Don’t Let Stress Hurt Your Sobriety

photo of a stressed woman sitting on the sofa

Failed relationships, family conflicts, financial trouble, job competition or loss, health concerns – these are just a few of the many stressors that you’ll likely deal with in life. Unfortunately, stress is inevitable – and uncontrolled stress can have a serious impact on your overall health as well as your path toward sobriety.

Stress may even have contributed to your addiction in the first place. Many men try to self-medicate their stress or poor mental health with illicit drugs, binge drinking or promiscuous sexual acts. Of course, this tends to backfire and cause a vicious circle. These dangerous behaviors actually cause more stress. What’s more, stress is the leading cause of relapse, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Men under stress are also more likely than women to be diagnosed with the following health concerns:

  • High blood pressure
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Heart attack

Stress-Busting Tips for Men
Luckily, a few steps can help tame those tensions and keep you calm. Start with these three:

Surround yourself with people who “get” you. Peer support can be a powerful stress reliever. At 10 Acre Ranch, our social treatment model facilitates fellowship and fun as clients support one another throughout the recovery process. Clients live together, prep meals together and attend support group sessions.

Find a healthy escape. It’s okay to take a time-out from daily life and push your stressors aside as you enjoy healthy recreation. Taking up a new sport or activity can be a hugely effective way of fighting off bad habits. Maybe joining something like a tennis league could be a great way to let off some extra steam. At 10 Acre, fun is a big part of our rehab. Clients participate in a variety of off-site activities, including:

  • Pizza and movie night
  • Hikes and nature walks
  • Softball tournaments
  • Swimming and ping pong

Make time to meditate. Meditation has been study-proven to reduce stress, blood pressure and fatigue. Our daily mediation sessions help our male clients begin the day with a quiet, open mind. You’ll learn to calm anxiety and tension with slow, focused breathing.

Stress Management at 10 Acre
Developing healthy stress relievers improves wellbeing and hastens recovery success. At 10 Ace Ranch, we offer stress management groups to help manage your anxiety without addictive substances and/or behaviors. To learn more, call today: 877-228-4679.

Navigating Super Bowl Parties During Addiction Recovery

photo of a soccer stadium

On Sunday, February 5th, the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons will be facing off in the NFL Super Bowl 51.

Like many other Americans, you’re probably anticipating watching this event – billed as one of the most prolific sports events of the year. But, if you’re just starting a new sober lifestyle, it’s important to plan ahead – especially if you are going to attend a party to watch the event with your friends or coworkers.

While everyone has their own way of celebrating the big game, beer and liquor are often present. That’s why it’s important to be careful on Super Bowl Sunday to protect your hard-earned sobriety.

4 Sober Strategies for Super Bowl Sunday

(1) Consider your addiction triggers. As part of the addiction recovery process, you likely identified some of the triggers that induce cravings. Is food one of them? If salty snacks and greasy food played a big role during your drug dependency days, consider bringing lighter fare to the party. That way, you can still enjoy the celebration and have some healthy snacks nearby.

(2) Host your own sober event. One way to avoid distractions is to create your own safe environment. Invite a few of our friends over who are also in recovery. That way, you can all focus on the game without feeling overwhelmed by the presence of drugs or alcohol.

(3) Talk to your sobriety coach. If you’re starting to feel anxious about staying sober, talk to your addiction therapist, sobriety coach or sober mentor. Chances are, they’ve experienced those same emotions before and can give you advice based on their experience.

(4) Keep an eye on your non-alcoholic beverage and grab it yourself. If you’re in recovery, it’s safer to be in charge of what you’re drinking. Don’t leave your drink unattended – even if you’re just leaving the room for a moment. That way you don’t run the risk of someone spiking your drink to see you “loosen up” or (sadly) think it would be funny. If you do happen to leave your non-alcoholic drink unattended, just throw it away and get a new one to err on the safe side.

Life Skills Training at 10 Acre Ranch

While you can’t complete avoid addiction triggers, with a little coaching and preparation, you can navigate social situations more safely during recovery. Attending 10 Acre Ranch’s residential treatment program not only gives the men an excellent chance at rehabilitation, but also teaches them the skills needed to integrate themselves back into their families, society, and the workplace. By completing a series of recovery assignments, individuals can learn how to maintain their hard-earned sobriety. To learn more, call: 877-228-4679.

Becoming More Mindful: Living Life With Intention Through Meditation

photo of a man meditating on top of the mountain

Did your addiction begin as a way of escaping from life, the responsibilities of adulthood and the emotions you didn’t want to face? If so, you’re not alone. Life can be stressful and challenging at times, but using drugs and alcohol can only make things worse.

That’s why many addiction recovery specialists work with clients to help them practice mindfulness through meditation. It can help you learn how to embrace your thoughts, feelings and emotions and process them in a healthy way.

Using a series of relaxation techniques, students learn how to become more comfortable with their experiences – and themselves during sobriety.

Want to learn simple meditation strategies for beginners? Here are three tips to get started!

(1) Start small. Just like anything else, you can get better with practice. But, ease yourself into it. Set a goal to practice five minutes a day for the first few sessions. That way, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and give up too quickly. Consider setting a timer on your watch or your phone to keep track of your progress.

(2) Get comfortable. Pick a spot in your home where you can sit comfortably on the floor – away from furniture and other belongings. If you have hardwood floors or tile, consider placing a yoga mat or towel on the floor to provide a little bit of cushion. Sit down in a pose where you feel relaxed. Be sure to sit up straight with your spine upright and close your eyes.

(3) Clear your mind and focus on your breath. One goal of meditation is to reduce the clutter in your mind and simply enjoy a quiet stillness. To help relax your mind, focus on the nature of your breath. The sound of breathing in and out. There is no need to control the speed or the depth. Simply try to concentrate on the repetition of your inhale and exhale.

Meditation is a great tool for recovery. It’s free, portable and provides a wealth of health benefits – supporting a strong mind and a healthy body.

Daily Readings, Reflection and Meditation

Morning meditation at 10 Acre Ranch begins with group members reading day-by-day books. After each client reads an entry, the group shares about how the reading applies to today’s treatment challenges. The overriding goal of group and individual meditation is to cultivate peace and achieve a state of calm that can be revisited during the darkest hours of addiction recovery. To learn more, call: (877) 228-4679.

5 Benefits of Family Therapy

a photo of a family during a therapy

Addiction is often a family disease, meaning it has a powerful impact on your life as well as the lives of those who you love and who love you. This is why our addiction specialists at 10 Acre Ranch may invite your family members to participate in your rehab. Under our guidance, we can ensure that family plays a positive force in your recovery process.

Some of the benefits of family therapy for our male clients may include:

  1. 1. Better understanding of healthy boundaries and family patterns and dynamics
  2. 2. Enhanced communication
  3. 3. Improved problem solving
  4. 4. Deeper empathy
  5. 5. Reduced conflict and better anger management skills

How to Make the Most Out of Family Therapy
Both you and your loved ones need to take the family therapy process seriously for it to work – and that may mean doing work both in and outside your sessions with our marriage or family specialists. Here are some pointers to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting the most out of family therapy at 10 Acre Ranch.

  • Be an active listener. This means that you have to really hear what you’re loved ones are saying and ask questions that help to provide an even deeper understanding of the conversation or topic at hand.
  • Start a journal. Writing down your thoughts, questions and/or feelings after you meet with your family or marriage specialist can serve double-duty: It can help you reflect on what went on in your session and help you better prepare for the next one.
  • Practical self-care. Taking better care of you – meaning eating right, getting proper sleep, managing stress and staying active – will ensure that you greet each therapy session with an open mind and heart.

Family Counseling at 10 Acre Ranch
Our Southern California rehab for men is built around a social treatment model that helps residents hone in on healthy interaction patterns. Developing greater trust and better communication skills with your family can be critical to your long-term sobriety. To learn more about our family therapy sessions, call us today: 877-228-4679.

Emotional Neglect: A Common Addiction Trigger

photo of a man standing alone

There are many different approaches to addiction treatment. But, studies have shown that the most successful ones do more than simply alter superficial behaviors and temporarily mitigate the symptoms of withdrawal. Treatment methodologies that aim to understand and address the underlying causes and triggers of addiction are almost always the most profoundly impactful.

Given that, many addiction specialists work with clients to explore their personal relationships since many people who have experienced chronic emotional neglect turn to drugs and alcohol later in life.

But what is emotional neglect? Simply put, this occurs when someone is unable to provide the affection and emotional support that is needed.

In adults, some of the symptoms of emotional neglect include:

  • Feeling numb to your feelings
  • Being easily discouraged
  • Continually experiencing low self-esteem
  • Holding yourself up to unrealistic standards
  • Experiencing extreme self-doubt

If you are on a journey towards sobriety and identify with one or more of these symptoms of emotional neglect, it may be helpful to speak with your addiction recovery team to see if there is a connection. Because, there are ways you can empower yourself, move forward and protect your sobriety.

After consulting your addiction recovery team, here are a few strategies you might consider:

(1) Embrace what you are feeling. If you’ve spent your life trying to escape from your emotions using drugs or alcohol to numb those feelings, it may seem foreign at first. But, a healthy first step is to simply embrace the full range of human emotions. If you don’t feel comfortable expressing those thoughts with others, try journaling and simply spend a few moments each day to reflect on your experiences.

(2) Reflect on what you want. If you’ve experienced emotional neglect, you may have fallen into destructive relationships and put the needs of others before your own. Think about what you want and what you deserve in close relationships with friends and family members. That can help shape the connections that you make moving forward.

(3) Be compassionate with yourself. You can’t change the past and simply ruminating on what happened won’t change anything. Focus on creating a more positive future for yourself moving forward.

Individual Therapy at 10 Acre Ranch

In some cases, private therapy sessions may also be needed to delve into relapse motivation, addiction history, and coexisting diagnoses. To learn more about our Southern California men’s rehab facility or request individual therapy information, submit a confidential inquiry today. Call 877-228-4679 to learn more.

Conflict Management in the Workplace: 4 Strategies

photo of some people in the office during a meeting

Finding a career that’s rewarding (professionally and financially) is an important milestone that signals the successful transition into adulthood. You’re finally able to support yourself, become more independent and begin a new chapter of your life.

You might be surprised to learn that one of the most important factors influencing your success in the workplace is how you relate with your coworkers. In virtually every line of work, employees need to be able to collaborate and work together to get the job done. And, when disagreements and conflicts do arise, it’s critical to work through those situations in a productive way. This can help you avoid turning to drugs and alcohol as a way of coping with unresolved stress and resentment.

4 Strategies for Dealing with Conflict at Work

(1) Understand when to alert management.

While you can handle many conflicts directly, it is important to note that serious workplace issues (like harassment based on age, gender, race) should be addressed by human resources. When in doubt, ask your manager.

(2) Be honest and open with the person.

If a coworker does something that irritates or offends you (like interrupting you repeatedly during meetings), complaining to other coworkers won’t solve the problem at hand. Have the courage to speak with the person directly and privately – and calmly talk about what happened. Chances are, they may not even be aware of their behavior and how it is affecting you.

(3) Listen carefully.

After you’ve had a chance to share your thoughts, give them the same professional courtesy and be open to their response. Try to really understand their point of view.

(4) Stay positive.

Keep an open mind. Don’t go into the discussion thinking that the other person intentionally tried to put you down or make you frustrated. You’re not a mind-reader so don’t jump to conclusions.

Learning conflict management skills for the workplace is a valuable skill to develop. By addressing issues early, and in a healthy manner, you can help protect your sobriety and create a more open and honest dialogue with your coworkers.

Interpersonal Skills Development at 10 Acre Ranch

Because substance abusers tend to spend time with enablers, dealers, and other negative influences over the course of their addiction, they often distance those they love. Many people withdraw into isolation to avoid the consequences of their behavior while others develop unhealthy codependent friendships. Our Southern California rehab for men is built around a social treatment model that helps residents develop healthy interaction patterns. Interpersonal skills are crucial to long-term addiction recovery and are taught as part of our group therapy curriculum. Call (877) 228-4679 to learn more.