Addiction Recovery Blog

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, where we strive to break the stigma surrounding mental illness, so we want to share how alcohol affects your mental health. 

It’s probably no surprise that one-third of people with major depression also drink. Millions of people also struggle with mental health, and it’s killing about 3 million people per year according to the World Health Organization.

Mental health is about more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities though, it’s also about looking after ongoing wellness and happiness. Alcohol can make it even more difficult, and here’s why: 

Alcohol awareness is all about being aware of our own alcohol consumption and how alcohol can affect us. Drinking alcoholic beverages is so normalized in our culture, that many will dismiss any negative effects it may cause. However, it’s important to remember that alcohol contributes to 95,000 deaths in the US every year. The reality is, alcohol is a drug that has the potential to ruin lives if we aren’t careful. 

It’s no secret that addiction does not only affect the person with a substance use disorder, but their loved ones as well.

If someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, you may find yourself wanting to help, but unsure of how to go about it. In some cases, when a loved one tries to help, they end up becoming codependent, which can lead to self-destructive behavior. 

However, it’s possible to take care of your loved one without becoming codependent and without condoning their addictive behavior. Aquila also offers a number of addiction treatment programs for families and addiction recovery resources to help someone struggling with the mental and physical effects of substance abuse.

As humans, it’s natural for us to have a competitive nature. However, this is not always healthy, especially in the case of recovery. When you are healing from an addiction and the pain of the past, you may be feeling less confident which leads you to start comparing yourself and your recovery to that of others. However, it is vital for your recovery that you break this habit of comparison, and here’s why.

If you participated in Dry January, you may have noticed some significant differences when it comes to your physical and mental health. Your health can begin to improve after just one week of going alcohol-free. It’s no secret that alcohol isn’t exactly good for you, but what are the actual benefits of going without alcohol?

If you have decided to make it your New Year’s Resolution or goal for 2021 to quit drinking, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. Maybe you’ve tried it before and were not successful, causing you to feel reluctant to try again. What you need in order to be successful are some practical strategies that you can incorporate into your daily life. 

At Aquila Recovery of Virginia, we are proud to offer a variety of treatment programs designed to meet each client’s needs at the level of care required. We offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for clients who need more structure than traditional outpatient therapy and less structure than an inpatient treatment program.

The holidays can be a difficult season to navigate if you are currently recovering from a substance use disorder. Here are 5 common relapse triggers and how you can avoid them.

Codependency is not uncommon for those who are in a relationship with or have a close loved one who has a substance use disorder. While having some dependency in any relationship is normal and healthy, a person with codependent tendencies may have adapted extreme, unhealthy behaviors that can be straining on their relationship. If you are a friend or family member of someone who has a substance use disorder, you may be experiencing symptoms of codependency, and you are not alone. It is important to help your loved one on their journey to recovery, but it is also important that you take care of yourself, and avoid developing codependent tendencies. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal depression that is not uncommon to experience at this time of year, as the days start to get shorter, and the weather gets colder. Affecting over 10 million Americans each year, SAD symptoms include oversleeping, lack of energy, overeating, and isolating yourself from friends and family.