Outpatient Treatment

Happiness may seem a difficult thing to find during the COVID-19 pandemic. While you are being told to stay home and maintain social distances from others, you may be struggling with how to achieve happiness within yourself. During Mental Health Month, it’s important to know that finding happiness in any circumstance is possible. A professor of psychology at Yale University, Laurie Santos, has examined the Science of Well-Being and offers a number of ways to help you find that elusive happiness, even during the coronavirus outbreak.

Going About It the Wrong Way

Professor Santos is a world expert on happiness. She developed a course, the Science of Well-Being, two years ago for overly stressed Yale students. Today it seems even more applicable, given the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus. Santos says, “It’s well known that living through hard circumstances can make us happier because it teaches each of us to be grateful for so many things in life.”

Santos also believes that we can be happy when we are stuck at home during a virus pandemic. She says that happiness does not depend on circumstances and that we typically pursue happiness in the wrong way. While many people try to find constructive ways to spend their time while they are home, those are not necessarily “happiness-making practices.” Santos emphasizes that “with a little time and the right practices [as long as we have a roof over our head and our basic needs met], we can thrive in whatever situation we are in.”

The Secrets of Contentment

There are three basic habits of people who are capable of finding happiness in any circumstance:

• Social connections: People who are happy think about other people more than they think about themselves and make the effort to reach out. They also tend to engage in random acts of kindness that are designed to benefit other people.
• Gratitude, self-compassion, and being present: In academic studies, gratitude is consistently at the top of the list of things that make us truly happy. Along with gratitude, we need to practice not being too hard on ourselves and being present in the moment, limiting our regrets about the past and our worries about the future.
• Healthy habits: Exercise, nutrition, meditation, and adequate sleep all play a part in healthy lifestyle habits that will contribute to our happiness even while we’re stuck at home during a pandemic.

Post-Traumatic Growth

The stress of the current situation can affect both our mental and our physical health. A condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop in people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event, such as the effects of the pandemic. Professor Santos says that although post-traumatic stress if often talked about, “there is also a lot of work on post-traumatic growth.”

She adds that, “Just like we have a physical immune system, there is evidence that we have a psychological immune system. When things get bad, we rationalise, we figure it out, we are actually a lot stronger and more resilient than we think. We learn better habits and come out better on the other side.”

The Science

Santos developed the course, the Science of Well-Being, to teach students that finding happiness in any circumstance is possible. The course, as well the podcast series called The Happiness Lab, are even more relevant to those who struggle with maintaining their mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. Santos says, “If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be scientific about the interventions we take in life. People don’t want platitudes, they want evidence-based ways to protect not only their physical health, but their mental health too.”

The Science of Well-Being identifies the habits that we can work on during our time at home. Exercise, for example, is important for both physical and mental health and can be done in small, 20-minute sessions. Exercising can be simply dancing to an upbeat, happy toon, whether or not anyone is looking!

Getting the right amount of quality sleep also benefits us, mentally and physically. We can take steps to ensure a good night’s sleep, including not taking electronic devices to bed. Recognizing and recording our change of attitude and our gratitude can also help us develop a sense of happiness in our current circumstance.

Contact South Miami Recovery for Help During COVID-19

At South Miami Recovery, we address all facets of your addiction recovery, including your spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health. During the pandemic, we offer HIPAA-compliant telehealth services so you can get the treatment you need, while staying safe and healthy. We continue to provide the outpatient addiction treatment services you need during these uncertain times. To learn more and to sign up for telehealth substance abuse services, contact us today. You can also call South Miami Recovery at 305.661.0055.

Stress and anxiety are common reactions to a pandemic such as the coronavirus outbreak that we are currently experiencing. During Mental Health Month, it is timely to review some tips for coping. In particular, it is important to understand how to cope with triggers during a pandemic, to prevent a relapse and to stay safe and healthy throughout the outbreak.

Triggers During a Pandemic

Under normal circumstances, your triggers might involve contact with people or a visit to a location that reminds you of your previous substance use and addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that stress cues linked to the drug use (such as people, places, things, and moods), and contact with drugs are the most common triggers for relapse. When you are staying at home and following social distancing guidelines, though, you may not have that same exposure.

During a pandemic, your triggers may be more related to loneliness or boredom. Your fear, stress, and anxiety may also be triggers for you as you remain isolated during the coronavirus outbreak. When you are not able to freely do the things you are used to doing every day, including accessing your addiction treatment program, these feelings can increase. You should take steps now to learn how to cope with triggers during a pandemic.

What Feeds Your Feelings

Dr. John Sharp, a board-certified psychiatrist on the faculty at Harvard Medical School and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, advises taking a breath and working toward separating out where your feelings are coming from, as a way to cope with the anxiety and fear that may be triggers for you. Dr. Sharp suggests:

• Try saying this, for example: “Of course, I’m more concerned than (my roommate/my friend/my family), because I’m practiced at feeling anxious or helpless.”
• The next step is to recognize that the percentage of feelings that stem from the past do not have to govern how you necessarily feel in the present. Try saying this out loud: “Well that was then, this is now.” A simple statement like this can actually open the door to some significant relief.
• Gently remind yourself of this crucial separation, cleaving the past from the present. And kindly and reassuringly remind yourself that you have the resources — both internal and external — to manage your feelings and reactions in the now. This is crucially important.

Practical Ways to Cope

When loneliness or boredom become triggers for you, you can find constructive ways to cope with those feelings as well. These stress management strategies can also become practical ways for you to cope with triggers during a pandemic.

• Be kind to yourself. Remember that you’re not alone in your struggles.
• Maintain a routine. Even if you’re stuck at home, try to stick to your regular sleep, school, meal, or work schedule. This can help you maintain a sense of normalcy.
• Take time out for activities you enjoy. Read a good book, watch a comedy, play a fun board or video game, make something—whether it’s a new recipe, a craft, or a piece of art.
• Get out in nature, if possible. Sunshine and fresh air will do you good. Even a walk around your neighborhood, if it can be done safely, can make you feel better.
• Find ways to exercise. Staying active will help you release anxiety, relieve stress, and manage your mood. Cycle, hike, or walk, maintaining your social distance from others.
• Avoid self-medicating. Using alcohol or other substances to deal with the pandemic is not the answer. Focus on the progress you’ve made and on your continuing recovery efforts.
• Take up a relaxation practice. When stressors throw your nervous system out of balance, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can bring you back into a state of equilibrium.

Access Treatment via Telehealth

Stay connected with your addiction treatment and support groups. Continuing consistently with your program can help you cope with triggers during a pandemic. Behavioral therapies, in particular, can help you handle stressful situations and various triggers that might cause another relapse. Behavioral therapies can also enhance the effectiveness of treatment medications and help you remain in treatment longer.

South Miami Recovery Offers Telehealth Services During COVID-19

Continuing your addiction treatment during the pandemic can help you cope with triggers and prevent a relapse. South Miami Recovery offers HIPAA-compliant telehealth services so you can get the treatment you need, while staying safe and healthy at home. We will continue to provide a wide array of outpatient addiction treatment services to those who need it most during these uncertain times. To learn more and to sign up for telehealth substance abuse services, contact us today. Call South Miami Recovery at 305.661.0055.

Everyone’s journey to a substance-free life is different. If you’ve been considering addiction treatment, then you have likely encountered an endless number of programs that require months of living at a treatment facility. These programs simply aren’t an option for many people who need help overcoming an addiction. You should know that there are other approaches to successful recovery programs. You’ll find many benefits of outpatient addiction treatment, and it’s likely that this approach might be more suitable for your situation.

Programs like the ones we offer at South Miami Recovery can have a dramatic impact on a person’s life. You meet people who are facing similar challenges and become part of a community of people seeking a better life for themselves. You also develop a specialized plan to help you stay on the path of recovery.

What is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

In outpatient treatment, you stay at home rather than live on-site at a facility. You get to maintain your normal routine, while still learning the strategies you’ll need for a successful recovery. Not all substance use disorders require 24/7 supervision. Outpatient treatment still provides a comprehensive approach without the need for housing and without the expenses of inpatient options.

Outpatient Treatment Provides Your Life with Structure

In outpatient treatment, you have a set number of hours per week during which you will receive care and support. These sessions are invaluable because they equip you with the tools that you’ll need to live a substance-free life.

A critical part of every recovery plan is consistency and structure. One of the primary benefits of outpatient addiction treatment is establishing a routine, which serves as a foundation for a successful recovery program. Frequent treatment sessions give you the opportunity to talk about your challenges and find a framework to address common problems.

You Maintain the Ability to Work, Go to School and Contribute to Your Community

Many people struggling with a substance use disorder don’t have the option of a months-long inpatient treatment program. They have jobs that won’t allow significant time away from work. They might have classes to attend or families that depend on them.

The ability to meet your daily obligations is left intact in an outpatient treatment program. This is one of the main benefits of outpatient addiction treatment; you won’t need to worry about sacrificing the most important things in your life to begin the recovery process.

Accountability is Built into the Plan

You will be accountable to your program because you will regularly attend scheduled sessions. Though you might initially feel like you are accountable to your treatment facility, you eventually realize that holding yourself accountable is the goal of any successful addiction treatment program.

When your program includes housing and 24/7 oversight, you are always insulated from temptations and triggers. Though those programs are valuable for some people with addictions, developing the skill of balancing your daily life while also staying accountable to your recovery program cultivates a practical approach to a sustainable, sober-free life.

Outpatient Treatment is More Affordable Than Other Treatment Options

Recovery requires investment – physically, emotionally and financially. Though everyone must devote themselves physically and mentally to the process, not everyone is prepared to take a major financial hit to start living substance-free. One of the many benefits of outpatient addiction treatment is you don’t have to invest a substantial portion of your savings to live a better life.

You Have More Privacy in Your Personal Life

Outpatient treatment allows you to maintain as much privacy as you want in your personal life. You won’t need to explain being absent for several months to your acquaintances or coworkers. No one should be ashamed of overcoming their addiction, and there’s no need to hide your involvement in a recovery program. However, choosing who to tell and when to tell them is your decision. In outpatient treatment, you retain your privacy for as long as you want it.

If You or a Loved One Needs Help, Contact South Miami Recovery

At South Miami Recovery, we believe in removing the obstacles people face when seeking substance abuse treatment. Recovery isn’t easy, and too many people believe that getting help can present even more challenges to an already challenging process. The good news is that treatment is available for anyone who wants to change.

Living substance-free is the only way to break the grip of addiction, and recovery is the most rewarding journey imaginable. South Miami Recovery knows that effective treatment means meeting all the needs of our clients. We address all facets of our clients’ lives, including their mental, physical and spiritual health.

We understand that each of our clients has their own needs and challenges. Our staff designs a plan that is customized specifically for their benefit. Contact our bilingual staff to learn more about our outpatient treatment programs by calling 305.661.0055.