New Traditions for Sustained Sobriety

a photo of two people celebrating new year watching firewalks beside a body of water

After you’ve been in alcohol rehab awhile, you may begin to realize that your old traditions – holiday and otherwise – don’t fit into your sober lifestyle. Popping the champagne cork on New Year’s Eve, ringing in the New Year with drinks, and attending Christmas parties where alcohol is served may have been part of your past, but they can’t be part of your present if you wish to pursue a successful recovery.

Unfortunately, sustained sobriety doesn’t just require avoiding parties and people who drink. It requires work to change the mentality that drinking is foundational to fun. It requires challenging the part of you that romanticizes alcohol, and the part of you that believes drinking is the best way to “loosen up” at parties or family gatherings. And, it requires believing that you bring value to your relationships without the “help” of a drink.

New Traditions for a New You

Sobriety is a total change in your thought processes, lifestyle, and social connections, and it begins with remembering the bad times as well as the good times. After all, the fact that you ended up in rehab for substance abuse must mean drinking wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Remembering why you chose to get sober can fuel your desire to develop new traditions.

To establish new traditions, identify old habits, first. According to New York Times’ best seller Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, habits consist of three things: a cue or trigger for the behavior; the routine or behavior, itself; and a reward (something that tells your brain this behavior is worth repeating). As you dissect this three-part loop and begin to identify your old cues and rewards, mix up the routine. When your stress cue creeps in, you used to reach for a bottle. Now, try going for a run, playing a board game with friends, or catching a movie after Christmas dinner instead of having a nightcap. Over time, your brain will begin to associate productive outcomes (rewards) with these new routines. When repeated over and over and over, this process can overpower those old, destructive patterns.

Holiday Help at 10 Acre Ranch Men’s Rehab

This year, the holidays are your chance to begin anew. One of the best ways to cement your recovery is to develop new habits that yield healthy rewards. At our CA men’s rehab facility, residents walk alongside other recovering alcoholics who are also struggling to develop new lifestyles and traditions. When you’ve reached the end of your rope, our credentialed addiction specialists and clinical team provide the counseling, life skills, and relapse prevention planning you need to make a successful “go” of sobriety. Begin your New Year’s resolution today. Call 877.228.4679 to begin the admissions process.

Recovery & Running: Boost Your Spirits & Heal Your Body

photo of two men running

Everyone knows that running can be a great way to lose weight and stay in shape, if you are healthy enough to do it. But did you know that running is also a proven spirit booster? During the holidays, participating in a Turkey Trot or Thanksgiving Fun Run may be just what you need to relieve tension and enjoy a sober, but definitely not somber, social event.

Sure: You’re thinking about those sore muscles, pounding feet, and aching lungs, and wondering how that is supposed to lift your spirits. Surprisingly, once you catch your breath, rehydrate, and congratulate yourself and your neighbors on completing the race, you’ll realize you have much to be grateful for. Running is a natural stress reliever with a variety of physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

  • Running stimulates circulation and leads to better health, including improved brain health.
  • Have you ever experienced a runner’s high? Running is a safe, natural anti-depressant. In fact, when you run, the brain releases “pleasure chemicals,” like endorphins, that improve your mood.
  • Group runs are healthy social activities. In fact, these events usually include breakfast, lunch, or other social opportunities the whole family can participate in.
  • Regular running lowers blood pressure, keeps you toned, and improves your sleep.
  • Running leaves you with a positive outlook and more energy—ready to take on new challenges and enjoy your life in recovery.

Start Counting the Blessings of Recovery!

For men recovering from alcohol or drug abuse, the social rehab model at 10 Acre Ranch provides opportunities to develop new interests and participate in sports. We recognize that much of your time has been taken up by your addiction, and we help you find new friendships and interests to fill that time. Call 1.877.228.4679 to speak with our intake specialists about financing and insurance options. You, too, can begin your recovery journey today and start counting the blessings of a sober life.

The Role of Masculinity in Addiction Recovery, Part 2

photo of two men drinking alcohol

Traditionally, male gender roles color men as strong, independent risk takers. While there is nothing wrong with being confidently self-assured, these gender roles can also lead men to feel pressured to drink excessively or act recklessly. Then, when it’s time to get help for addiction, they may feel the need to problem-solve on their own rather than seeking help from a professional.

While there is no single recovery program that is best for everyone, men facing severe addiction should seek help from an accredited addiction treatment specialist to improve their chances of long-term sobriety success.

Authentic Masculinity & Addiction Recovery

At 10 Acre Ranch, our men’s drug and alcohol treatment program embraces a social model where participants learn to live life together: preparing meals, attending group counseling, enjoying healthy recreation, and building lasting camaraderie. During your stay, our therapists and recovery professionals teach you what authentic manhood looks like during the recovery process:

  • Being accountable for your mistakes. You, and only you, are responsible for your choices. When you take ownership of your mistakes, you are more likely to take responsibility for your rehabilitation. This includes things like being aware of your relapse triggers, working to reconcile broken relationships, and addressing employment problems caused by substance abuse.
  • Developing healthy, sober relationships. While some men find it emotionally challenging to share their experiences with others, 10 Acre Ranch encourages clients to develop a circle of friends and sober colleagues during rehab. Through group therapy sessions, leisure, and mealtimes, you will have the opportunity to break out of isolation and enjoy the fellowship of our supportive community.
  • Being authentically you. No matter what society says you should be, addiction recovery teaches you to embrace your individual gifts and traits. Addiction is a mask for many men, but the 10 Acre team gives you the opportunity to remove your mask and be courageously honest. This honesty will benefit you in future relationships and endeavors, as well.

Begin the 10 Acre Ranch Admissions Process

Authentic masculinity is about developing a set of guiding principles that will see you through the toughest moments of addiction recovery. At 10 Acre Ranch, we specialize in gender-specific drug and alcohol rehab for men 18 and over. To learn more about our men’s only CA drug rehab, or to speak with a member of our team about leaving addiction behind, call 877.228.4679.

The Role of Masculinity in Addiction Recovery, Part I

photo of a man drinking wine in the bar with two women and a man around him

While addiction is an equal-opportunity disease, more men are diagnosed with drug and alcohol addiction. Males are also impacted differently by chemical dependency than their female counterparts since they face gender-specific challenges. One of these is the pursuit of masculinity. As part of this pursuit, men begin using drugs and alcohol at a young age. This type of risk-taking behavior is tolerated—and even condoned—by society. Young men who feel the need to prove their manliness by drinking or doing drugs are at higher risk for developing a severe addiction.

In their book, A Counselor’s Guide to Working with Men, Matt Englar-Carlson, Marcheta P. Evans, and Thelma Duffy assert that:

“Although neurobiology and heredity significantly predict the development of addiction, other findings indicate that adherence to masculine norms may also lead men to use substances.”

Masculinity & Addictive Behaviors

Men internalize the idea of masculinity from an early age: learning to suppress their emotions, celebrate success with a drink, compete with friends in drinking games, and engage in reckless behavior to prove themselves. Since men are more at risk for chemical dependency because of societal expectations, it stands to reason that it is harder for them to seek help. Encouraged to “tough it out” and solve their own problems, men may put off rehab for months, years, or even decades because they are fearful of appearing weak.

What Does It Mean to Be a Man in Recovery?

At 10 Acre Ranch, we understand the social and self-imposed expectations that our male clients face when it’s time to admit their addiction and enter rehab. Specializing in drug and alcohol addiction treatment for men 18 and over, our CA facility is uniquely equipped to meet male recovery needs through group therapy, individual therapy, anger management classes, life skills training, stress management, and a proven 12-step curriculum.

Embracing a social treatment model, we encourage men to break the destructive cycle of isolation by connecting and supporting one another, preparing meals together, attending counseling together, and participating in recreational and therapeutic activities. We provide a safe place to recover and confide in sober colleagues, and we teach men how their gender roles can work for rather than against them. Next week, we’ll discuss what authentic masculinity looks like during this recovery journey—and how you can walk the path to a healthier, more confident life.

If you are a man struggling with any type of addiction, we can help. Call 877.228.4679 to learn more about 10 Acre Ranch’s gender-specific treatment program, or to verify insurance benefits and begin the detox process.