Rocky Mountain Sober Living

03/14/2024

After months of working on getting accredited with the proper agencies, Rocky Mountain Sober Living is proud to announce that we now have an Outpatient Addiction Medicine clinic to help our clients stabilize as they enter our program. We will be expanding this program outside of Rocky Mountain Sober Living to help throughout the community.

03/06/2024

FINALLY!!!
Rocky Mountain Sober Living is opening a Woman’s Home!

So now we need Furniture and household goods. Please remember that we need items from a pet-free home that are in good working order and not worn out. Please DM me with photos of the things.

Housewares
Dishes
Pots and pans
Silverware
Cooking Utensils
Glasses
Cups
Kitchen Towels

Furniture
Couches sectional prefered
Coffee table
Kitchen Table & Chairs
Small Desk
TV Flat Screen 50 inches or better
Patio Furniture
Artwork

01/18/2024

Some exciting news on the horizon.

10/07/2023

How addictive drugs affect the brain's reward circuitry:

The brain's reward system is regulated by neurotransmitters like dopamine. This system drives us to engage in activities that promote our survival - like eating and socializing. Addictive substances flood the brain with abnormally large amounts of dopamine, causing an intense rush of pleasure.

Drugs affect the brain's mesolimbic pathway, which connects areas that regulate pleasure and motivation. Addictive substances activate neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), prompting them to release excessive dopamine into the nucleus accumbens (NAc).

With repeated drug use, the brain attempts to combat the dopamine surge by reducing receptor availability. This causes a blunted pleasure response. As a result, the addicted person needs increasingly larger amounts of the drug to achieve the desired high.

The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, also undergoes changes. This impairs judgement and self-control. The amygdala, which processes emotions, begins to associate drug-related cues with pleasure.

Eventually the brain is conditioned to associate substance use with extremely rewarding sensations. Neural connections driving habit-based behaviors strengthen. This compels the addicted individual to relentlessly pursue and use drugs despite severe consequences.

In summary, addictive substances hijack the brain's reward pathways, reinforce substance-seeking habits via dopamine release, and impair executive function - leading to the uncontrollable compulsion to use drugs.

03/30/2023

Sober Home Owners Dinner Last night. Great time of fellowship and trading ideas on how to serve our members better.

02/22/2023

Mindfulness and Meditation in Recovery

Mindfulness and meditation have been gaining popularity as tools for recovery from a variety of issues, including addiction, mental health disorders, and stress. These practices involve paying attention to the present moment and learning to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment.

One of the main benefits of mindfulness and meditation in recovery is that they help individuals to develop a greater sense of self-awareness. This can be particularly helpful for individuals recovering from addiction, as it allows them to identify triggers that may lead to a relapse and to develop strategies to manage those triggers. Additionally, mindfulness and meditation can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common issues among those in recovery.

Another benefit of mindfulness and meditation is that they can help to improve sleep and overall physical health. Stress and anxiety can disrupt sleep and lead to physical health problems such as headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue. Mindfulness and meditation can help to reduce these symptoms and promote relaxation, which can lead to improved sleep and overall well-being.

There are several different types of mindfulness and meditation practices that can be used in recovery. Some popular options include:

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a program that combines mindfulness and meditation techniques to help individuals cope with stress and pain.
Yoga is a practice that combines physical movement, breath control, and meditation to help individuals to become more aware of their body and mind.
Transcendental meditation (TM) is a practice that involves the repetition of a mantra or word to help individuals achieve a state of deep relaxation and mental focus.
It is important to note that mindfulness and meditation should not be used as a replacement for traditional forms of therapy and treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. Rather, they can be used as complementary tools to support recovery. It is always recommended to consult with a mental health professional or addiction counselor before starting any kind of mindfulness or meditation practice.

In summary, mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools that can be used to support recovery from addiction, mental health disorders, and stress. These practices can help individuals to develop a greater sense of self-awareness, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and physical health, and support overall well-being

02/18/2023

Journaling for Recovery Tool

Journaling for recovery can be a powerful tool for those who are working to overcome addiction, mental health issues, or other personal struggles. By regularly writing down thoughts, feelings, and experiences, individuals can gain insight into their own behavior and emotions, and develop strategies for coping with difficult situations.

One of the most important benefits of journaling for recovery is that it can help individuals identify patterns in their behavior. For example, someone who is struggling with addiction may begin to see that their substance use is often triggered by certain people, places, or events. By recognizing these patterns, they can take steps to avoid or manage these triggers.

Journaling can also be a form of self-expression, allowing individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings without the pressure of having to communicate them to others. This can be particularly helpful for people who are dealing with trauma or other difficult emotions, as it allows them to process these experiences in a safe and private way.

In addition to these benefits, journaling can also serve as a form of self-reflection, helping individuals to gain a better understanding of themselves and their needs. By regularly reflecting on their thoughts and feelings, they can begin to identify their values, goals, and priorities, which can be helpful in making positive changes in their lives.

Overall, journaling can be an effective tool for those who are working to overcome addiction, mental health issues, or other personal struggles. By providing a safe and private space for self-expression, reflection, and insight, journaling can help individuals gain a better understanding of themselves and their needs, and develop effective strategies for coping with difficult situations.

It is important to note that journaling is not a replacement for professional help, but it can be a helpful supplement to therapy or other treatment plans. It is always recommended to consult with a therapist or counselor before starting a journaling practice, especially if you are dealing with severe addiction or mental health issues.

In conclusion, Journaling for recovery is a powerful tool that can help individuals identify patterns in their behavior, explore their thoughts and feelings, and gain a better understanding of themselves and their needs. It can be a helpful supplement to therapy or other treatment plans and one should always consult with a therapist or counselor before starting a journaling practice, especially if you are dealing with severe addiction or mental health issues.

02/10/2023

Exercise Benefits In Recovery

Exercise has been shown to have many benefits in the recovery process for a variety of conditions. Some of the key benefits include:

Improving physical fitness: Regular exercise can help increase strength, flexibility, and endurance, which can improve overall physical function.

Improving mental health: Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and can also improve mood and overall well-being.

Enhancing cognitive function: Regular physical activity has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function, particularly in older adults.

Managing chronic conditions: Exercise can help manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity by improving cardiovascular health and controlling weight.

Supporting injury recovery: Exercise can help speed up the recovery process after an injury by promoting blood flow and reducing inflammation in the affected area.

Improving sleep: Regular exercise can improve the quality of sleep and can help reduce insomnia.

Overall, exercise plays a vital role in the recovery process for many conditions and can help individuals regain their physical and mental health. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to develop a safe and effective exercise plan that takes into account any existing medical conditions or injuries.

02/05/2023

Smart Recovery is a self-empowering addiction recovery program that teaches individuals the tools to overcome addiction and maintain lasting sobriety. The program is based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. It is designed to help individuals understand a...

02/03/2023

Detox Centers In Colorado Springs.

There are several detox centers in Colorado Springs that provide treatment for individuals struggling with substance abuse. Some examples include:

AspenRidge Recovery Colorado Springs

The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake

Springs Recovery Connection

A Better Today Recovery Services

The Recovery Ranch Colorado

These centers offer different types of detox programs and treatment options, so it's important to research and find one that best fits your needs. It's also important to note that some of these centers may have different eligibility criteria, cost and insurance options, so it's best to reach out to them directly for more information

02/02/2023

Great night of food and community!

What a great time at dinner. 2023 Winter Symposium Sober Living Owners Dinner.

01/27/2023

Smart Recovery: Benefits Explained

Smart Recovery is a self-empowering addiction recovery program that focuses on teaching individuals the tools they need to overcome addiction and maintain lasting sobriety. The program is based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, and is designed to help individuals understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to addiction.

One of the main benefits of Smart Recovery is its focus on empowering individuals to take control of their own recovery. Rather than relying on a 12-step program or professional treatment, participants are encouraged to develop their own strategies for coping with addiction and building a sober lifestyle. This helps to promote a sense of self-efficacy and autonomy, which can be crucial for long-term success in recovery.

Another benefit of Smart Recovery is its emphasis on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to addiction. By learning to recognize and challenge these thoughts and behaviors, individuals can develop more effective coping mechanisms and reduce their risk of relapse.

In addition to its focus on CBT, Smart Recovery also incorporates motivational interviewing (MI) into its program. MI is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about making changes in their lives. This can be especially useful for individuals who may be hesitant or resistant to seeking help for their addiction.

One of the most important benefits of Smart Recovery is its accessibility. The program is available to anyone who is interested in overcoming addiction, regardless of their financial situation or access to professional treatment. Meetings are held in community centers, libraries, and other public places, and are led by trained facilitators who are themselves in recovery.

In conclusion, Smart Recovery offers a self-empowering, evidence-based approach to addiction recovery that can help individuals take control of their own recovery, change negative thought patterns and behaviors, and maintain lasting sobriety. Its accessibility and emphasis on CBT and MI make it a valuable resource for those seeking to overcome addiction