Everything You Need to Know About Substance Abuse Recovery

When you are addicted to specific substances, you may think that you will never be able to recover from them, or that the road to recovery is going to be extremely long and challenging. Although that’s understandable, you need to understand that anyone can recover from these things.

Yes, it's going to be difficult at times, however, with the right steps and support, you'll be able to overcome this. While you are in recovery, you need to figure out how you are going to lead a normal life without these sorts of chains and burdens.

The truth is that there are a lot of things that you can do that can assist you during this process. If you would like to know how you can help yourself (or anyone else who is currently struggling), then just pay attention to the advice below.

Do Whatever You Can To Live In A Safe And Healthy Environment 

One of the first steps that you need to take when it comes to this, is to carefully look at your surroundings. What do you notice? Do you live in a place that's supportive, and that's going to help you recover faster?

What does a supportive environment mean? It means that there are no drugs, alcohol, or any other vice within your reach. Besides that, it also means that you are surrounded by people who represent a superb supporting system, that's going to be there for you every step of the way.

In short, you need to be in a place that makes you feel safe and healthy, and that’s going to encourage your recovery. Speaking of addiction, what you need to remember is that no drug or alcohol addiction can be overcome overnight.

That’s especially the case with drugs that you’ve been abusing for a longer period of time and the ones that stay in your body for a while. Many who have been using various sorts of drugs wonder how long does Ambien stay in your system? According to numerous reports and studies, it can be detected in urine for 24-48 hours. 

On the flip side, when it comes to blood tests, they can detect it for six to twenty hours. Of course, it all depends on the dose you've been taking. For those who have been utilizing higher doses, it's going to take roughly 72 hours to detect it (refers to urine), and up to 48 hours to be detected in blood tests.

You Should Consider Rehab

Everyone who has ever gone through something like this will tell you that you should never be alone on this journey. In fact, it's considered mandatory to be surrounded by both people you know and love, and professionals if you want to successfully overcome addiction.

If you already have friends and family members by your side, then that's amazing, however, another thing that you should consider is to enroll in a rehab center. Why is this such an important decision?

There are many benefits to these institutions. First and foremost, with the assistance of these empathetic professionals, you will be able to concentrate on your recovery and well-being in general.

As stated previously, conquering addiction isn’t something that occurs overnight, hence you need to invest a lot of time and effort to accomplish this. And that’s exactly what these rehab centers are going to enable you.

Aside from that, they are going to properly prepare you for life that’s drug and alcohol-free. They are not here only to help you overcome addiction, but to help you lead a life that will remain free of these things. However, in order to be successful in this, you need to complete the required treatment program.

Mutual Support Groups Are A Great Idea As Well

Many studies have shown in the past that mutual support groups can be very beneficial for everybody who currently struggles with addiction, and who wants to do whatever is in their power to conquer it.

Bear in mind that out there, you will stumble upon people who know exactly what you're going through and who are going to be able to understand you the right way. Sometimes, people who you already know (like your friends and family members) may not be able (not intentionally, of course) to provide you with the proper advice because they’ve never been in this type of situation.

On the other hand, people who are part of these support groups have been in your shoes and will be able to offer you encouragement and motivation to come out as a winner from all of this. When it comes to this, there are two options at your disposal.

The first option is Alcoholics Anonymous and the second one is Narcotics Anonymous. They are the most popular support groups. Besides them, you can come across mutual support groups that focus on certain sorts of drug addiction, such as Heroin Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous.

It doesn’t matter what you will resort to, the point is that you need to be very responsible and diligent as far as this is concerned. What does it mean? It means that you should attend them on a regular basis, which is at least once a week if you want to maintain long-term recovery.

Another thing that you should remember is that you are not obligated to stick to one support group only. If you find it suitable, you can attend two or more, if they make you feel comfortable, encouraging, and safe.

Aspire To Have Goals

This is particularly important if you are in the early stages of recovery from addiction. Now, that you are finally working on your progress, it’s of huge importance to write down goals that are going to help you further thrive.

It can literally be anything. For instance, you can go back to school, pick a different career path, travel the world, or whatever that makes you feel happy. By doing so, you are going to be a lot more motivated and will give your life purpose.

No one has ever said that this whole journey is ever going to be smooth, fast, and easy, however, as you can see, there are so many phenomenal steps that you can take that will help you combat this.

Outdoor Exercise Ideas To Boost Your Physical and Mental Health

It’s no secret that exercise is good for both the body and mind. The health benefits of keeping fit can’t be denied. If you have a regular exercise routine, you’ll both feel and look better. These benefits are boosted if you can spend at least some time exercising outside.

Going outside is something else that is good for your physical and mental health. Being closer o nature makes people more relaxed and can boost their immune system. Also, being outside exposes you to the sun, which allows your body to produce vitamin D. 

With this in mind, one popular way to stay healthy is to find some outdoor activities to allow you to keep fit and boost your mental health. Even better, some of these activities allow you to meet new people or spend time with your current loved ones. 

Canoeing or Kayaking

If you live near streams, rivers, or other bodies of water, then consider taking up canoeing or kayaking. These watersports are a fantastic option for the whole family, because they can suit beginners and experts alike.

If you prefer a slower, relaxing day out, then you can go out on a slow-moving body of water. Canoeing will still work out your arms and your core. However, you also have the option of whitewater paddling for a more high-intensity day out.

It’s important to make sure that you have the right equipment for your needs. If you prefer a solo experience, surf ski kayaks offer an exciting option that combines speed with the joy of being on the water. On the other hand, tandem kayaks are perfect for a day out with someone else or even your dog. Follow the advice of an experienced canoer like Monty Cerf when purchasing a canoe or other equipment. 

Hiking

Another outdoor activity that is great for the whole family is hiking. A hike can be anything between an easy stroll around a nearby trail or footpath, or something more intensive like a long hike over difficult terrain.

Walking is a relatively low-intensity activity, although some more challenging hikes require more physical fitness and will provide more of a work-out, regular walking is the best way to keep yourself fit. It’s also fantastic for your mental health because you can see some truly stunning sights as you walk on certain trails in nature.

If you enjoy exploring the outdoors but would rather get more of a workout, then consider jogging or cycling. You can’t always go on the same trials, but you can explore your area and train your cardiovascular system.

Outdoor Sports

If you have friends with similar goals, or want to meet some new people, then taking up an outdoor team sport is a great way to keep fit and spend time with people. Volleyball, for example, is a fantastic all-body workout and is plenty of fun.

You can also play football, soccer, basketball, or other sports. True, if you aren’t good at sports, you might be nervous to start with. But if you can play with people of a similar skill level or people who you trust, then you can soon pick things up. You’ll have fun and keep fit while doing it. 

4 Effective Ways to Block Blue Light Emission

Nowadays, it is rare that you’ll find someone not having an electronic device within hand’s reach. Technology is dominating our world, and everyone now has access to more than one device that emits blue light. Of course, this can have a detrimental effect on our eyesight. In fact, eye exposure to electronic devices will have a long-term effect on our eyes.

Although research hasn’t been particularly clear on what that entails, we must always be cautious when it comes to our eyesight. This guide will help you combat one of the most dangerous light emissions: blue light emitted by our screens.

1.   Use a Screen Filter

If blue screen light is bothering you to a great extent, you’ll have to shop for screen filters. Luckily, screen filters are now becoming more popular as the demand for them increases. If you shop online for these filters, you’ll find models that can fit your laptop, phone, or tablet screen. Make sure to pick the right model, though, or else it might damage your screen. Screen filters should fit easily on to the screen without damaging it or affecting the touch screen. In short, your screen filter must operate without interfering with the functions of your device. These devices are particularly helpful, especially for kids who use computers or laptops for gaming. They’re also useful for teenagers and college students who need to use their laptops to do schoolwork.

2.   Blue Light Blocking Glasses

There are glasses that have been specially made to absorb blue light and reduce eye strain. If you want your glasses to protect your eyesight while working, the glasses manufacturers at Block Blue Light recommend that you use new glasses with blue light blocking features that can absorb between 90 to 99% of blue light. Their prices, which can start from $10, are moderate and budget-friendly, so you won’t have to worry about being about to afford them. Glasses with the blue light blocking feature will improve your speed, and help you focus on the tasks at hand. They are also known to reduce the risks of developing cataracts or macular degeneration conditions. You’ll be able to use your devices for hours on end without having to worry about your eyesight. These glasses are an important investment, especially if you do most of your work while staring at a screen.

3.   Reduce Screen Time

If your work doesn’t necessitate staring at the screen of your computer for hours, you can instead limit your exposure. It is true that avoiding electronic devices is impossible in our world, now that almost every piece of technology governs how we communicate and do our work. However, you can reduce your time of exposure. 

For example, you can avoid electronics when you’re not working. Substitute that time with other activities, such as exercising, or yoga. Digital devices are a form of escapism for a lot of people, so if you’re really adamant about taking that step, you must find another activity that can provide that same amount of entertainment. You might try drawing, for example, or writing. You may also want to spend more time with your friends. This can, to some extent, reduce eye fatigue and muscle strain.

4.   Get Regular Eye Exams

If there is one thing that can ensure your eyesight is in great condition, it is regular eye exams. Make sure to get your eyes examined every once in a while by a licensed optometrist. Even when you’re taking all the precautions to protect your eyes from blue light or other invisible emissions, you must talk to a specialist and have them examine your eyes. While this step might sound unnecessary at some points, it will give you peace of mind. It will also ensure that your vision is always clear and healthy. If your vision is indeed deteriorating due to blue light, make sure to follow your optometrist’s instructions to the letter. You must couple these efforts with following the precautions we’ve mentioned in the previous steps.

Our eyesight is irrefutably one of the most important senses we have. There is no substitute for our eyesight once it is damaged. It is, therefore, of the essence that we do all we can to protect our eyes from any harm. Protecting your eyes can start with the simple act of blinking, as that action helps to keep them moist and refreshed. However, if you want a more effective method of protecting your eyes, you can ask your ophthalmologist to prescribe protective lenses with blue light filters.