Tidings and good cheer! The community at Aurora Recovery Centre wishes you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas! The holidays can be a challenging time for those in recovery. Take it one day at a time and know that we are in your corner .
By Jeff Vircoe I am a man in long-term recovery. For me, that means that I have not found life to be too scary, too sad, or too difficult to handle that I needed to consume substances to get high for over 33 years. I am also a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. I … Remembrance and Recovery; Calamity, chaos, and comradery; How a veteran in recovery sees Remembrance Day
It needs to be a day unlike any other day. When the calendar flips over to Thursday, September 30, minds and hearts around the country are pausing in reflection, unable to avoid sad truths about Canada’s relationship with its past. It marks the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the date the government … National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
For a top-notch facility which prides itself on using the latest modalities and therapies when it comes to tackling addiction, you could say Aurora Recovery Centre is going old school for its latest partnership. Breathing. Well, more specifically, breath control. Already partnered with important recovery capital assets like Soberlink, an industry leader in remote alcohol … The Simple and Therapeutic Art of Breathing: Breath Control
Alumni Profile: Michael C. In the rooms of recovery, being unique is not usually seen as a good thing. There are little slogans all over the place to warn of the dangers of thinking too much of yourself, or “terminal uniqueness”. But, 20 years from now, when people in recovery get together in meetings or … Uniquely COVID: From Online To In-Person Recovery
For a man who is not a realtor, Earl Thiessen knows a lot about housing. “This one we bought in 2002. This one is ‘06. 1997 was Rocky View House. 1996 was Highland,” he says, scanning a spreadsheet. Some 28 houses are now in the fold across Alberta and there is more to come. But … Earl Theissen: Aurora and Oxford House Foundation = A Perfect Combination
The discovery of unmarked graves of children on the grounds of former residential schools have shaken a nation out of its COVID-induced survival mindset. While second vaccinations pierce the collective biceps of Canadians, vigils, orange shirts, and red dresses remind a shaken public there is much more to think about than a pandemic. Yet judging … Trauma, Addiction, and Healing
It can be incredibly frustrating to try and talk to someone about their addictive behaviours and the impact they are having on their life and relationships. Often, you’ll be met with defensiveness, manipulation and deflections. The first thing you need to know in order to make headway is that substance use disorder (SUD) is not … How To Talk To Someone With Addiction
Duke Rumely is chomping on a sizeable cigar, puffs of smoke drifting their lazy dance across his front porch. It’s a perfect Colorado spring evening, barely a breeze as he squints towards the face on his laptop. He’s talking hockey. He’s talking football. He’s talking baseball. He’s talking recovery. Sports and recovery – for so … Sober AF: Duke Rumely’s SAFE Brings Fun to Recovery
The voices come from all directions, often harsh. Mean. Misguided. Damaging. Suck it up, buttercup. Big boys don’t cry. Are you still hung up on that? One of the world’s preeminent voices in trauma therapy is fighting back against that messaging. “Why don’t we just leave it alone and get on with it?” asks Dr. … Dr. Johanna O’Flaherty: The Correlation Between Trauma and Addiction
Aurora’s candid interview on recovery from sex addiction with Suzie Le Brocq, PhD, MPhil, CCPCPR, CCS-AC, CSAT-S Let’s Talk About Sex. No, seriously. Let’s really talk about it. When Salt-N-Pepa released their Grammy-nominated soul/hip hop classic in 1991, they probably had no idea just how much their song would resonate with listeners. Bouncy, fun, risqué by … Recovery from Sex Addiction: Suzie Le Brocq at Aurora
As human beings, our first instinct when something is wrong is to look around our environment and see what’s causing it. We begin making environmental changes as a solution. A new partner, living situation, job, etc. Eventually it dawns on us that the common denominator in our problems is us. Oh my. What a potent … Woven Into The Fibre Of Your Being: Recovery Capital
Cam Adair connects with Aurora Recovery Centre for accredited training in gaming addiction treatment. It was everything. The focus of his life. Cam Adair’s thirst for video games was so strong, he quit high school over it. He lost his girlfriend over it. His dad would drop him off to work at an internet … Gaming Addiction Not Just a Young Person’s Disorder: Cam Adair And Aurora
SHE RECOVERS: Women Recovering Together International Women’s Day is about to command the media’s attention on March 8, and the co-founder of the largest women’s recovery foundation in the world is asked for her thoughts on the big day. “Well, every day is women’s day here, right?” says Dawn Nickel with a shrug and a … SHE RECOVERS: Women Recovering Together
It is Super Bowl Week in the United States. The media blitz is on. As a former center under the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Randy Grimes could talk your ear off about the schemes, the blocks, the patterns and likelihood of this play or that. He could explain how Brady and Gronk are … Randy Grimes: From Superbowl to Aurora
In recovery, each day is a new beginning. A new opportunity to bring presence and gratitude into your life. It’s important to take a moment as one year closes and a new year in recovery begins to reflect on our lives. Reflect on everything you have to be grateful for. Reflect on all the challenges … New Year In Recovery: Bringing Reflection and Presence
My recovery has been all about breaking the stigma of women in addiction. It was the spring of 1978. I had started becoming aware of, and thinking about, how my drinking was messing up my life. I was 28 years old with two children. One day, over an afternoon coffee, I confided my fears to … Breaking The Stigma of Women In Addiction
National Addictions Awareness Week is happening this week. It starts with personal awareness. As a man in long-term recovery, I have a fair bit of awareness of addiction and substance use disorders. Sometimes I wish I didn’t need to. For me, I began fighting my addiction at age 14. That was when I first realized … Addiction Awareness: It Starts With Personal Awareness
The National Addictions Awareness Week media campaign is glitzy. It’s all over Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. The organizers have posters, hashtags and a theme at the ready. They are explaining scientific terms and laying out the financial repercussions. The information is current and readily accessible. The academics get their fill of stats. But stats have no … National Addictions Awareness Week: What Is It?
Remembrance Day in Recovery: November 11. It’s a day unlike any other on the calendar, that’s for sure. I still go to the cenotaph every year. Being in recovery, the feelings are intense. Reflective. Sad. Melancholy. It’s not a rah-rah sort of day. My family has a long tradition of service. My father served on … Remembrance Day in Recovery: A Look Back
ARC Squad Volunteering at Assiniboine Park Conservancy for October Cleanup: On October 26, 2020, Aurora alumni and family members were fortunate to participate in a wonderful volunteer activity, a late-season cleanup of Assiniboine Park. The Conservancy’s Manager of Volunteer Resources, Shaun Leonoff, along with Associate Coordinator, Kayla Lang, helped us plan a productive and fun … ARC Squad Volunteering at Assiniboine Park
Another November 11 is upon us. The sombre sounds of pipes and drums. Cenotaphs. Poppies. For anyone in recovery, Remembrance Day is a day to pay attention, says Aurora’s clinical director, Anthony Cafik. For those still in uniform, and for those who once wore one, it is especially time to be aware of where your … Aurora Alumni Veterans in Remembrance
Aurora Recovery’s “ARC Squad” had an exceptional time at Siloam Mission on Saturday, January 5! Members, Alumni, and staff volunteered their time for a gratifying afternoon of service! The ARC Squad was split up into several groups and given assignments in Siloam Mission’s various departments, including; kitchen duties such as plating, cleaning & serving meals … ARC Squad helps at Siloam Mission
Sacred Fires bring peace during these times that have been extremely difficult to navigate. We as social beings struggle to maintain relationships with new imposed expectations of physical distancing for our continued health and those around us that we care about. Simple things like handshakes have come down to hiding behind a mask and not … Sacred Fires and Tobacco Ties
Wawatay came up in conversation during the Aurora Alumni Dinner. I heard a statement from one of our Addiction Specialists. He said, “We at Aurora, are the Northern Light. (Wawatay).” Ian Rabb then shared the story of the centre’s origins, recounting the inspiration for our name. The Inspiration For Aurora’s Name: Northern Lights, Wawatay “I … WAWATAY: Kevin’s Traditional Teachings
Kevin’s Traditional Teachings: Begin your journey in the spring, in the East. East is where all life begins and yellow best represents our first Teaching: Humility. Learn This Kind of Humility Every day, the beauty and power of creation are ignited in the East. Are you not humbled by the strength and brilliance of the … Traditional Teachings by Kevin: Humility
One of Britain’s largest charities, Macmillan Cancer Support, hosts an annual fundraising event in the UK in support of their efforts to provide specialist health care, information, and financial support to people affected by cancer. The charity encourages people to ‘Go Sober for October’ to help others while also helping themselves. We Were Inspired by … Go Sober for October Is A Great Idea
World Mental Health Day and Mental Illness Awareness Week Recognized by Aurora Recovery Centre. Mental Health Services in the Age of COVID-19 The increased rate of people needing access to mental health services in the age of COVID-19 is alarming. It only adds to the historical trends of mental illness in our country. Health providers … World Mental Health Day 2020
Orange Shirt Day at Aurora was sombre and emotional. September 30 saw Aurora shining a light on part of our country’s dark past. Spiritual Counsellor Kevin Koroscil delivered a moving presentation about Residential Schools in Canada and the intergenerational traumatic legacy that many Indigenous people still suffer. Aurora Staff Observed Orange T-Shirt Day With Specially-Made … Orange Shirt Day 2020 at ARC
Warm greetings matched the sunny skies when Aurora alumni gathered at the Centre in Gimli and set out to work on our Adopt a Highway clean up on September 19th. After a period of inactivity due to the COVID-19 situation, the ARC Squad volunteer spirit was on display along Highway 222. The Adopt A Highway … ARC Squad is Activated This Autumn
Recovery Dharma is among the spectrum of different recovery options Aurora Recovery Centre recognizes, and people choose to access these options depending on their temperament, personality, preferences and needs in the moment. When it comes to mutual support groups, there are many roads to recovery. Red Road to Wellbriety, Refuge Recovery and Dharma Recovery. Different … Recovery Dharma: Into Action
Fall Equinox: As the sun begins to sink lower in the sky and the night becomes chilly and dark, before we even notice the changing of colours with our eyes, our senses tell us that the energy of summer is coming to a close. The Exact Time of the Fall Equinox Varies by Time Zone … Fall Equinox Is A Meaningful Time of The Year
Healthy hobbies heal hearts: Lisa is the well-loved, creative, quirky and quick-witted receptionist at Aurora Recovery Centre. She has been with Aurora since February of 2017 and can be seen manning the desk on evenings and weekends. She is known for her sweater scarf collection, fashionable frames, legendary lipstick and signature “Hi! How are you?” … Healthy Hobbies Heal Hearts
Tune into Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 September 12 5:00 – 7:00 PM via their Facebook Page Presented by St. Raphael Wellness Centre and Aurora Recovery Centre, Recovery Day gives Winnipeg a chance to build awareness around addiction and mental health, challenge social stigma, celebrate recovery, and improves life for individuals, families, communities, and businesses. Recovery … Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 Festival Schedule
Tune into Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 September 12 5:00 – 7:00 PM via their Facebook Page Rusty Matyas has been an active member of the Canadian music scene for over 20 years. First, as a member/player/writer/producer with groups like the Waking Eyes, Imaginary Cities, the Weakerthans and the Sheepdogs, he more recently made the switch … Rusty Matyas to Speak at Recovery Day
Tune into Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 September 12 5:00 – 7:00 PM via their Facebook Page Rod Pedersen is a Best Selling Author, celebrated sports broadcaster and host of The Rod Pedersen Show, but few know that on January 27, 2015, Rod was the target of an intervention. His lifelong struggles with alcoholism and mental illness had … Rod Pedersen Speaking at Recovery Day
Tune into Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 September 12 5:00 – 7:00 PM via their Facebook Page Jon Ljungberg has been a professional comedian for over 30 years. He has performed from coast to coast including 38 states and across Canada including the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and The Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He has had the … Comedian Jon Ljungberg to Host Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020
Tune into Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 September 12 5:00 – 7:00 PM via their Facebook Page Fresh Wilson known professionally as Fresh IE, Canadian singer-songwriter, and producer. Wilson has produced over 22 albums and has written over 400 songs. Creating history in 2003, fresh was the first Canadian rapper to be nominated for a Grammy … Canadian Singer-Songwriter Fresh IE to perform for Recovery Day 2020
Tune into Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 September 12 5:00 – 7:00 PM via their Facebook Page There are entertainment legends, and then there is Tom Jackson, a triple-threat actor, musician, and activist whose achievements in each discipline are downright head-spinning. Jackson’s career is unparalleled, not to mention wildly acclaimed, abundantly decorated, and almost ridiculously interesting. … Tom Jackson to Headline Recovery Day 2020
St. Raphael Wellness Centre (SRWC) and Aurora Recovery Centre are hosting Recovery Day Winnipeg 2020 September 12 from 5 pm to 7 pm Due to the COVID pandemic, this year’s event is online via Facebook Live. Viewers can tune into the event through the Recovery Day website or Facebook page. Website: RecoveryDayWpg.com Facebook: facebook.com/RecoveryDayWpg Recovery … Recovery Day Winnipeg Helping To End Stigma of Addiction and Recovery
As we shift from summer to fall, we move from Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 straight into September, Addiction Awareness Month. No matter what the calendar says, overdose is as important this month as it was yesterday. Around the globe, in the middle of another deadly health crisis, moms, dads, sisters and brothers, sons … The Pain Of Overdose: Addiction Awareness Month
Overdose Awareness Day is Monday. It’s not just a topic for those with addicts in their lives. It is an issue that should concern us all. Across Canada, the numbers alone are staggering. In the West, B.C. had its single deadliest month of fatal overdoses in June, at 177 deaths. A total of 526 people … Overdose Awareness Day: Addiction Isn’t A Crime
Overdose Awareness Day at Aurora Do a search on social media for #InternationalOverdoseAwarenessDay, and you’ll be greeted with endless pages of beautiful smiles and expressive eyes. Those faces were somebody’s sons and daughters. They’re mothers, fathers, siblings, best friends, employees. For those who are memorialized on overdose Awareness Social Media pages, time may be frozen, … Overdose Awareness Day 2020: August 31
Courage: Coronavirus has thrown a wrench into the way our schools operate, and with school openings just ahead of us, there are a lot of unknowns. We at Aurora Recovery Centre would like to acknowledge the sector of our population that is going almost unnoticed as the unsung heroes of the COVID pandemic: our children. … The Incredible Courage of Families
Recovery Capital Conference Q&A Aurora is one of the sponsors of this year’s Recovery Capital Conference, to be held September 4, 2020. While in years past, the event has taken place at venues around the country, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year it will take the form of a virtual webinar. We wondered how … Recovery Capital Conference Q&A
Recovery Community: As we wrote in a previous post, the annual Recovery Capital Conference isn’t just for professionals. You don’t have to be in the treatment and recovery industry to get benefits from attending the Recovery Capital Conference. This personal viewpoint from Tina Lussier shows that education and inspiration can be a powerful experience for … Recovery Community at A Conference
The crisis of Covid-19 is not the only crisis facing our nation. Across the country, from Halifax to Victoria, overdoses are killing thousands of Canadians who were unable to break the cycle of addiction. The staff of Aurora Recovery Centre are doing their best to flatten that curve, too. Aurora Recovery Centre is one of … Recovery Capital: Evidence For Addiction Treatment
Recovery Capital Conference: Not Just For Professionals Our counsellors will be there. So will up-and-coming psychology students, media, and treatment centre staffers. Aurora will be there too, as sponsors. It is the annual Recovery Capital Conference set for September 4, 2020, from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Winnipeg time. Yes, COVID-19 or not, it is … Recovery Capital Conference: Not Just For Professionals
When Paul Melnuk, Aurora Recovery Centre’s owner talks about recovery-oriented systems of care (ROSC), he’s talking about it. When Aurora president Steve Low talks about a continuum of care, he’s talking about it, too. With the fourth annual Recovery Capital Conference only a short time away on September 4, 2020, the concept of recovery capital … What is Recovery Capital Anyway?
If A.A. could talk, it would wave a John Kelly flag and say “See? See?” But, since Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside matters, no president, no spokesperson, John Kelly gets no public recognition from the fellowship’s two million members. But he sure does from the many hundreds of addiction treatment centres splashed across … Dr. John Kelly: 12 Steps And Continuum Of Care
The Gimli recovery community has been graced with a significant addition, as a group of local recovering addicts has initiated a new meeting of Narcotics Anonymous. Narcotics Anonymous: The Only Requirement For Membership Is A Desire To Stop Using There is already a strong Alcoholics Anonymous presence in town, which has provided life-saving service and … Narcotics Anonymous Comes To Gimli
Addiction treatment works The first thing you need to know is that addiction treatment does work. If you have a loved one suffering from a substance use disorder, then your goal is to focus on getting them the help they need. Here are a few tips on how to convince someone to get addiction treatment. … How Do I Convince Someone To Get Addiction Treatment?
Addiction services and recovery in a time of physical distancing and COVID-19 Addiction services are considered among ‘essential health services’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. For that reason, our residential treatment centre remains open to treat our members, and we are accepting new members into the centre after they have been carefully screened for the Coronavirus. … Addiction Services During COVID-19
Self-care has never been more important than it is right now As we continue to social distance ourselves from others and stay indoors during the Coronavirus outbreak, it’s imperative that we pay attention to our self-care. This means we need to pay attention to ourselves and be kind to ourselves. Some people will look at … Self-Care During Coronavirus
Paul D Melnuk: Why We Do What We Do: The foundations of our world are being buffeted by the Coronavirus and our society is facing challenges that have not been experienced for generations. This too shall pass, but we have no idea when we will come out of it or how it will look on … Paul D Melnuk: Why We Do What We Do
Recovery During Self-Isolation: Self-isolation is the topic we are all talking about today, so we figured we would chime in on ‘life in self-isolation‘ with tips for people in recovery to help stay positive and on track. During this self-isolation period, we all need to do our part in order to help prevent the spread … Recovery During Self-Isolation
Screen Time Advice for Families – COVID-19: How much is too much when it comes to kids? COVID-19 and Coronavirus are top of mind for every Canadian right now. We are all feeling the stress of Coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease. We are worried about our loved ones, our health, and some of our financial … Screen Time Advice for Families – COVID-19
How Coronavirus can impact your addiction if you are still using Coronavirus, which can develop into COVID-19 affects the respiratory system. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Coronaviruses as a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. COVID-19 is a disease that is caused by the … How Coronavirus Can Impact Your Addiction
Humility is the First Principle of Recovery As a health care provider who has been in his own recovery for close to 45 years and professionally focused on Substance Use Disorders and trauma for the past 40 years, I’ve been privileged to have seen a lot of recovery as well as tragedy. What my experience … Humility: Principles of Recovery
Responsibility is the Second Principle of Recovery Once again, I have the privilege of sharing my experience and hope through your newsletter. As a legitimate elder (78, father and grandfather), if nothing else, I’ve survived a long time. Truth be told, much of my experience has been ‘the grace of God’, but I am proud … Principles of Recovery – Responsibility
Music for Recovery: “Rock and Roll is my Higher Power!” I shouted out during a recent group session at Aurora. We were gathered together listening to songs that members had selected; chosen for their recovery message, spiritual meaning or emotional release. Not to say that I hold Ozzy Osbourne up as a deity. Rather, I am … Music for Recovery: Healing Sounds Like This
Recommended Recovery Books: February was “I Love to Read” month! The theme for 2020 is “Books for a Better World’. In honour of I Love To Read Month, we will be shared books about recovery. Now that February is over, we’ve compiled all the books we shared throughout the month just for you! A better … Recommended Recovery Books
Fitness goal-setting in recovery: It’s the new year and for some, it’s the perfect time to set and re-set goals! As you grow in your recovery, setting and achieving fitness goals become part of your success story. SMART Goal setting is a popular and effective way to help ensure that you set and keep. Use S.M.A.R.T. … Fitness Goal Setting in Recovery
Purpose is the 4th Principle of Recovery Hello again Alumni and all other interested souls. I’ve been writing about the Four Principles, or if you prefer, the Four Pillars of Recovery and today, I’ll be focusing on the Fourth Principle, PURPOSE. For those of you reading this for the first time, the first three principles … Purpose: Principles of Recovery
What is an intervention? An intervention is the combination of education and support with the goal of getting a loved one to take the first step of getting treatment for their disease. It is a way for family and friends to essentially ‘hold up a mirror’ to show their loved one’s behaviour so they can … What Is An Intervention and Does It Work?
Cost of addiction in the workplace: Due to lost productivity the cost of addiction in the workplace is $15.7 billion according to the latest data available from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. That is over 40% of the overall costs to the Canadian economy. Addiction costs the Canadian economy nearly $40 billion … Cost of Addiction In The Workplace
Are you concerned about how to finance private addiction treatment? At Aurora Recovery Centre (ARC), we understand the cost to finance private addiction treatment can be overwhelming, but there are several financing options available for all of ARC’s programs. Look at the list of options below, and feel free to call us if you have … How To Finance Private Addiction Treatment
Substance use disorder? Do I have one? If you’ve asked yourself this, we have created this short questionnaire to help you evaluate and reflect on your own relationship with alcohol and/or drugs. It is by no means equivalent to a medical diagnosis. Ask Yourself The Following Questions To Learn If You Have A Substance Use … Do I Have A Substance Use Disorder?
Living with depression is a common, but serious mood disorder. According to the World Health Organization, 350 million people worldwide live with depression. That’s equivalent to 5% of the world’s population. It affects every person differently, and for that reason, it is a difficult mental illness to treat. Depression has many clinical forms including persistent … Are you living with depression?
Advice for staying sober during the holidays: For many people who are in Recovery, staying sane and sober during the holiday season can be challenging. It’s a time of higher stress and many risks. Financial stress, external triggers everywhere, family dynamics and traditions and unrealistic expectations that are placed upon us or self-imposed. The good … Advice for Staying Sober During the Holidays
First Step To Getting Addiction Treatment: To overcome the stigma surrounding addiction, we need to accept that it can happen to anyone. Addiction is a disease that consumes a person’s life, affecting their loved ones too. It is one of the most intense struggles to overcome. People with addictions and co-occurring mental health disorders need custom … First Step To Getting Addiction Treatment
Detoxing at home: The safest way to stop drinking is under the supervision of a trained professional at a licensed & registered rehabilitation/detox centre; however, depending on unique circumstances, not everyone can get themselves to these facilities for medical detox when they need help. Therefore, providing in-home assistance to individuals dealing with alcohol addictions is … Detoxing at Home: Five Safety Tips
Steps to peacefulness: freedom, liberation, serenity. States of mind, ways of being, modes of existence. Are we up to the challenge of embracing and living spiritual principles, one day at a time? Steps to Peacefulness: The ‘Aha’ Moment Last month I was inspired to share my own lived experience with accepting I am a spiritual … Steps to Peacefulness: Recovery Dharma Part II
Supporting My Partner in Their Recovery: Family relationships can be a powerful support for someone working through addiction recovery. There is a concept known as The Social Connection Theory of Addiction, which suggests that strong relationships and human connection are key to helping someone overcome addictive behaviour. If your significant other is struggling with drug … Supporting My Partner in Their Recovery
Does Depression actually hurt? It can be described through a lot of physical illustrations. Feelings of being weighed down, broken hearted, being punched all over, and more are ways people paint the portrait of depression. Are these manifestations or drama? The painful sensations experienced by people suffering from depression are not fictitious. Depression causes physical pain. Mental … Does Depression Actually Hurt?
Withdrawal from drugs and alcohol can be long-lasting. It may take weeks for regular functions to start normalizing. Sleep is one of the most important factors for a healthy recovery. Unfortunately, sleep is one of the most heavily influenced functions. Getting a restful good night’s sleep can be a challenge in early recovery. Chills, sweats, spasms, nightmares, … Methods for Sleep in Recovery
PTSD treatment for military, first responders and veterans Aurora Recovery Centre assists veterans, military, first responders, and people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addictions with personalized, evidence-based treatment plans in our residential center and outpatient office. Our residential programs include 24-7 medical detox, individual and group therapy, ARC Fit, and adjunctive therapies … Military, First Responders, Veterans, and PTSD
Serotonin And Other Tips For Abstinence: Nobody wants to be addicted to a harmful substance. Drug and alcohol abuse is not only detrimental to your physical health but also for your mental health. Unfortunately, so many individuals that suffer from addiction relapse after their first few attempts at quitting, because the temptations and urges are … Serotonin And Other Tips For Abstinence
Mental health in the workplace can be affected by a number of things. By the time you read this entire article 50 workers will have called into work due to mental health issues. What we must remember is that mental illness is as real as other physical issues such as cancer and heart disease. There … Mental Health in the Workplace
Earlier this month we explained five miraculous ways you’re going to change in recovery. If you’re still wondering why you should choose to recovery from drugs and alcohol, here are five more reasons. The list is endless. Ways You’re Going To Change in Recovery You’re going to be empowered Empowerment means to “make (someone) stronger and more … Five Amazing Ways You’re Going to Change in Recovery
Mental health disabilities among Canadians include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, anorexia, and substance use disorder which dramatically affects their quality of life. According to the 2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (GSS), 10 percent of people living with mental health disabilities reported having been a victim of violence that year. Mental illness can develop … Mental Health Disabilities & Risk of Violence
From 2017 to 2018, more than 400 Canadians were hospitalized every day due to harm from substance abuse, according to a recent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The report states that 155,000 people were admitted over the year due to substance abuse. Out of those Canadians, about 40 percent of them … CIHI Report: 155,000 Canadians Hospitalized For Addictions and Mental Health Conditions
Talking to Your Kids about Marijuana: Even though your children say, “it’s just weed” there is evidence that proves it causes harm. In fact, one out of every six teens who use marijuana will develop a marijuana use disorder. Early and regular use in teens can affect the teen’s brain development. Research also has proved … Talking to Your Kids about Marijuana
Cocaine: since the 1980s, it has exploded as a popular recreational drug, but it’s been around for thousands of years. Despite being used over time as medicine, cola, wine, and other products, one fact remains the same. It is highly addictive and dangerous. Here are five things you didn’t know: Goes Back Thousands of Years … Cocaine: Five Things You Didn’t Know
Alcohol Abuse: Alcoholism doesn’t just appear and disappear. It develops over time. It usually involves a preexisting risk factor that makes someone more susceptible to developing it if they drink alcohol. Risk factors include: Prior history of behavioural or substance abuse Addiction of alcoholism in the family Social awkwardness Stress Neglect and/or abuse in childhood … How to Determine Alcohol Abuse
To overcome the stigma surrounding addiction, we need to accept that it can happen to anyone. Addiction is a disease that consumes a person’s life, affecting their loved ones too. It is one of the most intense struggles to overcome. So, how can it affect anyone? There are countless reasons why a person becomes an … Four Ways Addiction Can Happen to Anyone
Benefits of Outpatient Recovery Programs: Outpatient treatment programs like our Comprehensive Addiction Treatment (C.A.T) program allow members to attend structured treatment sessions and return to their own environments each week. Enhancing spiritual life, becoming educated on addiction, and learning skills to avoid relapse are only a few benefits of our CAT program. Through the group … Benefits of Outpatient Recovery Programs
Drugs that Dramatically Change Your Face: Substance use can cost you everything. Your job, money, home, friends, family and self. But, the most noticeable impact of addiction, is how it changes a person’s face. The tragic result of substance abuse ranges from decayed teeth, skin scabs, and more. These, along with other body changes, will … Five Drugs that Dramatically Change Your Face
How To Help Someone On Crystal Meth: Crystal meth (methamphetamine) is a highly addictive drug that speeds up parts of the brain and the body’s functions. People who use meth usually smoke or inject it to get high faster than if they snorted or swallowed it. A high from crystal meth can last over 10 … How To Help Someone On Crystal Meth
Addiction affects children as adults. Even though it may have been a long time ago; what you had to do, in order to survive growing up with a parent struggling with an addiction, could be affecting your ability to lead a full and rich life now. Addiction Affects Children Causing Emotional Withdrawal Parents who are … How Addiction Affects Children As Adults
Talking to your kids about addiction: young people are surrounded by alcohol and drugs through Social Media, their day-to-day activities and the entertainment industry. It’s hard to filter it out, that’s why many parents and caregivers worry about what their children’s teen years will bring. There are many things that can make your kids more … Talking to Your Kids About Addictions: Here Are Some Tips
Meditation for veterans and people with PTSD: New research proves regular meditation helped improve the wellbeing of military members (active and those who previously served). Based on spirituality, meditation affects a person’s wellness in a specific way. But, there are other health benefits attached to it as well. Some research says regular meditation increases the … Meditation for Veterans, People with PTSD
Spiritual bypassing: what do you think about when you hear the word ‘spirituality’? For some, they picture golden Buddhas, blooming gardens, blissful nature scenes, breathtaking temples, stunning sunsets and other relaxing images. Spiritual Bypassing: What It Is, Why It’s Harmful, And What to Do About It We tend to believe spirituality is linked to transcendence, … Spiritual Bypassing: What You Need To Know
Deadliest Drugs: Increasing crime rates overwhelmed health care systems, overdoses and death are still skyrocketing due to the opioid crisis. While the deaths are either typically linked to it, there are other drugs that can be as deadly. Some even legal. Alcohol Is Among Deadliest Drugs Despite being legal, alcohol can still be very dangerous. … Deadliest Drugs in Canada During Opioid Crisis
Signs that your loved one may need rehab: At Aurora Recovery Centre, we understand that everyone is different. We have a different past, needs and goals. People with addictions and co-occurring mental health disorders need custom treatment plans to help them heal and connect with others to experience the gift of recovery for life. However, … Signs That Your Loved One May Need Rehab
Healthy Eating Tips: The phrase, “healthy eating” may be unappetizing to some, because the thought of plain dishes come to mind, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Whole foods can be a blank canvas for trying out new flavours and textures while maintaining a balanced diet. Small tweaks to your food routine can … Five Healthy Eating Tips to Cut Out Boring Meals
Overcoming anxiety in recovery: Dealing with any type of anxiety can be challenging, but it’s more so if you’re in recovery. It affects people physically, emotionally, and mentally. Some people experience a feeling of being paralyzed by it with stiff shoulders, headaches and a constant feeling of being dead. When people are in early recovery, … Overcoming Anxiety in Recovery
Behavioural Therapy: In the 1970s, an explosion of different approaches to traditional psychotherapy began. By the end of the decade, about 200 different types of therapy. As of 2010, that number has skyrocketed to be about 500 types, one being cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)? Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an intensive, … Behavioural Therapy: Skills You Learn
Critical Life Changes To Improve Your Health: People often think that eating clean and exercising regularly is enough to maintain good health. But it’s not that simple. In fact, good health is incredibly complex. There are many small daily habits you may need to change to live a longer, focused and fulfilling life. These six … Critical Life Changes To Improve Your Health
In the early stages of recovery, you might be facing your stresses directly for the first time. Which, could tempt you to retreat to old, unhealthy habits. Many people in recovery use a journal to process their feelings because writing things down allows you to process your feelings. As a result, people often find that … Journal For Sobriety: How To Start
Is Addiction A Choice or Disease? The stigma of addiction is directly linked to the perception of people who have substance use disorders. Often people with addictions are labelled as weak, immoral, just want to have a good time, or don’t care. However, saying that addiction is any of these things is harmful and damaging. … Is Addiction A Choice or Disease?
How Alcohol Affects Memory: Drinking alone dulls someone’s recollection significantly, but traumatic situations will always leave a lasting imprint no matter the level of intoxication. How Alcohol Affects Memory: The Stages of Alcohol The effects of alcohol start after just one drink. Your motor functions slow down, you become more social, emotional and sometimes impulsive. Once you … How Alcohol Affects Memory: You May Be Surprised
Recovery Language: The Impact of our Words. In any given year, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction problem. Yet, the stigma for these people, their friends, and family still loom over their everyday lives. In a 2008 survey, only 50 percent of Canadians would tell their friends or co-workers they have … Recovery Language: The Impact of our Words
Singing Improves Your Mind: You don’t need to sing on key to feel the benefits of singing. Research suggests that singing with someone or in a group bonds people together. Studies also say that singing alone is good for your brain too. Whether you’re in the car, a professional or singing in a choir/group, singing … Singing Improves Your Mind and Relationships
Discomfort in Recovery: Whoever you thought you were during your addiction was a lie. The real, true you is deep within yourself, buried underneath the lies you built over time. At the beginning of recovery, especially without finding a spiritual compass, things may seem bland. This may make you bland, but eventually the colours of your … Discomfort in Recovery: Getting Comfortable With It
Sleeping Better in Recovery: Sleep is vital to your life in recovery, especially while you are overcoming the habitual intake of substances. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 33 percent of people have trouble sleeping and those who are in recovery are five times more likely to suffer from insomnia than the general population. Even though … Sleeping Better in Recovery
Opioid Crisis: What to Know and How to Prevent Overdose: In less than two years, more than 9,000 Canadians lost their lives because of opioids. To date, opioid overdose remains to be the leading cause of death for people who inject drugs. But since last year, some clinics began helping prevent opioid overdoses with a take-home program … Opioid Crisis: How to Prevent Overdose
Grounding Techniques That Reduce Stress: It’s not a new strategy, but it’s effective. Grounding helps immediately calm us when in a panic, having a panic attack, feeling triggered, having cravings, or are super upset about something. It allows us to reconnect ourselves to the present moment, reduces the risk of going into a dissociative state/having a flashback, … Grounding Techniques That Reduce Stress
Eat Healthy for Under $65 a Week: Many people’s bank accounts are running low on funds from the holiday season, even though they are jumping right into their New Year’s resolutions. For many people, this year, they hope to save money and eat healthy for their resolutions. But, according to a new study by Dalhousie University … Eat Healthy for Under $65 a Week
Beat the Winter Blues: Yes, New Year’s resolutions may be exciting, but they can also be overwhelming for some. Many people overthink their resolutions resulting in failing to reach their goals due to stress and anxiety. There are several items to consider when overcoming the anxiety of not meeting your goals. For one, it’s a … Beat the Winter Blues: Four Tips
Opioids: Everything You Need to Know. It is easy to see why the opioid epidemic is often found in the news headlines. More than a thousand people suffered from opioid-related deaths in Canada in just the first 3 months of 2018. In 2017, 11 lives were lost on average per day (per 100,000 people) due to opioid … Opioids: Everything You Need to Know
Holiday Mocktails for a Sober Holiday Party: One of the best ways to stay sober during the holiday season is to be proactive with planning sober parties and activities. If it’s too tempting to spend time around family and friends who will be drinking, you might need to schedule other social events that fit your … Holiday Mocktails for a Sober Holiday Party
New Holiday Traditions: What are your favourite holiday traditions that have been carried through the years? Traditions are an important part of family culture and the holiday season. Some traditions bring back fond memories of loved ones or of getting new pyjamas on Christmas Eve, reading stories by the fire, or making mom’s famous fudge. … New Holiday Traditions: It’s A Good Time To Start
Anyone suffering from addiction knows that a key component of this struggle is the need to feed the cravings or “scratch the itch.” Compulsion is a factor that drives the behaviour, making it easy to justify just one more fix. In the beginning, the use of an addictive substance isn’t driven by compulsion. But, the … Compulsion: Addiction’s Right-Hand Man
Staying Sober During the Holidays: ‘Tis the season for celebrating and spreading cheer. But you might feel nervous about the holiday season if you are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. This time of year can trigger the addiction and make it harder than ever to maintain sobriety. As your calendar fills with holiday … Staying Sober During the Holidays
How to Journal Effectively: Journaling can be an important tool to help someone on the road to recovery. Often, a recovering addict needs to apply self-help resources to achieve the growth and healing that is necessary to overcome the addictive behaviours. Looking inward and identifying the patterns and thoughts can be a powerful way to … How to Journal Effectively
Dangers Of Binge Drinking: Drinking alcohol is a way that many people have fun and let loose on the weekends, but getting drunk can actually induce a domino effect of negative effects on your overall health and wellness. Too often, young people head out for a night with friends with the goal of getting drunk … Dangers Of Binge Drinking
People of all ages use cannabis, with the prevalence of the substance only increasing in Canada since it’s been legalized. Young people have always turned to marijuana for a variety of reasons: peer pressure, curiosity, anxiety, depression, and more. But now more than ever, cannabis and other substances are more accessible to youth. In some … Cannabis: How To Talk About It With Kids
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” This quote is often used as a motivation for people in personal development and goal setting conversations. While this overused cliché is not a clinical definition of real mental health problems, it does provide a valuable lesson that … Goal Setting: How To Be Effective for Recovery
Mindfulness Tips For Beginners: Mindfulness can be very helpful in avoiding relapse. Two key elements in addiction recovery and maintaining sobriety are found in a person’s ability to manage stress and personal triggers. It’s impossible to avoid stress and triggers altogether. But, the practice of mindfulness can be helpful to handle the emotions and avoid relapse. … Mindfulness Tips for Beginners
Russell Brand Videos You Need To See: Russell Brand is a celebrity who broke through the chains of addiction and is using his journey to help others. He’s lived in the spotlight for years. Using Social Media To Share His Message During this time, the public has watched his transformation from addict to author and … Russell Brand Videos You Need To See
Recovery Books For Winter Reading: Winter is the perfect time of year to curl up with your favourite recovery books and relax. If you or a family member is struggling with addiction, it might be a good idea to pick up a few books on the topic. Here are the top seven recovery books that … Recovery Books For Winter Reading
Health and Wellness Tips for Colder Weather: Fall is in the air, which means that the weather is cooling down and many people are bundling up for the upcoming snowy weather. While it feels cozy to snuggle up in front of the warm fire, don’t let the cold weather stop the progress that you’ve made … Health and Wellness Tips for Colder Weather
Party Sober at Halloween: The excitement for Halloween is building as people are putting the finishing touches on their costumes and coordinating parties for the big night. While it is a wholesome holiday for kids to enjoy trick-or-treating, holiday gatherings can be a challenge for adults who are working to maintain sobriety. Unfortunately for those … Party Sober at Halloween: Here’s How
As the weather cools down and the seasons change, Seasonal Affective Disorder is one topic that needs to be discussed among the general population. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than a feeling of being down in the dumps. What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? The cold, winter weather and shorter days limit the warmth … Seasonal Affective Disorder
The Importance of community support in Recovery: When a person is trapped in the cycle of addiction, it can feel impossible to find another path without reaching for outside help. Addiction can cloud the individual’s judgment and make it difficult to see possibilities for the future. At the same time, the same daily patterns and … Community Support in Recovery
A question we get all the time is: Is the cost of drug addiction treatment worth it? Most private treatment centres charge between ten and twenty thousand dollars for a month-long treatment period. It is, without a doubt, a large investment. However, it’s crucial to look beyond the dollar amount at face value and consider … Cost of Treatment vs Active Addiction
Forgiving yourself in recovery: Forgiveness is one of the most important—and hardest—steps of the recovery process. Not only does an addict need to work through forgiveness to repair relationships with other people, but they also need to learn to forgive themselves. A common mistake as a person in recovery is to hold yourself to strict … Forgiving Yourself in Recovery
Addiction Treatment Program: Getting In: Drug or alcohol addiction has a certain way of worsening with time, which is why it is better to seek treatment sooner than later. If you or someone you love needs help overcoming an addiction, finding the right treatment option should be your highest priority. Finding the Best Addiction Treatment … Addiction Treatment Program: Getting In
Marijuana and its Effects on Mental Health: With all of the recent conversation about the legalization of marijuana in Canada, it is important for families to understand the potential side effects of marijuana usage. Even though this substance is widely used, there is growing concern about the health risks that are associated with cannabis. How … Marijuana and its Effects on Mental Health
Gender Specific Group Therapy: Addiction is a problem that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, races, genders, and more. But, even though two people are facing addiction to the same substance, it doesn’t mean that the treatment program should be implemented in the same way. There are inherent differences in the way people fall into … Group Therapy: Why Gender Specific?
Celebrity Overdose: Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry have been tied to substance abuse, including the untimely death of famous celebrities over the years: Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Whitney Houston, just to name a few. Even recently, stories have come out about the drug-related death of Mac Miller and the dynamic … Celebrity Overdose: Learning From Them
Addiction Treatment for Military Personnel: Soldiers put their lives on the line to protect our country and maintain peace, making them heroes that deserve our thanks and recognition. It’s so ingrained in our society that it’s encompassed in one familiar scene: a soldier returning from home, celebrating the freedom they defended. While the soldier is … Addiction Treatment for Military Personnel
Can Cannabis Help Anxiety? Anxiety can be a debilitating condition that interrupts a person’s daily responsibilities. In some cases, the anxiety can reach the point where it conflicts with a person’s relationships, work duties, school assignments, and more. So, it is easy to understand why a person suffering from anxiety would turn to any solution … Can Cannabis Help Anxiety?
Binge Drinking: Sharing a social drink or two with friends can seem like a harmless activity. But, when does social drinking turn into dangerous binge drinking? It can be hard for people to set boundaries with alcohol when they are caught up in fun and excitement with friends. But, it is important to be aware … Binge Drinking: Effects On Health
Wellness: Addiction recovery is more than just changing a few behaviours to overcome bad habits. Once a person has fallen into addiction, it takes a full, holistic approach to help them recover their health in all aspects of life: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Rather than focusing on just ceasing the unhealthy behaviour, it is … Wellness: Five Changes to Your Routine
Protecting Your Mental Health: There are numerous debates about whether mental health concerns lead to addiction, or if addictive behaviour increases the risk of mental health problems. What is most common is a dual diagnosis, which means that a person is diagnosed with both a substance use disorder as well as a mental health problem. … Protecting Your Mental Health
How to Know if Your Loved One Has a Drinking Problem: There is a fine line between social drinking and alcohol addiction or dependency, and it can be hard to tell where your loved one falls on the scale. Alcoholism can wear many masks, making it a challenge for family and friends to identify when … How to Know if Your Loved One Has a Drinking Problem
It’s entirely natural that someone would do anything they can to help a family member or close friend struggling with addiction. Many people have an empathetic desire to assist a loved one who is struggling, but all too often, this desire leads to enabling behaviour that causes more harm to the addict in the long … Are You Enabling Your Loved One’s Addiction?
High levels of stress, emotions, and overwhelming thoughts can drive a person to turn to self-harm as a coping mechanism. It may help them to feel like they are in control of a difficult situation. Although self-harm may be difficult to understand when one has not experienced it, there are many people who suffer from … Self-Harm: Feeling Better Without It
Is Addiction a Disease? In the same way, addiction can be driven by the environment and a person’s choices, with the undeniable fact that biological factors can contribute to the development of an addiction. Most industry professionals will agree that addiction runs in families, which means that genetics seem to play a role in the … Is Addiction a Disease, Really?
Sobriety in Summer: Summer is a time when people take breaks from school and work to enjoy the sunshine and spend time with family and friends. When the skies are blue, and the temperatures are warm, it seems like the perfect opportunity to relax by the pool with a cold drink in hand. Socialization is … Sobriety During Summer
Nutrition in Recovery is Important: In the treatment of any disease, the role of holistic recovery should not be overlooked. Too often, it is easy for people in recovery to get caught up in the individual treatment of various symptoms or problems. As a result, many medications and different therapies are used, but general habits … Nutrition in Recovery is Important
How to Talk About Addiction: As a parent, one of the most painful things you can witness is your child making poor life choices. You nurtured this person from the time they were born, but you probably feel helpless to see them as an adult on a path of self-destruction. Is it your place to … How to Talk About Addiction: Adult Child
Video Game Addiction: Video games have been a fun source of entertainment since the 1970s, with amazing advances in graphics and features that have been developed over the years. The video games that are played today are far more complex compared to the simplistic designs that were introduced in the early years. Now that these … Video Game Addiction Classified as a Disorder
Every person overcoming an addiction needs to understand how triggers can impact the long-term success of their recovery. In fact, understanding your triggers might be the most important thing to know so that you can identify the factors that could pull you back into the addiction again. Triggers are unique to each person, which is … What Are Triggers In Recovery?
Marijuana Use Disorder: Pot legalization in Canada has been a hot topic in the news lately, with many headlines highlighting the debated legislation that affects marijuana usage. 46 amendments are proposed for The Cannabis Act, with the Senate and House of Commons trying to find a middle ground. On Wednesday, most of these amendments were accepted, … Marijuana Use Disorder: Is It Real?
Is There Such a Thing as Spending Too Much Time Online? Social Media Mental Health Effects: Over the past decade, social networking has transformed the world. Although social media use is a relatively new phenomenon, early research studies are showing that it has already been evoking changes in basic aspects of human behaviour. As a … Social Media: Mental Health Effects
Do I Need Medically Supervised Detox? Medically Supervised Detox Is Important. Most addicts find it difficult to overcome the initial withdrawal symptoms that occur at the beginning of a recovery program. Not only is it a challenge to beat the addictive behaviour, but unsupervised detox can be dangerous in some situations. Medically supervised detox isn’t … Medically Supervised Detox
Twelve Step programs have been foundational in the addiction recovery industry since they originated in the 1930s. At first, the programs were used to help people overcome alcohol addiction. But, since their inception, Twelve-step philosophies have evolved and expanded to address other types of addiction and mental health disorders as well. The Original Twelve Steps … Twelve Step Programs Explained
Treatment For Mental Illness: When someone is coming down with the flu, there’s no question that it is time to visit a doctor for treatment. It’s an accepted, obvious practice to seek medical treatments for physical problems. But there is still a stigma about the idea of seeking treatment for mental illness. A new Canadian … Treatment For Mental Illness Important
Youth Addiction: Current research about what goes on in the brain of an addict indicates that with addiction comes a change in the wiring of the brain. Simply put, the addict loses control. When this happens, all the addict is concerned about is feeding the addiction. At this point, the question isn’t, ‘Whose fault is … Youth Addiction: It’s Not Your Fault
Benefits of Group Therapy in Recovery: It has been found that the opposite of addiction is connection. For this reason, many recovery therapists build treatment solutions that help recovering patients connect with other people. As these meaningful relationships are developed, the addict builds a foundation for a new, sober lifestyle. This is why group therapy has … Benefits of Group Therapy in Recovery
Dangerous Substances: Alcohol According to Health Canada, roughly 80% of Canadians drink alcohol regularly. The social acceptability of alcohol makes it one of the most dangerous substances to become dependent on and a difficult one to abstain from. Often times, people use alcohol to cope with other mental or physical disorders. It is also a … Dangerous Substances and Their Effects
Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety Mental health disorders such as anxiety affect us all at different points in our lives. Typically, we feel anxious when we are faced with something stressful or frightening like a first date or a public speech. These feelings are normal. Anxiety commonly manifests itself in physical symptoms such as chest pain, … Mental Health Disorders
Gambling is A Process Addiction Compulsive gambling or gambling addiction is an impulse disorder. A person with the process addiction of gambling may be aware of the consequences of their actions, but continue to gamble anyway. Gambling can be further categorized as a compulsive or pathological disorder. Are You Dealing With a Gambling Addiction? Gambling … Process Addiction Explained
Mental Health Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way because of your mental illness. Discrimination is when someone treats you in a negative way because of your mental illness. Social stigma and discrimination can make mental health problems worse and stop a person from getting the help they need Mental Health Stigma surrounds qualities that are shamed in our … Mental Health Stigma Causes Harm
Eating For Recovery and Overall Health: Addiction takes a very serious toll on your body and commonly leads to malnourishment. For this reason, in active recovery, it is imperative to pay extra attention to how one fuels and heals their body. Alcohol Addiction People addicted to alcohol drink thousands of empty calories in wine, beer … Eating For Recovery and Overall Health
EMDR Treatment (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. EMDR shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. Once the psychological block is removed, healing resumes. … EMDR Treatment: How It Works
Meditate for relaxation and to think deeply. There are many definitions of meditation and many purposes for meditation. When I first started to learn meditation, one of my meditation teachers said that it was important to ask oneself why one is meditating. What is meditation for? Most people are inclined to say they want to meditate … How To Meditate Effectively
Enabler: one that enables another to achieve an end; especially: one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behaviour (such as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behaviour. – Merriam Webster Dictionary Enablers often perceive themselves as rescuers. Anyone can be an enabler, including an addict’s parents, siblings, … Enabler Does Not Mean Rescuer
What You Need to Know About Methamphetamine The number of deaths by methamphetamine overdose has more than doubled since the crisis hit. With the lethal drug usage increasing drastically in Manitoba, it’s important to stay informed. Amphetamines Methamphetamine, which affects a user’s central nervous system, is a type of stimulant called an amphetamine. Amphetamines are … Methamphetamine: A Canadian Crisis
According to Health Canada, roughly 80% of Canadians drink alcohol regularly. The social acceptability of alcohol makes it a dangerous substance to become dependent on and a difficult one to abstain from. It’s not always easy to differentiate casual drinking from problem drinking, but here are some tips to help you determine where you stand … Drinking Problem Or Social Drinker?
Right on for my friend Ron. Recently, I was reminded of a friend who helped me very much in early recovery. His name is Ron, but we all know him as ‘Right On Ron’. He encouraged me and many people like me to take steps forward in early sobriety. As we shared our small victories and … Right On Ron: Encouragement
Life After Rehab: Step 1: Leave the rehab facility Step 2: Face the beautiful uncertainty Step 3: Enjoy it When I left Aurora in October of last year, I felt overwhelmed. The farther I travelled from Aurora, the more the tightness in my body increased. I tried to pretend that it was OK. I thought pretending would keep … Life After Rehab: It’s Going to Be OK
How to Save Someone Who Overdoses: When someone you love overdoses, anxieties run high. Overdoses are characterized by unconsciousness, pale/blue skin, pinpoint pupils, slow pulse and difficulty breathing. Use These Simple Steps To Save Someone Who Overdoses Step one: Can you wake them? Try shouting their name, or using a sternal rub (running your knuckles … How to Save Someone Who Overdoses
Lifelong Recovery: Here we are, in a moment of apparent weakness. We’ve exhausted ourselves and everyone we love with our addiction again. We finally realize this can’t continue, and yet we can’t stop ourselves. As it turns out, that moment of weakness is strength. The strength to recognize we need help and can’t do it … Lifelong Recovery After Treatment
Medical Marijuana And Addiction Treatment: Marijuana maintenance is the name given to those who want to get sober from their primary drugs of choice like heroin, cocaine, or alcohol (among others) but continue using marijuana- for either recreational or medicinal purposes. In conservative twelve-step thinking, which promotes complete and total abstinence, the idea of using … Medical Marijuana And Addiction Treatment
Transitioning From Residential Treatment To Life: Long term treatment is being proven to be the preferred form of treatment for people with substance use disorders in recovery. The 28-30 day model was created out of convenience for military programs and insurance companies. For many years the treatment model had very little to do with science. … Transitioning From Residential Treatment To Life
Intervention Services: When Is The Right Time? For many drinkers and drug addicts, there is a specific moment of clarity between the layering fog of substance-induced haze. That moment finds them asking themselves a very important question: Do I have a problem? Most often, as soon as a loved one begins questioning if they might … Intervention Services: When Is The Right Time?
Alcohol abuse causes long term and short term effects which range from mild to moderate to severe. Each year thousands of death and injury resulting from alcohol abuse. If you or a loved one are concerned the effects of alcohol abuse might be taking over your quality of life, read on and call Aurora Recovery … What Are The Effects Of Alcohol Abuse?
What is success? By definition, success is “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Is it possible for an addict to be successful? According to the dictionary definition, yes. High functioning addicts are rare but not extinct. Many pursue their addictions long past their expiration simply because their lives seemed successful. When we meet the … Addict and The Myth Of Their Success
Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse: Though opioid addiction is mostly in the spotlight, the drug of the seventies and eighties, cocaine is still a problem for millions of people. Unwilling To Talk About The Problem Every proposition to open a dialogue about their suspected cocaine abuse is met with defensiveness. They do not want to talk … Symptoms of Cocaine Abuse
How To Choose A Treatment Centre: Making the decision to seek treatment is equally a long time coming while also urgent and immediate. Before choosing a treatment center, be aware of these important factors. Speak To Your Physician If you are unsure as to whether you need treatment or not, a physician or family doctor … How To Choose A Treatment Centre
Sober Living Homes: For many areas around the world, “sober livings” are becoming an invasive weed in the pristine flower gardens of suburbia. At least, that’s how many neighbourhood homeowners would describe it. Growing numbers of recovery centers are at maximum capacity trying to accommodate the millions worldwide in need of addiction treatment and aftercare. … Sober Living Homes Not Always Welcome
Marijuana is one of the most widely used illicit substances on the planet. Legalization and medicalization movements have brought under fire one pressing question when it comes to marijuana use: is it addictive? Many argue that marijuana is not addictive, because the chemicals in the cannabinoid make up are not addiction-forming. However, many others argue that marijuana … Is Marijuana Addictive? For Real?
Sober Living Housing For Lifelong Recovery: Creating a stable living environment that is free of drugs and alcohol is critical for someone in recovery. If you want to maintain a sober lifestyle, then it is essential to avoid potential temptations and triggers that come up when you are spending time with people who are using … Sober Living Housing For Lifelong Recovery
Spiritual Experience in Recovery: Spirituality is defined as “the quality or state of being concerned with religion or religious matters; the quality or state of being spiritual” Although the definition of spirituality mentions religion, today spirituality is seen more as an alternative to religion. Free from ancient dogmatic beliefs, spirituality is more open to the interpretation … Spiritual Experience in Recovery
Benefits of Recovery: The prospect of leaving drugs, alcohol, and other addictive behaviours behind is usually met with two sullen questions: “How?” and “Why?” Answering ‘how’ is part of an ongoing learning process, with new lessons discovered daily. “Why” is the journey. Benefits of Recovery: You’re Going To Stop Obsessing Over Drugs And Alcohol Part … Benefits Of Recovery: Here Are Five
Codependent is a term birthed out of necessity. Among spouses and family members of alcoholics and addicts there seemed to be a different kind of illness. The sickness of their loved ones was making the family members themselves sick. It wasn’t a flu or even depression, it was something else. Eventually their loved ones became sober … Codependent: Is This Me?
Alcohol Addiction Treatment: Is Alcohol Addiction Affecting You Or A Loved One? Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the world however it is not uncommon to work with people who are mixing it with other medications or substances. We now know that it may be a cover-up for other disorders. Abstinence from it alone … Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Recovery Planning: At Aurora Recovery Centre all members are assigned one primary counsellor that will work with them throughout their stay. Our flexible program structure is tailored to match each member’s needs with a unique person-centred recovery program. There is never a one size fits all option here. Our recovery planning program is flexible enough … Recovery Planning: Addiction
Nutritional Education: At Aurora Recovery Centre, our menus, snacks, and meals are designed especially for the recovering addict. A healthy body is fueled by good nutrition to heal and maintain good physical and mental health. Throughout active addiction, your body’s ability to maximize the nutrition it has received has been severely compromised and damaged over time. … Nutritional Education In Recovery
Life Skills Training At Aurora Recovery Centre: Our programs will provide everyone with the necessary tools to live the life they truly desire. You have used certain skills to exist in your active addiction, and you will need a new set of skills in your active recovery. Life Skills Training Begins With Learning from Past … Life Skills Training: Learning To Live Well
Spiritual Care & Mentoring: At Aurora Recovery Centre, we work with every member to help them discover their own spirituality. It is often said addiction is a disease that attacks the spirit but it also can destroy it. Through active addiction, people often forsake their previous spiritual beliefs and are no longer able to attend to … Spiritual Care & Mentoring
Fentanyl addiction is becoming more and more prevalent across Canada. There is a good deal of press regarding the use of the drug due to the number of overdoses. With fentanyl addiction, overdoses are frequent because of the potency of the drug itself which is a synthetic opiate more powerful than morphine. This is made … Fentanyl Addiction and Treatment
Cocaine Addiction: In order to sustain a high, cocaine is often used in a binge pattern by being taken repeatedly in increasingly larger doses over a short period of time. This inevitably results in cocaine addiction. Cocaine Addiction: What Is Cocaine? It is a highly addictive and short-acting stimulant. It is synthetically derived from the coca … Cocaine Addiction and Treatment
Sober living can provide a person in recovery with the opportunity to do whatever they desire to do with each day of their lives. A new way of life requires new attitudes, new behaviours, and recovery practices on a daily basis. Abstinence without recovery is a lonely place, full of fear, anger, and self-pity. Abstinence alone … Sober Living and Transitional Housing
Prescription Drug Addiction: Prescription medications are often prescribed to alter mood and treat various current psychological conditions. They can have a synergistic effect when mixed with other drugs and/or alcohol and can result in severe addiction and withdrawal when used differently than prescribed. Prescription drug addiction is one of the most poorly recognized types of … Prescription Drug Addiction and Treatment
Behavioural Disorders Treatment Anxiety Anxiety affects everyone at different points in their lives, typically when faced with something stressful, like a first date or a public speech. These feelings are absolutely normal. Anxiety can commonly manifest as many physical symptoms, like chest pain, headaches, and involuntary trembling. However, anxiety should not infringe on your ability … Behavioural Disorders Treatment
