Author: VKM

Categories
Trauma

Can You Be Addicted To Being A Victim?

Someone who has experienced a lot of trauma may find their world becomes colored by a dichotomy of power vs. helplessness that’s always more heavily slanted toward their experiences of being out of control. It doesn’t matter if it’s addiction, childhood trauma, or hurt that is pervasive across many stages–pain of this nature can seep through your defenses. When you’ve been hurt, abused, or disempowered throughout your life, feeling helpless can become a default. 

What is a victim mentality?

In general, a victim mentality is born of the repeated sense that you are at the mercy of the happenings in the world without any real say in the outcome. While this can produce frustration at failed attempts to bring about change, it also absolves you of any responsibility for doing so. Excuses for why you can’t change come readily, as does a list of external factors at fault for the current circumstances in your life. 

The refrain of not being at fault is a coping mechanism and a truth: you are not at fault for the things that have happened to you. However, a victim mentality is the manifestation of that coping mechanism on a scale that eclipses your sense of control over your life until you can’t feel it anymore. 

Self-pity vs a victim mentality

No one plans to become addicted to being a victim, but for many, it begins as a culmination of bad things in the world feeling like they’ve outweighed the hope. When your reality has been re-written by trauma, you are the victim. When your reality is re-written time and again by pain, you become powerless against your victim status. 

The difference between being addicted to being a victim and self-pity is somewhere between the two. Self-pity is a short-term expression of the pain of trauma; it’s you feeling sorry and hurt for what’s occurred to you. When you begin to wear that hurt as an identity, it’s a victim mentality.  

3 Signs someone in your life has a victim mentality

So what does a victim mentality look like? There’s a certain power in being a victim, and when someone is used to being hurt, that power feels alluring and protective. Here are some signs that may be of concern for someone struggling with a victim mentality. 

1. Blame without accountability 

Impressing the reminder that you are not responsible for what’s happened to you can take on a new life if it begins to bleed out to the parts of your life where you retain your agency. Being unable to take responsibility for the actions you take, while feeling entitled to let others know when they’ve wronged you or been wrong can be a slippery slope toward victim addiction. 

2. Living in the past 

When every attempt for others to remind you that hope and brighter days are ahead is met with contempt because all you can see in the past, it’s time to take a long look at the shape of your healing. Reliving your trauma can be deeply painful, but doing so on a stage that helps you to feel validated and supported can become addicting. That hit of dopamine that comes from receiving attention for your strength may make it difficult to move on from that trauma. 

3. Negative self-talk

The voice that leads your inner narrative is cruel. A hurtful internal voice can stand in the way of healing. When you feel sorry for yourself, and others feel sorry for you as well, it’s difficult to be anything more than worn down by the pain you feel. Negative self-talk perpetuates abuse of yourself and gives power to the pain that made you feel helpless to begin with. 

How do you break an addiction to being a victim?

It might feel shameful to even consider that you could become addicted to being a victim, but there are lots of things that feel like perks in victimhood. When you are hurting, there is freedom and validation in expressing that hurt. It can help you heal, but when the hurt keeps coming, it’s easy to blur the lines. It carries a secret power, but that power has a price that will destroy your determination. We want to empower you to find your way back to healing from helplessness. 

3 Ttips to holistic recovery 

A victim addiction is a learned behavior which means it can be unlearned. Through the process of unlearning the coping mechanisms that insulate a permanent victim from the pain of the world, they can reclaim their sense of power. Support through the process is critical, and many of our holistic programs are designed to engage your empowerment in your recovery. 

1. Let go of grudges and comparison 

Constantly holding yourself to the standard of comparison for others will reinforce a victim addiction quickly. Let go of the concept that you must feel or heal like someone else and begin to accept curiosity in your healing instead. 

2. Self-forgiveness 

When you let go of the pain at the core of your helplessness, your strength will begin to turn inward as well. The truth is: you are already so incredibly strong. Release that strength from the shackles of contempt by finding the forgiveness you deserve. 

3. Make space for small victories 

Risk feels really scary when you’ve experienced a lot of trauma. Instead of jumping to the need to overcome huge hurdles in the blink of an eye, let your expectation for wins focus on the here and now. Find small victories that help you to feel empowered as you build up your competence in confidence. 

When you are healing trauma or substance abuse, confronting victim addiction in yourself or someone you love can feel overwhelming. Call (760) 350-3131 to get the help you’re craving today. 

Categories
Trauma

10 Signs That Trauma Is Running Your Life

Trauma is not a mythical mystical thing that once was or that only happens to someone else. Trauma can happen to anyone, and any chronic or significant stressor deserves the title. We as humans experience trauma in many ways: it occurs in the moment in which we stop being able to handle the experience we’re having and the emotions it brings up. 

Once trauma occurs, particularly if it happens to us when we are young, it can linger well beyond what you’d expect. 

What happens when you have unresolved trauma?

If you read this article title and can cast your memory back directly to something you recognize as trauma, you are likely thinking “not this again”. It’s easy to think that if we’ve done all the right things—acknowledged the trauma, gone to therapy, followed our self-care checklist, let time heal your wounds—they should stop affecting your life. 

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Unresolved trauma can linger in every day life in ways you may not even realize are connected to the things that once hurt you so deeply. 

Here are ten ways that trauma may be running your life without you realizing it. 

1. Sleep difficulties

Whether you find yourself unable to fall asleep, or frequently being woken from a nightmare or without being sure why you’re awake, you’re not getting the rest you need. On the other end of the spectrum, perhaps you’re experiencing the urge to sleep through the responsibilities that need your attention because it’s easier to just not be awake. 

2. Edginess 

From constantly being prepared for danger to jumping at the mere thought of a risk that could be around the next corner, unresolved trauma may have you wound tighter than a spool of thread. 

3. Isolation

Feeling lonely even though you’re alone by choice, but you really can’t motivate yourself to reach out to anyone in order to fix it? While choosing a solo life can be a healthy choice for some, it’s never a healthy lifestyle if it doesn’t feel like one you chose for yourself. 

4. Conflict Intolerance

No one actively enjoys conflict, but there might be something more to your avoidance if every raised voice or sudden gesture has you looking for the emergency exit. 

5. Dissociation

Does everything feel mildly detached from reality, as if you’re observing a story being told to you? This separation from emotion and experience could be a signal that trauma is writing your life script instead of you. 

6. Substance abuse or eating disorders 

The urge to numb or escape the things that hurt you may combine with other risktaking behavior to culminate in a dangerous relationship with food or substances. 

7. Intense emotions 

Anger, anxiety and shame are often the emotions that stand out in stark contrast to your standard emotional landscape. If you feel these sharp feelings with a magnitude that far outweighs your other emotions, you may have a reactionary relationship with them.  

8. Numbness

On the flip side, perhaps you’re feeling nothing at all. No anger, no sadness, no joy. For some people, unresolved trauma leads to a sense of apathy that just feels like detachment from the world and those within it. 

9. Flashbacks 

Experiencing unwanted returns to a time and place you’ve long since left can be a powerful indicator of trauma that’s still impacting your life. Flashbacks may occur alongside dreams, memories or other triggers but they can also occur without any warning at all. 

10. Shame 

An emotion that feels so much heavier than any five letters should be able to bear, shame is a sense of humiliation or distress attached to your experience of a memory or behaviour. When you feel shame powerfully in your life with no real root for what’s brought it on, it can color the way you make decisions and process memories. 

Can childhood trauma still affect you as an adult?

Adverse childhood experiences, also called ACEs, are the events that become trauma when the world moves forward before you can process what’s occurred. For most children, that is any major event. 

The things that happen to you when you are young are often ones that sink into the foundation of your being. It’s not they are more important or impactful. It’s simply that they occur at a time when you didn’t know how to be anything else; so you grew with the responses to that trauma ingrained in the way you respond to the world around you. 

Just because it happened in the past doesn’t mean that it will stay there. When your unresolved trauma begins to seep into your daily life, it can be difficult to stay ahead of the sinking feeling and maintain any sort of wellbeing. 

If you are struggling to overcome the impact of trauma on your daily life alongside addiction, our comprehensive programs at Villa Kali Ma can offer you a trauma-informed opportunity to heal more wholly than you ever thought possible. 

Call us today. (760) 350-3131

Categories
Yoga

Crying During Yoga? The surprising truth about feelings 

Have you thought about the physical presence of your emotions? It’s an important element of your holistic self that can bring greater depth to your recovery.

I remember the first time it happened to me. The lights were low in the yoga studio and it smelled soft, like pensive rejuvenation. We were a few poses into the relaxing yoga flow when the instructor asked us to bring our right legs forward and fold into pigeon pose. 

Ah, yes. Such a good release for those tired hips that need a bit more– wait, why am I crying? I shouldn’t be crying! 

They say that hip openers and heart openers in yoga can crack open your emotions. Before that unexpected emotional release, I don’t think I truly knew what that meant. It was surprising and eye-opening in so many ways that I would love to share with you. 

Do you feel your feelings? 

Letting your body support you in feeling your emotions can be transformative. This concept is nothing new to ancient or modern medicine. Exercise, meditation, and movement are all an important part of the conversation around reclaiming your mental wellbeing. 

Take a moment to go inward before you continue forward. 

Take a breath – breathe in for four seconds.

Now hold it in your lungs as it moves through your body. 

Do you feel the places the air is moving? 

Now exhale – let your breath go as you count to four.

Take note of your body. 

What do you feel? 

The physical zones of our emotional being 

Our bodies have an atlas of emotions that guide the way we feel our feelings in a physical sense. When we can map the physical sensations of our emotional landscape, we unlock the key to a more holistic recovery than we could’ve imagined! 

Negative emotions 

If your day has been particularly long you might feel frustrated, tired, or anxious. Those feelings may center in your head and neck as tension, or drop to your chest so they restrict that breath. For some people, those difficult emotions dwell in the gut, causing upset to the digestive systems and adding more frustration. 

Negative emotions function like a protective shell or a heavy weight. They concentrate and collect, heavy and tense in the spaces they congregate in your body. It can disrupt your energetic flow and cause physical pain. 

Positive emotions 

Maybe you’ve had a great day! Do you feel bubbly and light? Those happy feelings often radiate through the body, extending out into your limbs with a fluidity that your heavier emotions don’t have. Can you feel the soft effervescence of them? 

Positive emotions tend to bloom in the body.  Much like the sun, your emotions expand around your physical self. They radiate out in the spaces where you move and feel the world around you. 

Past emotions are stored in the body too

It’s not just what you’re currently feeling that takes up space. Your trauma, your joy and your in between moments all imprint on your being.  Rejecting the feelings that come up for you doesn’t actually stop you from feeling them. You have a whole lifetime of unfelt feelings hiding in your physical self as much as your emotional self. 

It’s more like hitting your physiological snooze button, and they just sort of swirl and hibernate in the spaces you harbor them until they come up again. Often those latent releases occur when you least expect them – hello yoga class – or they may occur during things like massage, which can have a similar effect. 

How can we use this knowledge to foster holistic healing?

One of the most powerful keys to unlocking your holistic recovery is simply recognizing the complexity of your emotional experiences. They relate so intricately to your physical being that in trying to separate them, we often cut ourselves off from the things that can help us reach our full potential. 

You do hold the power in unlocking the healing you’re craving. With or without the support of those who want to see you succeed, there is action you can take right now to move toward a holistically bright future. 

Connecting your chakras to emotion 

The energy centers that activate from the top of your head to your root are called chakras. Each of the seven chakras offer different opportunities to balance and engage with your recovery. 

Healing through movement 

You can use yoga, mindful movement, and connection with nature to open the lines of communication between body and mind. We have many programs that will support you in making these connections. 

Breathing into your being 

The breath is the thread that connects your internal self with the outside world. You can use breathwork and meditation to deepen that work and facilitate healing of the stored energy that’s disrupting your healing today. 

If you’re ready to reconnect and empty out those emotional reserves holding back your holistic recovery, we’re here to help however we can. Connect with us today to learn more about our programs by calling (866) 950-0643.

 

Categories
Substance Abuse

What are the Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal?

When you stop drinking, it’s always the hope that you’ll immediately feel better and people act as if life is going to improve. They quickly list all the positives you’ll face in being sober but no one really talks about what happens in the in-between. 

That in-between has a name, and today we’re talking all about what happens when you stop drinking alcohol, and spoiler alert: it can really be a bad time. The truth is, withdrawal can be really hard and many people return to drink without giving themselves a fair chance at holistic recovery. 

We want to help you prepare yourself for the reality of withdrawal because we believe you’re worth that recovery. 

A snapshot of the first week after you stop drinking 

If you’re a mild alcohol consumer, you likely won’t notice anything in the first couple of days that you stop drinking. If you’re reading this though, you’re likely not a mild alcohol consumer (or you love someone who isn’t). For people who have a dysregulated relationship with their alcohol consumption, the first week is going to be a rough time once you stop drinking. 

There are a number of things that go on in your holistic self that you’ll take notice of in the early days of withdrawal and most of them won’t be very fun. We’re going to break down the symptoms of withdrawal between your two major systems of self to talk about what you may experience in that first week. 

In your body 

Over the first few days, withdrawal probably feels like groggy agitation. There will be lots of highs and lows as your body tries to figure out what to make of this whole sobriety business. It’s likely that you’ll have a headache, and your eyes may hurt as they strain to focus without the “beer goggles” phenomenon that often occurs when you drink. This is due to excess pupil dilation and it may cause headaches. 

You might find yourself feeling restless and antsy as if you need to move or do something. You likely won’t have the energy to actually do that though, as your muscles will feel heavy and they might ache. The shakes and aches are not uncommon as your body begins to clear the toxins it’s been storing from the alcohol. 

You’ll sweat them out, so you may be feeling a little damper than usual. You may struggle to eat and feel nauseous or even be sick when you do eat. 

Sleep is also likely not coming very easily even though you’re definitely tired. Your body isn’t sure how to settle into sleep rhythms without the lullaby of alcohol these days, and it’s definitely not doing you any favors. 

In your mind 

Withdrawal is uncomfortable and we don’t just mean physically. It’s likely you will feel agitated beyond restlessness. You may struggle to regulate your mood, or even to register exactly what mood you’re in as it shifts rapidly between anxiety, frustration, depression, and resentment. Your head will feel foggy, but it might feel like that fog is made of bees. 

When you do manage to drift off to sleep, withdrawal increases the likelihood that you’ll have nightmares. In response to the myriad of physical symptoms withdrawal is bringing out for you, you may feel like a stranger in your own thoughts. 

There are some dangerous symptoms of sudden withdrawal 

Severe withdrawal can cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure, hallucinations, a racing heart or even seizures. This severe form of withdrawal is called Delirium Tremens. If you begin to feel afraid or unsteady, please seek emergency support for your withdrawal symptoms as they can signal a medical emergency. 

Why withdrawal happens

People who drink heavily (whether they are dependent on alcohol or not) are often using alcohol as a numbing agent for some kind of discomfort in their lives. Alcohol helps you to disconnect from your emotions by providing a depressant effect on the signals and hormones that register the way you’re feeling. Alcohol short circuits them for the time being and it can give you some relief. 

Withdrawal occurs for two reasons. Firstly, it takes away that numbing effect and the full might of whatever your drink was numbing will hit you like a Mack truck. Your body may rebel to the intensity of losing its numbing agent so abruptly. 

Secondly, your body doesn’t quite realize that you’re no longer drinking and is still making hormones to accommodate the shift in your chemistry that drinking creates. What was a manageable amount of system input becomes overload to a body that’s not trying to wade through the quicksand-like delay of alcohol. 

That overload is withdrawal. It causes all the difficult, confusing and just generally awful symptoms you experience when you stop drinking. For many people, that overload doesn’t feel sustainable and it can make you second guess your efforts to get sober. 

You can take control of your sobriety and your life 

There is hope! Beyond the two-week mark of removing alcohol, things will begin to improve. It’s likely you’ll see improvements in nearly all of your symptoms as well as other aspects of your life. Things do get better, but only if you stick it out. 

If you carry nothing else from this article with you today, I hope that you remember what I say next. 

Are you ready? 

It’s important and I’m sharing it just for you. 

Yes, you. 

Every state you enter on this journey is a temporary one but your value in this world is concrete. 

This feeling will end and you are worth the determination it will take to get through it. When withdrawal feels like too much for you to manage on your own, programs like our detoxification program can help you to get sober safely.

 There are options to support you but make no mistake: you carry the strength and the ability to move through this difficult space with the determination and beauty of the entire universe behind you. You can take control of your detox, your sobriety, and your life. You have the power, and we are here to empower you so can remember the world beyond withdrawal even on your darkest days. Connect with us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help. A phone call to (866) 950-0643 can get you started on the right path. 

Categories
Substance Abuse

What Is Substance Use Disorder?

So many terms are thrown about to describe the same struggle that almost 20 million Americans face. So what exactly is substance use disorder, and how do you know if it’s something that’s impacted your life? 

We’re getting into the details of this diagnosis in a clinical and real-world manner, and we want to make sure you get the answers you need today. 

Are addiction and substance use disorder the same?

There is a marginal difference between addiction and substance use disorder, but at their root, they mean the same thing. Substance use disorder has many causes, some rooted in trauma and others in genetics, but primarily it is an incompatibility between a person and their sobriety. 

 

Substance abuse may begin from a clinical need for pharmaceutical intervention that spirals beyond a healing use or from a self-driven need to escape an emotion or reality within the life you live. Substance abuse is not picky in where it starts or where it will leave you, but it is a clinical way of discussing the inability to live your life without the substance you’re abusing. 

What are types of substance abuse?

While any substance can be abused when it becomes an all-consuming part of your life, there are a handful of recognized substance use disorders most commonly treated in a clinical setting.

Alcohol

You may hear alcohol use disorder also referred to as alcoholism. The terms are one and the same; both are characterized by a chronic dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. Whether it’s beer, wine, or spirits, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a clinical diagnosis that can control your life. 

Some of the signs and symptoms are alcohol cravings, drinking no matter the impact on health, and an inability to go without alcohol. Behavioral changes and effects on physical health may occur as a result.

Hallucinogens

Drugs that alter your perception of reality are often called hallucinogens. Hallucinogens include drugs like MDMA  (ecstasy), salvia, LSD (acid),  and psilocybin (mushrooms). These psychoactive substances produce changes to the way you experience the world around you. 

Those who experience hallucinogen abuse are at risk for overdose due to increased tolerance and the user taking larger doses to feel the effects. Signs of abuse disorder may include agitation, paranoia, memory changes, anxiety, and impaired reflexes. 

Marijuana 

Although often hailed as being “nonaddictive,” marijuana abuse disorder is a problem that can occur without notice. Marijuana is famously known for creating a calm atmosphere and is medically lauded for reducing many symptoms. While its use to support clinical symptoms is important, marijuana can, like any other drug, be abused without mindful use. 

Symptoms of marijuana abuse disorder are ignoring risks, increased cravings, heightened anxiety, inability to cope without marijuana, and increased anxiety. 

Nicotine 

Plastered on packages and billboards across the nation, the prevalence of nicotine is not an unfamiliar topic in the US. Cigarette and tobacco consumption has declined in recent years, but access to nicotine remains easy and readily available. E-cigarette use has increased nicotine access alongside the declining use of tobacco. 

Leading to lung, mouth, and throat cancer, nicotine abuse disorder has a powerful lifelong impact for those who fall prey to it. Nicotine abuse symptoms may include cravings, personality changes during withdrawal, agitation, frequent respiratory infections, and impotence.

Opioids 

This class of drugs is primarily made up of commonly-prescribed substances derived from the opium poppy. This sector of painkillers has clinical applications to reduce major pain. Opioids also include heroin. Whether you’re using the prescription kind or illegally obtained opioids, addiction is a serious concern with opioids. Their function is to reduce pain, but side effects include confusion, euphoria, and lowered respiration. 

Those addicted to opioids may experience powerful cravings, a breakdown of skin composition, difficulty fulfilling obligations, withdrawal, and increasing tolerance of the drug that requires a higher dosage. 

Sedatives and stimulants

While these categories of addictive substances are inherently opposite, the access and development of addictive behaviors in response to their consumption can be quite similar. 

Sedatives’ primary function is to help someone who struggles with sleep disorders or insomnia get enough rest. However, like all drugs, they can be dangerous when abused. This category includes barbiturates, benzodiazepines, carbamates, and sometimes even antihistamines. 

Stimulants—which run the gamut from caffeine to cocaine, methamphetamine, speed, and crack—cause heightened excitement and motivate users to get things done. Under this guise, some stimulants find purpose medically to treat or support those with attention disorders, while others are illegal in every form. 

The abuse of sedatives and stimulants is characterized by insomnia, blood pressure changes, tachycardia (unstable heart rate), sexual and respiratory dysfunction, and central nervous system disruption. Some stimulants may cause hallucinations, tooth decay, and aggression. 

How we heal is all the same 

No matter the kind of substance use disorder that’s taken up unwelcome residence in your life, there is a universal key to success: you want to heal. We can all begin to walk the lifelong journey of recovery the moment we believe in the possibility of life after active addiction. 

There is no actual secret, or one right way, to get sober. However, there is one right place to begin: in the authentic knowledge that you are capable of healing, and you deserve the future that lies beyond the struggle you now find yourself within. 

Recovery is possible, and our holistic healing program can begin in the first steps of detox or anywhere along the way. When you’re ready, we are too. Contact us today at (866) 950-0643 to learn more. 

Categories
Substance Abuse

Alcoholism in the Family 

Family relationships can be complicated. When someone you love is struggling in their relationship with alcohol, you may not be quite sure how to handle things. Today, we’re answering the questions you want to ask about alcohol use in families – even if you’re not sure where to begin. 

How many families are impacted by alcoholism?

It is estimated that, at some point in their lives, a staggering 43% of people will have struggled with someone in their family’s relationship with alcohol. When someone you love is struggling with their relationship with alcohol, it can create mistrust, confusion and hurt in every aspect of their lives. A family who comes together to support someone with alcoholism may feel connected, but there is often strain in the ties that bind. 

Family impacts of alcoholism include broken or damaged relationship bonds and present domestic abuse risks. Outside of these more profoundly observable experiences, there are smaller changes in family structure that may lead to altering dynamics. An inability to trust an individual and breakdowns in the stability of communication are common when someone is using alcohol. These things may make it difficult to talk to someone you once loved, creating a space where you hope for connection. When strong relationships become fragile bonds, you may wonder where to go from here and what those changes mean for you. 

Is it genetic to be an alcoholic?

While there are multiple factors that contribute to the risk of alcoholism, genetics do seem to be part of the equation. Not a single gene increases the likelihood of alcohol misuse, but information encoded across several series of genes can play a role in increasing the risk of alcoholism. The University of Rochester estimates that those who had a relative with alcohol misuse tendencies are 4 times more likely to struggle with alcohol use themselves. 

What’s the impact of alcoholism on children?

Alcoholism can impact children of any age, including having an impact on the children of alcoholics long after they’ve left childhood. There is no benefit for a child who has a parent or guardian that uses alcohol, but many risks become involved.

In the US, more than 10.5% of children are impacted by a parent who struggles with alcoholism. Those children will experience an increased risk of domestic violence exposure in their young lives, and as they grow, will continue to be more vulnerable than other children to the risks of alcohol misuse. 

Do adult children of alcoholics have risks related to alcohol?

There is an increased risk of alcohol abuse in adult children who have experienced alcohol use disorder in their adult caregivers. From a young age, these children were aware of the drinking going on. Witnessing it in excess can influence their perception of what’s normal and warp their standard of behavior before they even have their first drink. 

Outside of the risks of alcohol misuse themselves,  adult children of alcoholics may struggle with emotional regulation. They may struggle to identify stable relationships, establish trust or feel the truth in their own emotions in relationships they do develop. 

How does alcohol affect your relationships with others?

In every shape and form, alcohol impacts the relationships you have with others. You may find that your friends are really enjoying you on a night out when you can toss back the drinks and be the life of the party, but it’s unlikely that anyone else in your life is feeling quite as boisterous about your relationship with alcohol. 

In romantic relationships, alcohol increases the instance of domestic abuse by a large margin. Due to lowered inhibitions, altered perception, and reduced self-control, alcohol can is a contributing factor to a large number of domestic abuse cases across the globe. 

Where can we begin to find support?

When you are seeking ways to be supportive of a family member who is either struggling with alcohol misuse or in recovery, there are options available to you. Seeking therapy to help you heal unresolved trauma related to the relationships impacted by alcohol can be a great place to begin in stopping the cycle of addiction in its tracks. Healing your own hurt may seem counterintuitive but breaking the cycle can reduce enabling behaviors and help you in supporting your loved one. You can work toward a legacy rooted in their holistic being instead of their alcoholism. 

If you are struggling with your relationship with alcohol, you can begin with yourself before reaching for the help that is available. Considering your concerns, emotions, and experiences can help you to navigate the kind of support you want and what may feel accessible to you right now. There are many kinds of support available to you from detox to residential recovery programs, Villa Kali Ma has a multitude of programs designed to help you heal from the inside out. 

Categories
Addiction Treatment

Chronic Pain and Addiction

It always hurts to be in pain, but when you’re feeling the sharpness of chronic pain alongside addiction concerns, it may feel like you have nowhere to turn. The relationship between chronic pain and addiction is a tumultuous one, but it’s one you can find support for. 

That support will look different for everyone. Below, you’ll find tips to navigating chronic pain alongside your recovery and answers to the questions that may help you make sense of the complicated space you find yourself in. 

Developing an addiction in response to pain 

Living in pain makes it more likely that someone will be prescribed opiates or painkillers to manage their symptoms and make their lives feel meaningful. Over time, those medications become less effective by design. Painkillers aren’t meant to be a long-term solution, but for people who experience pain long-term, there isn’t a better alternative. 

When their medications stop giving the relief they once did, the person in pain may begin to seek other options to fill that gap in order to continue meeting the demands of their body. This is where the slippery slope begins because, at this point, neither path is going somewhere that will be sustainable for a holistically well life experience. 

Whether you are in recovery, actively still in addiction, or supporting someone who is in these spaces, it’s important to consider the impact of chronic pain on addiction in a holistic sense. 

Body

Everything hurts, or maybe just some things hurt—but it’s happening in ways that make it difficult for you to engage with your world in a way that feels safe and familiar. Pain is a powerfully invalidating variable that none of us are ever truly prepared for. We are designed to be able to handle pain in short doses, or in situations where we anticipate it may occur. When you stub your toe, it will hurt. A papercut will sting but heal. A sprained or strained muscle may give you some difficulty but it will get better with time. 

Chronic pain doesn’t get better with time, and it often leaves you feeling a whole host of emotions about how to navigate it. It’s frustrating, especially as you continue to feel incapable of carrying on with no end in sight. Having your hope stolen with every breath is defeating in an entirely new way. 

But even when your body is failing you, you can make choices other than giving up. Some days, your commitment to honoring your body may be to rest. You can find mindful meditation in bed, while you’re resting. On the days you feel capable, gently stretching your muscles or working your body in safe ways may help you to alleviate the domino effect of chronic pain like muscle atrophy and stiff joints. 

Mind 

It is a heavy mental weight to bear, navigating the pain in your body and the conflict of managing it. Many of the ways you once used to deal with the pain are no longer accessible to you in your sobriety but can be nonetheless tempting. Adding to the challenge are the complex mental gymnastics you need to endure to remind yourself of what you truly want—sustainable recovery. Be gentle with the thoughts that come up in the duality surrounding managing these needs. 

If you find yourself thinking thoughts that you thought you were long past, do not sit with them in judgment. When it feels good, you can bring these thoughts to your therapist, sponsor, or mentor to talk about the way they’re landing for you. 

These thoughts and feelings may include: 

  • Doubt about your recovery 
  • A desire to use that feels more powerful when your pain is high 
  • Guilt that undermines the hard work you’re already doing 
  • Anger at yourself or your body for putting you in this position 
  • Frustration or confusion at the  turmoil of these competing needs
  • Isolation from your recovery, your friends, or your life 
  • A sense of failure, or negative self talk that encourages you to fail 

Thinking about things that feel counterintuitive to your healing is actually a positive part of self-actualization. Giving space to those thoughts without giving them any power will return the power they once held back to where it rightfully belongs: with you. 

Does chronic pain lead to addiction?

While chronic pain doesn’t necessarily cause addiction, there is a notable correlation between the two. That’s a hefty sentence and largely deflects the question. But there really isn’t a simple answer. Yes, chronic pain can lead to addiction. But no, chronic pain doesn’t cause addiction. 

For some people living with chronic pain whose medication has stopped working, they seek the support of other therapies to manage the pain they’re experiencing. For others, they begin seeking other medications, alternatives, and substances that reduce their pain, just so they can get through. 

These behaviors are often substance-seeking in nature and have the potential to become an addiction.

Managing chronic pain in recovery

For those who develop chronic pain after they’ve entered recovery, navigating any sort of pain management may feel like a volatile experience. How do you choose which risk is the easiest to navigate, and find support for the trauma it’s likely to bring up as you decide? Again, there’s no easy answer, but there is a plethora of support available to you through recovery and long-term support programs like therapy and group connection. 

For our clients, we offer alternative support therapy that includes opportunities to alleviate pain through routes outside of medical practice. Things like acupuncture, reiki, movement therapy, and even nutrition can complement other pain relief modalities that you may undertake with your health professionals like physical therapy or massage. 

There is no one right answer for managing recovery alongside chronic pain, but there is one universal truth: you are worthy of being supported through it. If you’ve found some validation and support in these words, we are grateful you’ve shown up to find them. If you feel ready to reach for more, we are here to help. 

Categories
Substance Abuse

What’s So Great About Being Sober?

The road to recovery looks impossibly long from the path you’re walking now. Sometimes, it doesn’t feel worth it when you consider all you’ve already endured.  

There are so many questions you’re asking yourself and we want to answer them with you. The benefits of getting sober are so real—but so is the way you’re feeling right now. There’s hope in seeing both, together, and it begins with asking the hard questions. 

Am I really going to be healthier if I’m sober? 

In short, yes. Your body isn’t functioning optimally when all your systems are inundated with processing substances that change your behavior at a cellular level. Though foods and even environmental factors can impact your health, the substances you use frequently can make your core systems dependent on the way they function with that substance. This takes away not only your control of self and harmony of your systems but reduces the level of holistic health you can achieve. 

When you’re sober, you experience the benefits of being able to hear your body’s signals and respond to them accordingly. When you’re listening to your body with your whole being, you can be the healthiest version of yourself by advocating for and participating in the care you need most. There are many ways that will benefit you- so let’s talk about some of them in detail. 

You’ll sleep better

If you’ve struggled to get sober before, you likely noticed that as you began to remove substances from your life, your sleep really paid the price. During periods of withdrawal and use, sleep is at its worst. You may experience periods of insomnia instead of the restless abyss of sleep while you’re using, but either way, the result is the same: you don’t get much deep, restorative rest.

When you’re sober, your body has the time and extra energy to calibrate the way you rest to respond to what you need. You’ll get more consecutive sleep with a more stable sleep cycle. This means you’ll benefit from the REM and light sleep periods that are often omitted from your sleep while you’re actively using. These types of sleep allow for physical and emotional healing as well as more effective memory retention. 

Your bank account will thank you 

Seriously. The amount of money you spend on obtaining the substances you use, and the impulsive purchases you may make while you’re not sober really add up. Retaining complete control of your financial decision-making will help you keep money in the bank so you can spend it on the things that make you feel empowered.

The comfort of a financial safety net after a couple of months of sobriety may even decrease your risk for returning to addiction behaviors as you are able to offer yourself more security and comfort in other ways.

The fear of getting sober is so real—and conquering fear feels amazing

Getting sober is hard work, and it’s work you’ll be returning to for the rest of your life. Whether you grapple with the early stages of recovery multiple times or you remain sober, you’ll be in recovery. It’s daunting to think about all the risks of failure, and the return to addiction once you’ve done the hard work. And more immediately, what will being sober feel like? Will it be hard? Will it hurt? Will you still have friends? 

The first step to conquering that fear is asking why—why are you afraid of these things? Then, you’ll need to rally the troops from professional to personal to garner a support system to carry you through. Consider rehabilitation programs your parachute and sobriety your skydiving adventure. Yes, it might be hard. But you can do it—and think of how incredible that adrenaline will feel when you look back at what you can overcome. 

What’s the point, if I’m going to be in recovery forever?

Feeling defeated about the fact that recovery never ends? It’s a bittersweet thought- and for many, it’s more bitter than sweet. Why work so hard on something that will be a shadow on your lived experience for the rest of your life? 

Because you’re worth it. 

That’s the simple, complex, and beautiful truth of it. You are worth the benefit, the struggle, and the eternal existence of recovery because every day that you move forward toward is one where you are telling yourself, “Look. I can do it. I’ve done it already!”. You are strong enough and you are worth it. 

Recover your clarity and confidence

Overcoming the obstacles of getting sober can be daunting, but it’s not an obstacle course you have to overcome alone. There are barriers ahead of you, and some of them may feel frustrating, scary, or even downright impossible. But we are here with the personal and professional experience to hold your hand (and your accountability) as we walk together toward your brightest most holistic future. 

You can do hard things. You can see beautiful results. We are here for you every step of the way. 

Call us today at (866) 950-0644 to get started. 

Categories
Depression

Symptoms Of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Feeling the struggle of the winter woes and wondering if it’s just you? Chances are, it’s probably not! Even in sunny southern California, the daylight hours dip this time of year and it can leave us all feeling a little bit meh. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD) affects up to 20% of the population in one form or another. Overwhelmingly impacting women, this changeable seasonal mood disorder can happen at any time of year but mostly occurs in winter. 

So what exactly are those symptoms? Let’s talk about how to recognize the signs of SAD- and what to do if you’re feeling a little called out right now. 

Sleep problems 

Whether you’re sleeping constantly or feel like you’re forever awake, changes in your sleep pattern are often a good indicator of changes in your emotional wellness. If you’re struggling to hit your sleep goals or lying awake at night feeling restless, it can help to begin tracking when the sleep changes set in. 

Increased emotional intensity 

Experiencing a lot of anxiety that seems to have no clear cause but is constantly bubbling just beneath the surface? Maybe you’re feeling easily frustrated by things that usually don’t ruffle you, or just utterly deflated at the state of things. 

Any number of mood shifts or intensities may occur as your hormones adjust in response to the environment. When hope heads for the hills along with the sun, you may be experiencing mood changes related to the season. 

Struggle to concentrate

It’s so frustrating when you’re used to being able to complete lists or plans in a single sitting, but find yourself unable to even finish a – where was I going with this? Difficulty concentrating is a common symptom of SAD and can make your moods feel even more pronounced as your thoughts disappear like snowflakes on warm glass. 

Increased desire to use substances 

When your moods feel unstable and getting the right amount of sleep feels like wrestling with a bear, urges to fall back on dangerous coping mechanisms may feel heightened. Especially early on in recovery, SAD can be a siren calling you back to the substances that controlled your life. 

If you’re feeling the urge to use, reach out to your support system or your trusted counselor today. Falling back into substance use will last much longer than a season and support cannot wait. 

Can Seasonal Affective Disorder cause physical symptoms?

It seems like the ways the weather warps your mood should be more than enough, but it doesn’t stop there. There are telltale signs of SAD that your body is giving you too. 

Weight changes 

Feeling like your favorite jeans are a little looser than you thought? Or maybe they’re just a bit snugger. Either way- your body changing physically in response to the way you’re feeling emotionally isn’t surprising, and it’s not something you’ve failed at if you’re noticing it now. Seasonal changes can cause shifts in the metabolism too. 

Unexplained aches 

Knees letting you know the rain is coming in? Maybe your back is aching or your chest is tight. There are a number of unexplained pains that can increase in response to your body’s displeasure at the changing weather. 

What causes SAD?

No one’s entirely sure what causes your mood to plummet with the turning of the seasons, but there are some theories. SAD is most prevalent in winter months, particularly in regions that see a dip in daylight hours or more gray days than clear skies. Due to this, it’s thought to be tied to an increased production of melatonin combined with decreased vitamin D. 

Reduced social activity, colder weather, and less sunlight reinforce the hormonal and mood-related impacts of the winter weather on your mood. And it is mostly winter when these disorders occur. Despite Lana’s compelling ballad, summertime SAD is much rarer- though it does happen. 

How long does Seasonal Affective Disorder Last?

Short answer: Up to 5 months. It tends to be a more gradual reduction of symptoms until you’re feeling like yourself. Your mood may shift, reflecting the turning of the earth along toward happier and more hopeful days. By the time the winter is well and truly over though, you should be on your way to feeling more like yourself. 

There are a number of things you can do to alleviate SAD symptoms and most of them you can do right now. If you’re feeling sad (ha, pun intended), you can try: 

  • Moving your body 
  • Getting some sun (or sun lamp therapy) 
  • Taking vitamin supplements 
  • Finding support in friends or professional support groups
  • Seeking more structured help

Seasonal Affective Disorder is usually diagnosed after two consecutive seasons of symptoms coming and going alongside the seasons. 

If, however, the feelings persist beyond five months, it’s possible that you are experiencing a mood disorder that coincided with a season but is more persistent and worth speaking to a trusted provider to make sure you’re getting the support you need. 

No matter when your symptoms come and where they go, we are here to support you any time of year. Connect with us today to learn more about how we can help our substance abuse clients battle depression, seasonal or otherwise. Call us at (866) 950-0644 to get started. 

 

Categories
Trauma

Mental Health Disorders Caused by Trauma

Trauma is a global phenomenon. It does not discriminate by the money you have, your education, or even the value you place on the world around you. Trauma can happen to anyone. Once you’ve navigated something traumatic, you may feel you’re on the up and up—looking toward a brighter future. But trauma can linger, creating impacts that extend into any facet of your life. 

So what are the mental disorders caused by trauma, and how can you recognize them? Read on to learn more about five trauma-related mental health disorders, their co-occurring risks, and how you can help yourself (or a loved one). 

What happens after you experience trauma?

Trauma is any event (or series of events) that overwhelms your ability to cope. From catastrophe to heartbreak, there is no limit on the spaces or reasons in which you may experience trauma. 

When you’ve been traumatized, your brain begins scrambling for ways to make sense of something that is just too much to work through. During trauma, your body prepares to protect itself. After trauma, the mind tries to recover from whatever protection it couldn’t muster through coping tools that help numb or normalize what you’ve been through. For those who are in recovery, it’s likely your substance use is tied in one way or another to coping mechanisms you’ve used to try to overcome or numb that trauma. 

How does trauma affect your mental health?

In the days, months, and even years following trauma, the landscape of your mental health changes. How you feel your feelings and how you respond to them become foreign. You may no longer be sure how to relate to yourself or the world around you. Sensory and hormonal input are physical, but the way you feel them begins to feel like there’s a stranger in your thoughts, sharing your body. Many people seek the opportunity to evade that unsettling sensation, increasing the risk of developing unhealthy coping mechanisms. The impact of trauma can also increase the risk of co-occurring disorders that muddle your ability to prioritize it. 

There are several mental health disorders associated with trauma. Each is defined by a unique set of symptoms that responds to the universal desire to recover from (or reject the pain of) trauma. 

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Most well known in association with military veterans, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder has become characterized by flashbacks, rage, and insomnia. The lived experience of PTSD is much more varied, however. People who have experienced trauma on any level may develop PTSD. Symptoms do include the things listed above, but those experiencing PTSD may also have dissociative episodes, depression, a deep sense of shame, withdrawal, or destructive substance use. 

Complex PTSD 

Complex PTSD surfaces in cases where people are subjected to trauma over long periods, such as childhood abuse or wartime. The COVID pandemic may create an influx of complex PTSD cases. This disorder is characterized by a negative view of self, trauma-related amnesia, memory repression, detachment of self, and low awareness of core values. 

Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)

This disorder mimics the symptoms of PTSD in every way except one- Acute Stress Disorder occurs for a brief interval. Despite its brevity, ASD can have long-term ramifications if the coping mechanisms it brings about don’t depart with it. 

Secondhand trauma

A familiar disorder to those who have witnessed formative types of trauma occurring to other people, secondhand trauma is unique in its symptoms and expression. Being traumatized by watching someone else experience trauma may lead to feelings of helplessness, fear of loss of control, hypervigilance, amplified negative emotions, or chronic fatigue. 

Adjustment Disorders

Most often triggered by experiences that markedly change the way you exist within your life, adjustment disorders are much like they sound. If you’re struggling to find your way within the new landscape of your life, you may be suffering from adjustment disorder. This trauma-induced mental health challenge manifests in sleeplessness, a feeling of burnout, overwhelming feelings, heightened stress, lack of focus, neglecting responsibilities, and frequent sadness. 

While we have only covered a handful of the specific mental disorders caused by trauma, it’s important to note that many more exist. It’s also common that these disorders present as a combination of manifestations. Trauma-induced mental health disorders may also reveal themselves through the disorders that come from coping mechanisms you use to avoid their symptoms. 

Any of these disorders may present with suicidal thoughts or instances of self-harm. These things are always an emergency, and you should not wait to seek help. Reach out to emergency services now. 

Recovery is possible. Support is available. If you recognize yourself in these words, please reach out. You are worthy of the possibility that awaits you. 

 

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