It’s a huge life decision to decide to overcome a heroin addiction. Once you decide you are ready to quit using heroin, the next big decision to make is finding the right addiction treatment center for you. Well, look no further as  Atlanta Recovery Place, located in Dunwoody, Georgia, is a great option for you. Today we will provide you with information about what heroin addiction is, how to find the right heroin rehab program for you or someone you love, and how we can help you! 

The Signs of Heroin Addiction
There are various signs of heroin addiction/ heroin use. The most common signs include:

• Sleep/dream-like state (Heroin can make people feel sleepy)
• Slow cognitive response
• Slow physical movements
• Someone’s eye pupils become very small
• Physical marks on one’s body/skin from where the needle went (when people inject heroin

Please note the above mentioned isn’t a comprehensive list as addiction and signs of addiction can be different for everyone. Heroin has also been known to change the function of one’s brain (or change the way in which your brain works). This change in function can make it hard to stop using heroin, and the body can become very confused and get sick when trying to stop. These illnesses are called withdrawals. Withdrawals from heroin may include things such as:

• Pain in one’s muscles and bones
• Chills
• Get sick/nauseous/throw up
• Have insomnia or be unable to sleep
• Feel nervous or anxious
• Feelings of being itchy

How to Find the Right Heroin Rehab Program for You

When searching for the best heroin treatment program for you, it is important to consider many different things. These things include finding a treatment program that is individualized to you and meeting your specific needs. Some things that you should consider when looking into a treatment program is:

• Your age: If you are an older adult or a teenager, there may be places that you can receive treatment with people who are around your age.
• Your gender : Depending on your gender there may be certain inpatient facilities/sober living places that are just for your gender. Some people prefer to only be around their gender while getting sober, others do not. 
• The drugs/drug that you are abusing: There are certain treatments that may be better depending on the drug that you are using.
• Your health history/whether or not you have mental health issues : There are treatment programs that can treat co-occurring disorders (treatments that will treat your addiction while treating your mental health issue/mental illness).
• The cost of treatment: This is important in considering especially if you don’t have insurance. It may also be important in looking into whether or not they have some form of financial support for individuals with low incomes or no insurance. 
• How much your insurance covers: If you have insurance, but are still on a tight budget you should consider different treatments that have cheaper options or treatments that have more coverage through your insurance company. 
• The amount of social support you need : If you don’t feel like you have enough support from family or friends, it may be beneficial to receive treatment that comes with peer support. If you don’t have a safe place to live, you may want to consider inpatient treatment or an outpatient program with a sober living home.

Different treatments for drug addiction at rehab may include things such as:

• Behavioral counseling/therapies (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, multidimensional family therapy, motivational interviewing or incentives, recovery housing, short-term residential treatment, etc)

• This can help to modify one’s attitude or behavior related to drug use
• Increase one’s healthy life skills
• Receive this treatment with other forms of treatment (this could include medication)

• Medications
• Treatments for withdrawal symptoms and skills training
• Treatment for co-occurring disorder/mental health disorder
• Long-term follow-ups to prevent a future relapse

How Atlanta Recovery Can Help With Your Addiction

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we give our clients many different options for their addiction treatment and their recovery process. We know that no two addictions are alike, and will treat everyone as an individual. Please reach out to us today to learn more about our addiction treatment program. Our staff is waiting for your call! 

The Holidays are a fun and joyous time of the year, but it can also bring about memories or stressors that lead to substance abuse. In short, the holiday season can be extremely triggering for recovering addicts.  Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we understand that the holidays can be stressful and bring about pressures that are unwanted. Today we’d like to provide some tips on how to keep your recovery strong and prevent relapse around the holidays. 

What Is a Drug Relapse?

Drug relapse is when an individual who stops using a drug returns to drug use. Relapse is very common and normal for individuals who are recovering from drug addictions. It takes practice, discipline, and patience when learning to live without drugs. There are three different forms of relapse: emotional relapse, mental relapse, and physical relapse. 

Emotional Relapse 

Emotional relapse occurs when an individual remembers their last relapse/worries about relapsing again. This worrisomeness leads to overthinking. This influx of emotions and their resulting behaviors start to lay the foundation for this individual’s next relapse. Signs of emotional relapse are isolation, such as not attending meetings or sharing at meetings, focusing on other people’s problems, and poor sleeping & eating habits. During this stage of relapse there are two main goals. The first goal is to help the individual understand just how important self-care is. The second goal is to help with the patient’s denial on understanding their risk of relapse and to avoid the progression through the rest of the stages of the relapse. 

Mental Relapse 

Mental relapse occurs when an individual has an internal struggle between their desire for the drug and their desire to remain abstinent. The signs of this internal struggle includes the craving of the substance, thinking about different things in which are associated with their past, exaggerating the positive of drug use/minimizing the negative consequences, lying, bargaining, seeking out opportunities for drug use, planning a relapse, etc. 

Physical Relapse

Physical relapse is the final stage of relapse and it occurs when an individual resumes the use of the drug/substance. 

Tips for Preventing a Relapse Around the Holidays

The holiday season can be very joyful, but it can also be an uphill climb for individuals who are struggling with an addiction. Holiday traditions, customs, or even memories may bring back the want for the substance or lead to a future relapse. Below we have provided some tips on preventing a relapse during the holiday season.

Plan Ahead of Time

Preparing a plan that will help you to feel supported during the holidays is crucial in maintaining sobriety. This may entail going to therapy or a 12-step meeting before or after attending an event where the pressures of substance use may occur. 

Understand the Emotions in Which the Holiday May Bring

This may involve talking with a therapist, friend, or trusted individual. This could involve understanding that the holidays can be a stressful time and bring back unwanted memories. Having support whether from friends, family members, or others can help to lessen the stressors that this season may bring. 

Practice Self-Care

It is important to take time for yourself during the holiday season. Making sure that you are cared for mentally, emotionally, and physically can help to prevent a future relapse. Do things that will help you to continue to remain strong while going to the recovery process. 

Avoid Triggering Situations

If you know that you will experience a situation in which you will feel vulnerable or pressured into doing something that could cause a relapse to occur, try to avoid that situation at all costs.

How Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help You

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want our clients to feel like they are prepared when going into the holiday season. Recovery during the holidays can be difficult, but it’s important to make sure you have a plan and support when facing the pressures and stressors that may occur during this time. Reach out to us today to find more tips and support for the holiday season!

Finding a treatment program that fits your individualized needs is crucial when wanting to get sober and going through the recovery process. We understand that knowing the benefits of these programs helps our clients to decide which program may be best for them. Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we know that addiction treatment isn’t one size fits all. There are many types of addiction treatment available that all meet different needs. Within this article, we describe the difference between inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab while giving the pros of each different treatment.

What Is the Difference Between Inpatient Rehab and Outpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab/treatment is a treatment program where clients are checked into a treatment facility. This means that clients will spend time within a treatment facility for a structured treatment that occurs around the clock. This treatment provides structure that can help the clients avoid a future relapse, while preparing them to return to “normal” life. This treatment is more intensive and helps with withdrawal, tolerance, and how to overcome an addiction. 

Outpatient rehab/treatment is a treatment program where clients are able to live at home while maintaining a sort of “normal”/flexible life schedule. Outpatient can involve things such as therapy, counseling, group sessions, etc., within an offsite facility. Individuals within an outpatient treatment facility may partake in individual or group counseling sessions that are less intensive and less frequent. This treatment program is usually used after an individual receives treatment from an inpatient facility. This treatment is to help prevent future relapse and help the clients succeed within their recovery while living their “normal” life.

Pros of Inpatient Rehab

• Helps clients with detoxifications
• Prepares clients for life after treatment
• Provides clients with 24 hour care
• Treatment is very structured. It focuses on all of the aspects of an addiction (this could include things such as social, biological, and psychological factors).
• Medical attention available 24 hours a day

Pros of Outpatient Rehab

• Flexibility of living within your home while receiving treatment
• The cost of outpatient treatment is cheaper in comparison to inpatient treatment
• Ability to choose many different types of treatment (counseling and therapy) that are offered within this setting
• Accommodations for schedules such as treatment/counseling on the weekends and nights for work purposes
• Treats clients with co-occurring disorders, depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic disorder, etc. 

Should I Choose Inpatient or Outpatient Rehab?

So, what treatment should you choose? Inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab? Ultimately, the choice is up to you! An inpatient treatment program is helpful for individuals who are suffering from other mental health conditions. If you are prone to relapsing, inpatient rehab may be helpful to avoid falling for the temptations of substance abuse. Outpatient treatment is a wonderful option after completing inpatient rehab. It’s also good for treating milder addictions that don’t necessarily require detoxification. If you have a safe living place, outpatient rehab can be a great option to help you get sober. If you have personal obligations that you need to continue with while getting sober, outpatient is also the best option for you. 

How Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help With Addiction

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, our clients and their recovery are our top priority. We offer outpatient treatment services such as partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient addiction treatment, and sober living homes. We’re located in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Clients are welcome and encouraged to complete all levels of our treatment. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. A member of our team will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding our program. We look forward to your call! 

It’s not simple going back to ‘normal life’ after getting addiction treatment, and we completely understand that. In all honesty, it can be a struggle to find the support that is needed to continue remaining sober post addiction treatment. Recovery and sobriety are a lifestyle, some to be worked at daily in order to maintain it. 

Sober living homes are a way for recovery addicts who have gone through treatment to continue to be surrounded by others who have been through the same type of things, and have the same type mindset when it comes to sobriety. Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we have many different addiction treatment options available, including sober living to help our clients succeed in their recovery process. Within this article, we describe what sober living homes are, the benefits of sober living, and how we can help.

What Is a Sober Living Atlanta? 

Sober living is a type of aftercare which provides recovering addicts with a safe space/community of like minded individuals. Within a sober living community, staff and residents encourage each other to remain sober during the early stages of sobriety and independence after recovering from substance abuse. A sober living environment has many different benefits and offers long term care after inpatient addiction treatment to ensure that recovering addicts are being set up for success. 

At our facility, Atlanta Recovery Place, we provide an atmosphere where residents are allowed leave to go to work, to see family and friends, and to go to different leisure activities, while living in our sober living community. This type of freedom is allowed as long as residents follow the house rules. When living in a sober home, you are committing to a sober lifestyle. This means that sober living rules basically state that you should remain sober while living in this sober community (which makes total sense). When someone within the sober living community/house is not committed, it affects everyone and everyone’s recovery process.

Benefits of Living in a Sober House

There are many different benefits of living in a sober house. Some of the benefits include things such as:

Having Extra Support After Treatment 

Once addiction treatment ends and normalcy comes back into play, it can be difficult to still feel the same amount of support while gaining more freedom. Living in a sober home/community can grant the residents with the support that they need while becoming more independent.

Sober Peers

Living within a sober home/community can provide residents with opportunities to build friendships with others who have the same recovery goals in mind.

Sober Environment 

A sober environment is crucial for individuals who are overcoming an addiction and going through the recovery process. This type of environment is known to help recovery addicts hold each other accountable for their actions. When living in a sober home or in a sober community, this can provide an environment which does not pressure individuals to go back to using the substances that they once did.

Reducing loneliness

Sober living homes are also known to reduce loneliness amongst recovery addicts. It can be difficult for individuals who feel like they are going through this recovery process alone to remain sober, so living with others who are going through the exact same recovery process  can provide a sense of togetherness. 

Find Your Home at Atlanta Recovery Place

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we have a sober living option for our clients to continue their recovery process after treatment. This provides the residents with freedom, but also a sense of accountability. Within our sober living, there is privacy but also house meetings, check-ins, and follow-ups with staff that will help you within your recovery. 

Sober living is a safe place where you can value freedom, gain support, and continue the journey within sobriety. Reach out to us today to gain more information about this sober environment after treatment and gain more accountability (while gaining freedom)!

College. What is portrayed in the movies as a fun, carefree time in someone’s life, it ultimately can end up being very stressful. College is often the first time in someone’s life where they create their own schedule. No parents are around to make sure they get up on time and attend class. The freedom of coming and going whenever you please can be overwhelming. One way college students stay organized and focused is by using Adderall. Today we’ll discuss the dangers of abusing Adderall, what an addiction looks like, and how we can help you. 

Why Do College Students Use Adderall?

There is a growing problem in college students where they are using prescription stimulants in a nonmedical way. College students usually abuse Adderall for the benefit of academics. Students believe that taking this drug helps them to focus when they have to stay up late completing assignments and studying. College students also believe that taking Adderall can help with scoring high on exams. Ultimately, Adderall is viewed as a tool to succeed in college.

Some Adderall users also say that they experience an improved attention span and find it easier to concentrate for long periods of time. Afterall, it can be fairly difficult to ‘pull an all nighter’ without the aid of a stimulant.

Adderall Addiction Symptoms

Adderall is a very well-known drug of abuse and is legally prescribed for certain medical diagnoses. These diagnoses/conditions include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Adderall abuse occurs when an individual uses adderall and they don’t have a prescription for the medication. Adderall abuse happens because it contains amphetamine which is a potent stimulant. 

People who abuse Adderall are subdivided into two groups.  The first group are those who are prescribed due to a medical condition. These people will not usually develop a substance abuse disorder or develop an addiction as long as they follow the doctor’s instructions on how to use the substance safely. However, this doesn’t mean they can’t abuse the drug ever. If you know someone who is prescribed Adderall and begins to take it more than prescribed, they may need help.   

The second group are people who buy Adderall illegally. This could be purchasing Adderall on the street or through a friend who has a prescription. The main motive for someone abstaining Adderall illegally is usually to get high or stimulated. This type of user has a greater chance of developing a substance use disorder. 

Signs of an Adderall Addiction

• Nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety, panic, and nervousness
• Actively seeking out the drug
• Manipulating the drug’s format
• Being fearful of not having Adderall
• Sleeping difficulties (this could be falling asleep or staying asleep)
• Being hyperactive or having sensations of excitement
• Weight loss/malnutrition
• Shrinking important responsibilities that are related to the core spheres of life to use Adderall. These core spheres of life include family, work, school, etc.
• Taking higher doses of Adderall/taking Adderall frequently due to the tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms even when using the usual amount of Adderall consumption.
• Continuing to use Adderall even though this drug abuse is causing physical and psychological issues/problems.

College students are also notorious for partying.  When using Adderall at parties and combining the drug with alcohol, there can be serious consequences. If you or someone you know is abusing adderall, don’t wait to seek help as it can be a dangerous addiction. 

Atlanta Recovery Place Works With You to Overcome Addiction

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we realize that stress comes in all shapes and sizes for college students. Our goal is to provide our clients with safe ways to manage stress that is occurring in their lives, without the aid of drugs. We offer many different types of addiction treatment including intensive outpatient and outpatient programs. Contact us today to start your journey to recovery! 

When understanding addiction, it is important to know how certain substances affect the brain/cause an addiction. Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to help you gain more knowledge about substances, substance abuse, and addiction. It is important to be able to comprehend why someone with an addiction is struggling to overcome, and more importantly, how to help that person. Within this article, we have provided information about cocaine, how it is addictive, and what to do if you or someone you love is  addicted to cocaine.

What Is Cocaine?

Cocaine is a very powerful and addictive stimulant drug. Cocaine is considered a schedule 2 drug, which basically means that it is very high in the potential for abuse, but it can also be administered by a doctor for medical usage. This medical usage can be things such as local anesthesia for ear, eye, and throat surgeries.  

Cocaine as a street drug appears to be a fine white and crystalline powder that is also known as Coke. There are two different chemical forms of cocaine that people abused. The first being water-soluble hydrochloride salt and the second being water-soluble cocaine base or ‘freebase’. The hydrochloride salt is a powder, which is snorted or injected. The freebase cocaine is considered crack, which is smoked.

How Is Cocaine Addictive? 

Cocaine is addictive because it increases the levels of the neurotransmitter/chemical messenger, dopamine, in the brain. Dopamine is related to the control of movement and reward. Normally, the dopamine neurotransmitters will “recycle” back into the neuron that released it. This then would shut off the signal between nerve cells. Cocaine prevents the dopamine from being recycled back into the neuron, which then causes large amounts of dopamine to build up in the space (synapse) between the two nerve cells. This large amount of dopamine will affect the brain’s reward circuit which then would strongly reinforce drug-taking behaviors. This enforces drug-taking behaviors because the reward system/circuit will adapt to the excess amount of dopamine caused by cocaine, and the brain/body will become less sensitive to it. This tolerance will cause individuals to take more frequent or larger doses of cocaine to receive the same high that they once did, or even to just have relief from withdrawal.

What to Do If You’re Addicted to Cocaine

If you or someone you know is addicted to cocaine, it is important to get professional help, find support, and to receive treatment. Reach out to someone who you trust and respect to help figure out your treatment options and to help you feel supported. This person can help to support you throughout your recovery process. If you don’t have a person like this, you can always find treatment and help for yourself (which can be part of taking responsibility for your addiction). Some of the different types of treatments that are good to look into are:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – This therapy is an effective approach for preventing relapse and helps patients to develop skills that support long-term abstinence. These skills include things such as the ability to recognize and avoid situations in which cocaine usage is likely to occur, and the ability to cope more effectively with problems that are associated with drug use.
• Contingency management (CM) – This program uses a reward/prize-based system that rewards patients who remain abstinent from cocaine and other drugs. This way patients earn points/chips/rewards that can be used to “buy” items that encourage healthy living. These items could be things such as a gym membership, movie tickets, or a nice dinner. This treatment program helps individuals stay abstinent from cocaine and to stay in their treatment program.
• Therapeutic communities (TCs) – These communities are drug-free residences where people can recover from substance use disorders. These communities are very supportive and provide assistance in helping each other to understand and change their behaviors. TCs may require a 6 to 12-month stay. 
• Community-based recovery groups – This recovery group could be a group such as Cocaine Anonymous that used a 12-step program that can be helpful within maintaining abstinence. Within this group, individuals may benefit from supportive fellowship and sharing experiences with those who are going through common problems.

Get Help With a Cocaine Addiction at Atlanta Recovery Place

At Atlanta Recovery Place, we are a premiere outpatient rehab with a sober living community. We currently offer partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Reach out to us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you beat addiction once and for all! 

When you think of going to rehab, you generally picture a drug free facility. While most people get sober by abstaining from drugs and alcohol, there are certain addictions that benefit from medication assisted therapy. No two addictions are alike, which is why at Atlanta Recovery Place we emphasize individualized care. To learn more about medication assisted therapy in addiction recovery, keep on reading! 

What Is a MAT Drug Rehab?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a type of therapy that uses a combination of medication and counseling/behavioral therapies. This helps to provide a “whole person” approach to substance abuse and treatment. Research has been done on MAT drug rehab, and shows that this type of therapy has been successful in treating substance abuse disorders and helping those who struggle with an addiction. 

The medication that is used within this treatment program is used to help normalize brain chemistry, and block the euphoric effects that the substance may give. It also helps to relieve some of the physiological cravings and to normalize the body functions without any side effects. The goal of mat is to achieve a full recovery from addiction, and for each individual to have the ability to live a healthy and self-directed life. The MAT program has been proven to:

• Improve person survival from drug addiction
• Increase retention and treatment
• Decreased the usage of illicit opiate and other criminal activity that occurs due to substance abuse disorders
•  Increase a person’s ability to gain and maintain employment
•  Improve birth outcomes among women who are struggling with a substance abuse disorder and are pregnant 

Research has also shown that the medications and therapies within the medication-assisted treatment program can also contribute to lowering an individual’s risk of contracting a disease such as HIV or Hepatitis C. 

Who Needs Medication-Assisted Therapy?

The MAT program has been used to help those who are struggling with substance abuse. Especially those who are struggling with an opioid addiction such as heroin or a prescription drug addiction. The medication- assisted treatment therapy program is usually  customized to fit each of the clients individualized needs. This individualization can be through the usage of  different types of medications and  different types of therapy.  This therapy can be a one-on-one therapy, support group therapy, behavioral therapy, and so much more. 

The professionals within this program will help their clients choose a drug that fits the specific substance in which the individual is abusing. Like previously mentioned the medication-assisted treatment program is usually used to treat opioid use disorders and can help these individuals who are struggling with opioid use disorders to sustain recovery. 

Currently the FDA has only approved three different types of drugs for opioid dependence. These drugs are buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Those who receive medication-assisted therapy may be individuals who don’t think that regular behavioral therapy will benefit them and prevent them from furthering their substance abuse problem. It could also be in an individual who has tried behavioral therapies and they have not worked in the past, so trying medication-assisted therapy may be beneficial.

How Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help With Addiction

Atlanta Recovery Place is a premiere outpatient rehab located in Dunwoody, Georgia. We’re a team of dedicated individuals who strive to help anyone struggling with substance abuse. Our programs range from partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and sober living. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out to us today. 

There seems to be so many different addiction treatments and treatment programs available to choose from. We understand that starting your journey to recovery may seem super overwhelming and daunting. Today we’d like to spend some time discussing a commonly used therapy in addiction treatment called cognitive behavioral therapy. This is a type of therapy we utilize at Atlanta Recovery Place. The best part about this therapy is you continue to do it on your own years and years after you leave the addiction treatment. Keep on reading to find out more about CBT! 

What Is CBT?

Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT,  has been one of the most common and best research forms of psychotherapy. It combines two important therapeutic approaches. These two approaches are known as cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy.

• Cognitive therapy – One of the main aspects of cognitive therapy is to form a clear idea of  one’s own thoughts, attitudes, and expectations. The goal of this is to reveal and change false and/or  distressing beliefs. This is important because sometimes it is not only the situations and things that cause an individual problems, but also the importance of these situations and things that we attach to them. Cognitive therapy helps people to learn to replace certain thought patterns with more realistic and less harmful thoughts. Cognitive therapy also helps people think more clearly and helps them to better control their own thoughts as well. 
• Behavioral therapy – Behavioral therapy’s goal is to find out whether certain behavioral patterns make an individual’s life difficult and/or intensify their problems. Behavioral therapy stems from the theory of behaviorism. Behaviorism assumes that human behavior is a learned trait and can be unlearned or learned anew. Behavioral therapy may also incorporate learning methods to help individuals find coping mechanisms. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the idea that what we think, how we feel, and how we behave are all connected. This basically means that all of these three different aspects have an influence on our well-being. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been used to treat conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, anxiety, and addictions. This form of therapy will require the client to be committed and to take initiative within the recovery process.  This therapy can only truly be successful  if the client actively is taking part  in this treatment and works on their own problems on their own time (not only in sessions). 

How Is CBT Used in Addiction Treatment?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a problem oriented approach, meaning that when a problem arises, CBT is focused on finding a solution. For addiction, cognitive behavioral therapy would focus on the current addiction that an individual is experiencing and would help to find solutions for that current addiction. Cognitive behavioral therapy doesn’t really focus much on the past but is more concerned with dealing with current problems. This helps people to be able to cope with their lives now and to work on themselves for the future. 

This therapy approach helps with identifying and changing current distressing thoughts and behavioral patterns.  Cognitive behavioral therapy often uses certain techniques such as writing your thoughts down in a journal or using relaxation exercises/methods. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on helping people help themselves, meaning that clients should be able to start to cope with their lives again without therapy as soon as possible. This can help the client to be independent within the recovery process but also help the client  to find support within their current addiction to help in the success of their future.

Get Help With Addiction Today at Atlanta Recovery Place

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to help our clients succeed within their recovery process. It is important to us that our clients after receiving treatment can go back to living a happy and healthy life. Within the cognitive behavioral approach, this therapy is providing a way for clients to be able to help themselves within the recovery process, therefore they can use this approach long after addiction treatment. Contact us today to learn more about our program & conquer your addiction! 

Something that may cross someone’s mind when getting sober is “well, what will I do for fun now?”. It can be very common to feel this way, especially after years of substance abuse. But have no fear, there are plenty of fun sober activities to partake in all over the country. Today we’d like to spend some time talking about fun sober activities in Atlanta, Georgia! 

What Are Some Fun Sober Activities to Do in Atlanta?

Atlanta is filled with sites to see and culture. A major metropolitan area in Georgia with lots of fun things to do:

• The Georgia Aquarium – Visiting the Georgia Aquarium can be a fun way to spend a day. Each guest can get up close to the animals and experience the fun within each exhibit. It’s a great place to take your family, friends, or just enjoy by yourself. This is a great way to look at aquatic life up close and to discover more about what lies underneath the sea.
• World of Coca-Cola – Take a trip to the World of Coca-Cola to learn more about one of the most commonly known beverage brands. There are many different exhibits to experience and favors to try. You can even create your own flavor of Coca-Cola and  experience it for yourself.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden –  Take a stroll within Atlanta’s Botanical Garden. This is a great way to get exercise while exploring this beautiful place. It is beautiful within every season and has many amazing exhibits. There is a child garden, a canopy walk, an edible garden, and much more. Visit this beautiful garden to discover more about the world around us and to find a peaceful way to spend the day.
• Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame – There are tons of exhibits and personalized experiences for you and your favorite team. Discover more about some of the famous college football legends and get your picture taken in front of a three-story size helmet. Take out the passions and the traditions of college football and how they relate to today’s college football.
• The Atlanta Beltline – The Atlanta Beltline is a sustainable redevelopment project. It features 1,300 acres of park, 33 miles of trails, and a 22-mile railroad corridor (this is historic). The trails are multi-use so you can take a scenic bike ride, a nice jog, or even a quiet run on these trails. These trails also connect neighborhoods with one another so they seem to be very safe.
• Sightseeing in the city – There are plenty of fun places to visit within the city itself. These places could include things such as the CNN building (which has a huge food court with plenty of delicious places to eat), the ferris wheel (taking a ride on the ferris wheel is a cheap and simple way to see some of the prettiest parts of the city), find fun places to eat (there are plenty of small businesses in which are fun to eat at that don’t include alcohol), and so much more. 

Why Are Sober Activities Important?

Sober activities are important because finding something that you can enjoy while maintaining your sobriety is crucial within the recovery process. This can help replace old habits and activities with new healthy and sober habits and activities. Finding support and friends who can encourage and come along on these excursions is helpful in the enjoyment and the continuance. 

Seek Sobriety at Atlanta Recovery Place

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to provide our clients with options of fun things to do while trying to maintain sobriety.  We understand that sobriety is not always fun and the recovery process can be long and hard, but  it is important to find activities in which you can maintain your sobriety and prevent a future relapse. Reach out to us  today to discover more options on how to have fun in Atlanta while being sober.

College. The time in someone’s life where they find themselves, and sometimes they start new habits. These habits, such as partying, may not always be healthy or helpful. Everyone knows that in college the stereotype is the party scene is ongoing and never ending. For some people this isn’t true, but for others this is completely accurate. Atlanta Recovery Place would like to spend some time today discussing how binge drinking can affect someone not only in college, but after the fact as well. 

The Definition of Binge Drinking

According to the National Institute of Health and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,  the definition for binge drinking is a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% (NIH). For an average adult, this pattern will correspond with consuming five or more drinks in males, or four or more drinks in females, in the span of about 2 hours. 

According to another resource, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the definition for binge drinking is when an individual consumes five or more alcoholic drinks (males), or four or more alcoholic drinks (females), on the same occasion, meaning within the same time. For this definition the “binge drinking” has to occur on at least one day in the past month. While binge drinking doesn’t necessarily mean someone is an alcoholic, there is a pattern and correlation of binge drinking associated with alcohol use disorder. This pattern states that binge drinking/heavy alcohol use can increase an individual’s risk to develop alcohol use disorder. 

Why Is Binge Drinking in College Students Common?

There are many different reasons why binge drinking and alcohol use are so common within college life. These reasons may include things such as peer pressure, freedom from parents, stressors of school and life changes, wanting to fit in, and so much more. According to the National Institute of Health and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the first six weeks within a college student freshman year is the most vulnerable time when it comes to heavy drinking and alcohol abuse. This is because of the student expectations and social pressures that come from college.  

There are other factors that relate to binge drinking within the college environment such as attending a school with a strong Greek system and prominent athletic programs. Students within these Greek systems and athletic programs tend to engage in habitual drinking and high alcohol consumption. The college students who use alcohol the least are those who commute and live with their parents. According to the National Institute of Health and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, college drinking is a significant public health problem. It can take an enormous toll not only on the intellectual ability of a student, but also the social life that this student experiences on campuses all across the U.S. Binge drinking alcohol can cause serious health risks including damage to the liver and other organs, while making some students more susceptible to certain diseases. Drinking can also cause many different safety risks including drunk driving, sexual assaults and harassment, and injuries.

How Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to help addicts find the best treatment that suits them and their individualized needs. As a college student, it may be hard to fit treatment and recovery into one’s schedule, but waiting to fix this binge drinking problem can result in later alcoholism and even other substance use disorders. It may be difficult for students to find support on their college campuses when overcoming things such as underage college drinking, binge drinking, and more. Finding a support group and finding quality sober companions/peers is crucial when trying to maintain sobriety, and while going through this recovery process. To find more resources, to get treatment, to get information, and more, reach out to us today. We want to help you succeed in your sobriety goals and your well-being.