Author Archives: Alta Loma

How Can You Deal with Peer Pressure and Stay Sober?

Any time friends, colleagues, or people in your friend group put pressure on you to do something, that is called peer pressure. Most of it is considered negative, high-risk behavior that might cause harm to yourself or others. This may include reckless driving, smoking, drinking, or using drugs. Teenagers are most prone to peer pressure, […]

Knowing the Difference Between Vaping and Smoking Matters

Why Do We Need Structure?

Men are not all prone to taking more risks when it comes to their health. Some things simply appeal to them or maybe marketing is directed more at them than women. Electronic cigarettes or e-cigs have seen a huge increase in popularity over smoking cigarettes. Both are still popular with young men but vaping is […]

What Does it Mean to Stay Balanced When Everything is Shifting?

What Does it Mean to Stay Balanced When Everything is Shifting?

Life can change a lot in an instant. No matter why the changes occur, it can be disconcerting to feel like the ground is shifting and everything you knew was gone. Sometimes the changes are small but when big ones come, they can throw you off your game and make you feel like nothing will […]

What Makes a Man High Risk for Addiction and How to Seek Help

What Makes a Man High Risk for Addiction and How to Seek Help

Men and women use substances and mental health issues can also plague both genders. Men are particularly high risk for addiction if they have certain conditions present. That does not mean they are going to be addicted to substances or experience mental health issues. It just means they are more likely to struggle and there […]

Why is Ghosting Painful and How Can You Cope Better?

Why is Ghosting Painful and How Can You Cope Better?

Ghosting can be a painful, excruciating experience for people who are cut off from someone they are connected to. It may be a friend, colleague, dating partner, or a long-time friend. Sometimes, even family can ghost someone after a while, with no contact or reason why. The reasons people just ‘disappear’ varies, but it can […]

How Do Men Cope with Grief and Loss?

How Do Men Cope with Grief and Loss

Loss happens to everyone at some point. Some people experience loss by going to therapy and working out the issues, turning inwards, or externalizing the stress and challenges of losing someone, a job, a relationship, or an actual person in their life who dies. Substance use is, also, unfortunately, common for people who experience loss. […]

How to Handle Stress at Celebrations for People in Recovery

How to Handle Stress at Celebrations for People in Recovery

Celebrations—whether a friend’s birthday party, a holiday event, or an anniversary dinner—can be enjoyable experiences filled with thankfulness and gratitude. But they can just as easily feel awkward and uncomfortable and be riddled with stress-triggers. Crowded rooms, loud or annoying people, and lots of drinking—little landmines like these are potential triggers for stress, and collectively […]

Sober Living Environment

Sober Living Environments

If you’re nearing the completion of an residential drug and alcohol treatment program, there will most likely be a limited number of housing options available to you. You may be eager to move back in with loved ones, or have decided to find a low-cost room in a house. One of the very best options […]

Why is Dating in Early Recovery Discouraged?

Why is Dating in Early Recovery Discouraged?

After we have sobered up and have begun recovering from active addiction, we often begin to feel better. Not only have our bodies and minds begun to heal, but we have also started feeling some hopefulness and happiness—for some of us, for the first time in years. We begin to make new social connections, particularly […]

Acupuncture: Can It Help During Addiction Recovery?

Acupuncture: Can It Help During Addiction Recovery?

First, What Is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is an ancient technique from Traditional Chinese Medicine that believes there are lines of energy running through the body called meridians. When there is an issue in the body or disease, it’s believed to be a blockage in the movement along those meridians. Micro-thin, sterile needles are used to facilitate […]