by A Women in Sobriety | Aug 6, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Body Image / Eating Disorders
Written By: Katie Schipper
How Yoga and Eating Disorder Recovery Work Together
Like the complicated make-up of eating disorders, yoga and eating disorder recovery work together as multi-disciplinary and varied practices. They share variance – eating disorders on one parallel, and yoga as it’s spiritual counterpoint.
Like addiction, eating disorders are hard explain because causation is so varied. Also like addiction, eating disorders are difficult to treat, as recovery lies largely in the individual’s willingness to seek and accept treatment. There’s also the necessity of a varied approaches to treatment, including: therapy, inpatient facility stays, ongoing care, the willingness to be honest and persevere, and undoubtedly a spiritual component. This isn’t to say that a woman needs to find God to recover from her eating disorder, but rather that practices which affirm the value of mind-body-soul health are important.
For someone who’s struggled with eating disorders, there’s usually a component of exercise abuse. This can run the gambit from over-exercising to burn calories, to a fear of physical activity, to any variety of related issues. To avoid exercise abuse, the reintroduction of physical activity must be intentional and considerate. Also, a goal beyond weight loss and calorie burning must be present in any exercise routine. Practicing yoga for eating disorder recovery establishes these goals.
Read common misconceptions about eating disorders
How Yoga Helps the Eating Disorder Recovery Process
Yoga is valuable for eating disorder recovery because of its grounding in mind-body connectivity and the variety of practices available. One of the most rewarding outcomes of practicing yoga is the profound sense of relaxation that follows. This serenity is a feeling foreign to women struggling with eating disorders. For some, it may be a feeling they’ve had only a handful of times, if ever at all.
So on a basic level, yoga reintroduces the participant to the concept of relaxation. More than any pose or posture, this is achieved through a class-long focus on breathing.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale
The postures are secondary, always, to the breath. So, what yoga really offers is a mediation in disguise. Utilizing meditation, through yoga and eating disorder recovery, is an extremely useful tool for those beginning to heal.
Read even more misconceptions about eating disorders
Getting Grounded With Yoga for Eating Disorders and Recovery
Yoga classes for those in recovery from eating disorders should be thoughtful. After all, for a group that’s been conditioned to view their bodies through a distorted lens and to obsess about appearance, the yoga studio should be traditional. This means it doesn’t have mirrors. Many modern yoga and dance studios are wall-to-wall mirrors. This isn’t be appropriate for yoga and eating disorder recovery.
Yoga classes should be chosen with the help of a therapist. The idea isn’t to introduce an intense hot yoga practice, or a cardio routine, but rather to build a practice that fosters relaxation and spiritual connection. When active in an eating disorder, the suffering woman usually loses all spiritual connection through her dissociation from feeling and sensation.
Yoga’s a Valuable Resource for Those in Recovery
Yoga and eating disorder treatment go hand-in-hand. This makes yoga a valuable practice and resource for anyone in recovery from an eating disorder. For women in early-recovery, yoga can be a life-changing tool. For those with long-term recovery, and even normies, it provides a sense of relief when approached from a traditional stance.
It’s wise to be aware of the potential for letting yoga become yet another symptom of an eating disorder. Because this potential exists, any woman struggling with an eating disorder should make sure her therapist or treatment center is involved with starting to practice yoga.
by A Women in Sobriety | Aug 4, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Drug Addiction
Another High Profile Addict
Dustin Johnson, one of the best golfers playing today, is an addict.
Now, this may be a strong proclamation, hell it may even sound like libel, but it’s absolutely true. Johnson recently failed a drug screen after testing positive for cocaine. This is Johnson’s third failed drug screen in five years. In 2009, he tested positive for marijuana. In 2012, he tested positive for cocaine.
After this most recent failed drug screen, Johnson’s management company issued a statement that he would be taking a sabbatical from professional golf – “I will use this time to seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced.”
Convinced Yet?
All of this is to say that addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects those from the bottom of the barrel, right up to those at the very top. You could say it’s an equal opportunities offender.
Now, at this point, you still might not be convinced that Johnson is an addict. He’s a careless, professional athlete, you may be thinking. He screwed up a couple times, but who hasn’t, you may be saying. Let’s take a minute to define addiction, and look at how it commonly manifests.
What is Addiction? How Does it Manifest?
Addiction is defined as a chronic, progressive illness, characterized by an individual’s repeated use of a substance, despite negative consequences.
Okay, so addiction is chronic, or long-term. Three failed drug tests in five years sounds chronic to me. While he hasn’t been shot-gunning beers and doing blow for decades, five years of drug abuse is long enough to do major damage to one’s body, family, reputation, etc.
Addiction is progressive. This means that as time passes, it gets worse. In 2009, Johnson was smoking weed. By 2012, he had moved onto cocaine. Drug progression? Check.
Addiction is characterized by the repeated use of a substance, despite negative consequences. Well, Johnson continued to use despite failing drug screens. He continued to use despite knowing he’d be tested again. He continued to use despite being a high profile athlete. He risked current and future endorsements, not to mention his reputation. Sounds like there was repeated use, despite numerous negative consequences.
My Experience, Strength, and Hope
While I’m by no means a professional athlete, I certainly am an addict. Today though, I’m a sober addict. I’m in recovery and have been for quite some time.
There’s this tricky part of addiction, the part where the addict doesn’t think they have a problem. There are innumerable reasons for this. For me, it was the people I used with. They used as much, and as hard, as I did. They shot dope, smoked crack, and engaged in crime, right alongside me. This allowed me to trick myself into thinking everyone used like I did. Obviously, this wasn’t the case at all.
After years spent destroying myself, I realized that MAYBE, just maybe, I did have a drug problem. Then a funny thing happened, I realized I’d always known I was an addict. I’d just stuffed that knowledge down inside and covered it with a film of opiates and crack. This knowledge allowed me to come into recovery, which was only the start of my journey.
I relapsed a handful of times. Remember, addiction is chronic. It doesn’t just disappear overnight. Addicts need to do some HARD work to get better. In the beginning, I wasn’t ready to do this work. So, I got high. After enough pain, I did the work. I went to treatment, got involved in the twelve-steps, and attained peace of mind.
Okay….So?
Listen, I’m not Dustin Johnson. That much should be obvious! I’m not a professional athlete and I’m definitely not rich. I don’t know who Johnson uses with, or how his loved ones feel about his use. I do know a few things though.
I know how Johnson uses. I know how much he doesn’t want to use. I know the lies he tells himself.
I know how baffled he is after he does get high. I know that feeling of complete disappointment with yourself. I know that self-hatred.
Hell, I bet I can even tell you exactly what he says after a binge – “That was f*cking horrible. I gotta do something…okay, no more hard drugs. Just booze.” I know all this because I’ve been there.
So, from one addict to another, get some help Dustin. You don’t even again have to feel this crappy. There’s another way of life and it’s so much better than active addiction. There’s hope, I promise you that Dustin, there’s so much hope.
by A Women in Sobriety | Aug 4, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Drug Addiction
Written By: Fiona Stockard
Why is There an Addiction Stigma?
Addicts and alcoholics are misunderstood people. I don’t even understand them and I’m an addict and alcoholic myself! There are a bunch of different types of addiction stigma. What are they? Why do they exist?
Stigma can be understood in terms of how it manifests at the self, social, and structural levels. Self-stigma is defined as “a subjective process that is characterized by negative feelings (about self), maladaptive behavior, identity transformation or stereotype endorsement resulting from an individual’s experiences, perceptions, or anticipation of negative social reactions on the basis of a stigmatized social status or health condition” (Livingston, 2011). This basically means the judgements addicts and alcoholics carry about themselves.
Social-stigma “describes the phenomenon of large social groups endorsing stereotypes about and acting against a stigmatized group” (Livingston, 2011). So, social-stigma refers to how a society, and various subcultures within that society, view addicts and alcoholics.
Structural-stigma “refers to the rules, policies and procedures of institutions that restrict the rights and opportunities for members of stigmatized groups” (Livingston, 2011). So, structural-stigma refers to the negative attitudes held by institutions. Think the government, the healthcare system, and the criminal justice system.
An Addiction Stigma to the Power of Three
All three manifestations of stigma influence one another. For example, social-stigma has a deep effect on self-stigma. In turn, self-stigma can affect social-stigma. It’s a vicious cycle.
Several studies have identified these stigmas as significant barriers to addicts and alcoholics accessing treatment. An example of this is former President Richard Nixon’s famous term “War on Drugs.” This phrase allows the public to view those suffering from addiction as enemies of the state, rather than as sick people in need of help. It makes anything related to addiction a crime. Substance use disorders are treated as moral and criminal issues, rather than health concerns.
Livingston echoes this idea. He states, “criminalization of substance-using behaviors exacerbates stigma and produces exclusionary process that deepen the marginalization of people who use illegal substances.” Therefore, the social processes and institutions that manage substance abuse may actually contribute to its continuance (Livingston, 2011). With all three stigmas working together as one comprehensive addiction stigma, the stereotypes that follow become difficult to overcome.
There’s More
Substance use disorders are also linked to, and overlap with, a large amount of other stigmatized health conditions (HIV/AIDS, HCV, etc.), unsafe behaviors (impaired driving, unsafe sexual practices, etc.), and social problems (poverty, criminal activity, etc.) (Livingston, 2011). The stigmas and addiction stereotypes attached to these health conditions, unsafe behaviors, and social problems, make substance use disorder even more stigmatized! Additionally, as there’s truth to some stereotypes (for example, many people suffering from addiction do drive under the influence) it becomes even more challenging to counteract these stigmas.
Combating the Addiction Stereotypes
Some measures have been found to be effective when combating addiction stigma and other stereotypes associated with drug abuse. For example, self-stigma can be reduced through therapeutic interventions in drug abuse treatment. These are things like group-based acceptance and commitment therapy.
Interventions found to be successful for reducing social-stigma include motivational interviewing and communicating positive stories of people with substance use disorders.
Changing stigma at a structural level can be achieved through contact-based training and education programs targeting medical students and professionals (police officers, counselors, etc.) (Livingston, 2011).
Works Cited
Livingston, J. (2011). The effectiveness of interventions for reducing stigma related to substance use disorders: a systematic review. Addiction Review , 107-39-50.
by Fiona Stockard | Aug 1, 2014 | 12 Steps, Addiction Articles
Written By: Fiona Stockard
The Basic Text Broken Down – Part One
Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who help each other recover from drug and alcohol addiction. It was founded in July of 1953, just celebrated its sixty-first anniversary, and boasts over 60,000 meetings worldwide.
NA’s central literature is the Basic Text. With a sponsor, the Basic Text, and a workbook, NA members work the twelve steps. Through working these steps, NA members learn that “Just for today, you never have to use again!” (xxiii)
What exactly is the Basic Text? How does reading a book help someone achieve and maintain clean time? The aim of these articles are to answer exactly those questions.
Prefaces
The NA Basic Text is now in its sixth edition. Throughout each edition, there have been short prefaces explaining the changes made. Now, in the sixth edition, there are only two prefaces. One is the preface of the most recent edition, while the other is the preface of the very first edition.
Of particular interest is a short section from the preface to the first edition. It states, “As addicts, we know the pain of addiction, but we also know the joy of recovery we have found in the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous” (xxiii).
This is a central facet of NA, the fellowship. Anytime an addict is struggling with cravings or other issues, they can go to a meeting and instantly be surrounded by family. They’re home in the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous.
Introduction
This chapter, as the name suggests, is a brief introduction to the program of NA. Founding NA members adopted their program of recovery from Alcoholics Anonymous. However, they make sure to note, “Alcoholism is too limited a term for us; our problem is not a specific substance, it is a disease called addiction” (xxv).
Here, they lay out an important concept, the disease model of addiction. This, much like AA’s disease model of alcoholism, is a three-part model. There’s a mental obsession, a physical allergy, and a spiritual malady. In order to recovery, all three parts of the disease must be addressed.
The way that NA treats the disease of addiction is by getting connected to a Higher Power and carrying a message of hope and healing to new members. This can be seen when, on the next page, they say “Our purpose is to remain clean, just for today, and to carry the message of recovery” (xxvi).
Chapter One – Who Is an Addict?
This chapter outlines who may benefit from the Narcotics Anonymous program.
One of the first things it points out is that “Some of us believe that our disease was present long before the first time we used” (3).
This idea, that drugs weren’t the problem, is central to any recovery programs. In fact, for many addicts, drugs were the solution! The problem rests within the addicts themselves. The problem was our inability to cope with life!
In fact, the chapter goes on to state this very notion. “We tried drug and combinations of drugs to cope with a seemingly hostile world” (4).
Once again, as addicts, drugs offer us a solution to the hardships in life. The problem is our inability to deal with these problems.
The chapter goes on to say, “We had to reach our bottom, before we were willing to stop” (7).
This is another idea central to NA – that addicts can only get better after hitting a bottom. I know this was certainly true for me. I had to lose everything before I thought that maybe I needed help. I had to isolate myself from everyone before I thought I might be the problem.
by Sally Rosa | Jul 30, 2014 | Addiction Articles, Recovery
Written By: Fiona Stockard
Homelessness and Addiction: Is There a Common Thread?
Often, the homeless population is viewed as being comprised of alcoholics and addicts. While this assumption is often true (about 38% of homeless people were dependent on alcohol and 26% abused other drugs[1]), other stigmas sometimes make for a skewed view of the homeless. For example, when alcoholism and addiction is viewed as a moral choice, all subsequent consequences are viewed as that person’s fault. This scapegoating allows the public to view homelessness and addiction as the person’s own fault. However, this view is pretty simplistic. Conditions leading into poverty are often complex and escaping poverty can be a huge challenge.
Listen to this formally homeless mans amazing speech
Homeless Addicts Didn’t Choose This Life
Substance abuse is often the cause of people becoming homeless addicts. Alcoholism and addiction can be a cause for someone to lose their job. For someone who’s living pay-check to pay-check, the loss of a job quickly leads to the loss of their housing as well. In 2008, a survey by the United States Conference of Mayors asked twenty-five cities for the top causes of homelessness. Substance abuse was the largest cause of homelessness for single adults (reported by 68% of cities). It was also mentioned by 12% of cities as one of the top three causes of homelessness in families. Approximately two-thirds of homeless people report that drugs and/or alcohol were a major reason for their becoming homeless[2].
Read the compelling story of a homeless man getting a home
Homelessness and Drug Use or Drug Use and Homelessness?
In many situations, substance abuse is a result of homelessness rather than its cause. People who’re homeless often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their situations[3]. Alcohol and other substances are used as a temporary relief to their problems. As with all relief provided by drugs, the abuse usually worsens the problem. In this situation, drug and alcohol use makes it more difficult to achieve stable employment, and thus, stable housing. Self-fulfilling prophecies may occur as well. This is when a young person, growing up in poverty, turns to drugs and alcohol to cope with their undignified living situation. In turn, using drugs and alcohol limit their chances to overcome poverty. In this way, they might become homeless addicts themselves.
Mental Illnesses Contribute Greatly
For many stuck in the downward spiral of homelessness and addiction, substance abuse co-occurs with other mental illnesses. People with untreated mental illness often turn to street drugs as a form of self-medication. Mental illness is one more obstacle to recovery, especially when left untreated. Mental illness often leads to a perpetual cycle from the streets, to jails, and psychiatric institutions.
It can be especially hard for homeless people to recover from addiction as their motivation to stop using may be inadequate. For many homeless, things like finding food and shelter are seen as a priority over drug abuse treatment or counseling[4]. Finally, many homeless have become estranged from their families and friends. They have no social-support network, an essential for recovery.
The Cause and Effect
As substance abuse is both a cause and result of homelessness, both issues need to be addressed simultaneously. In order for a homeless person to recover from addiction it’s important to give them support services once their treatment has been completed. In fact, stable housing during and after drug treatment decreases the risk of relapse[5]. Additionally, when providing a housing community for those who’re homeless, it’s essential that one of the services provided be a substance abuse service. Otherwise, achieving goals like steady employment and housing may be impossible.
[1] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[2] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[3] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[4] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
[5] National Coalition for the Homeless. ‘Substance Abuse and Homelessness’. July 2009. Web.
