Blog

Maybe some of your relationships were damaged by active addiction, or maybe you never had the support you needed, even before you started using substances. Either way, you may have looked around one day and realized that most of your interactions were with other people who drank or used with...

If you have a loved one who needs addiction treatment, you may find yourself staring at websites and wondering what all of the different treatment levels mean. At Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, we want to help you decipher all of the different options you might see.  ...

In the 1990s, many people were shocked to learn that the “supplements” they bought to help them lose weight were actually ephedrine, a decongestant medication that is sometimes used to manufacture methamphetamine. After the government moved to make it harder to purchase ephedrine, it might have been expected that other...

In general terms, a relapse is when symptoms of a disease return, following a period of remission. When discussing relapse of a physical health condition, like diabetes or asthma, there is usually little or no shame attached to the term. When talking about addiction, however, many people view a relapse...

There is a great deal of talk in the recovery community about getting a sponsor. They are often recommended as a guide who helps you on your journey. At Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, we think it is important to consider what traits you should be seeking in...

Some people see getting sober as an end goal, but in reality, it is just the first step of a longer recovery journey. If you or someone you love has recently given up alcohol or other drugs, you may be wondering what happens next. At Safe Harbor Recovery Center, in...

You’ve done it. You gave up alcohol or some other drug that was ruining your life. You’re in recovery, and you’re trying to stay there. Here come the holidays, though, and you’re finding that your old holiday traditions involve people, places, or things that are on your list of relapse...

You may have been told that the only way or the best way to stop using alcohol or other drugs is to just stop. For many people, however, quitting cold turkey doesn’t lead to sustained sobriety, and it can even be dangerous to their health. In some extreme cases, people...

Boredom and recovery are natural enemies. Having nothing to do and no sense of purpose or accomplishment can lead to temptation and relapse. At Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, we recognize that winter can create added opportunities for boredom, and we want to help you think about ways...

Cravings are a part of the recovery process and not anything to feel guilty about. You are not failing, just because you feel an urge to use again, whether you’ve been sober for an hour, a year, or a decade. Part of sustaining long-term recovery is learning how to manage...