something that cannot be allowed to happen in treatment.

To help with that, clients are encouraged to trust in others to help them. The bond between client and provider is only possible through this trust, which ultimately promotes healing. Driftwood Recovery makes this easier by being staffed by compassionate and understanding professionals. Clients can let go of their stress by allowing these professionals to help them carry their struggles. Understanding that your providers will give you time to breathe through the treatment process can go a long way to managing your stress. 

Tip 5 – Manage Stress by Being Kind to Yourself

Perhaps the greatest tip of all to manage stress is to be kind to yourself. It’s not unheard of for someone to take up more of a burden than they need to and then put themselves down for failing. Sometimes, these negative thoughts and feelings of unworthiness will turn on a person, causing them to inadvertently self-sabotage their progress. If you want to manage stress healthily, you must treat yourself better.

This can be done by changing your mindset to be more compassionate and realistic. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to help clients speak to themselves in a kinder and more understanding way. It allows them to set realistic goals so they can celebrate their successes. Part of this mindset is also accepting that failing is a part of life, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot try again. It’s always better to try than it is to preemptively give up. 

This more positive mindset doesn’t just manage stress; it gives you support and encouragement to face any task that lies ahead. 

Again, this list is not comprehensive, as there are many individual ways in which a client can learn to manage stress. If you feel overly stressed during treatment and recovery, it’s always encouraged to speak to a mental health care professional. They will be able to get you the therapies needed to encourage healthy coping skills and find relief. Stress is temporary, but the skills you learn to manage stress will last forever.  

Stress can be a major contributor to addiction and other mental health conditions. Learning how to healthily manage one’s stress is an essential part of treatment and recovery. Without these skills, it’s possible to struggle with treatment burnout or even experience a relapse. That’s why at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients spend time learning stress management and relief techniques as part of treatment. Not only do clients learn skills to mitigate the effect of stress on themselves, but they also have time to participate in stress-reliving activities, such as walks or breathing exercises. If you or a loved one is struggling, don’t wait to get treatment. Call Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330. 

Unmanaged anxiety is a leading cause of preventable illness. Millions of people are diagnosed with anxiety-related mental and physical health conditions every year. Healthcare workers have an increased risk of developing clinical anxiety due to multiple factors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, healthcare “workers were more likely to report symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders.” Driftwood Recovery ensures staff members have access to support resources and a healthy work environment to reduce workplace stress and the risk of developing anxiety-related disorders. 

How Does Work-Related Anxiety Impact Mental Health?

Workplace stressors have the potential to significantly impact psychological and physical health. Individuals working in the healthcare field often have to work in high-pressure situations with little emotional support. According to Health Psychology Research, “Workplace stress can influence healthcare professionals’ physical and emotional well-being by curbing their efficiency and having a negative impact on their overall quality of life.” Increased anxiety is a common side effect of chronic workplace stress. Anxiety can lead to severe side effects if left unmanaged. 

Some of the most common issues caused by work-related anxiety include: 

• The development of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and other mental health disorders 
• Panic or anxiety attacks 
• Emotional or physical burnout 
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or oversleeping 
• Abusing alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs to manage symptoms of anxiety 
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) 

Healthcare professionals use mental health support services to manage anxiety-related issues at work. In addition, people often benefit from setting clear boundaries to separate workplace responsibilities and their personal lives. Driftwood Recovery provides staff with resources for developing a healthy work-life balance. 

Physical Side Effects

Some symptoms may persist even after a person begins treatment for their anxiety. A few of the most common physical side effects of workplace anxiety include: 

• Headache or migraine 
• Muscle tension and body aches 
• Rapid heart rate 
• Heart palpitations or shortness of breath 
• Gastrointestinal issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Dizziness 

The physical symptoms exist along a spectrum. Many people are unaware of the potential side effects of untreated workplace anxiety. In some cases, anxiety causes prolonged emotional distress and may interfere with a person’s ability to successfully manage their responsibilities. Due to the high-demand environment of most healthcare facilities, staff may struggle to function while experiencing anxiety. 

Warning Signs and How to Avoid Workplace Stress

Workplace stress is a leading cause of anxiety for healthcare professionals. Being able to identify the warning signs of anxiety-related mental health disorders and reduce workplace stress helps people create healthier routines. 

Some of the most common warning signs of anxiety disorders include: 

• Feeling unusually tense, restless, or irritable 
• Uncharacteristic nervousness 
• Increased startle response 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Avoiding people, places, or things causing increased emotional distress 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Feeling panic, anxiousness, helplessness, or doom 

People may not always have the option to avoid stressful places, situations, thoughts, or individuals. Healthcare workers concerned about their mental health can utilize workplace or community support resources. Driftwood Recovery ensures all staff have information about relevant services to help them successfully manage anxiety before it affects their quality of life. 

Successfully Addressing Work-Related Anxiety

Individuals who feel heard and supported by their supervisors are less likely to develop anxiety-related disorders or emotional burnout. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2022, health workers experienced a decrease in odds of burnout if they trusted management . . . had supervisor help . . . had enough time to complete work . . . and felt that their workplace supported productivity.” Setting clear expectations and boundaries allows healthcare professionals to work in an environment where they feel heard and valued. 

A few ways individuals may successfully address work-related anxiety include: 

• Practicing mindfulness and increasing self-awareness 
• Prioritizing effective time management 
• Talking to co-workers, supervisors, or loved ones about workplace stressors or concerns 
• Maintaining overall health through regular physical activity, quality sleep, and eating balanced meals
• Being transparent about personal needs and preferences 
• Replacing negative emotions or self-talk with affirmations and positive self-talk 
• Increasing professional skills through continuing training and other opportunities 
• Keeping the workspace organized and calm 

Healthcare professionals who practice healthy coping skills and make positive lifestyle changes often notice a significant decrease in anxiety and emotional distress during work. 

How Does Driftwood Recovery Support Staff Experiencing Work-Related Anxiety?

Anyone can feel anxious at any time. If anxiety begins to impact a person’s emotional and physical health or quality of life, they may benefit from additional support. The management team at Driftwood Recovery regularly checks in with every staff member to ensure they feel supported and empowered in their position. Everyone deserves to receive compassionate care if they begin to struggle with anxiety or other mental health issues. Staff have access to various services, emotional support, and community-based resources. In addition, staff members reporting concerns about mental health issues have access to community-based support resources. Supervisors can provide additional guidance to support staff struggling with their position. 

Anxiety is a typical response to workplace pressure or stress. Healthcare workers face more stress compared to individuals in other professions. Many unexpected and sometimes traumatic experiences take place within treatment facilities. Staff must navigate these stressors with compassion and empathy. Sometimes, the toll of chronic workplace stress or other factors causes people to develop anxiety-related mental health disorders. Panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder are a few of the conditions healthcare workers may experience if they have unmanaged anxiety. Driftwood Recovery offers staff members the resources and tools they need to maintain positive mental health and manage anxiety or stress related to the job. To learn more, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.

You have done the difficult work of seeking and completing treatment. Although completion of treatment is exciting, it is also understandably scary as you reenter society and rebuild your social life. Challenges with alcohol misuse can also make reentering social life feel overwhelming and impossible.

Alcohol has played a central role in the lives of countless people across the world since some of the earliest civilizations on the planet. Thus, alcohol consumption, misuse, and abuse is a complex topic. Unlike illicit substances like cocaine and heroin, alcohol is a legal substance that, for many, is a normal part of their social life. As the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) notes, 2.2 million people 12 years and older have alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Yet, only 7.6% of people with AUD receive treatment, which can highlight alcohol use as a spectrum of misuse. The consequences of alcohol misuse are not relegated only to individuals with dependence or AUD. Rather, most people who misuse alcohol account for the majority of alcohol-related disability and death. Thus, addressing the cultural and social life aspects of alcohol consumption is valuable for understanding overconsumption, dependence, and AUD.

At Driftwood Recovery, we recognize that living a life in recovery means being reintegrated into the community. Through a community-driven approach, we are dedicated to helping you reintegrate into society. With a vibrant, sober community, you can find the service, accountability, and encouragement needed to rebuild your social life without alcohol. Our peer-driven network provides mutually supportive attachment with others to give you the tools you need to reintegrate into everyday life. 

Yet, it may feel difficult for you to imagine building a social life without alcohol. By expanding your understanding of drinking culture, you can dismantle alcohol’s influence.

Understanding Drinking Culture

Most alcohol research is focused on risk factors and the impact of individual experiences on addiction. However, understanding the cultural elements of alcohol can support sustained recovery. Cultural norms and practices found in society typically intersect with health and psychological wellness. Moreover, the way you experience and perceive culture greatly influences how you see yourself, others, and the world. 

Thus, understanding culture can provide insight into the significance of culture in society and social life. According to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, culture typically consists of a schema of beliefs, practices, values, and other worldviews that are maintained by a cultural group or society, which is preserved and transmitted across generations. For alcohol, drinking culture and social life are deeply interconnected, especially in pop culture: 

• Movies
• Television
• Music
• Social media

Moreover, many of the social influences of alcohol in pop culture spill over into other cultural influences. Additional influences on drinking culture and social life can include community norms, racial and ethnic discrimination, family and peer drinking behaviors, and college social life. Thus, drinking culture can have a fundamental impact on how you engage in social life.

The Impact of Drinking Culture on Social Life

There are countless examples in pop culture that glorify binge drinking and alcohol as a coping tool. Although pop culture can have a significant influence on how you perceive alcohol, interactions with family, friends, and other aspects of social life can be particularly influential. Many of your social life experiences from adolescence to adulthood have likely been influenced by the socialization of alcohol. 

Overconsumption of alcohol can be seen across countless social life events like college parties, young dating culture, sporting events, holiday parties, and bar Happy hours with co-workers. The prevalence of drinking culture in every major segment of life speaks to the far-reaching influence of alcohol on social life. Further, many of the elements of drinking culture found in social life are tied to social connection. 

Importance of Social Connections for Sobriety

Addiction and early recovery are often plagued by self-isolation and loneliness. A loss of social connection can be detrimental to your well-being and increase your risk for relapse. Thus, building a social life in sobriety can not only support relapse prevention but also improve your well-being. Some of the ways social connection through a social life can support your health and well-being include:

• Foster a sense of belonging
• Improve self-esteem 
• Increase motivation
• Raise quality of life

While addiction to your previous social life may have fractured your social connection, support in sobriety can help you reclaim the joys of social life.

Ways to Support a Social Life Without Alcohol

Building a fun, happy, and meaningful social life does not require alcohol. Yet, how do you combat cultural norms that most people subscribe to? Through a vibrant alumni program, you can uncover a fulfilling social life without alcohol. Some of the ways you can engage in a sober social life include:

• Setting clear boundaries with others
• Hangout with friends at places other than bars and clubs
  • Cafe
  • Movie theater
  • Museum
  • Library
  • Art gallery
• Joining a club or group
  • Book club
• Take a class
  • Yoga
  • Pottery
• Join a sports league
  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Flag football
• Volunteer
• Attend sober events

There are a wide variety of sober places and activities you can engage in with old and new friends. Although it can feel daunting to socialize without alcohol, an alumni program can give you the support you need to step into your new sober life confidently.

Fostering a Sober Social Life 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. Through a peer-driven network, you can find a sober community where connection is at the heart of the community. Together, you can foster fellowship and fun in sobriety with shared experiences and a commitment to accountability, service, and encouragement. We are dedicated to helping you reintegrate and build a new sober life, whether it is weekly meetings and activities or in-house AA meetings, there is a community for you.

Suicidal ideation is more common than what most people would think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12.3 million adults have considered suicide at some point in their lives. Anyone from all walks of life can experience or struggle with suicidal ideation. Those who struggle with these thoughts can feel empty, tired, and hopeless. 

There is always hope, and anyone can recover from these distressing thoughts and feelings with the right professional help. At Driftwood Recovery, clients have the freedom to discuss their inner thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or belittlement. Staffed by caring and compassionate professionals, each client receives the attention and treatment they need to overcome anything. 

However, treatment cannot begin if a person doesn’t understand that they need it. Suicidal ideation is heavily stigmatized and rarely discussed. It’s only in recent years that there has been a push to educate the greater public about suicidal ideation and those who are most at risk. By speaking about this topic, we validate those who are struggling and encourage them to seek help.

What Is Suicidal Ideation?

Suicidal ideation, also known as suicidal thoughts, is when someone struggles with persistent thoughts of death and suicide. Although someone may have these thoughts and feelings, it does not mean that they will attempt suicide. These thoughts are often intrusive and very distressing. Over time, these thoughts can wear down the spirit, making it difficult to connect with others or find joy in life.

There are two forms of suicidal ideation: active and passive. Active suicidal ideation is when you have suicidal thoughts and also have the intention to die by suicide. This may involve taking steps such as making a plan, purchasing a weapon, or designating a specific day to die. Passive suicidal ideation is when you have thoughts of suicide, such as “I wish I could disappear,” but have no plans to harm or die by suicide. 

Who Is Most at Risk?

Suicidal ideation can be the result of many factors. However, it often boils down to a desire to escape a situation that feels inescapable. It’s what happens when a person loses hope and finds no value in continuing life. Sometimes, this is a result of a serious condition, such as chronic pain, grief from the loss of a loved one, or addiction. Mood disorders and other mental health conditions, such as depression, can also cause suicidal ideation. Some medications used to treat these conditions may also have a side effect that can cause thoughts of death and suicide. 

Other risk factors that may cause suicidal ideation in individuals are:

• Surviving or experiencing bullying, abuse, and violence
• Loss of a loved one, relationship, healthcare, or job
• Employed in highly stressful occupations
• Experiencing social isolation or loneliness 
• Facing discrimination
• Having a family or community history of suicide 
• Being a member of a marginalized group
• Having easy access to lethal weapons or means to harm oneself
• Being exposed to unsafe media portrayals of suicide

Having any of these risk factors does not automatically mean a person will experience suicidal ideation. It simply means that they must be ready to reach out for help should they need to. 

Getting Treatment for Suicidal Ideation

Those who are struggling with thoughts of self-harm and suicide can reach out by calling or texting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This lifeline exists to help stabilize individuals and find treatment options in their area. Callers are often directed to enroll in a mental health care facility or seek hospitalization, depending on the severity of their suicidal thoughts. Suicidal ideation must be treated by professionals for the individual to recover, so it’s vital to seek treatment right away. 

At Driftwood Recovery, there are several therapies used to treat suicidal ideation. Psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help talk clients through their thoughts and feelings. This helps them identify what is triggering these thoughts and allows them to change these thoughts into healthier alternatives. Group therapy is also helpful in showing clients that they are not alone, allowing them to find support and understanding among their fellow peers. Clients learn that their lives matter, and care is taken to build up their confidence and feelings of self-worth.

Receiving treatment for conditions that cause suicidal ideation is also essential for its treatment. Driftwood Recovery focuses on treating some of the most common causes of suicidal ideation, which are addiction, chronic pain, and mood disorders. By treating a wide range of conditions, clients have an easier time finding the comprehensive care needed to treat both their suicidal ideation and the conditions that cause them. Sometimes, medicine can help manage these thoughts. Using any medication requires time and a collaborative effort between the client and a medical professional, but many clients have found success.

It’s also essential to know that these thoughts will not last forever. As long as a person is willing to make a positive change in their life, they can accomplish anything. Sometimes, a person receiving care for suicidal ideation may inadvertently help others with similar thoughts. Using the skills learned at Driftwood Recovery allows one to make a tangible difference in the world. Every life matters, including your own. 

Experiencing sadness or the “blues” is a normal experience that people have. However, sincerely thinking about your death or daydreaming about your death is not. This is called suicidal ideation, and it can be frightening and stressful to live with. However, it’s possible to recover from suicidal thoughts and ideation with the right treatment and support. Here at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, clients have access to compassionate and quality mental health treatment. Staffed by caring and understanding individuals, clients are recognized and seen as the individuals they are. If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, don’t wait. There is always hope for a better tomorrow. To learn how Driftwood Recovery can help, call (512) 759-8330 today. 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than 21 million children had a parent who misused substances or had a substance use disorder (SUD). Being a parent, while incredibly rewarding, comes with a host of challenges. SUD adds another layer of difficulty in being the best version of yourself as a parent. You know you have put a lot of work into being a healthier you. However, you also know parenting in recovery is not easier than parenting with active SUD.

At Driftwood Recovery, we recognize how important family is for recovery and restoring balance in your relationships. With a focus on family in alumni, you can rebuild or foster connections to support you and your children’s well-being. You know your recovery is not a solo endeavor or something that only impacts you. Your children have been impacted by your substance use, too, and need support tools to heal, too. 

However, we know the strain SUD has put on your relationships can be daunting. You may experience challenges with guilt about your SUD, how it has impacted your children, and maintaining recovery. The worries you have about your recovery, your relationships, and parenting in recovery are valid. 

Although everyone’s situation is different, it is important to remember you are not alone in your experiences or concerns. With a vibrant alumni, you can find support and understanding from peers who are and have been through similar situations. Recovery and parenting in recovery are possible when you have a strong support system behind you. Now, you can start taking steps to heal yourself and your family by better understanding how SUD has impacted your children.

The Impact of Parental Substance Use on Children

As noted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), SUD impedes your ability to fulfill your childrearing responsibilities. When your difficulty with parenting is left unaddressed, it can lead to long-term challenges for your children. Some of the ways parental substance use can negatively impact children include:

• Unhealthy attachments in their relationships
  • Difficulty making friends and maintaining healthy relationships
  • Challenges forming trust
• Difficulty regulating their emotions and behaviors
• At risk for SUD and other mental health disorders

Moreover, substance use can increase the risk of intentional and unintentional abuse and or neglect in the household. Parental substance use on its own is a part of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). However, your substance use can also impede your ability to maintain employment and stable housing. Without a stable income or housing, you lack the ability to provide basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter, which is a form of neglect. Thinking about the ways your SUD has impacted your children is understandably upsetting. While you can not go back in time to prevent your children from having ACEs, you can use this knowledge to understand and address the challenges of parenting in recovery.

Addressing the Challenges of Parenting in Recovery

Beyond the challenges of recovery itself, there are several challenges found in parenting in recovery. From being physically, mentally, and emotionally present in your children’s lives again to the act of parenting, addressing these challenges can support effective parenting in recovery. Listed below are some of the challenges you may experience parenting in recovery:

• Employment
• Stable and safe housing
• Transportation
• Reestablishing your parenting role
• Childcare
• Balancing recovery and parenting responsibilities
• Guilt over your absence and SUD
  • Overcompensating
    • Difficulty disciplining and setting healthy boundaries 
• Challenge building trust 

Looking at the challenges to parenting in recovery highlights the fact that there are both interpersonal and structural barriers to sustained healing for parents and children. The presence of structural barriers to recovery capital adds more stress to the process of recovery and parenting in recovery. 

Barriers to Sustained Healing While Parenting in Recovery

Many people in recovery experience challenges with finding employment, housing, and transportation in recovery. Parents in recovery experience additional challenges with childcare and fear of losing custody of children in recovery as well. Often, the structural barriers to recovery are intertwined with SUD stigma. Therefore, greater awareness and understanding of stigma and other structural barriers to recovery can help build recovery capital. With greater awareness of barriers, you can engage in self-advocacy to utilize supportive recovery services and resources to reduce and dismantle the barriers you experience. Moreover, access to support resources can help you build tools to help you overcome other challenges and effectively parent in recovery.

Overcoming Challenges to Parenting in Recovery

Engaging in your treatment center’s alumni program can help you work through parenting in recovery challenges like:

• Helps you take ownership and apologize to your children
• Supports setting healthy boundaries and positive discipline 
• Seeking professional support to address your absence together 
• Provides resources that make it possible for you to be present and rebuild trust
  • Engaging in things that are important to your children
    • School activities  
    • Picking them up on time
    • Scheduling quality time 
• Lean on your support network to care for your children while you attend recovery programming
• Learning from your peer’s parenting experiences
• Engage in self-care for yourself and model healthy behaviors for your children

With alumni support, you can continue to build on the tools you learned in treatment to be the best version of yourself for yourself and your children.

Healing the Parent-Child Relationship at Driftwood Recovery

At Driftwood Recovery, our alumni family is a peer-driven network designed to support recovery for you and your loved ones. Through attachment-focused treatment and a peer-driven alumni community, we provide support for the whole family to heal together. From services and resources like our online family support group to the courageous family program, meaningful connections can flourish. Together, you and your children can learn and grow toward each other in recovery. With support, parenting in recovery can be more than sobriety; it can be an opportunity to lead a fulfilling life as a family.

Your relationship with your children is important for healing the whole family. However, parenting in recovery comes with a variety of challenges and barriers that can impede healing for the whole family. It is understandable to feel guilty about the impact your substance use and absence have had on your children. For example, you may find it difficult to set healthy boundaries and discipline your children because of your guilt. Moreover, you may also face challenges with other recovery barriers like employment, housing, and childcare. Therefore, at Driftwood Recovery, we provide a vibrant alumni program where you can find community, services to reduce barriers, and build on tools to connect with your children. Call us at (512) 759-8330 today.