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What to Expect When Getting Sober
The first days and weeks of sobriety can be especially difficult as the body and mind adjust to...
Read MoreAquila Recovery VA: Top Choice for IOP Program
Addiction is a vicious cycle that can be hard to break out of. Aquila Recovery VA understands that...
Read MoreThe Truth About Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism is a growing problem in today's society. Many people struggle with addiction and the...
Read MoreThe Dangers of Opiates: A Comprehensive Guide
The opioid epidemic is a growing concern in the world today. It has affected millions of people,...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Dangers of Cannabis Consumption
The debate around the legalization of cannabis has been going on for years, and it is now legal in...
Read MoreTips and Tricks to Stay Dry from Alcohol: Expert Advice
Are you ready to take control of your relationship with alcohol and embrace a dry lifestyle? In...
Read MoreRethink the Drink: Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle
Are you tired of waking up with a pounding headache and a foggy memory from the night before?...
Read MoreHelping Your Loved Ones Stay Sober In 2023
When a loved one announces that they plan to start the New Year sober, it can be an enormous...
Read MoreAdvantages of Undergoing Professionally Guided Alcohol Detox versus Attempting it Solo
Alcohol detox is the first step toward recovery from alcohol addiction. It can be a challenging and...
Read MoreOvercoming Alcohol Addiction: Helpful Tools
Alcohol addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It can lead to...
Read MoreOvercoming Addiction: The Power of Proper Treatment and Resources
Drug addiction can be a difficult and painful experience, not just for the person who is addicted...
Read MoreThe Ripple Effect: How Drug Abusers' Actions Affect Themselves, Their Families, and Their Communities
Drug abuse is a complex issue that affects not only the individual but also their families and...
Read MoreUnderstanding Addiction: The 4 C's You Need to Know
Addiction is a complex disease that can be difficult to understand for those who haven't...
Read MoreThe Ultimate Guide: How to Talk to Children About Addiction
Addiction is a difficult topic to talk about, especially with children. But it is important to...
Read More6 Best Apps for Alcohol Addiction
Addiction is a lonely and difficult journey, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of the right...
Read MoreGiving Yourself a Second Chance: A Guide To Mental Health During Sobriety
Sobriety can be a challenging journey. While many people in recovery talk about the mental health...
Read MoreDoes Alcohol Make Anxiety Worse?
Many people turn to alcohol to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety, but can it actually help...
Read MoreCoping With an Alcoholic Parent
Having an alcoholic parent can have a drastic impact on the entire family. Here are some tips on...
Read MoreDepression After Quitting Drinking
Many people find that they experience depression after quitting drinking alcohol. How are alcohol...
Read MoreSetting SMART Goals for Recovery
Goal setting is important in all areas of your life and is especially important when you enter...
Read MoreHow to Love an Addict Without Enabling
When your loved one is struggling with an addiction, it is only natural to want to try and help...
Read MoreHoliday Mocktail Recipes
If you're looking for a fancy non-alcoholic drink to enjoy this holiday season, we have you...
Read MoreHow to Navigate the Holidays in Recovery
For many, rather than being a season of gladness and hope, the holidays are filled with grief and...
Read MoreWhy is Alcohol Addictive?
Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that can have a significant impact on your life. Let’s...
Read MoreHow Long Does it Take to Break an Addiction?
Breaking an addiction can be a difficult process, but it is definitely possible. There are many...
Read MoreWhat Happens When You Stop Drinking for 30 Days?
What are the benefits of going alcohol-free for 30 days? Over the course of 4 weeks, you will...
Read MoreHow to Get Sober Without AA
If you’re in the addiction recovery space, you’ve likely attended Alcoholics Anonymous, or know...
Read MoreHow to Redefine Your Relationship with Alcohol
Did you know that you do not have to be an alcoholic to give up drinking? Some people choose to be...
Read MoreHow to Maintain a Social Life While Sober
When you first get sober, it can be intimidating. You’re worried that you will lose your friends...
Read MoreHow COVID-19 Has Impacted the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid epidemic is becoming increasingly rampant in the United States and across the world....
Read MoreTips for Having a Sober Halloween
If you love Halloween festivities, and are newly sober, you may be worried that sobriety will cause...
Read MoreHow Tough Love Affects Addicts
What is the best way to show support to an addicted loved one? Some believe that tough love is the...
Read MoreBenefits of Attending Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Virginia
The first step to recovery is acknowledging that you need to help. Substance use disorders are...
Read MoreMaintaining Sobriety in a Post-Covid World
When the pandemic first hit, many turned to alcohol as a way of coping with the initial isolation,...
Read MoreHow Alcohol Affects Your Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, where we strive to break the stigma surrounding mental...
Read MoreHow to Remain Alcohol Aware All Year Long
Alcohol awareness is all about being aware of our own alcohol consumption and how alcohol can...
Read MoreCoping With Anxiety Without the Help of Alcohol
I sincerely believed that alcohol would never be excluded from my life. Not because I couldn’t...
Read MoreHow to Help a Loved One Battling Addiction
It’s no secret that addiction does not only affect the person with a substance use disorder, but...
Read MoreChristina Kimbrough: Finding Sobriety in the Midst of a Pandemic
On February 3rd, 2020 I officially had my last drink after 10 years of heavy drinking. I tried for...
Read MoreWhy & How to Stop Comparing Your Recovery
As humans, it’s natural for us to have a competitive nature. However, this is not always healthy,...
Read MoreHealth Benefits of Taking a Break from Drinking
If you participated in Dry January, you may have noticed some significant differences when it comes...
Read MorePractical Tips for Achieving Your Goal to Quit Drinking
If you have decided to make it your New Year’s Resolution or goal for 2021 to quit drinking, you...
Read MoreGentry Jones: 4 Ways to Stay Strong During the Early Days of Sobriety
When I first got sober I felt 90% like a drunk, and 10% capable of getting and staying sober. Today...
Read MoreRawRecoveryTalk: Changing The Stigma Surrounding Addiction
It is so common nowadays to ask someone “What they do for a living” as a means of small talk. For 6...
Read MoreThe Difference Between Intensive Outpatient & Traditional Treatment Programs
At Aquila Recovery of Virginia, we are proud to offer a variety of treatment programs designed to...
Read More5 Common Relapse Triggers and How to Avoid Them
The holidays can be a difficult season to navigate if you are currently recovering from a substance...
Read MoreHow is Codependency Linked to Substance Abuse?
Codependency is not uncommon for those who are in a relationship with or have a close loved one who...
Read MoreCan Seasonal Affective Disorder Hinder My Recovery?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal depression that is not uncommon to...
Read MoreCovid is Causing Increased Drinking
While some common household products such as toilet paper and eggs have been a struggle to find in...
Read MoreBoth Outpatient and Remote Addiction Treatment Options at Aquila Recovery
At Aquila Recovery of Virginia, you have the choice of what kind of treatment for your drug or...
Read MoreCan I Take Prescription Drugs During Recovery?
Some people in recovery from drug addiction may also suffer from other mental or physical medical...
Read MoreDealing with Substance Use Bullies
A major function of rehab is to help you to identify the environmental triggers that can lead you...
Read MoreEuphoric Recall
One of the challenges for friends, family members, and loved ones of those addicted to drugs and/or...
Read MoreWant to Reduce Your Cancer Risk? Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption
Cancer is terrifying. It’s indiscriminate and will present itself in the young and old, rich and...
Read MoreYour Intervention Didn't Work, Now What?
Everyone involved had hoped that your loved one would agree to get help and begin the healing...
Read MoreA Look at Addiction Recovery Rates
Research into addiction rates is mixed, and long-term success rates vary greatly according to...
Read MoreIf You're Defensive About Your Drinking, You Might Have a Problem
Has anyone ever accused you have having an drinking problem? Perhaps it was a well-intentioned...
Read MoreChoosing the Right Addiction Treatment Program
Addiction treatment programs in the United States follow many of the same foundations and...
Read MoreThe Long-Term Mental Effects of Alcohol
Liver disease. Impaired coordination. Damage to the stomach lining. There are many effects of...
Read MoreIs Drug Addiction the Same as Alcohol Addiction?
There is a common misperception that some addictions are more “serious” than others, that alcohol...
Read MoreThe Relationship Between Alcohol and Stress
After a long day, there is nothing more relaxing than having a few drinks to help you unwind,...
Read MoreThe Problem With Using Alcohol To Unwind
Do you know what this day needs? Wine! Sound familiar? If so, you are not alone. Drinking to...
Read MoreHow is Dual Diagnosis Treated?
Substance abuse typically occurs along with other mental disorders. The co-occurrence of two or...
Read MoreDating in Recovery
There is an unwritten rule against dating during addiction recovery. Recovery programs commonly...
Read MoreStep 1 of Addiction Treatment: Being Ready to Receive It
Denial is often the greatest obstacle to alcohol dependence recovery. After all, it is not only...
Read MoreHelping Your Loved Ones Stay Sober In 2019
When a loved one announces that they plan to start the New Year sober, it can be an enormous...
Read MoreDual Diagnosis: How can anxiety affect my recovery?
Mental health and substance use disorders go hand in hand. At times it is difficult to separate one...
Read MoreCelebrating New Holiday Traditions
According to a survey conducted by Yahoo, New Year’s Eve and Christmas are the biggest drinking...
Read MoreGiving Thanks: The Power of Mindfulness in Recovery
Because of the rush around the holiday season, we often forget that Thanksgiving is not just about...
Read MoreCo-Occurring Substance Use and Seasonal Affective Disorder
For anyone struggling with substance use disorder, the stress of the holidays can be overwhelming,...
Read More10 facts you didn’t know about co-occurring disorders
In the USA, nearly 6 in 10 individuals who struggle with substance use disorder also experience...
Read MoreThe Link Between Traumatic Childhood Experiences and Substance Use Disorder
Ever feel like your childhood experiences are still influencing the decisions you make today?...
Read MoreTheir Substance Use Disorder is Affecting Your Family
You might not think that your loved one’s substance use disorder is a family business, but their...
Read MoreHow Can I De-stress Without Drinking Alcohol?
Stressful situations are inevitable and real, so how do you keep your calm when you feel...
Read MoreCelebrating Recovery Milestones
Recovery Month is just around the corner, and we at Aquila Recovery would like to encourage you to...
Read MoreThis is Why Drinking Actually Makes You Feel More Stressed Out
If you pine for a cold one, a decantered one, or one on the rocks after a busy day at the office,...
Read MoreThe Role of Denial in Addiction Treatment
Denial. Most issues in life start with some sort of denial and if you want to make a change in your...
Read More12 Tips for a Successful SMART Recovery
The road to recovery is not always smooth and relapses are not desirable, but they are a natural...
Read More12-Steps Program vs. Smart Recovery: Choosing What Fits
Treatment for substance use disorder comes in many forms and understanding the options available...
Read MoreThe Power of Setting Smart Goals for Addiction Recovery
Setting goals is necessary in all aspects of life and substance use recovery is no different. Goals...
Read MoreApril is Alcohol Awareness Month
Reducing the stigma associated with alcohol use disorder, the National Council on Alcoholism &...
Read MoreSetting and Measuring your SMART Goals
We know that you're focused on your recovery. Staying focused, however, can be a struggle if you're...
Read MoreMeasuring SMART Goals for Recovery
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. They’re easy to set and...
Read MoreThe Power of Mantras and Positive Affirmations in Recovery
One of the most beneficial ways to stay on the right track and guard against a potential relapse in...
Read MoreSeeking Out Positive People to Aid in Recovery
Positive thinking is an incredibly powerful tool within your reach when it comes to sobriety....
Read MoreVisualizing Your Path to Recovery
Substance use disorders are not simply physical addictions. Underlying unresolved issues, trauma,...
Read MoreHow A Positive Lifestyle Change Can Help You Overcome A Relapse
Relapses and slips are part of recovery, and not necessarily a sign that what you’re trying to do...
Read MoreAddiction Recovery is Easier with a Strong Support System
Peer support systems are encouraged as key components of many treatment programs because of how...
Read MoreThe Role of Stress Management in Relapse Prevention
A common cause of substance use disorder relapse is stress. Given that stress can play a leading...
Read MoreHow Addiction Affects the Entire Family
The common effects of alcohol on the body are well documented, but what about the seemingly more...
Read MoreWhat Really Happens When You Quit Drinking Alcohol?
Whether you’re quitting for a little while or you think that you may have a dependency or substance...
Read MoreCoping with Slips and Relapses
Seeing yourself return to substance use can be discouraging but it isn’t the end of the road. It is...
Read MoreStrengthen Families & Communities this National Recovery Month
Substance use disorder can be incredibly hard on those afflicted as well as their families,...
Read MoreThe Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
For many people, substance use disorder is more than just a physical struggle with drugs and...
Read MoreAddiction Recovery Coaching
Recovery coaching is a form of support for people seeking recovery from substance use disorders....
Read MoreHow Meditation Can Help Addiction Recovery
Substance use disorders are complex and sensitive but a comprehensive treatment plan that includes...
Read MoreThe Effectiveness of Holistic Treatment in Rehab
When seeking treatment for substance use disorders it is important to work with a qualified...
Read MoreWhat is SMART Recovery?
Overcoming a substance abuse disorder is a slow and a challenging process but you are never alone...
Read MoreThe Importance of Collegiate Recovery
Young adults often face unique challenges when they begin a life in college. Entering a new system,...
Read MoreAddressing Employee Substance Use Disorder
Retaining valued personnel is a key factor in the success of any business. When you have an...
Read MoreCelebrating YOUR Independence Day
Independence Day, or the Forth of July, is a day that we celebrate across our nation with picnics,...
Read MoreUnderstanding Co-Occurring Disorders
When someone suffers from a substance use disorder and a mental health or psychiatric disorder...
Read MoreAlcohol Use & Women Over 60
A study recently published in the journal Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research found that...
Read MoreRecognizing a High Functioning Alcoholic
A high-functioning alcoholic may be able to work, socialize and participate in activities without...
Read MoreThe Link Between Workaholism & Alcoholism
Is there a connection between being a workaholic and having an alcohol use disorder? There could...
Read MoreThe Secret to Recovery is Not Keeping it a Secret
Once you've made the decision to cut back on your drinking, or quit altogether, it's a good idea to...
Read MoreWhy You Should Track Every Time You Want a Drink
Have you noticed that you're drinking more than you used to? Or at least more regularly? Is alcohol...
Read MoreEaster Dinner: How to Avoid Drinking in Social Situations
You're on your road to recovery. You've spent time in an alcohol addiction treatment program and...
Read MoreAlcohol Screening: Are You Drinking Too Much?
Many people think that alcoholism and alcohol addiction are characterized by drinking heavily to...
Read MoreHow Do I Talk to My Child About Alcohol?
Have you had “the talk” with your kids yet? No, not the birds and the bees talk. The other...
Read MoreDid the Idea of Giving up Alcohol for Lent Scare You?
Lent is a season in which many people pick a habit that they try to give up for 40 days…just in...
Read MoreCreativity, Mindfulness and Recovery
Living a full life in recovery from addiction can have many moving parts but the ability to be...
Read MoreAre My Kids at Risk?
Parents always worry about their kids. How they will do in school, who their friends will be, what...
Read MoreAm I a “Binge” Drinker?
Many people do not feel that they have an alcohol use disorder because they only drink on weekends,...
Read MoreEnforcing Your Own Travel Ban: Tips for Alcohol and Drug Recovery
It's hard to pay attention to the news and not hear about the “travel ban.” It's everywhere – TV,...
Read MoreThe Addiction Cycle Part III: Preoccupation/Anticipation Stage
The previous blogs in this series explored Binge / Intoxication and Withdrawal / Negative Affect,...
Read MoreOpioid Addiction: New SAMHSA Interactive Recovery Tool
When you’re suffering from a substance use disorder, making the decision to get help is often...
Read MoreThe Addiction Cycle Part II: Withdrawal/Negative Effect Stage
In part one of this series we introduced the three stage “Addiction Cycle” which includes...
Read MoreWhat Does the 21st Century Cures Act Mean for Addiction Treatment?
In December 2016 the 21st Century Cures Act was passed into law. The law is said to be wide ranging...
Read MoreThe Addiction Cycle Part I: Key Points for Addiction Treatment
If you or a loved one suffers from a substance use disorder, commonly referred to as an...
Read MoreDon’t Let Blue Monday Get You Down!
Today, the third Monday in January, has been dubbed “Blue Monday” by researchers at Cardiff...
Read MoreAlcohol & Drugs Hijacked My Brain
“Alcohol and Drugs Hijacked my Brain!”
Well, actually they did.
Read MoreFour Behaviors Central to Drug and Alcohol Addiction
How Did I Get Here?
When you or a loved one is suffering from a substance use disorder, often you...
Read MoreWhy Can’t I Quit? Understanding Drug and Alcohol Addiction
It is easy to stop. Just don’t pick up the bottle. Just don’t lift the bottle to your mouth. Just...
Read MoreFacing Addiction: Points from the Surgeon General’s Report on Addiction
Recently the Surgeon General of the United States released a report on Addiction in America titled,...
Read MoreThere is Much to be Thankful for this Year in Addiction Treatment
As we gather to celebrate the holiday this weekend, many of us will reflect on what we are thankful...
Read MoreChoosing an Outpatient Treatment Program
Substance Use disorder is a chronic, medical condition that requires professional treatment. Making...
Read MoreMoving On From a Recovery Home
Making the decision to move on from a recovery home is not one to be taken lightly, and certainly...
Read MoreHALT – Relapse Prevention Tool
Breaking free from addictive behavior is not an easy undertaking. Many try repeatedly only to end...
Read MoreCelebrate Recovery!
While recovery should be celebrated EVERY day, September has been designated as the month where we...
Read MoreEffects of Alcohol Use on the Body
What are the effects of alcohol use and misuse on your body? Check out this alcohol FAQ infograph...
Read MoreAlcohol Recovery: How to Not Drink at Social Events
Throughout the course of an alcohol recovery journey, there will be situations that challenge even...
Read MoreOvercoming a Slip or Relapse
At any point along your recovery journey, there may come a time when you lapse or relapse.
Read MoreSummer Binge Video Gaming
As summer is upon us so are hours of unscheduled time for our kids.
It is rare these days to see a...
Read MoreMoving & Recovery
As the summer is upon us many people are picking up their lives and their addiction recovery...
Read MoreWhat Exactly To Pack In Your Sobriety Kit
In our previous blog about Packing a Sobriety Kit in your Overhead Luggage, we identified how...
Read MoreI Want to Cut Down Drinking, But Can't
Sometimes it can be really hard to change our behaviors. It can be even harder when there is a...
Read MorePacking Your Sobriety Kit In Your Carry On
Traveling, no matter the reason can often, if not always, illicit a full-blown stress response....
Read MoreThe Risk of Taking More Than Your Prescribed Dose
Taking prescribed pain medication is a completely normal and natural thing to do after sustaining...
Read MoreHow Addiction Affects Your Job
If you don’t take action now, continued misuse of drugs and alcohol will lead to a downward path in...
Read MoreHow to Break a Bad Habit
Let’s face it, if it was easy to break bad habits then New Years Resolutions, 12 Step Programs, and...
Read MoreMarijuana Use in Teens & Young Adults: 3 Key Points for Family Members
Many families will find themselves at some point engaged in a conversation with their teenagers and...
Read MoreHow to Stop Drinking at Work Events
Turning down a drink isn’t always easy. Expectations of drinking are hard to break and friends and...
Read MoreThe Drinking Has Stopped, But the Fighting Hasn't. What's Wrong?
Recovering from alcoholism is extremely difficult, and quitting drinking is only the first step. If...
Read MoreMarijuana Addiction Increasing with Changing Legal Status
An article in the December issue of JAMA Psychiatry compared the characteristics of marijuana use...
Read MoreHow Peer Support Services Help Addiction Recovery
Addiction intrudes into every aspect of life for those suffering from it. Relationships suffer,...
Read MoreCDC Releases Guidance for “Doctor Driven” Prescription Opioid Overdose Epidemic
There has been a great deal of press surrounding the opioid epidemic gripping the country. It is...
Read MoreUnderstanding Why Your Loved One Loves to Get Drunk
When a person that is close to you continues to abuse alcohol in the face of significant...
Read MoreAm I Codependent?
One of the challenges for friends, family members, and loved ones of those addicted to drugs and/or...
Read MoreThe Power of Positive Thought
Most people nowadays have heard about, if not being inundated by the phrase “the power of positive...
Read MoreUnderage Drinking: What you need to know and how you can help.
Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to ignore the constant bombardment of advertising day-in and...
Read MoreBenefits of a Gratitude List in Recovery
Staying sober is one of the more difficult challenges a person can undergo. Naturally, for...
Read MoreHow to Be Social and Sober
For someone coming out of a treatment program for addiction, staying sober is of paramount concern....
Read MoreIdentifying Triggers Can Reduce Chances of a Relapse
One of the pitfalls of successful recovery from addiction is relapse. There are many factors that...
Read MoreThe Limits of Safe Alcohol Use
It seems that every few months, a health organization releases new safety guidelines on how much...
Read MoreIf it is becoming legal, why is pot use so bad?
Marijuana for recreational use is now legal in eleven US states and medical marijuana is legal in...
Read MoreWhat Are the Medication Options for Treating Alcohol Dependence?
It can be difficult for someone to kick their drinking habits, no matter how destructive they may...
Read MoreWhen is it Time to Leave an Addicted Partner?
Loving, healthy relationships in and of themselves have ups and downs. Some of those down times can...
Read MoreWhat do Substance Misuse and Binge Eating Disorder have in common?
Many people who struggle with addition to alcohol or drugs also have difficulty controlling the...
Read MoreHow do I Take Care of Myself While Living With Someone Addicted to Substances?
Discovering that a close friend or loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol can be devastating....
Read MoreDoes Pot Really Make You Lazy?
There are currently eleven states in the US where marijuana is legal for recreational use, and...
Read MoreEfficacious Medication Options for Alcohol Dependence Treatment in Primary Care
The principles behind treating alcohol dependency have vastly improved and become varied over the...
Read MoreHow do I communicate with an addicted loved one?
When you realize that someone you love and care for is addicted to drugs or alcohol and you want to...
Read MoreHow do I find the courage to say I need help for my addiction?
There is no “easy part” for someone who is coming to grips with their own substance use disorder.
Read MoreI Know I Abuse My Prescription Meds, What Are My Treatment Options?
For those who have been injured in an accident, prescription medication can be a godsend. They...
Read MoreAddressing Substance Use Disorders in Primary Care
Some people experiencing symptoms of addiction are often experts at hiding it from their closest...
Read MoreTaking Back My Life Video
A personal and powerful message from Johnny Allem, Aquila's founder, about his own journey to...
Read MoreWhat is Outpatient Addiction Therapy?
Once someone has decided to take action to end their addiction, the next question is "how?" or "how...
Read MoreAlcohol Isn't an Antidepressant
"Alcohol will cure my depression" - it’s an all-too-common misconception…
Maybe after having a...
Read MoreAlcohol – A cancer risk “hiding in plain sight.”
A new study linking cancer deaths and alcohol use demonstrates the strong link between addiction...
Read MoreMaking a Difference….
Research reports that most people afflicted by addiction enter treatment with encouragement and...
Read MoreRecovery Month
Recovery Month, a national celebration of recovery from addiction, began in the mid-1990s when few...
Read MoreChoosing to Embrace my Teachers
The good news about not drinking or drugging is that we have choices.
Read MoreReaching the Insured
Aquila Recovery strives to serve individuals in difficulty with drugs and alcohol while they still...
Read MoreMainstreaming Addiction Health
Mainstreaming, a term long association with education, is now a growing trend in health care....
Read MoreOne Million Lives
The link between heart disease and behavioral health issues is staggering. As February and Heart...
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