Getting Family on Board With Therapy Helpful Articles, RecoveryBy The RanchJanuary 8, 2020There has always been a stigma attached to the need to see a therapist. Whether the reason is a little anxiety, a deeper mental illness, an addictive disorder or anything else, needing psychological help has long been seen as a weakness. The tides are turning and more people are accepting mental illness and addiction as…
We Are Here for Your Substance Abuse Recovery Addiction, Articles>Recovery at The Ranch, RecoveryBy Andrea BakerDecember 16, 2019Leave a commentIf you’re not sure who to turn to for substance abuse recovery, reach out to us at Recovery Ranch. We know it’s not easy to say that you need help, or admit that treatment is necessary. But when you reach out to get help, you’re taking an important step toward having a good future you…
Sober Holidays: Make the Pledge Articles>Addiction Treatment, Helpful Articles, RecoveryBy Andrea BakerDecember 7, 2019Leave a commentMaintaining sobriety during the holidays can be tricky. You are surrounded by friends and family that want to celebrate in a way that maybe you can’t, and that makes it challenging. You don’t even have to have an addiction disorder to enjoy sober holidays. Consider some reasons it is beneficial to avoid alcohol as you…
The 12 Step Program for Addiction Addiction, Addictions, Alcoholism, Articles>Addiction Treatment, RecoveryBy Andrea BakerDecember 4, 2019Leave a commentThe 12 Step program for addiction began in 1935, as Alcoholics Anonymous. 12 principles, or steps, to breaking free from addiction were established. Since then, the model has been used for many addictions. For instance, including sex, gambling, and narcotic addictions all benefit from the model. Further, research has shown the 12 step program to…
How to Use Spirituality for Addiction Recovery Articles>Addiction ResearchBy The RanchAugust 1, 2016Religion has taken a hit in modern times. Fewer people associate with a particular religion or attend services, but that doesn’t mean that we have turned away from a higher power. Many of us have simply shifted from being religious to being spiritual. The beauty of spirituality is that it means whatever you want it…
Gardening Helps Women in Addiction Recovery Grow Strong Helpful Articles, RecoveryBy The RanchMarch 17, 2016In Vernon Hills, Illinois, outside of Chicago, women in treatment for addiction are gardening to support their recovery. It’s a simple idea, but one that has a lasting impact and that helps these former addicts feel a sense of purpose, to get exercise and to resist the urges to use again. It’s an idea that…
Is Abstinence Required for Problem Gamblers? Articles>Mental HealthBy The RanchJanuary 25, 2016Problem gamblers are people who develop dysfunctional, addictive patterns of behavior centered on one or more forms of gambling. Doctors use a diagnosis called gambling disorder to identify individuals affected by this problem. In a study published in 2014 in the journal International Gambling Studies, researchers from Canada’s University of Calgary investigated whether dysfunctional gamblers…
Here’s How to Give Loved Ones the Gift of a Sober You Articles>Addiction TreatmentBy The RanchNovember 24, 2015“Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk at our Christmas party.”
Working Your Way Back to God ArticlesBy The RanchOctober 27, 2015Addicts seeking recovery often choose Christian rehab centers because they know that getting well and living free of the bondage of addiction is about more than quitting the abuse of a substance or a destructive behavior. It is about coming to know God, understanding His grace, feeling His presence and experiencing His healing power—the same…
Mandatory Smoking Abstinence Improves Substance Treatment Outcomes Helpful Articles, TreatmentBy The RanchOctober 14, 2015Cigarette use is quite common among people who have diagnosable problems with alcohol, drug or medication intake. Unfortunately, many people continue to smoke after entering substance treatment and continue to experience the potentially fatal health complications associated with cigarette intake. In a study published in December 2014 in The American Journal on Addictions, researchers from…
