
Managing Your Social Support Systems
Long-term substance use can lead to isolation and conflicts with friends and family. When this happens due to substance use, it creates destructive behaviors and causes you to feel disconnected from positive change supporters. Distancing yourself from friends and family can make the early stages of recovery very hard to tolerate. However, rebuilding and reconnecting within healthy support networks helps to break destructive behavioral patterns and decrease the risk of relapse.

Scales, Feathers, or Fur: How Pets Aid Recovery
Pets and their positive relationships with their owners are not a new concept. There has been plenty of evidence to demonstrate the healing benefits of having a pet. It is also no question that being a pet parent can have a beneficial effect on so many aspects of your life in recovery. It influences your mental, emotional, and even professional wellbeing. If you have not yet considered a pet, or are wondering if having a pet can help benefit you, then let's take a look at the responsibilities and rewards that caring for a pet can offer.
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How Do You Overcome Loneliness in Recovery?
Addiction is a socially isolating disease; therefore, social support for recovery is an essential element for lasting recovery. However, addiction can be debilitating and create obstacles and a lack of motivation to reach out to others for comfort. Not connecting with loved and trusted ones only creates more physical and emotional distance. Understand that loneliness can become a common experience in both addiction and recovery.