AT THE HAVEN

IN LACEY, WASHINGTON

Get Free and Confidential Help 24/7

Maintaining Sobriety After the First 90 Days

staying sober - coping mechanisms - substance abuse - support network - how to stay sober - stay sober - maintaining sobriety

Many addiction specialists and others in the recovery community say that your first 90 days in recovery are the most important. You need to practice the coping mechanisms you learned in addiction treatment, to help you get through any hardships in early recovery. The first three months following substance abuse treatment are often the most […]

Addiction and Comorbidity

comorbidity - co-occuring disorders - mental disorders - anxiety - depression - substance use disorder - alcohol use disorder - dual diagnosis

Comorbidity is essentially having both a substance use disorder and mental disorder simultaneously. People with a drug addiction are twice as likely to experience mood and anxiety disorders than are members of the general population and vice versa, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Additionally, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America […]

Recovering Before Rock Bottom

Is “rock bottom” a myth in the world of addiction and recovery? Yes and no.  In treatment, it’s not uncommon for people to share stories of when they hit bottom— the moment that they knew that they could no longer live a substance-dependent life and needed to seek addiction treatment. Some seek treatment long or […]

Do Needle Exchange Programs Encourage Opioid Use?

needle exchange programs - needle exchange encouraging drug use? - IV drug use - intravenous drug use - needle exchange programs NEPs - NEP - NEPs

Needle exchange programs, sites where IV drug users can exchange used, or “dirty,” needles/syringes for sterile ones, are hotly disputed in the U.S. at a time when the opioid crisis is at a peak. Heroin— one of the most common drugs injected at these sites— use is on the rise, with nearly 1 million Americans […]

Why Do I Dream About Using?

drug dreams - craving - dreaming about drugs - using dreams - drug and alcohol dreams

Dreams about using or relapsing can be incredibly unsettling for those overcoming addiction, especially when you’ve been sober for a time. It is important to not ignore these dreams, though it may be tempting to disregard dreams simply because they are dreams and “are not real.” Drug dreams are not uncommon for those in recovery, […]

How to Break the Chronic Relapse Cycle

Addiction is a relapsing brain disease that affects over 20 million people, according to a 2017 report by the U.S. Surgeon General. Chronic relapse is a cycle— someone with a substance use disorder seeks treatment, attains sobriety, and relapses, time and again. Typically, someone who can be considered a chronic relapser has a good understanding […]

7 Therapeutic Approaches to Addiction Treatment

There are many therapeutic approaches to substance abuse treatment, and a truly comprehensive take on addiction treatment begins with a multi-approach plan. Several therapies are commonly used by therapists and addiction specialists to treat substance use disorders and their co-occurring disorders. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) Based on language- and cognition-oriented relational frame theory (RFT), […]

Is Sober Living Right for Me?

After completing detox and inpatient treatment at a detox/residential facility, those with a substance use disorder have the option to move into a sober living facility and complete an outpatient program. Deciding whether sober living is right for you should be based on your unique treatment needs and what approach to continuing treatment/aftercare is most conducive […]

Giving Back with Elliot Bags

elliot bags - community involvement - elliot b. - royal life centers at the haven - royal life centers - community service - scholarships

Royal Life Centers understands the importance of giving back to the various communities we are a part of, which is why we strongly encourage guest and staff participation in our community-centered activities. At all Royal Life Centers locations, both guests who want to volunteer and guests who need community service hours hand out bags, each containing […]

From Codependence to Independence in Addiction

Often when a loved one is dealing with a substance use disorder, it can be difficult to know where the line between enough support and too much support exists. Family, friends, and significant others want to be there for their loved one during their addiction recovery and help however they can, but without due diligence, […]