When you maintain consistency, you learn to trust yourself. You also allow your care team to understand what is working, what needs adjusting, and where extra support is needed.

Staying Consistent in Recovery

Staying stable requires some level of structure. Whether you decide to make your days as varied or as similar as possible, a steady routine helps you keep stress levels down, risk at bay, and your recovery goals in focus.

But consistency does not mean you do the exact same thing every day. It means that you continue to show up for yourself by attending treatment, taking medications, following up with doctors, attending therapy, and practicing healthy habits even if your mood changes from one day to the next.

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The Benefits of Maintaining Consistency

One of the best things about early recovery is you can build your day how you want. You get to decide what sleep schedule you want to keep, where you want to eat meals, and how you spend your time.

But if you find yourself struggling to figure out what to do with yourself, keeping a consistent schedule can help.

Benefits of staying consistent with your care and healthy habits include:

• Stable sleep schedule and meal times
• Attending counseling regularly
• Following through with medications
• Building stronger recovery skills
• Being more honest with provider check-ins
• Setting clearer treatment goals
• Minimizing chances of missed warning signs

Stability and Structure

Day-to-day routines offer your mind and body consistency. Regular sleep times, meals, work schedules, doctors’ appointments and counseling sessions all establish healthy structure.

Structure can also help you spend less time with nothing to do. Idle time can be the biggest trigger for many people, leading to unhealthy stress and eventually drug use.

Healthy Habits

The more you repeat a healthy habit, the easier it becomes (Solis-Moreira, 2024). Whether that’s moving your body every day, practicing mindfulness, eating regular meals, or improving your sleep habits; small healthy habits can have a big impact on your recovery.

You do not have to have a “perfect” routine. But if you allow too much wiggle room, you make it harder to trust yourself to stick with the healthy parts of your treatment plan.

Stronger Coping Skills

During counseling, you will learn how to identify triggers, manage stress, and prevent cravings (Algorani and Gupta, 2023). The more you practice these skills, the easier they will become.

Over time, you will also start to learn which habits and routines support your recovery and which ones put your recovery at risk.

Consistency of Care in Substance Use Treatment

Consistency of care refers to receiving continuous support for your medical and mental health needs. This can include regular medical care, follow up appointments, and case management when needed.

For opioid use disorder treatment, consistency may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT usually combines either methadone or buprenorphine with counseling and support for recovery. Medications like methadone and buprenorphine decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings while you learn your daily recovery routine.

The Importance of Consistent Follow-Ups

Regular follow-up appointments allow your care team to check-in on your progress, any safety concerns, symptoms, or treatment goals. These appointments also allow you to share any concerns about stress, cravings, medication side effects, or life changes.

Follow-up appointments are important because your recovery needs will change over time. Staying consistent with your care allows you and your care team to make those changes safely.

Challenges With Staying Consistent

Remember that your life does not become consistent overnight. Creating new routines can take time. When you first enter recovery, you may need to spend your day differently, manage stress in healthier ways, or ask for help when you need it.

Potential barriers that make it hard to stay consistent include:

• Triggers or cravings
• Anxiety or depression
• Shame about past actions
• Financial barriers or lack of transportation
• Lack of support from family
• Poor nutrition or sleep schedules
• Unstable housing situation or stress from work

A barrier does not mean your treatment is failing. Instead, it means you may need to lean on your support network or care team for extra support.

How to Stay Consistent With Goals

When you build your plan for recovery, think about simple goals you can manage day by day. Your plan should feel realistic. You’re likely to give up if your goals feel like they cannot be met. Build some flexibility into your plan (Cherry, 2026). Start small and build your routine from there.

Keep Your Routine Realistic

Try not to plan every hour of your day. Leave room for rest, meals, appointments, work obligations, and time to complete tasks for your recovery. You should feel less stressed with a routine, not more overwhelmed.

Put Recovery First

Your daily routine should support your recovery! If something you love to do is causing you risk, meet with your counselor or doctor to make a change. This might look like changing your daily routine, setting a boundary with a friend or loved one, or asking for extra support.

Ask for Support

You don’t have to face difficult moments on your own. Ask your counselor, doctor, recovery peer, or case manager for help if you’re struggling to stay consistent. Support can look like simple reminders from your phone or having someone to help you plan for transportation, remember appointments, find housing resources, or apply for benefits.

Track What Works

Keep track of what helps you stay consistent. Do you have a morning routine that helps you start your day? Do you find that writing out a meal plan helps you stay on track with nutritious meals? Maybe you have regular calls with a supportive friend or family member. Or you may find regular counseling sessions really help.

Consistent Treatment Support at HCRC

At HCRC, we support individuals with opioid use disorder through MAT, counseling, and case management. We provide methadone and buprenorphine in an outpatient setting while assisting with other real-life needs. We can help with: transportation, housing resources, benefits, employment readiness, legal documents, and community referrals.

Contact HCRC today to begin treatment and start building a routine that will help you on your recovery journey.

Additional Sources

1. Algorani, Emad B. and Gupta, Vikas. (2023) ‘Coping Mechanisms’, StatPearls, 24 April. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559031/ (Accessed 2 July 2026).
2. Cherry, Kendra. (2026) ‘Psychological Flexibility’, Verywell Mind, 17 April. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/psychological-flexibility-7509628 (Accessed 2 July 2026).
3. Solis-Moreira, Jocelyn. (2024) ‘How Long Does It Really Take to Form a Habit?’, Scientific American, 24 January. Available at: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-long-does-it-really-take-to-form-a-habit/ (Accessed 2 July 2026).

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This guide is for people who may be worried about their own symptoms, supporting someone they care about, or trying to understand how trauma can affect opioid use disorder recovery.

PTSD is treatable. You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out for help. The first step is often to notice possible warning signs and understand when support may be needed.

What PTSD Awareness Month Is Meant to Do

PTSD Awareness Month happens every June. The National Center for PTSD uses the month to raise awareness, encourage screening, and remind people that evidence-based treatment can reduce symptoms and improve daily life. June 27 is PTSD Screening Day, when people are encouraged to complete a brief self-screening and talk with a professional if they notice any concerning symptoms (National Center for PTSD, 2025).

Awareness is crucial because PTSD can be very easy to miss. Some people expect PTSD to just look like panic, flashbacks, or being in visible distress. In reality, it may also show up as sleep problems, anger, numbness, isolation, trouble trusting people, or feeling on edge even when there is no clear danger.

For many, the first step isn’t even treatment. It is realizing that what they are feeling and experiencing has a name, that they’re not alone, and that help is available.

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What PTSD Can Feel Like

PTSD can develop after someone experiences, witnesses, or learns about a traumatic event. Feeling fear after danger is a normal human response; it’s not necessarily a disorder. But PTSD may be present when symptoms last longer than a month and begin to affect work, relationships, sleep, health, recovery, or daily routines (NIMH, 2024).

Common signs of PTSD include:

• Intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
• Avoiding people, places, thoughts, or reminders
• Feeling guilt, shame, fear, anger, or emotional numbness
• Trouble sleeping, concentrating, or feeling safe
• Being easily startled or always alert for danger
• Pulling away from family, friends, work, or responsibilities

PTSD also doesn’t present the same for everyone. It’s possible to experience all of these symptoms, or just a few, with varying degrees of severity.

It’s important to note that a PTSD test or online PTSD screening isn’t enough to diagnose you by itself. But it can help you decide whether it’s time to speak with a trained mental health professional.

Why PTSD and Opioid Use Can Overlap

Trauma and opioid use disorder can affect each other in painful ways. Some people use opioids to quiet memories, sleep, or numb emotional pain. Over time, this can make recovery harder, especially when withdrawal, cravings, stress, and trauma triggers happen at the same time.

NIDA notes that substance use disorders and other mental health conditions often occur together, and treating both together is usually more effective than treating one while ignoring the other (NIDA, 2024).

PTSD symptoms can make opioid recovery more complicated and should be addressed alongside substance use treatment. For many people, that includes medication, counseling, case management, and a safer routine that makes recovery more manageable day by day.

What to Do During PTSD Awareness Month

You do not need to solve everything at once. PTSD Awareness Month can be a good time to pause, notice what has felt difficult lately, and take a practical step toward support.

Try a Private PTSD Screening

A screening can help you organize what you have been feeling. It may also give you clearer language to use when you talk with a provider, counselor, or treatment program.

Before you meet with a provider, write down:

• The symptoms that bother you most
• How long they have been happening
• Any sleep changes, nightmares, or panic symptoms
• Triggers you have noticed
• Any opioid use, cravings, withdrawal, or return-to-use concerns
• Your current medications or health conditions
• What feels hardest to manage right now

Bring these notes to a counselor, primary care provider, or treatment program. You don’t have to explain everything perfectly. Clear notes simply make it easier to ask for the right kind of support.

Ask About Evidence-Based PTSD Treatment

PTSD treatment often includes talk therapy, skills for managing symptoms, and sometimes medication. AHRQ’s 2024 evidence update reviews both medication and non-medication PTSD treatments. The 2023 VA/DoD guideline says clinical decisions should be based on evidence, patient needs, and professional judgment, not a single one-size-fits-all path (AHRQ, 2024; VA/DoD, 2023).

Some helpful questions to ask are:

• What PTSD treatments do you offer or refer to?
• Can you support opioid use disorder and trauma symptoms together?
• How do you handle safety planning and crisis needs?
• What should I expect in the first appointment?
• How will counseling, medication, and case management work together?
• What happens if I am still using opioids or worried about withdrawal?

Small actions can make the month useful without feeling overwhelming. You might:

• Save a crisis number in your phone
• Share one trusted PTSD resource with someone who needs it
• Ask a provider about PTSD screening
• Tell one safe person what your triggers feel like
• Plan transportation before the first appointment
• Write down questions before calling a treatment center

How HCRC Supports Whole-Person Recovery

Health Care Resource Centers offers Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone and buprenorphine, along with individual counseling and case management for people working to overcome opioid use. Care is structured, respectful, and focused on stability.

For someone living with trauma symptoms and opioid use disorder, that kind of structure can make a difference. Recovery often involves more than reducing cravings. It may also mean rebuilding routines, learning safer coping skills, improving sleep, navigating stress, and getting help with real-life barriers that make it harder to keep up with the treatment.

At HCRC, our support may include:

• Medication to help reduce withdrawal and cravings
• Individual counseling for coping skills, trauma, stress, relationships, and relapse prevention
• Case management for transportation, housing, benefits, employment, documentation, and community resources
• Education on opioid use disorder, brain chemistry, overdose prevention, and recovery skills
• A judgment-free environment that treats each person with dignity

HCRC has CARF-accredited clinics across New England. Our Lewiston and Portland, Maine, locations offer methadone and buprenorphine treatment, and Lewiston also offers Suboxone-branded medication. Services are designed to meet people where they are and help them rebuild stability in daily life with steady, evidence-based care.

When to Reach Out for Help

Recovery starts with an honest conversation and a care team that understands symptoms, safety, routines, and real-life barriers.

Consider talking to a professional if trauma symptoms are affecting your sleep, relationships, work, recovery, or sense of safety. Reach out immediately if you are using opioids to cope, returning to use after stress, or feeling unable to manage cravings.

Call 988 right away if you may hurt yourself or someone else, or if you feel in immediate danger.

For ongoing recovery support in Maine, contact HCRC to find a location, ask about treatment options, and start your recovery with steady, evidence-based care.

References

1. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2024). Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: 2024 Update of the Evidence Base. https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/ptsd-pharm-treatment/protocol  
2. National Center for PTSD. (2025). Help Raise PTSD Awareness. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp 
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd 
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions 
5. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense. (2023). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/cpg_ptsd_management.asp

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The holidays are a time for togetherness and festivities. Many people look forward to seeing their loved ones while partaking in joyous activities. If you are in recovery, however, holiday stress can cause discomfort and uncertainty.  

That does not mean you cannot enjoy the celebrations! With some preparation and holiday coping tips, you can enjoy the lights and comforts without jeopardizing your goals. Keep reading to learn more about common holiday stressors and managing them without missing out on the fun! 

How to Manage Family Holiday Stress and Mental Health 

If you feel uneasy about the upcoming holidays, you are not alone. Nearly 90% of adults in the United States feel stressed out about the festive season. More than 40% of those people feel more tense than usual despite the approaching wave of yuletide joy. Have no fear, with some strategic planning, you can enter the winter months with a positive outlook.  

In recovery, it is essential to protect your emotional health while dealing with family stress. One of the best approaches is to break down the elements of holiday stress so you can minimize the impact. When managing holiday stress, consider the following aspects that may affect you:  

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Seasonal depression is a common depressive disorder that often starts in the fall, persists through winter and dissipates in spring. It is more common in people in the northern US, affecting younger individuals and women most. If you suffer from SAD, it may take a lot more energy for you to socialize, even with people you love. Speak with your medical provider about ways to combat seasonal affective disorder through supplements and counseling.  
• Family dynamics: You cannot choose your family, but you can change your reactions and communication strategies with them. Family and recovery will always be a minefield of managing expectations for yourself and the people you love. Speak to your substance use counselor about ways to approach the upcoming holiday season with tact. It will make the festivities much more enjoyable and drama-free.  
• Scheduling commitments: You may find yourself with more holiday party invites than you can handle. The key is to prioritize the people who mean most to you and who support your recovery. Managing a busy schedule is a blessing and something to feel proud of, lest it stresses you out too much to enjoy the moments. Learn to politely and quickly decline events you cannot attend to get them off your plate.  
• Financial strain: You may feel pressure to spend extravagant amounts of money on your friends and family during the holidays. Some people think it is a way to “make up” for the things they did amidst their addiction. Do not fall into this trap of thinking. For your loved ones, your healthy presence while in recovery is the greatest gift of all. Do not worry about carrying a Santa sack of goodies with you to gatherings.  

Holiday stress in recovery is not always caused by obvious reasons. That is why it is important to prepare and plan for the months ahead. With a positive and strong mindset, you can enjoy the festivities with your loved ones.  

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Coping Tips for Stress During the Holidays 

To manage holiday stress and mental health in recovery, you will need to take some vital steps to prioritize yourself. Practicing self-care, setting healthy boundaries and planning exit strategies for uncomfortable situations is a must. Use your emotional support network by attending counseling and calling friends. Practice mindfulness, gratitude and create joyful traditions of your own along the way.  

Here are some of the best coping tips for stress during the holidays:  

1. Avoid isolation: It is easy to become a hermit in the winter, when days are short and cold. However, isolation is very detrimental to your recovery goals and can incite relapse triggers. 
2. Create holiday goals: You can make a list of personal goals you want to accomplish, especially during the winter months. Do not limit yourself only to recovery; get creative.  
3. Prioritize self-care: Make time for self-pampering. Do not let yourself get stressed out during a time for happiness and celebration.   
4. Keep a calendar: Write everything down! That way, you will not miss an event or forget important dates.  
5. Select plans carefully: You do not have to attend every party. Prepare to politely decline invitations that make you feel uncomfortable or clash with your schedule.  
6. Set a budget: You do not have to spend a ton of money to enjoy the holiday. Set a reasonable budget and stick to it! 
7. Maintain your routine: Recovery work can fall to the wayside when you are super busy. However, during the holidays, it is especially crucial to continue doing your usual routine.  
8. Prepare an exit strategy: Create a plan for exiting a party if you begin to feel uneasy. Designate a friend to call and transportation to get home if needed.  
9. Stay in touch with your support system: Remember to check in with your recovery friends and counselors.  
10. Be grateful: Keep in mind that it is a privilege to be celebrating the holidays with loved ones. Because of your hard work in recovery, you can enjoy the festivities and feel proud of yourself.  

Create a holiday survival plan this year with recovery-friendly activities and your support network. Set boundaries, say “no” to stress and have an exit strategy when you want to leave an event. Do not forget to prioritize self-care with sleep, exercise and healthy eating. Be aware of triggers so you can plan your response and prioritize recovery over perfection. Most of all, practice gratitude! The holidays are the perfect time to reflect and be thankful for the positive things in your life.  

Medication-Assisted Treatment with HCRC for the Holiday Season 

There is never a wrong time to address your addiction and seek help. The knowledgeable and compassionate staff at HCRC recognize that substance use disorder is a chronic illness that requires professional help. With personalized treatment plans, HCRC patients begin to feel better in just weeks after enrolling. Recovery is possible for everyone. To learn more about the recovery programs at HCRC, reach out today.  

The post Family Holiday Stress and Mental Health: Coping Tips That Work appeared first on HCRC.

Many people recognize that mental health and addiction are critical public health concerns in the United States today.  However, most are unaware that addiction and mental health conditions often occur together. When someone experiences both simultaneously, it’s known as a dual diagnosis. A common yet misunderstood condition that deserves attention.

Approximately 20.4 million adults in the US have a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use disorder.  This means that people are showing symptoms of a clinical mental health condition along with signs of addiction.  These co-occurring disorders make life very difficult, although there are varying degrees of functionality for each individual.  

Understanding what is dual diagnosis, its causes, and how it impacts recovery is essential for helping individuals and families move forward. Keep reading to explore this important topic and how HCRC supports patients with dual diagnoses.

What is the Relationship Between Mental Illness and Substance Use? 

In many cases, it’s hard to tell which came first, mental illness or addiction. Most people with a dual diagnosis experience mental health symptoms and substance use issues at the same time. Often, individuals turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, or trauma.

For example, depression and substance use appear often in popular media, from movies to historical novels.  Before mental health awareness was mainstream, people frequently turned to mind-altering substances for comfort.  In almost every story, the protagonist falls victim to the pitfalls of substance use, making their situation much worse.   Unfortunately, this still happens today, but on a much larger scale.  

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Shared Risk Factors and Common Co-Occurring Disorders

Most underlying causes of both mental health and substance use disorders share common risk factors, including:  

• Early life trauma: any form of abuse, abandonment or hardship at a young age 
• Genetics: hereditary predisposition to addiction 
• Changes in brain function: learning disabilities or developmental issues 
• Environmental vulnerability: early exposure to substance use and disordered lifestyles  

The most common mental illnesses associated with addiction include: 

• Depression 
• Bipolar Disorder 
• Anxiety Disorder 
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 
• Schizophrenia  
• Personality Disorders 
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 

Many other mental illnesses can cause someone to cope with substance use that are not listed here.  Chronic stress, while not an official mental illness, is something that can contribute to the development of other conditions.  Some people suffer from physical chronic pain that can lead to self-medication.  

Some examples of common co-occurring disorders are: 

• Schizophrenia and cannabis misuse 
• Bipolar disorder and stimulant addiction 
• PTSD and opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder  

Self-medication significantly contributes to many dual diagnoses.  There is no easy way to prevent people from going down this path.  The current addiction rate nationwide requires more focus on this issue.  The need for addiction treatment and trauma-informed care is urgent.   

Symptoms of Dual-Diagnosis 

Symptoms of dual diagnosis of mental illness and addiction can differ greatly depending on particular disorders.  However, most often they include mood changes, concentration problems, social withdrawal and substance misuse resulting in adverse outcomes.  

Some mental health symptoms to look out for are:  

• Frequent mood swings 
• Disruption in sleep pattern  
• Difficulty doing everyday tasks 
• Changes in appetite  
• Extreme weight loss or gain 
• Social withdrawal  
• Suicidal ideation  
• Extreme paranoia  
• Auditory or visual hallucinations  
• Self-harm and risky behaviors  

Substance use disorder symptoms include:  

• Frequent inebriation from misusing substances  
• Developed tolerance to substances  
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using  
• Lack of self-control around psychoactive substances 
• Neglected responsibilities 
• Job or home loss 
• Social isolation 
• Drastic change in appearance  

It is important to remember that these are only some common symptoms.  Dual diagnosis can present itself very differently from person to person.  Some people may suffer from dual diagnosis but are high-functioning.  They have a greater capacity to conceal their struggles from others and suffer silently.  In all cases, a diagnosis from a professional medical provider is the best solution.  

Treatment for Addiction and Mental Health 

The intertwined nature of mental illness and addiction is difficult for most people to overcome on their own.  Still, managing co-occurring conditions is possible with professional help.  Many who suffer from mental illness and addiction reach successful recovery with the help of medication-assisted treatment.  

Comprehensive programs like medication-assisted treatment offer specialized medical assistance along with essential addiction recovery tools.  Patients meet with clinical physicians who are qualified to diagnose both mental health conditions and substance use disorder.  With the right combination of medications and therapies, patients have the tools needed for success.  

Medical providers specialized in dual diagnosis use a wide range of screening techniques to test patients for both conditions.  Patients should be candid with their providers about substance use and their mental health.  With the correct diagnosis, patients find that they feel better within only a couple of weeks of starting treatment.  

Outpatient medication-assisted treatment has higher retention rates of patients in recovery than other formats.  The combined convenience of appointment scheduling, treatment referrals and counseling encourages positive outcomes.  Additionally, patients in treatment have access to dual diagnosis support groups and other recovery resources that can help them on their journey.  

Dual Diagnosis Assistance with the Help of HCRC  

At HCRC, we know that a possible dual diagnosis can be scary, and seeking help may feel intimidating.  Our skilled and compassionate staff is prepared to handle any questions you may have about seeking treatment.  The highly experienced and specialized medical providers at HCRC understand that dual diagnosis is not a moral judgment on your character.  It is a medical situation that requires the appropriate treatment.  

Our outpatient facilities make treatment for dual diagnosis simple and easy, offering methadone maintenance.  We are committed to giving each patient who walks through our doors the best care possible.  We strive to help each person in our care achieve their recovery goals.  

Recovery is possible for everyone.  Make the call today to speak with someone about the treatment programs at HCRC.  Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is waiting for your call.  

The post What Is Dual Diagnosis? Mental Health and Addiction Explained appeared first on HCRC.

Summer is anexcellent season for addiction recovery since the extended daylight allows you more time for fruitful activities.  A substance-free summer offers a chance to build friendships, enjoy adventures and focus on yourself.  Spending time in nature can uplift your mood, which is essential for sustaining your flourishing recovery lifestyle.

7 Common Fun Activities To Do in Summer During Recovery

Whether you’re newly in recovery or continuing your journey, summer offers an ideal chance for rejuvenation and staying active in recovery. Here are seven recovery-friendly activities to keep your summer balanced and joyful.

1. Make a Splash

Whether you live near the ocean, a river, a lake, or a waterpark—get in the water!  There is something so therapeutic about floating in the water with the sun beaming down on you.  Studies show that just ten minutes of sun a day is beneficial for your health.  It can boost your vitamin D levels and improve your mood.  Just remember to wear SPF!

2. Go Camping

Spending a night beneath the stars while enjoying s’mores around a campfire is a summer rite of passage.  Make this your year if you have never experienced this all-American summer activity!  You do not even have to leave your backyard if you cannot get to a campsite.  There are so many camping ideas out there, including posh luxury yurts!

3. Grow a Garden

Gardening is a fulfilling way to spend time outdoors. It encourages mindfulness, physical movement, and patience—all helpful in recovery. Even if you’re new to planting, you can start with easy-to-grow herbs or vegetables.

4. Volunteer Your Time

If you are coping with boredom in recovery, giving back to those in need is one of our favorite recovery tips.  Animal shelters need volunteers to walk dogs, clean kennels and help at adoption events.  Nursing homes always need people to chat with residents and spend time outdoors.  Do some research, and you will quickly see many local opportunities.

5. Host a Recovery-Friendly Gathering

Summertime is, by far, the best season for hosting parties.  You have so many options to choose from when developing a recovery-friendly theme.  Even if you want something more low-key, everyone will enjoy delicious food off the grill and some yummy mocktails.  If you are feeling more ambitious, plan a water fight or cornhole tournament to get everyone on their feet!

6. Create Some Art

A great benefit of summertime is being able to do things outdoors, especially messy things!  Studies show that engaging in artistic hobbies helps reduce physical and emotional symptoms of stress in recovery.  If you are looking for a creative outlet, get in touch with some local artists.  Mural paintings, sidewalk art and much more are popular summer art activities.

7. Try a Summer Sport

Add movement and excitement to your routine by trying a summer-friendly sport like kayaking, hiking, biking, or trail running. Choose an activity that challenges you and fits your comfort level—everyone starts somewhere!

Reach Out

Call 866 758 7769

Ways to Maintain Structure During Summer Recovery

Some common summer activities can come with unique challenges like disrupted routines and increased social pressure. To stay focused:

• Create a routine: Stick to regular sleep, meal, and self-care schedules
• Stay active: Exercise to support physical and emotional wellness
• Prioritize recovery: Continue attending counseling and check-ins
• Manage your time: Balance social events and downtime wisely
• Reach out for support: Use your relapse prevention plan when needed

Staying active and maintaining structure can help you make the most of the season without compromising your recovery.

Get Help with Substance Use Disorder at HCRC

Summer is a time to enjoy life and build new memories—and recovery makes that possible. At HCRC, we provide evidence-based care including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and counseling services for opioid use disorder.

With more than 25 years of experience and over 6,500 patients helped, HCRC is proud to support individuals throughout New England. Our personalized care plans are designed to meet your unique needs.

Call us or contact us online to learn how our team can support your summer recovery goals.

The post 7 Common Summer Activities That Support Recovery appeared first on HCRC.

Methadone interactions with common foods are sometimes overlooked.  

Opioid addiction recovery involves changing many aspects of your life, sometimes including eating habits. If you take methadone as part of a medication-assisted treatment program, pay special attention to what you eat and drink. Certain foods can cause interactions or side effects. Consider the following foods to avoid during while taking methadone as part of your treatment program. 

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Why you Shouldn’t Eat Grapefruit While Taking Methadone 

Among the foods to avoid during medication assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone, grapefruit is the biggest. Unfortunately, grapefruit is a delicious fruit that negatively impacts many medications, including methadone. Also, be sure that none of your wellness supplements contain grapefruit extract.  

Grapefruit suppresses your enzyme system, making you absorb medications differently. It contains an antioxidant flavonoid that inhibits rental metabolism. When you eat or drink grapefruit while taking methadone, it increases the medication levels in your blood. This interaction can cause unexpected and adverse side effects. 

Grapefruit and methadone are a bad combo. Stick to orange juice if you enjoy a citrusy beverage. It has not shown to have any known interactions with methadone. Typically, other citrus like lemon and lime should be okay, but speak with your medical provider to be sure.  

Methadone and Caffeine Interaction Risks 

Methadone can affect your heart rate, and so can caffeine. As you receive treatment, staying away from substances that affect your heart’s rhythm will help you maintain your cardiovascular health. Taking methadone in combination with substances that contain caffeine can cause an irregular heartbeat. This can have life-threatening risks, especially if your provider is not aware. 

Coffee is a popular beverage among those in substance use disorder recovery. Still, it can cause adverse effects, especially heightening anxiety. You should always assess the effect it has on your body while you are in MAT. If you have any concerns, be sure to consult your medical provider.  

Some excellent alternatives to coffee include: 

• Hot cocoa 

• Tea 

• Chicory  

• Broth 

Check out more options here. Bone broth is a popular choice if you enjoy a warm beverage in the morning. Many people in recovery shift their focus onto wellness and health. Bone broth helps the body hydrate with electrolytes and essential nutrients. It may seem unconventional, but it could be the boost you seek!   

Processed Foods to Avoid While Taking  Methadone  

Food that contains high levels of sugar and fat does not have a direct interaction with methadone. However, it can have a higher impact on the health of someone recovering from an opioid addiction.  

Methadone changes the way your body processes sugar and opioid withdrawal can cause extra sugar cravings. These factors can increase your sugar intake and affect your BMI, cholesterol and other aspects of your health. Try to balance the amount of processed food you eat and cut it out where possible. 

Some simple switches you can make: 

• Instead of French fries, slice a potato into strips and bake them with olive oil. 

• Replace cookies with oatmeal bowls containing honey, chocolate chips and fruit.  

• Instead of burgers or chicken nuggets, opt for some baked fish with spices and side dishes 

You can find hundreds of recipes online for free these days. Many are simple and beginner friendly. Do not be afraid to experiment with new flavors as you begin your recovery journey. Your goal is to maintain a healthy lifestyle for opioid recovery.  

Can you Drink Alcohol while taking Methadone? 

Both alcohol and methadone depress the central nervous system, so taking them together can have dangerous effects. An opioid overdose happens when opioids depress your central nervous system too much, causing your breathing to slow or stop.  

People who take methadone for opioid use disorder may not believe that drinking alcohol socially affects their recovery. Some choose to forgo all psychoactive substances, sometimes with the exclusion of caffeine. This decision is between you, yourself and your medical provider.  

Taking methadone as directed will minimize your risk of adverse effects, but alcohol changes the drug’s effect on the body. The combination can potentially cause dangerous or lethal effects like an overdose. Choose non-alcoholic alternatives. Many non-alcoholic drinks are on the market, and plenty of mocktail recipes are available online.  

Diet Tips for Opioid Addiction Recovery 

Your treatment with methadone and diet are interconnected. Medication-assisted treatment is taking you through the next journey of your life. Recovery will be full of learning experiences and rebuilding. One of the biggest parts of this new chapter is re-learning how to nourish your body for optimal health.  

Although it can take some time to perfect your diet and eating regimen, there are several things to keep in mind.   

• Manage your weight: It can become more challenging to maintain a healthy BMI when you are in treatment for opioid use disorder. Work with your provider to gain or lose weight as needed and reach the right BMI for your height. 

• Adopt an active lifestyle: Exercise helps your brain manage dopamine, one of the chemicals affected by opioids. It also gives you healthy habits to follow and maintains your overall health. 

• Eat a healthy diet: Like exercise, eating healthy helps you manage your overall health. It also improves your body’s healing abilities as it recovers from opioid addiction. 

• Practice self-care: Be kind to your body as it is healing. Daily stretches and other simple body maintenance routines help keep you in tune with yourself.  

Eating the right foods and living a healthy lifestyle will improve your overall health and help you cope during recovery. You do not have to have it all figured out right away. Be kind to yourself and take your time figuring out what works best for you.  

Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. You can do it!  

Get More Information About Foods to Avoid During Medication Assisted Treatment 

If you need help recovering from opioid use disorder or to learn more about   methadone, our specialized staff at Health Care Resource Centers (HCRC) can help. Our treatment centers are staffed with addiction treatment professionals that are knowledgeable in every aspect of addiction recovery.   

If you are ready to take the first step towards a life in recovery, contact us today. You can visit our page for more resources or schedule your first appointment. 

The post Foods to Avoid During Opioid Use Disorder Treatment  appeared first on HCRC.

Money and Relapse Triggers 

Traditionally, the biggest addiction triggers are people, places, and things, but there is a fourth one on the list: money. Many who have struggled with addiction have spent their life savings, plunged into deep debts, and some have found themselves homeless and selling their possessions to fund their addiction. Through the course of these hardships, many develop an unhealthy relationship with money, meaning that any funds they come across immediately go towards their substance of choice. Poor money management in recovery could lead to temptation and triggers once steady employment starts filling an account with funds needed for essentials and budgeting—not for drugs or alcohol. 

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Employment and Payment 

While overall health and well-being are top priorities in recovery, many want to return to work as soon as possible. No matter how menial or sporadic, jobs fill up time, keep boredom at bay, and create an income stream to pay for life’s basics. However, jumping into a career or full-time employment too soon could cause recovery to backslide due to unmitigated triggers and too much stress. People re-entering the workforce while in recovery are highly encouraged to pace themselves and not solely focus on amassing as much money as they can, but instead find a good balance that won’t threaten their sobriety while still fulfilling their desire to work. 

Spending and Budgeting  

There are numerous resources for people in recovery that need help getting their financial situation in order, but a handful of simple steps can get the ball rolling in the right direction: 

• Make a list of debts owed to family and friends 
• Separate needs from wants, prioritizing rent, debt, and essentials 

• Creating a weekly and monthly budget 
• Establishing a savings bank account with limited access to large sums of cash via debit card 
• Keeping daily and weekly cash amounts stored in sealed envelopes  
• Reaching out to free financial planning programs through banks 
• Negotiating with creditors for feasible payback plans through the bank 

• Discussing legal advice with attorneys regarding bankruptcy, free for low-income individuals  
• Setting up monthly and yearly savings goals 
• Limiting frivolous spending and allowing for “treats” only when goals or milestones are met 

HCRC helps thousands of people treat their substance use disorder with medication-assisted treatment and substance use counseling. Programs that combine medication and counseling have been shown to increase a patient’s chances of achieving long-lasting recovery and improved health. To learn more about the programs at HCRC or to speak with an intake administrator, call or message the nearest location today.  

The post Top Recovery Money Management Tips appeared first on HCRC.

Hydration

Adjusting to medication-assisted treatment and a new lifestyle without drug misuse requires the body to make some changes. One of the most important factors during this transition is keeping the body hydrated, including electrolytes! Not only does water help flush the system, but it lubricates joints and revives skin cells as well. Many people neglect their health while actively using, and some live in a constant state of dehydration which can lead to chronic health issues. In recovery, something as small as drinking plenty of fluids can help clear brain fog and increase energy. Drinking plain water is great, but waters infused with citrus, herbs like mint, and even cucumbers can make it tastier with the benefit of extra vitamins.

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Physical Activity

Health experts are always urging people to be active every day, and for a good reason. Just thirty minutes of light exercise, like a brisk walk or yoga, can positively impact the mind and body. For those in recovery especially, the endorphins released during physical activity help stimulate an area of the brain often damaged by substance misuse. It can also provide stress relief for those who struggle with anxiety. A gym membership isn’t required to get the body moving daily; there are thousands of free exercise routines online for a range of physical abilities from beginner to more advanced.

Oral Health

The teeth and gums are more critical to overall wellness than people realize. Dental health is also one of the most neglected aspects for people actively using drugs. Recovery is a great time to reestablish proper oral hygiene using simple gadgets like water irrigation flossers and electric toothbrushes. Along with seeing a professional dental provider for advanced issues like decay and infections, getting on the path of an improved tooth and gum care routine can revitalize overall health and prevent serious illness in the future.

Nutrition

Many people in recovery may struggle with their appetite initially as addiction often causes irregular eating patterns and opting for quick and processed foods. Focusing on eating meals that include fresh ingredients like fruits and vegetables is a simple way to eat healthier, even if it’s all blended into a smoothie. Quality proteins like grilled meat, poultry, and fish are also vital in helping rebuild the body’s immune system, along with beneficial fats from nuts, avocados, and dairy too.

HCRC is proud to serve the surrounding communities with quality medication-assisted treatment programs for people ready to take their addiction head on. Specialized medical providers and nursing staff at each clinic are committed to treating each patient with the dignity and compassion they deserve as they work to better their lives for a life free from substance misuse. To learn more, message or call a nearby HCRC location today.

The post Quick Health Tips for a Happier Recovery Journey appeared first on HCRC.

How do Recovery Apps Help?

While these phone applications aren’t a replacement for counseling or treatment, they do provide an excellent way for people to stay organized and track their progress.

Quick info: Some apps contain maps of local treatment centers, group counseling centers, and emergency services that someone in recovery may need if they find themselves stranded.

Tracking: Keeping track of days in sobriety, cravings, changes in mood and sleep habits, plus much more, are useful ways to optimize the recovery journey.

Reminders: Rebuilding a life in recovery can get busy. Apps that manage schedules and deploy reminders for important meetings and events can help keep stress at bay while maintaining a routine.

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Scheduling: Most medical and insurance providers have made it easy to schedule appointments online. Patients can also message or speak to nurses and physicians through these portals, as well,

Support: Recovery forums are a space where people can connect with others in recovery; some even give access to crisis counselors specializing in relapse prevention.

Most Popular Recovery Apps

Sober Grid™ is a free app that uses social media and networking to help those on their recovery journey. Some cool features include daily quests featuring exercises that help people improve their mental and physical health. Users can share their progress while reaching out to ask for help or give send support to others. A peer coaching section is available through a paid subscription that provides 24/7, 365 access to certified recovery counselors. It’s available for iOS and Android devices.

I Am Sober™ is a free tracking app that counts sobriety down to the second. It also provides daily notifications with reminders of milestones and extra information regarding withdrawal symptoms and more. Some people enjoy seeing how much time they’ve committed to the recovery process, and seeing the ticker grow day after day is a source of inspiration and accountability. This app is available for iOS and Android.

Pear reSET-O® is an FDA-approved free app that helps people in recovery, offering 90-day cognitive-behavioral programs for adults already enrolled in addiction treatment. This app does require a medical provider prescription to register, but research shows that out of 3,000 OUD patients enrolled, it has helped many stay their course while continuing to engage with in-person treatment schedules. It’s available on both iOS and Android.

Many more mobile apps to choose from aren’t listed here, and many people in recovery have found them to be indispensable for their recovery journey.

HCRC provides evidence-based treatment for those with opioid use disorder using FDA-approved medications and substance use counseling. Programs that include a combination of medication-assisted treatment and counseling therapy have been shown to significantly increase the chances of success in long-term recovery for many patients. Call or message a local HCRC clinic today to learn more about the intake process with the help of compassionate and knowledgeable staff.

The post Can Mobile Apps Help with Recovery? appeared first on HCRC.

In addiction recovery, there’s a strong focus on substance use counseling, where patients work with professionals to help pinpoint unresolved trauma and possible untreated mental illness. This aspect of recovery work, when combined with medication-assisted treatment, has been shown to increase the chances of long-lasting recovery.

Along the recovery journey, people will learn to cope with life’s stressors without resorting to substances to find an escape; and by improving coping mechanisms, lasting sobriety is better safeguarded, and mental health tends to improve with the help of skill work and adapting to life on their terms.

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Most Important Coping Skills

These areas are the most critical to focus on in recovery:

• Stress management
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Decision-making
• Lifestyle choices

People who hone in on these aspects of life in recovery are more likely to develop heightened resiliency that overrides feelings of hopelessness and helplessness—two emotions that can be overwhelming when starting over. When resiliency improves, people can more easily carry out realistic plans, have a positive self-image and confidence in their abilities, communicate with others, and regulate their emotions.

Although these skills can’t be built in a single day, focusing on simple strategies that can be practiced consistently can make all the difference.

1. Establish connections: Recovery is the time to repair relationships with loved ones and build a new support network with local organizations and like-minded peers.
2. Avoid catastrophizing: Seeing every problem as impossible is an avoidance tactic that prevents personal growth. Approaching problems logically by looking into the future where a solution exists can make a crisis seem easier to tackle.
3. Strive towards goals: Creating goals and breaking them down into achievable steps, whether big or small, is an actionable way to build resiliency daily.
4. Accept change: Life post-substance misuse is a new chapter, and changes are inevitable. Being open to change and flexible with personal goals allows attention to focus on the most vital things.
5. Engage in self-discovery: Difficult life circumstances are an opportunity to re-frame one’s ability to survive and overcome rather than be seen as a victim whose autonomy was robbed by addiction.
6. Develop decisiveness: Second guessing and unsureness can cause needless anxiety. Making decisions in a timely matter can ward off lingering problems that would otherwise worsen over time if left unattended.
7. Keep things in perspective: Broader, long-term thinking can make sudden stressful situations seem smaller almost instantly.
8. Maintain a positive outlook: Ruminating over fears constantly is discouraging and inhibits progress. A can-do attitude is a much better approach, even after a tough day.
9. Nurture self-confidence: Learning to trust one’s own instincts is a learning process, but that muscle must be exercised constantly to build strong self-confidence.
10. Attend to personal needs: Self-care is often discussed, but its importance should not be understated. Regularly participating in feel-good activities helps stabilize mood and make challenges seem less severe.

HCRC provides medication-assisted treatment for those with substance use disorder in a professional setting with specialized staff who understand that addiction is a chronic illness that can be managed. Many HCRC patients go on to live fulfilling lives free of drugs and the perils of addiction, and the next success story is currently in the making after messaging or calling the nearest office today.

The post Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms appeared first on HCRC.

Create a list.

The list of people who may have been wronged during the height of someone’s addiction can be extensive, but narrowing down a list to the most important, closest, or those who were hurt the most can make the task of righting wrongs feel less daunting. Jotting down an email or home address, phone number, or another way to contact each person will help organize the initial process of reaching out.

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Choose a medium.

Some people have the gift of gab and can deliver eloquent heartfelt apologies on the spot, while others are brilliant at expressing themselves in words. Whichever the case, it’s also vital to consider whether the recipient is more responsive to a written or verbal apology.

Make apologies personal.

While wonderful templates can be found online to help people write apology letters, a generic copy-and-paste message simply won’t do in this situation. Each person on the list deserves a heartfelt apology letter that includes specific details that show genuine intent and remorse. Using a template can be helpful or organize thoughts, but the sentiments in each letter should be personalized to the recipient.

Take responsibility.

Substance use disorder is a chronic illness that affects the brain, causing people to act in ways they otherwise would never consider. That being said, there are still actions and words that have been exchanged that caused other people pain, and each patient needs to take ownership of their past transgressions. While the disease of addiction did drive many regrettable events, an apology should not be a transfer of blame onto an illness but rather an acknowledgment that the circumstances of past mistakes have caused damage to loved ones.

Ask for forgiveness.

There’s a difference between groveling at someone’s feet and expressing true and utter remorse. The latter is the goal for these letters, texts, emails, or verbal apologies. Asking for forgiveness also doesn’t mean that with three simple words, “I forgive you,” things will magically improve overnight. Recognizing that the path towards forgiveness and repair is a long road that will require work and re-building of trust is essential to mention.

Have patience.

Making amends can take time. Some wounds need to heal organically with enhanced, positive communication and proof of genuine commitment to improving matters. Give each recipient time to digest the apology and prepare to have some potentially tricky conversations ahead that may ultimately improve the chances of repairing important relationships.

HCRC helps thousands of people treat their substance use disorder using comprehensive methods proven to have a high success rate. To learn about medication-assisted treatment and how HCRC can help, message or call the nearest clinic today.

The post Making Amends with Friends and Family in Recovery appeared first on HCRC.

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What is Enabling?

In short, enabling is when a person (often unwittingly) passively permits harmful behavior from another person. Concerning substance use, this can apply in many different ways, but often the enabler tends to have good intentions but is more focused on “problem-solving” in the wrong ways that end up continuing the unwanted destructive behavior exhibited by the drug user because they never face negative consequences. Some examples of enabling someone with substance use disorder include:

• Making excuses for latent destructive behavior in and outside of the home
• “Rescuing” the user in situations that put other family members in harm’s way
• Financially supporting the person knowing the money is going directly toward drugs
• Lying, fabricating stories, and covering up misdeeds
• Taking on the drug user’s responsibilities for them
• Failing to construct sensible and safe boundaries
• Overriding their own needs or of the family to help the drug user

These examples show a harmful pattern of silent permission that a loved one with substance use disorder may act in ways that worsen their condition and strain others in the family or group. In essence, enablers may feel that they are helping the drug user by getting them “out of a bind” every other day, but in the long run, they are making the person’s situation much worse and their addiction deeper. Consequently, enablers often feel deep resentment towards the person they’re enabling because the cycle becomes all-consuming without any improvement in the drug user’s life.

Supporting instead of Enabling

It can be difficult to support a loved one grappling with substance misuse or addiction because the disease causes them to prioritize drug use above all else, causing them to act in belligerent and destructive ways. It can feel impossible to reason with someone whose brain has been rewired by substances, so many people don’t know how to approach the issue.

Supporting a loved one with substance use disorder involves making them understand how substances are deteriorating their own life and the well-being of others in their family and friend group. Driving them to treatment, offering to help them enroll in a program, or researching which programs appeal to them and similar offers are the best way to help them get healthy and for the family unit to heal. Setting up boundaries that involve only assisting them if they are reaching out for help to get treatment is a vital step in ending the enabling cycle. This isn’t revoking love or support for the person struggling, but rather making it clear that no one who loves them wants to have a hand in making their situation worse, only better.

Stop the cycle of enabling and addiction today by reaching out to HCRC. Knowledgeable and compassionate administrative staff, medical providers, and nurses are specialized in substance use disorder treatment and treat every patient with the dignity and respect they deserve. Message or call the nearest HCRC office today to learn more.

The post The Difference between Enabling and Supporting appeared first on HCRC.