Ladonia time for an escape

If you feel like you have been stuck in a small town for too long, don’t worry; you aren’t alone. Many of us crave a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of our daily routines and the confines of a small community. Nothing beats hitting the open road and setting off for a vacation that can offer a much-needed break from the same old same old.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, cultural experiences, excitement and adventure, or just some good old fashioned relaxation, an escape from small town life can provide for all these things and more. You can mix and match experiences and attractions to your liking and truly make your vacation unique. Here are some of the benefits of taking time to escape small town life and enjoy a vacation.

A change of scenery. There is something to be said for getting out and seeing different landscapes, cities, and sites. Even if you’re just traveling to the nearest larger town or city nearby, you can enjoy completely new sights and activities that simply don’t exist in your small town. Over time, you can become suffocated in a small town, unable to see many things you wish to in your area. A vacation will give you the opportunity to see and do something new and expand your perspective, often in ways you did not expect.

Uninterrupted relaxation. Vacations are a great way to recharge and break free from the grind of everyday life. An escape from small town life can provide a much needed breather that allows you to relax and reflect. You can spend the days secluded in nature, recharging your mental and physical batteries, or even sit back and enjoy some local treats. A change of pace can be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to restoring balance and peace of mind.

Time spent away from obligations. Of course, there is nothing wrong with being devoted to your job and obligations, but it’s also important to take time away for yourself. A break from small town life can allow you to take some time for yourself to explore a new destination and explore some interests of yours that you simply don’t have the time or energy for at home. With a vacation, you can free yourself from obligations and just focus on yourself and having fun.

Meeting new people and cultures. Vacations are a wonderful time to meet new people and experience different cultures! You don’t necessarily have to travel to faraway places in order to meet new individuals and have a cultural experience. There is something magical about being in a new place and encountering new people, which can be a very refreshing and rewarding experience.

Traveling out of a small town will create the perfect opportunity to take a step away from the familiar and explore the unknown. You can return home feeling rejuvenated and full of new experiences and memories. From peace and solitude to exploration and adventure, a vacation can provide just the right mix of fun and tranquility that you need to push the reset button on your life. So, when you’re feeling down and just need to get away, don’t forget that an escape from small town life could be just what you need.

Traveling and taking a break from everyday life can be incredibly beneficial to mental and physical health, but too often it is hard to figure out the difference between vacations and escape. What’s considered a “getaway” and what’s identified as a “vacation”? Although both are beneficial, each is fundamentally different and should be considered separately when making travel plans.

A vacation is a pre-planned, scheduled, usually longer period of rest which is either part of a holiday or a brief respite from commitments like work or studies. It’s usually considered a time for recreation, entertainment, and leisure. It could mean going on an all-inclusive cruise or a European tour. Vacations also include activities such as shopping, site-seeing, or visiting family and friends. The goal of a vacation is often to take a break from the normal routine and enjoy the experience.

Escape, on the other hand, is a self-directed, usually spur-of-the-moment action to get away from your home and hopefully the majority of your responsibilities. Escape routes vary. It could be something in your own backyard like camping, backpacking, or biking. You could also venture out to a remote destination and accommodate more outdoorsy activities like mountain climbing, rafting, or caving. The goal of an escape is to get disconnected from your current life and enjoy an adventure.

The two types of travel have their similarities, too. Both should include striving for a mentally and physically healthy atmosphere, and rewards such as personal growth and/or relaxation. Vacations often have an element of escape as do escapes with a lot of the activities seen as leisure activities in other settings.

Vacations usually require more planning to do in advance than escape. Escape instead depends on serendipity and spontaneity. Planning a vacation means setting a plan of action – when, how long, where to go, what to do, whom to meet, etc. Escape, however, means that you don’t plan anything at all and put yourself into situations that give you the chance to get to know yourself better and explore the world around you.

Vacations also usually involve costs rather than escapes. Traveling to a destination for a specific length of time costs money and it could be traveling expenses, hotel or AirBnB rental, meals and more. Escape, in contrast, usually costs no or little money as the goal is not necessarily to indulge in activities that require an expenditure, though the occasional splurge is to be expected.

Lastly, the two difference types of travel have a mentally different effect from each other. Vacations are about relaxation and restore mental calm while escape has a different benefit such as increasing confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Vacationing can also be a social event shared with family or friends. Escape, on the other hand, is a personal journey where you can learn to rely on yourself and test your resilience.

Ultimately, whether it’s a vacation or an escape, the goal should be to enjoy the experience and appreciate the different rewards that both styles of travelling have to offer. It’s really about finding a balance between the two types of travel and using them to enhance your well-being.

It’s no secret that addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life. From destroying interpersonal relationships to destabilizing financial well-being, the consequences of substance abuse can be extremely detrimental. Despite this, a growing number of addiction treatment facilities are encouraging individuals to take a break from their recovery and allow their bodies and minds to recuperate and get back on track. Vacation for addiction sufferers is a vital part of the recovery process, allowing individuals to practice self-care in a safe and supportive environment.

Taking a break is a way for people to re-establish a sense of normalcy and regain control. Individuals struggling with substance abuse might experience intense cravings and difficult urges. Though there are a variety of coping strategies that can be used to manage these symptoms, sometimes the most effective approach is simply getting away from it all. Breaking away from familiar and comfortable routines can be extremely beneficial to addiction sufferers. It’s an opportunity to recharge, find new interests, and rediscover themselves.

Vacationing also allows individuals to take a break from feeling like they need to be constantly vigilant and in control. Without the traditional pressures and triggers of everyday life, individuals can simply relax and let go. Taking a break from the struggles of addiction allows individuals to mentally reset and get to a healthier state of mind.

Physical health is another major component of suffering from addiction. It’s not uncommon for individuals to be in quite poor physical condition as a result of their substance abuse. Not only can vacationing provide a reprieve from the physical manifestation of the addiction, it can also provide individuals with the opportunity to focus on physical rehabilitation. A rejuvenating vacation can help individuals address physical needs, such as getting enough exercise and down time for rest.

Finally, vacations can help individuals facing addiction to develop better relationships with their family and friends. When individuals are in the throes of an addiction, it’s not unusual to see strained relationships with those closest to them. Taking a break from recovery and focusing on positive experiences is a great way to rekindle these relationships. Vacations provide the perfect opportunity to do just that – without the distractions and ever-present pressure of their home environments.

Though addiction is an incredibly difficult problem to overcome, vacationing for addiction sufferers can serve as a powerful way to start the recovery process. It’s an opportunity to recharge mentally and physically, allowing individuals to develop a stronger sense of self-sufficiency and a healthier perspective on life. Ultimately, vacationing can help an individual remove themselves from the pressures of everyday life and focus on the things that truly matter. With the right guidance and support, vacations can be a life-changing experience for people struggling with addiction.

If you are on your journey to recovering from addiction, you probably have realized that it is not an easy one. It might even get more challenging when you are certified to be sober, and you have to keep implementing some health tips so that you don’t relapse.

In this article, you will learn some important steps that will help you live a sober life, which will prevent you from returning to your addiction.

Know your personal triggers

One of the ways to sustain your sobriety is by learning to identify your triggers. You need to know the places, people, events, etc, that are likely to trigger your addiction cravings.

When you know how to spot them, it will help you make the right decisions that will keep your sobriety intact.

Identify the common relapse warning signs

When someone is about to relapse completely, it does not happen suddenly. A relapse creeps in gradually when you are not noticing, and before you know it you are indulging in some unhealthy habits that can lead to your addiction.

Some of the regular relapse warning signs are less rational thinking, hanging out with people who abuse substances, indulging in addictive thinking patterns, etc.

Avoid old habits

If you want to keep your sobriety, learn not to go back to old habits. Some of these habits or activities might be interesting ones and they might be tempting to indulge in.

It might be hard to avoid some of them but ensure that you avoid them completely so that you don’t find yourself back to addiction.

Learn to build healthy relationships

Another way to live a sober-free life is to check your association of friends and acquaintances. It is best to hang around people who do not abuse drugs or engage in addictive behaviors.

Similarly, you should prefer to be with people who have a positive mindset about life. If you hang around people with a negative mindset, it might be hard for you to make progress in life.

It is difficult to make up your mind to break free from addiction. Also, it is more challenging to live a new life different from the old one after you recover from addiction.

Taking your life back on track might be complicated because you have to do away with some old habits, and take on new ones.

In addition, returning to the world will be much different from how you left it. Hence, you would have to learn, relearn and unlearn. You would also have to be careful not to engage in things that will trigger your addiction again.

If you are thinking of how to start a new life after addiction recovery, here are some tips to get started

• Connect with a network of sober individuals

After addiction recovery, you will be shooting yourself in the leg if you still keep old friends who encourage your addiction. With a network of sober people, you will be able to remain accountable to them to maintain your sobriety.

Things might become challenging when you get back into the real world due to triggers, stressors, and the likes. So, you need much support and accountability to keep you sober.

• Focus on your physical health

When you withdraw from your addiction, the withdrawal symptoms are usually unpleasant. Even after addiction recovery, you might still experience them. One of the best ways to combat this is to improve your physical health.

You can begin by eating a nutritious diet, undergoing regular physical exercise, getting enough sleep, and trying to reduce your stress levels.

• Create a routine

It is important to develop and stick to a routine so that it prevents you from getting addicted. When you are out of addiction recovery, you need a routine that would reduce the risk of having a relapse. In your routine, it is important to include healthy habits and regular post-rehab recovery checks.

Starting over after addiction recovery is quite challenging as it doesn’t happen overnight. You need to be patient and keep implementing healthy habits to remain sober.

Addiction is a disease that is difficult to break free from. No matter how resolute or determined an individual is to get rid of their addiction, it finds a way to come back because proper help was not sought.

Addicted individuals need more than their willpower to defeat addiction, they need extra help, professional help in this case. Counselors in addiction recovery provide addicts with assistance in various recovery aspects.  

If you are coming in for addiction recovery, or you want to help addicts get back on their feet as a counselor, here are some of the roles to look out for.

• Communication

The bedrock of counseling is communication. Counselors need to know how to communicate with addicts in their care.

Usually, addicts have so many questions that need answers, and the counselor should know how to provide these answers and communicate them properly.

Importantly, the counselor needs to let the addict know how their addiction developed. This would help them understand what they are truly going through.

With a mix of compassion and professionalism, the counselor communicates regularly to the addict to make their addiction recovery seamless and smooth.

• Support recovery

The counselor should always be after the recovery of addicts in their care. When the withdrawal symptoms come fighting and the addict is thinking of giving up, the counselor shows up to motivate them to keep working towards their recovery.

In addition, they stick with their patients through thick and thin. They also try to involve other loved ones in the addict’s life so that they can provide the necessary support.

• Alliance creation with patients

Addiction counselors are not like conventional ones. They create a genuine relationship with patients in their care because an addict truly needs a backbone as they strive towards recovery. Hence, the addict always knows that they have a rock-solid support system in their counselor.

To wrap up, the counselor understands that no two addicts can be treated the same way. Hence, he focuses on the unique experience of each patient to ensure that they achieve a sober recovery experience.

Just like families, friends are also integral in addiction recovery. Such friends must be sober or the individual’s addiction recovery might not be a total success.

When an individual is addicted, there is a strong chance that he or she would have failed relationships with those around him. People who are mostly affected during this period are family and friends.

Friends are expected to offer inspiration and support to their friend in addiction recovery. An individual who is in recovery would be quite lonely with no one familiar to talk to.

At this point, he or she needs to be careful so that they do not make the wrong choice. Most rehabs allow friends and families of individuals to come by and visit.

At this point, individuals in recovery need to ensure that the right kind of friends come visiting. These friends must be sober and they must be willing to offer their support all through the addiction treatment period.

One of the reasons why friends are needed during addiction is they help to improve your confidence and self-worth. This is why it is vital to choose your friends correctly. You need people who will help you get better, not people who will encourage your addiction.

When an individual has the right set of friends, he or she would not feel lonely when they are in addiction recovery. The right set of friends are those who would stick with you as you progress in recovery.

Also, they will keep in touch with the rehab to make sure that you are making tremendous strides as you recover.

It is a usual sight for relapse to occur and one of the major factors that contribute to this are friends. They can either make or mar you, so you need to be careful of those you hang out with when you are out of recovery.

Some friends would encourage you to join them in activities you have missed out on while you are away. It is best for you to be observant so that you do not relapse.

Addiction recovery is a treatment program that addicted individuals need to opt for to treat their addiction.

During addiction recovery, an integral aspect that should be given full consideration, is the family. The family is a support system that an addicted individual needs to pull through in addiction recovery.

When the family offers support to their addicted loved one, there is a greater chance of speedy recovery rate than usual. Addiction causes rift and disunity in the family and this is why it is advised that when a family member is addicted, the whole family must be involved.

In a rehab, there are various therapy session, worthy of mention is the family therapy. This is a special therapy session where all the members of the family are invited to participate in a therapy session.

During this therapy session, they are taught the basics of addiction and this makes them understand why their family member is addicted.  

It is imperative for the family to stick close to their family member all through their addiction phase. This shows the addicted individual that the family loves and cares for them. Hence, they will feel inspired and motivated to pull through as they recover.  

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In the family, it is needed for communication lines to be opened with their loved one. Communication lines are effective when it goes two-ways. So, it is necessary for the family to constantly communicate with their loved one all throughout therapy.

The same applies if the individual is in outpatient rehab. During outpatient rehab, the individual would not be admitted within the rehab facility.

Rather, he or she would need to attend therapy sessions from home. So, during this time, the family is expected to render their care and support.

They should make sure that all forms of cravings that could trigger addiction, are kept away from their loved one.

Lastly, when their loved one is out of rehab and it is time for aftercare treatment, they still need to show their support, because there is always a tendency to relapse after being treated for addiction.  

In 2016, the federal government spent almost 30 billion dollars on drug control efforts.  Increasing demands are made on pharmacies to ensure that federally controlled prescription drugs are properly dispensed and properly managed.  Medical doctors, too, are under increasing pressure to limit the amount of prescription pain medication that they prescribe to the patients.  The Office of National Drug Control Policy is charged with monitoring and organizing our federal drug control policies.

Despite all of this, the number of people who die from prescription drug overdose continues to rise.  Prescriptions for pain medications increase yearly.  If anything, the government’s attempts to control prescription pain medications have only increased the illegal market for these drugs.  Further, people who do not have access to legal pain medication often turn to illegal substances in order to deal with their pain.  Cannabinoids are being tested as a less-addictive way to deal with pain and some states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical reasons.  ‘Medical marijuana’, as it is called, appears to offer a non-addictive solution to people in chronic pain, but the federal government has largely stood by and allowed this to continue.

Some place the blame on the fact that the government’s efforts too often treat drug abuse as an interdiction problem rather than as a public health problem.  That is, more money is spent on drug control when treatment may be what is needed.  As most people know, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare, encourages insurers to provide coverage for mental health treatment, including addiction treatment.  That is probably a step in the right direction, but it increasingly seems that the ACA is not working as many hoped it would.  Especially in rural areas, consumers have no access to ACA-approved coverage.

Federal efforts to control prescription pain medication have largely failed, as have efforts to prevent the importation of drugs that remain illegal in the United States, such as cocaine.  The ACA is, at best, struggling in its effort to give all citizens covered access to addiction treatment.  Some states have stepped up to allow citizens to use marijuana, but without any guidance from the federal government.  In the meantime, both those suffering from chronic pain and those seeking treatment for drug addiction are mostly left to do the best they can with what is available.

This is, without doubt, a serious public health problem and efforts so far to address have made insufficient progress.

The Washington Post investigated this issue.  Their reporting can be found at this link:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/12/09/the-federal-drug-war-is-failing-on-multiple-fronts-government-watchdog-says/?utm_term=.7ad263801fb0

Having already looked at the relationship between the recovery addict and their family and friends from the point of view of the addict, it’s time to speak to the family and friends of the addict.

For somebody who has never been a victim of substance abuse and addiction, it can be very difficult to understand the addict and their behavior.  It is not uncommon to hear such questions as: “Why don’t they just quit?” or “Don’t they care about anything aside from drugs?”  Questions such as these are reasonable for family and friends of the addict to ask.  Since they’ve never experienced addiction, they don’t have any way to truly grasp the power of addiction.

It can be helpful to provide information regarding how drugs impact the brain and change how it functions.  Understanding the way that the pleasure pathway of the brain and what addictive drugs do to it may give the loved ones of the recovering addict a dim sense of what the addict is going thru.  Information regarding the pain and discomfort that comes with terminating use of a drug may help to give them a hint of why the victim of addiction keeps going back to drug use.

It is vitally important that the family and friends of the addict not be judgmental about the victim of addiction.  It is one thing to recognize the destructive power of drugs of addiction, but it is something very different to condemn the addict.  The problem here is that we tend to judge others according to our own experiences.  It has been said, however, that we should not condemn another for falling in battle to an enemy we have never met.  In other words, we don’t know what we would have done in their shoes.  We don’t know what kind of suffering they were dealing with or what led them to use drugs in the first place.  There are all kinds of reasons why people choose to use addictive drugs.  For some, they were initially taken to help manage chronic pain and then became an addiction.  For others, mental or emotional pain was self-treated by the use of drugs.  Addictive drugs have also been used by people who suffer from social anxiety in order to help them manage social situations.  Again, you don’t truly know what you would have done if you were faced by the same problems.

As they enter into recovery, what the victim of addiction needs is support and encouragement, not condemnation.