4 Ways to Beat Loneliness

How often do you feel you lack of companionship? How often do you feel left out? How often do you feel isolated from others? 

These were the three questions asked of participants in a U.S. National Institute on Aging study on loneliness. Researcher discovered that 14 percent to 27 percent of a lifelong tendency toward loneliness can be linked to inherited traits and that being lonely often goes hand in hand with depression. They have yet to pinpoint a specific genetic predictor of chronic loneliness, however, according to the study.

What we do know about loneliness, however, is that it can be detrimental to your health – one study cites that it’s as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. We also know that it’s something you may temporarily struggle with along your journey toward sobriety. The good news: You can control it and the effort is sure to have a positive effect on your long-term recovery. Start with these steps:

Volunteer: Getting out into your community will help combat those feelings of isolation and can help you meet like-minded friends.

Find a hobby. Whether an outdoor sport or knitting, hobbies can help you have fun and make new friends. And being passionate about something can help you connect with other people in a very authentic way.

Embrace your spirituality. Many people in recovery turn to religion. It’s a great way to become part of a community and bond with people on a spiritual level.

Invest in a pet. A furry friend can make you feel needed, wanted and loved and are perfect companions to help you get through recovery without feeling lonely.

You’re Not Alone in Your Recovery
At Complete Harmony, we welcome women and men of all ages and all walks of life who are searching for a non-12-step, holistic, or hybrid addiction recovery program. To learn more, call us today: 866-930-4673.

Tips for a Healthy Fall

Fall is officially here and the new season brings with it the opportunity to eat better, sleep more soundly, get more exercise, clear your mind and more. Here’s how to take advantage of the many ways autumn can aid in your overall health and recovery. 

Take a trip to the farmer’s market. Tis the season of pumpkin spice everything – and don’t forget apples, sweet potatoes, squash and figs. These autumn delicacies are rich in essential vitamins to help restore your body and mind from the damage of alcohol or substance abuse. 

Open those windows. There’s nothing like fresh autumn air to clear the head clutter and help you get more Zzzs. In fact, the ideal temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 68 degrees F, according to the National Sleep Foundation. 

Set some goals. Even if you’ve been out of school for sometime, fall can still feel like a season of new beginnings. Take advantage of this time to set or refine your recovery goals. Be sure to make your goals SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely – and don’t forget to share them with your addiction therapist or loved one. 

Spend some times outdoors. Cooler temperatures provide the perfect setting for a morning stroll, invigorating jog, or scenic hike. Added bonus: The sunshine can help boost vitamin D levels, making you happier and better able to concentrate on your recovery efforts. 

Get back to nature. Apple and pumpkin picking are fun fall activities and searching for that perfect fruit may just give you a new appreciation of whole, fresh, unadulterated food. No processing, no conveyor belts, no plastic packaging. 

Tis the Season for Recovery
If you or a loved one is searching for an addiction treatment program that blends conventional and alternative strategies for healing, our team can help. Nurturing mind, body, and spirit, we provide a continuum of treatment for residents and outpatients. Call Complete Harmony today: 866-930-4673.

When Good Things Come from Getting Sober

For Todd Crandel, who abused alcohol, heroin and cocaine for 13 years, becoming sober has meant becoming one of the most elite endurance athletes in the world. He was the only one who was able to finish the 2008 Ultraman triathlon, a race involving six miles of swimming, 52 miles of running and 261 miles of biking – over a period of three days!

“I didn’t think I deserved to live a life without drug,” he told Australia’s Channel 9 News. “I didn’t want to live a life without drugs. I didn’t know how to live a life without drugs.” 

It's also meant helping others along their sobriety journey. In 2001, Crandel founded Racing for Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing counseling and support and athletic events for those in recovery. He also became a licensed addiction counselor. “ “What I say to people to get them going is, you deserve a better life and you can achieve it,” he told The Fix.

Certainly going from active addiction to this level of athleticism and success isn’t the norm, but the message of hope and the possibility of a better, sober life is one that anyone in recovery can relate to. 

It doesn’t matter why you choose to get sober as long as you do choose the sober path. And, hey, you may be delighted and surprised by the many positive outcomes that come with lasting recovery – from reestablishing your relationship with your children to completing that long-overdue degree or simply being able to have a sense of self-worth again.

Finding Your Happiness in Sobriety 

Are you ready to experience the lasting happiness and healthy sense of well-being that comes with sobriety? The holistic therapies at Complete Harmony can show you the way to a more meaningful and satisfying life. Begin the journey today by calling 866-930-4673.

Are You Getting the Depression Treatment You Need?

A new study of 46,417 adults, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine this week, found that the majority of people with clinical depression aren’t getting treatment. In fact, among the 8.4 percent of study participants who screened positive for depression, only 28.7 percent received any depression treatment at all. 

Researchers also discovered that many people getting treatment may not even need it: Only 29.9% of adults treated for depression actually screened positive for depression and 21.8% for serious psychological distress.

So what’s the solution? Researchers are urging general practitioners to be more vigilant about identifying symptoms of depression and referring patients to mental healthcare providers. 

Spotting the Signs of Depression
You can also play a vital role in protecting your mental health. Recognizing depression early and taking action is the best way to minimize the physical and emotional damage of depression. And it’s especially important if you’re struggling with depression and substance abuse disorder. 

Both, after all, still carry a stigma, which can prevent those who really need help from getting it. Studies also show that people with co-occurring disorders are less likely to comply with treatment, leading to more psychiatric hospitalizations, attempted suicides, and other complications. 

Here are some common depression symptoms to look for.

• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Insomnia
• Sleeping too much
• Changes in appetite or weight 
• Physical pain
• Memory problems
• Social withdrawal
• Unexplained sadness 
• Loss of interest in hobbies/activities

Getting Help for Depression and Addiction
For men and women struggling with mental illness and addictive tendencies, rehabilitation may seem like an impossible journey. Complete Harmony offers integrated therapeutic, holistic, and medical support for clients dealing with co-existing addiction and mental illness. Our experience with mental illness is broad and deep. For more info, call 866-930-4673.