The Addiction & Recovery Resource Blog

5 Common Counselling Barriers

• Mandy Sandhu
• 8 Jul 2021

Counselling has undeniable benefits for individuals and loved ones dealing with substance use disorder. Participating in individual or group counselling sessions can pave the way for preventing relapse as well as helping you achieve long-lasting sobriety by improving your mental health. Counselling can also assist in mending relationships, helping you unlearn unhealthy coping strategies, and teach you how to replace...

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Did the Pandemic Affect Canada’s Suicide Rate?

• Mandy Sandhu
• 6 Jul 2021

As a consequence of the unique circumstances presented by COVID-19, like forced self-isolation along with the devastating economic ramifications, research now reveals that large-scale mental health vulnerabilities are to be expected, including a potential increase in Canada's suicide rate. More Canadians Considered Suicide During Pandemic  In 2019, only 2.5% of Canadians reported having suicidal thoughts within the previous year. But...

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Rate of Addiction in 2020 vs 2019 Due to COVID-19

• Mandy Sandhu
• 1 Jul 2021

The past couple of years has been exceptionally challenging for most people due to the unique obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Countless people were forced into isolation, battling depression while longing for the company of friends and family, worried that they would be desperately out of a job in a matter of time due to the economic shutdown seen...

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Why Therapy Is Essential in Treating Addiction

• Mandy Sandhu
• 21 Jun 2021

Addressing substance use disorder goes beyond overcoming your urges or physical dependence on alcohol or illicit drugs. Despite the benefits of medically guided detox, it is not the end all be all for addiction treatment. You’re still vulnerable to your personal addiction triggers and have a significant risk of falling into relapse. Here’s where behavioural therapies—such as individual counselling, partner...

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The Importance of Partner Therapy in Addiction Treatment

• Mandy Sandhu
• 17 Jun 2021

Addiction doesn’t only affect the person abusing drugs or alcohol; it also negatively impacts family members, friends, and colleagues. And more often than not, it’s the spouse or the partner that bears the biggest burden. It doesn’t matter whether you’re bound by marriage, living together, or have been dating for a few months, substance abuse can negatively impact your relationship....

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The Challenges of Isolation in Addiction Recovery

• Mandy Sandhu
• 14 Jun 2021

Addiction in and of itself is already isolating. It can cause irreparable damage to relationships with your partner, family, and friends. The overwhelming guilt from relapsing or causing people you care about so much pain can drive recovering addicts further away from those they love and who love them. In some cases, isolation and addiction also go hand in hand...

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How to Set Manageable Goals in Addiction Recovery

• Mandy Sandhu
• 10 Jun 2021

Mark Twain, the author of the beloved classic Huckleberry Finn, once said, “Without dreams and goals, there is no living, only merely existing, and that is not why we are here.” Setting addiction recovery goals can give recovering addicts a sense of accomplishment. Celebrating important milestones that represent how far they have come can inspire them to persevere and continuously...

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How to Set Up a Support System After Rehab

• Mandy Sandhu
• 7 Jun 2021

Life in recovery has its ups and downs, and that’s why having a good support system can make a difference in helping you get through it. These people can be your sounding board when making significant decisions, or a trusted ally to keep you accountable spanyour path to sobriety Your support system will be there for you as you figure...

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How Your Body Becomes Tolerant to Drugs or Alcohol

• Mandy Sandhu
• 17 May 2021

The words "tolerance," "dependence," and "addiction" are often erroneously used when describing one's proclivity for using drugs or alcohol. But the truth is these terms are different from each other when looking at how substances affect the brain. Defining Tolerance, Dependence, and Addiction  The National Institute on Drug Abuse best explains how each term differs from the other: Tolerance –...

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How Much Does Alcohol or Drug Rehab Cost in Ontario?

• Mandy Sandhu
• 13 May 2021

One of the most frequently asked questions about addiction treatment that we receive is, “How much does rehab cost in Ontario?” The truth is there is no singular fixed cost to these types of individualized treatment programs. Generally, you’ll receive a personalized treatment quote based on the type and intensiveness of care required by the patient deemed by the rehab...

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