Inside the Brain

West Grove Clinic staff discovered a unique website founded by Paul Henry, a researcher of the neuropsychology of addictive behaviors, who is also a recovering addict. The site features a collection of articles discussing what the creator and his writing team believe about addictive behavior, neurobiology, and the relationship of stress/emotional regulation to addiction. The site offers information and support to both people experiencing addiction, and those who simply wish to learn more about the addiction.

Click below to check it out:

Inside the Brain

Happy reading!

Meditation, Yoga, & Acupuncture in Recovery

What do meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have to do with recovering from addiction? They have a lot to do with the recovery process. According to Taite and other researchers, regular meditation has an impact on the brain, yoga has many mental health benefits and can help your overall well-being, and acupuncture can help balance the energy in your body. Here at West Grove Clinic, we take a holistic approach to treating addiction. We not only integrate things like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and other forms of holistic treatment into our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), but we also have a variety of clinicians who specialize in a holistic treatment modalities.

Check out the link below to learn more about how holistic treatment relates to recovery. Enjoy!

Read Here

Sara Saunders BA, SAC-IT

Spirituality, Religion, & Addiction

Is spirituality the same as religion? And what does spirituality have to do with addiction? Religion and spirituality are different. Spirituality is a path taken to discover who we are and what our life is about. This knowledge can be used to guide individuals in their recovery from addiction. Spirituality leads to our moral compass, our values and beliefs about ourselves, and even our perspective on ourselves and others. We don’t have to be religious to be spiritual. Spirituality can be an important aspect of recovery from addiction. Look at the article below on spirituality and addiction to get more information.

Read More Here

By: Jean H. Moral, SAC-IT

Exercise & Recovery

Most of us are aware that eating, sleeping, and connecting with others are basic human needs. What is not necessarily common knowledge being how addiction steps in and places itself first in the brain’s list of survival needs. The process of allowing the brain to heal and relearn its true survival needs can be aided through a routine exercise practice. Use the link below to learn more about how consistent exercise fosters a healthy hippocampus, and how this positively impacts recovery.

Read More Here

By: Caitlyn Hummel, SAC-IT

Women & Addiction

Men are from Mars women are from Venus, right? Well, when it comes to addiction recovery that shoe fits. According to Brenda Iliff, “2.7 million women in the United States abuse drugs or alcohol.” Many women don’t get treatment because they don’t want to lose their kids or be separated from their family, or they may view their use as being a social habit. If you have ever felt like this then don’t worry, you’re not alone! According to Iliff, “women start using for different reasons, get addicted differently, progress faster, recovery differently and relapse for different issues.” There also is more of a stigma and more shame when it comes to women and substance abuse. Women even metabolize alcohol and drugs differently than men. There’s hope, Iliff says that recovery is natural for women. Women are wired for connection and relationships, so women may find support groups like 12 steps or other peer support groups helpful because they give women an opportunity to build and recover within the context of relationships. Check out the link for information on the difference between men and women when it comes to recovery! Copy and past this link to read the full article:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/remarkable-recovery/201203/addiction-and-gender-recovery-women

Sara Saunders BA, SAC-IT