Wish Recovery’s Blog Category

When a person has an addiction to drugs or alcohol, substances alter their brain functions. With continued substance use, one of the body’s most essential molecules gets depleted. The molecule is NAD+. Addiction recovery is not impossible but, it can be difficult. With the aid of NAD+ treatment, a relatively new holistic IV infusion that boosts natural amounts of NAD+, recovery is not only more of a possibility. It promises to make recovery more successful and sustainable.

Alcohol rehab is about more than stopping use—it’s about building coping skills, addressing co-occurring mental health concerns and connecting with ongoing support. Throughout this article you’ll see how Wisconsin’s licensed facilities integrate evidence-based treatment, medication-assisted approaches and community resources so you can move toward lasting recovery.

For decades, people thought that once the brain got damaged, it could not repair itself. However, scientists have found that the brain can regenerate neurons and form new connections in recent years. Researchers have also found out that if they can make old cells function better or produce new ones, they can slow down or even reverse many of the effects of aging on the brain.

The issue of substance abuse affects people from all walks of life. However, a new approach to treatment has emerged that recognizes the various factors that contribute to addiction. This holistic approach understands that drug addiction is not simply a biological problem but a complex issue involving social, cultural, spiritual, and developmental aspects. It acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all solution may not be effective for everyone and instead focuses on integrating the mind, body, and spirit connections to promote healing. Successful treatment programs pave the way for a brighter future by addressing the individual’s needs comprehensively and holistically. Recovery is about overcoming addiction and rediscovering a sense of wholeness.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who have bipolar disorder are twice as likely to struggle with substance use disorder (SUD). Bipolar disorder and substance use disorder intersect at many levels for various people. Since having bipolar can lead to or worsen SUD symptoms, many people view the two as related.

When a person has a diagnosis of substance use disorder with bipolar, they have co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis. Even though the term "dual diagnosis" is singular, people with co-occurring conditions must get integrated treatment for each illness for improved life quality.

Many people will tell you that recovery from drugs and alcohol begins with recognizing and accepting that your drinking or substance abuse is a problem. While it is an essential first step, authentic healing begins more profoundly with self-acceptance.

To accept oneself—flaws and all is what it means to be truly human. Many people who begin using drugs or develop problematic drinking behaviors do so from silent psychological prompts of low self-esteem and self-worth, which are directly linked to a lack of self-acceptance and self-love.

Here's something they don't mention during happy hour: hours—not months—separate reversible brain damage from a permanent condition that steals your ability to form new memories. It's called wet brain, and it happens to people who never thought they were "that kind of drinker."

You might have heard it mentioned in passing. Maybe you laughed it off as something that only happens to people on the street. But Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome isn't picky about zip codes or tax brackets. It shows up in boardrooms and studio apartments alike, and it doesn't wait until you "hit rock bottom" to begin its work.

The Six Stages of Change - popularized by the Transtheoretical Model developed in the late 70s—has become a measuring tool in behavioral health settings. It helps people embarking on intentional change. These self-changers use the stages to navigate through the process of addiction recovery.

Pain is difficult to handle because it is both something we want to avoid and something that can be useful. The experience of pain lets us know that we are injured or sick, which is valuable. However, even the mildest pain forms are unpleasant, so people often buy over-the-counter pain medications. These can help with everyday or occasional pain, but there are times when they are not enough. For example, store-bought medications might not effectively handle the pain after surgery or when dealing with cancer.

Good mental wellness is essential for a successful recovery from addiction; an important part is setting boundaries and avoiding toxic relationships. It is impossible to ignore our relationships’ effect on our mental health and well-being. People have different needs and ideas of what is acceptable in relationships, and it is essential only to be healthy and positive. This is especially important in addiction recovery, as it is necessary to protect yourself from the potential of relapse. Additionally, certain people, often members of our own family and social circle, can be toxic influences and actively impede our recovery process. Therefore, understanding how to set boundaries and protect yourself from unhealthy relationships is essential for maintaining mental wellness and sustaining a successful recovery. This blog will discuss why setting boundaries and avoiding toxic relationships is necessary for good mental health and addiction recovery.

Alcohol is a ubiquitous part of many cultures around the world. From champagne toasts at weddings to after-work happy hours, drinking is often seen as a social activity that brings people together. However, for some individuals, a drink is more than just a drink; it is a part of their cultural identity and can lead to alcoholism (severe alcohol use disorder).

According to the CDC, if you exclude traffic-related and intentional alcohol-related deaths, the total number of alcohol-related fatalities in the US in 2021 was more than 54,000. That's a staggering number, highlighting many people’s complicated relationship with alcohol. Cultural alcoholism and social drinking are two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, it can be a fun way to bond with friends and celebrate special occasions. On the other hand, it can quickly spiral into a dangerous addiction that wreaks havoc on both physical and mental health.

Are you struggling to support someone you love through addiction? In this eye-opening video, we explore why empathy is more effective than "tough love" when helping someone in recovery.

Millions of people worldwide are affected by addiction, a severe and complex disorder that can cause significant physical, emotional, and social problems. It's a challenging and daunting experience for individuals who face addiction, often struggling with shame and guilt. Addressing these emotions is crucial for successful recovery. Addiction is not a moral failure but a medical condition that requires compassionate and comprehensive care. Seeking help should never make individuals feel guilty or ashamed. In this blog post, we'll explore the impact of shame and guilt on addiction recovery and provide strategies for overcoming these emotions.

What if the voice telling you “you'll never change” isn't actually yours—and you can finally turn the volume down?

That internal critic has been running the show for too long. It whispers that you're broken, that recovery is temporary, that real transformation happens to other people—not you. But here's what that voice doesn't want you to know: your brain is literally designed to rewire itself. The same neuroplasticity that created destructive patterns can create healing ones. You're not stuck with the mindset that got you here.

To prevent relapse into addictive behavior, "burning bridges" is a skill that involves radical acceptance, determination, and action. To "burn one's bridges" is to cut off all links with anybody or anything that might trigger a relapse to the addicted drug or behavior. You effectively block that route out of your life by severing the tie that binds you to addictive behavior.

The repercussions of trauma can impede recovery from substance use disorder. If you are dealing with trauma and substance use issues, it can be challenging to resolve them effectively. It's important to know that trauma and substance use can work in tandem to exacerbate the effects of both conditions. Still, overcoming them and moving on towards authentic recovery by addressing both issues simultaneously is possible.

If there were any truth to the misconception, some people have, that all anyone must do if they genuinely want to stop drinking or using drugs is to say, “No,” “I’m done,” “That’s it. I quit,” then, there wouldn’t be nearly 35 million people in the U.S. today diagnosed with a substance use or alcohol use disorder.

During the challenging journey of recovering from addiction, it's common for people to seek support from non-traditional sources. These sources can provide unique benefits that can significantly impact the success of the recovery process. From holistic therapies and peer support groups to digital counseling platforms, these unconventional methods are increasingly recognized for their potential to supplement traditional therapeutic approaches.

Addressing the many aspects of addiction, they help individuals regain control over their lives, promoting resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth. This often leads to better treatment adherence, lower relapse rates, and a more comprehensive healing process that acknowledges the complexities of addiction. As a result, non-traditional sources of support are becoming an essential component of comprehensive treatment strategies, potentially revolutionizing the recovery landscape.

Many people believe that it’s OK to drink and drive because they are responsible people. But the truth is, getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol can have devastating consequences for those around you, as well as yourself. Drinking and driving can have severe impacts on not just your safety but also others—from minor injuries to severe injuries to fines to jail time to death. Too many people believe in the fallacy of immunity that it can’t happen to them. Even if you’ve never had an accident because of drunken driving, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t responsible for other people’s lives when you drink and drive.

When people are going through difficult times, they often turn to substances to help them get through the day. They turn to alcohol, marijuana, prescription pills and other substances to help them manage their emotions and feelings. Some people may use home remedies or drugs and alcohol to help them sleep, be social or manage pain. But how is what they’re doing any different than what people diagnosed with addiction are doing? This article will look at other aspects of self-medicating and discuss whether it is the same as substance use disorder.