You’ve known your brother or sister for your entire life — or the majority of it. They likely played an influential role in who you are today. So, no doubt, it’s challenging to see them struggle with substance abuse, causing addiction and family to intertwine in unpleasant ways. But now they’re in a recovery program […]
Is your loved one in treatment for addiction? If so, they need you now more than ever. At The Blanchard Institute, we know that family members like you play an integral role in your loved one’s recovery and ongoing healing. That’s why we don’t just treat the individual, we equip families with the knowledge and […]
When your loved one enters an addiction treatment program, the goal is not only to achieve sobriety, but also to live a happy, healthy, more connected and fulfilled life. Yet despite these good intentions, sometimes your loved one relapses. If this happens, not only does it impact them, it impacts the whole family. That’s because […]
Relapse is a significant concern for anyone on the path to recovery from addiction. Understanding and managing triggers is essential to maintaining sobriety. Triggers are stimuli that evoke cravings or urges to use substances. They can be emotional, social, environmental, or even physical. Recognizing these triggers and developing strategies to cope with them can help […]
“It is now well recognized that many persons with alcohol or drug problems require more than acute care interventions,” wrote Polcin, Mericle, Braucht, and Wittmand in their 2023 review of research on sober living houses (SLHs) also known as recovery residences. “Mutual-help programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), have been important because persons can stay […]
Family involvement is crucial in anyone’s recovery journey. At The Blanchard Institute, we empower families to participate actively in the healing process. By learning and applying specific strategies, families can significantly impact the recovery trajectory of their loved ones. Our family-centered approach is designed to educate, support, and empower families to play a crucial role […]
“Approximately 21 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder (SUD); the number of family members impacted by a loved one’s SUD is exponentially greater,” wrote Alicia Ventura, MPH, and Sarah Bagley, MD in the Journal of Addiction Medicine in 2017. Affected family members of individuals with SUDs are at high risk […]
Telling yourself it is time to pick up the pieces of your life and begin the journey of recovery through substance abuse treatment requires a lot of courage and resilience. Staying sober after addiction is no easy feat, but it sets you on the path to recovery. Addiction is a chronic condition, and to overcome […]
Trauma and addiction often share a complex and deeply connected relationship. While trauma does not cause addiction in every case, it can be a significant risk factor for developing substance use disorders. For some people, substances become a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, painful memories, or the lasting effects of unresolved trauma. Understanding this […]
People with a substance use disorder might experience emotions like guilt and shame. This might seem normal, but feelings like guilt and shame in recovery negatively affect the recovery process. It’s challenging to acknowledge your own mistakes, especially when you’re using addictive substances. The rehabilitation of someone who is trying to recover from addiction rests […]
