Addiction Radio – Healthy Diet and Nutrition During Recovery

May 29, 2018 By Nick Leave a Comment

Welcome to the first (woohoo) ever episode of Addiction Radio by Live Rehab!

You’re probably asking yourself; why a podcast? Well, we thought it would be a good way to help busy people on the go get in some actionable advice to improve their lives. What started out as a conversation between Nick and Denise on healthy eating quickly turned into an opportunity that we thought the whole Live Rehab community would benefit from – so that’s where we thought we’d start!

Really excited to expand our message out via podcasts. For our first ever episode we decided to tackle a topic we get asked a lot about;

How do you eat healthy?

What we eat and put into our bodies plays a significant role in how we feel, regardless of anything else.

Most people who struggle with an addiction, don’t necessarily put a lot of thought and effort into what they are eating, because the addiction is what has taken precedence.

Everything you do revolves around what you are addicted to. Your nutrition has probably not been the best and has been lacking in some way.

Let’s dive into this months episode where we’re going to address this head-on!

Addiction Radio – Healthy Diet and Nutrition During Recovery

A message from Live Rehab:

Are you looking for online rehab or alternatives to AA or NA?

Here at Live Rehab, our online drug and alcohol courses help people obtain sobriety without having to leave their homes.

Does rehab really work?

For some people, traditional rehab does work but it’s clear that the option is not for everyone. This is why we have created rehab alternatives. Taking courses online means you have the flexibility to work on your sobriety on your own time.

Visit liverehab.com/pricing for more information.

Just don’t tell me to go to rehab

April 23, 2018 By Denise Leave a Comment

It makes my blood boil when people tell others that traditional rehab is the way to go.

Some people have no idea about non-traditional approaches to addiction and recovery.

I can’t really blame them though especially if they grew up in an era without the internet, apps and social media.

With today’s mobile technology and online access, we’re building a new way to source mental health support.

We have to allow people to get the help they need.

On their own terms

Terms that weren’t possible or available when we were younger.

Let people approach their sobriety and addiction or recovery program wherever they want. However, they want.

Not every addict needs to go a traditional treatment facility and drop $30k for group sessions that don’t support them in the real-world when shit hits the fan.

Not every addict should go to a weekly session and get a sponsor who might be just as fucked up as they are.

We’re in a world today full of 24/7 mental health support powered by technology.

I can’t tell an addict what route to take for recovery.

I don’t even know what route is best for the individual person because each person is individual and has their own needs.

All I can do is provide support and access to learning material and proven strategies for beating addiction – whether online or offline.

Your path for recovery is not the same as anyone elses.

Your path should be defined by you.

People call me weird

March 28, 2018 By Denise Leave a Comment

Aren’t you going to just have one?

“Come on you can have just one drink”

I hear this over and again.

Ever since I stopped drinking people don’t invite me out anymore, call me weird and just can’t understand why I don’t drink.

I want to be sober because I want to live the best possible life I can. And alcohol messes that up.

I’m like Tom Cruise. Because not drinking in today’s society is basically Mission Impossible.

The problem is that now I don’t fit in with most people, workplaces or even my own family.

Every time I’m out with other people they have questions about my sobriety or make comments about their own habits.

“You never come to happy hours.”

“I don’t drink that much.”

“I just drink on the weekends.”

Looking back that’s probably why I started Live Rehab with my partner.

We were talking the other day about this exact thing, “People aren’t going to understand are they?”

I replied, “Nope. But we have to keep on trying anyway.”

She paused, then laughed, “There has got to be other people like us right?”

When we’re looking to help people through Live Rehab we look for people who want to live the same kind of life.

Fathers who don’t want to wake up hungover anymore.

Mom’s who are sick of drinking around their kids.

Athletes who can’t risk they professional careers by drinking too much.

Hollywood celebrities that aren’t interested in traditional rehab.

Because there is nothing better than finally getting sober and living the best life possible.

The key is to know you’re in the right.

Then live it consciously.

7 Things about Drug and Alcohol Recovery Nobody Tells You

December 19, 2017 By Denise Leave a Comment

7 Things About Recovery they Don’t Tell you

Thinking back to the early days of recovery I remember a certain sense of bewilderment and shock. Now some of that was certainly due to the fact I was no longer a chronic drinker but some of it was due to how the world would treat me now. Over time I’ve come to realise that nobody really talks about these things out loud. In fact, I’ve talked to many addicts who have been through professional rehab facilities that agree with these 7 things. So, without further adieu, here are the 7 things about recovery nobody tells you.

Your body is coming back to you like a foreign object

When you first stop drinking or smoking or snorting whatever it is you are addicted to, some changes occur in your body. Now you might be thinking – duh! Obviously. But what most people don’t realise is that the body you get back has been wrecked in ways you have no way of knowing. Your body won’t fully recover for years to come and, when it does, it’s going to be a different beast altogether.

People hate/admire what they don’t have

I’ve talked about WTF moments of sobriety before but you’ve got to prepare yourself, in advance, for the avalanche of fucked up shit you’re going to have to deal with. People are going to say the weirdest things to you. I won’t go into all of them but BE PREPARED!

Free time

Yep. You’re going to have lots more free time that you used to. It’s not all going to come back to you at one time though. For every 3 minutes you spend smoking a cigarette each day multiplied by number by day! That’s the trick though – you have to think about the time as adding up in general.

New things to fill that free time

Find some new things to fill that time. If you were a smoker for instance and took smoke breaks at work, try filling it with something else. Take a quick walk around the block. Fidget with some legos at your desk. You need to be an active participant in this stage. Find a hobby. Quick.

Extra brain power

This one is a bit weird and may not apply to everyone BUT lots of people we talk to find a surge in brain power. Now, some of this comes from not being in a fog or daze from the drugs or alcohol. But to get this affect it’s going to take a while. Some people report 6-12 months before this onset occurs. Be patient.

Your balance

Your balance is going to get a bit wibbly wobbly for a while. Alcohol affects the equilibrium and it’s not until 3-9 months before it comes back properly. You’re going to see weird things happen over time including potentially being way off balance.

You find yourself

Ok this one was cheesy. But nobody prepares you for the emotional changes you end up experiencing until it settles in for real. Then you get to see, experience and feel the best possible version of yourself.

So, now we ask you, our Live Rehab community, what things have you noticed that nobody warned you about in recovery?

Why Chemical Dependency Professionals must Understand Research, Data and How it Applies

December 18, 2017 By Denise Leave a Comment

Chemical Dependency Professional Talking About Research

Have you been involved in a discussion with someone who claims they know better than science and data? I think we all have.

I never wore a seat belt as a kid and I’m still alive.

My grandfather smoked and drank his whole life and lived until he was 103.

My sister beat cancer by thinking positive thoughts. You can do the same!

Whether online or in person, there are hundreds are scenarios where people think they know better than actual scientific data and research. When working in the field of addiction, it is critical to not fall into that same trap. Even if a chemical dependency professional works with clients where their own unique experience helped them, it does not mean it will work for the next client.

Science and data is helpful as it gives a professional a place to start. In order to fully implement methods into practice, the data and research must be understood. Once understood, a professional must also be aware of the limitations of said research and be open to new information as well.

Again, as I always say, chemical dependency professionals are the ones on the front line and it is crucial to find the right balance between science and the realization that alternative methods may better suit the person who struggles with addiction.