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In addiction recovery, we know that unresolved trauma often lies at the core of substance use disorders. For many individuals, early experiences of trauma shape behavioral patterns, coping mechanisms, and, ultimately, their relationship with substances. At Absolute Awakenings, we believe that addressing trauma is a foundational element in the journey toward long-term sobriety. Our trauma-informed approach recognizes that every individual’s experience with trauma is unique and deeply personal. This perspective shapes every interaction and therapeutic intervention, fostering a safe, supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. We prioritize safety, choice, and collaboration for our clients. Using evidence-based modalities, we help clients address unresolved trauma and enable them to reframe and transform negative patterns, reducing the likelihood of relapse. Our methods address the symptoms and target the root cause, empowering individuals to heal at a fundamental level. For addiction treatment workers, trauma-informed care is more than a strategy; it’s a paradigm shift. It challenges us to reimagine the therapeutic relationship, placing empathy and understanding at the forefront. We encourage our peers and partners in the field to consider trauma-informed approaches as a critical element in the pursuit of lasting recovery. 🫶✨ For more on how the Absolute Awakenings team integrates trauma-informed care to support clients' recovery, visit bit.ly/aa-trauma! #TraumaInformedCare #LongTermSobriety #AddictionRecovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #DualDiagnosis #CoOccurringDisorders #NewJersey

📢 Exciting News! 🌟 Our blog is here! We've launched a blog on our website, diving deep into addiction treatment, mental health, and so much more. Stay tuned every week for insightful articles, expert advice, and stories of hope and recovery. Let's journey together toward a healthier, happier future! You can read our recent blog here: https://lnkd.in/ePXiPt4m #TeamRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #AddictionRecovery #WeeklyBlog

A person suffering from addiction can appear as a "normal" individual, seemingly having it all together - a home, career, family, and more. 🏠👨👩👧👦💼 Yet, the reality often involves silent suffering due to Substance Use Disorder, colloquially referred to as drug addiction. 😔💊 Creating a supportive environment focused on mental health is crucial as many affected individuals fear speaking up, leading to: 🔵 Mental health decline 🧠💔 🔵 Job issues 📉 🔵 Strained relationships 💔 However, effective treatments exist to facilitate healing and reclaiming lives. 🌟 Increasing awareness, empathy, and empowering knowledge is key to guiding individuals through recovery from addiction. Educational sessions can aid allies in offering empathetic support and encourage those silently struggling to seek help. 💬🧠 I am Dr. Sarah Nasir, an Osteopathic Addiction Medicine Physician and Coach, dedicated to enhancing understanding and addressing substance use disorders for individuals, families, and organizations. 🌿 If your organization seeks informative sessions to equip your team in supporting individuals battling addiction and fostering a safe environment for seeking help, let's connect! 🌟🤝

Many people in Canada living with mental illness, including addiction, face stigma. 💡Remove barriers with Understanding Stigma - a self-directed, free, online course offered by CAMH! This course is designed to help improve patient–provider interactions and overall care for people with mental illness, including addiction. Modules focus on raising awareness, identifying and understanding the impacts of stigma, and challenging stigma and discrimination. Learn more here:

Depression knows no boundaries—it affects people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 🌍✨ No matter where you come from, understanding and support are crucial. Let's break the stigma and talk openly about mental health. 🗣️💚 Reach out, seek help, and remember: you are not alone. 🤝 #MentalHealthAwareness #BreakTheStigma . . Learn More: https://lnkd.in/ebUXttjj . . #rhodeislandaddictiontreatmentcenters #addictiontreatment #alcoholfree #therapy #drugfree #treatment #rehabprograms

Education and Support Group for Families and Friends of Individuals Struggling with Addiction Are you overwhelmed by a loved one's addiction and unsure where to turn? Our education and support group is here to provide you with the understanding, tools, and community support you need to navigate this difficult journey. What You’ll Gain from Our Support Group: Understand Addiction Learn how substances affect the brain and body, and why addiction is a treatable disease, not a choice. Establish Healthy Boundaries Discover how to set clear, effective boundaries to protect yourself and your family while offering support to your loved one. Build a Support Network Connect with other families and friends going through similar experiences, offering a safe space for shared understanding and growth. Develop Coping Strategies Gain practical tools to manage stress, process emotions, and maintain your own well-being during this challenging time. Learn About Family Dynamics Understand how addiction impacts the entire family system and what you can do to foster healing and stability. Who Should Attend? This group is designed for anyone who has a family member, partner, or close friend struggling with substance use. Whether you're feeling confused, isolated, or emotionally drained, this group can offer the support and guidance you need. You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone Join us to learn, share, and find strength in a community that truly understands. Together, we’ll work through the confusion and chaos that often comes with loving someone who is struggling with addiction. https://lnkd.in/gE4Ubwqt

Top 5 Myths of #Addiction 1. Myth: Addiction is purely a choice.  While choice is involved in starting substance use, addiction is shaped by complex factors like trauma, mental health challenges, and social conditions. Hannah Pickard’s "responsibility without blame" (https://lnkd.in/ga3BkGQ9) concept highlights that individuals can take responsibility for their actions without being burdened by blame. It's not about excusing behavior but understanding the deeper roots and offering compassion alongside accountability. 2. Myth: Addiction is purely a brain disease.  While addiction involves changes in the brain (what doesn't?), it’s not just a brain disorder. Social, emotional, and psychological factors—such as trauma, isolation, and societal disconnection—play a significant role. Viewing addiction solely as a brain disease oversimplifies the issue and misses the larger context of human experience. Addiction, properly understood, is neither a disease to be cured—though it has aspects of a disease—nor a problem to be eliminated. On the contrary, addiction is the individual’s attempt to solve a quandary. Before we can address addiction, this simple fact must be understood. 3. Myth: Hitting “rock bottom” is necessary for change.  Waiting for someone to reach their lowest point can be harmful. Change can happen at any stage, and early support or intervention can make all the difference. It's about providing opportunities for growth before things become unmanageable. 4. Myth: Abstinence is the best/only solution.  While abstinence works for some, many people benefit from harm-reduction strategies like safer use or medication-assisted treatment. There are multiple pathways to better well-being, and different approaches work for different individuals. 5. Myth: Most people who use drugs will become addicted.  In reality, most people who use drugs do not develop addiction. Addiction arises in a smaller percentage of users, often tied to factors like trauma, mental health struggles, or chronic stress. The focus should be on supporting those at risk without assuming that all drug use leads to addiction or is always problematic.

Quality recovery housing is becoming increasingly recognized as an important criteria for long-term recovery. Alabama Alliance for Recovery Residences National Alliance for Recovery Residences - NARR Alabama Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) #asamcriteria #qualityrecoveryhousing #narrstandards #recovery #recoveryresidence

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