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Why is change so hard?

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 18:26:43 GMT

Whether you are trying to cut back on your drinking, leave your job, or exercise more, the mere thought of making a change is fear-inducing. Even when we are fully aware that our current situation or behavior is unhealthy (e.g., a toxic work environment, an unhealthy relationship, drinking), making a change is still challenging.

For example, take John who currently has a job in a toxic work environment. John has recognized for months that he is unhappy despite having tried many approaches to improve his situation. His mental, emotional, and physical health continue to deteriorate, and his drinking has increased.

However, John still finds it difficult to leave his current company and accept a new job offer. Why?

One reason: There is a lot of comfort in doing something familiar even when we are fully aware that it is unhealthy. And change, even when likely to improve our situation, means taking a risk and moving away from the comfort of familiarity. The fear of the unknown and the uncertainty of change keep us stuck in unhealthy situations.

The FDH treatment program recognizes that making positive life changes requires more than just reducing drinking and drug use; it involves assessing a wide range of habits and behaviors that may be contributing to unhealthy patterns.

Call us today for a free consultation at 773-747-5500.

Triggers

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 18:47:50 GMT

Quick Facts About Triggers

What is a Trigger?

One important part of recovery is to identify your triggers. A trigger is a cue or experience that gives rise to a craving or urge to use a substance.

Triggers may be internal or external. Internal triggers could be feelings, thoughts, or memories. External triggers could be places, people, or events. Here are some examples:

Internal Triggers

1. Feelings (example: Sadness) – Feeling sad is a common trigger for those struggling with substance abuse because substances provide quick and predictable relief from uncomfortable emotions.

2. Thoughts (example: Catastrophizing) – Certain thoughts and thought patterns can be triggering. Catastrophizing is a distorted way of thinking in which an individual dwells only on worst case scenarios. In this example, substance use could be an appealing option to calm down the mind.

3. Memories (example: ex-partner) – An individual may feel triggered upon recalling memories of a previous relationship that they grieve over.

External Triggers

1. Places (example: bar) – Walking by the bar an individual used to frequent is triggering because it surfaces memories of a variety of drinking experiences the individual had there.

2. People (example: drinking buddy) – Speaking with a “friend” with whom an individual used to drink can bring back unpleasant and conflicting memories.

3. Events (example: work party) – Work social events can be triggering because they involve alcohol consumption and pressure to drink.

External triggers can cause internal triggers. For example, when an individual walks by their old bar (external trigger) they may feel jealous (internal trigger) of people inside who are drinking.

This post captures a small fraction of what your triggers could look like. Not only can FDH help you identify your triggers, but we can also assess your home environment for anything that may have a negative impact on your recovery. In future posts, we will discuss evidenced-based techniques to cope with triggers.

Call us today for your free consultation: 773-747-5500.

Quick facts about stress - part I

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:50:41 GMT

Stress is universal, but there are many misconceptions about it. Here are 3 quick facts about stress:

1. Stress is not always "bad" - there are situations when stress could be beneficial. For example, being moderately stressed before an athletic competition could actually improve performance. When stress is helpful, it is called eustress and when stress is harmful, it is called distress.

2. The stress response is also known as the fight-or-flight response - this response is activated when we identify something to be dangerous or threatening. This quick and automatic physiological response prepares our body to manage the threat.

3. The stress response is a survival mechanism - being able to quickly prepare for imminent physical dangers was and still is (but perhaps to a lesser extent) important for our survival. When finding ways to manage your own stress, keep in mind that our bodies are wired for survival, not peace of mind.

Our stress response is environmentally driven. The FDH program can help you identify stressors and manage stress in your different environments. Call us today for your free consultation: 773-747-5500.