March, 2022 | Jaywalker LodgeJaywalker Lodge

Month: March 2022

March 25, 2022

Letting Go of Shame

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

Shame is a common emotion associated with addiction because of a strong stigma attached. If you feel ashamed of your addiction or things you have done in the past because of your addiction, it is vital to learn how to let go. Recognizing Inner Shame Shame is not always an easy emotion to identify as it can feel a lot like guilt. You might find yourself feeling awful for things you have done in your past. You might wish that you could go back and change those actions. You might even view yourself entirely in a negative light. This emotion can affect your self-image and make you feel less deserving of love and empathy. Shame is an uncomfortable emotion and can cause you to internalize your feelings. To move on from shame, you must first identify where and what it stems from. Combating the Stigma When using substances and suffering…

March 24, 2022

What the Seventh Step Can Teach About Humility

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

The Seventh Step of AA, “Humbly ask your higher power to remove your shortcomings,” gives a lesson in humility. Learning how to ask humbly requires the acknowledgment that you are not the center of the universe. You are not more, and you are not less important than any other person. This lesson in humility can become an important step in recovery, giving you the perspective you need to heal. The Seventh Step: The Beginning of Action In AA, NA, and other 12-Step programs, Steps 1-6 set you up to address your addiction head-on. They ask you to confront the things that could get in the way of sobriety, like ego, denial, and a need to be entirely in control of your life. Now that you have broken down the layers that keep you from addressing core issues, you can take the actions needed to begin the process of becoming a…

March 24, 2022

When Your Client Continues to Put Up Walls

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

Sometimes, a client might start to put up walls, especially if they are discussing a subject that is difficult for them to talk about. Even if you have built a rapport with your client, they still might shut you out. There are many reasons why your client has stopped opening up. Why a Client Might Put Up Walls There are many reasons why a client might start to put up walls, even if you have established a rapport of trust. An hour-long session is only a glimpse into what your client is experiencing daily. There is a chance that outside events might influence your client’s sense of security, ability to be emotionally vulnerable, or energy they can put into a session. A client may also be shutting down because they are not ready to tackle a particular subject. Take note of what topics cause a client to shut down or…

March 23, 2022

Will Trauma Always Result in PTSD?

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Recovery

PTSD is relatively common if you had a traumatic experience, but not every trauma will result in PTSD symptoms. You may not experience any symptoms after a traumatic experience, while others might not experience symptoms of PTSD until later. This article will cover how common PTSD is and who is the most at risk. What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a condition that develops after exposure to a traumatic event or experience. You can develop PTSD from directly experiencing trauma, witnessing someone experience trauma, and even hearing that a loved one has experienced a traumatic event. You may also develop PTSD from repeated exposure to negative details of a traumatic event. This experience can be common for therapists learning about abuse that happened to a child or first responders investigating a traumatic situation. What Do PTSD Symptoms Look Like? It is possible to develop PTSD from an…

March 18, 2022

Planting Seeds: The Beginning of Goal Completion

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

You might have already forgotten your New Year’s resolutions, but it is early in the year, and there is time to get back at it. Whether your goal is to maintain sobriety, become or stay physically fit, or master a new hobby, there is always a critical starting point. It Isn’t Too Late to Start Your Goals Even though it is already March, it is not too late to start your New Year’s resolutions. Many might feel discouraged because they slacked on goals they established earlier in the year, but there is still plenty of time left in the year to accomplish what you set out to do. Since many New Year’s resolutions and goals focus on bettering yourself, it is a fantastic idea to hop back on that wagon and get started—after all, getting started is the key. Taking that first step might feel intimidating, especially if you struggle…

March 17, 2022

Combating Mental Health and Substance Use Misinformation on the Internet

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

Online spaces can be a source of misinformation on all kinds of topics. Stigmas, myths, and lies can spread like wildfire. Clients and counselors alike need to take the steps they can to make sure individuals get the facts straight. Misinformation on Social Media If there is anything the last ten years has demonstrated, it is that social media platforms can be a haven for misinformation on various topics, from the political to the scientific. Some platforms have tried to stop the spread by adding fact-checking to posts or slowing down a person’s ability to share. Despite these efforts, misinformation still reaches thousands. Even political leaders and large news networks willingly publish misleading information, often to push a policy that works in their favor. For example, in February, news sites published articles claiming President Joe Biden planned to give out free “crack pipes” to people with addiction in the inner…

March 17, 2022

Your Guide to Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Sober

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Alumni

Whether you are celebrating your Irish heritage or having a good time with your friends, the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is known for its access to excessive drinking. If you are sober, this time of year can feel stressful and dangerous. You might feel tempted to go to a bar with friends, or you might feel uncomfortable around so many intoxicated people. However, it is still possible to celebrate this holiday without going to the bar. Here are some tips to allow you to enjoy the holiday while still honoring your sobriety. Have a Traditional Irish Dinner Party You do not need to go to a bar to have corned beef and hash. Instead, host a dinner party with your sober friends. There are plenty of traditional Irish recipes that are fun to cook and fantastic to eat. Try baking soda bread, or cook a steaming pot of Irish stew….

March 16, 2022

Is Medication Safe if I Have an Addiction?

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

Having a history of addiction can make taking medication a frightening experience. While the U.S. battles a major opioid addiction crisis, taking medication for pain or mental illness might be concerning, especially if that substance has the potential to be addictive. This article discusses how to use medicine safely and when and why taking controlled substances might not be safe. Using Medication When You’re Addicted If you have an addiction, being prescribed medication can be troubling. There are plenty of common medicines that are easy to become dependent on, yet doctors and psychiatrists prescribe them for various health conditions. These medications have been clinically tested and found to alleviate symptoms in people with a particular illness or disease. Unfortunately, many misuse prescription drugs and develop an addiction. Suppose you have an addiction to illicit drugs or pharmaceutical medication. In that case, it makes sense to be wary about receiving a…

March 9, 2022

Accepting What You Can’t Control

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

Hanging on to things that are not in your control can be detrimental to your mental and physical health. It is important to learn when to let things go and focus on what you do have control over. It can be challenging to notice the things that you do have control over, which is why it is essential to step back and take stock of what is and what is not within your control. We Admitted We Were Powerless The first step of the 12-Step philosophy focuses on admitting that you are not in control of yourself or your life under the influence of substances. You acknowledged that your life had become unmanageable. This realization can be a difficult one to admit. You might have started using substances as a way to feel more in control of the chaos around you, but all it did was make things worse. In…

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Month: March 2022

March 25, 2022

Letting Go of Shame

March 24, 2022

What the Seventh Step Can Teach About Humility

March 24, 2022

When Your Client Continues to Put Up Walls

March 23, 2022

Will Trauma Always Result in PTSD?

March 18, 2022

Planting Seeds: The Beginning of Goal Completion

March 17, 2022

Combating Mental Health and Substance Use Misinformation on the Internet

March 17, 2022

Your Guide to Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Sober

March 16, 2022

Is Medication Safe if I Have an Addiction?

March 9, 2022

Accepting What You Can’t Control

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