Resources & Articles
Many millions of people have recovered from addiction to substances like alcohol, narcotics and various "street drugs". At Sober Recovery Journey our mission is to carry a message of hope and to provide any and all resources available to those seeking sobriety. Answers to many questions about addiction issues, peer support group information, professional treatment options, meditative guidance and general wellness information are linked and discussed below.
Guided Meditations
CLICK: Overcoming Anxiety (14 min)
CLICK: Let Go & Let God (34 Min)
CLICK: Letting Go & Trusting (35 min)
CLICK: Letting Go of Control (35 Min)
CLICK: Meditation Basics (15 min)
CLICK: Relieving Stress (9 min)
CLICK: Reducing Anxiety (20 min)
CLICK: Higher Self & Spirit (10 min)
CLICK: Abundance & Balance (16 min)
CLICK: Easing Anxiety & Stress (12 min)
CLICK: Releasing Stress (24 min)
CLICK: Positive Thinking (10 min)
CLICK: Anxiety & Overthinking (14 min)
Our Bodies
Our bodies are so much more than what we see. We operate on an intricate energy system that affects all of our organs, muscles, glands and more. It is fueled by electrical impulses that charge the body as well as the world around us.
This energy system is at the core of how our brain functions, how our muscles and nerves receive messages from the brain, and more. You may be familiar with the concept of energy in the body because of the use of EEG’s (measuring brain waves), EKG’s (measuring the electrical activity of the heart) and other diagnostic medical tools.
When our energies are being disrupted, flow irregularly, or become sluggish and blocked, we can begin to experience both physical and emotional symptoms. This can include pain, fear, excessive worry, allergies, the inability to heal or recover from injury, addiction, withdrawal discomforts, and many other issues.
Energy therapies help to re-balance these energies and instigate the body’s powerful self healing ability. Energy therapy often works when nothing else has. Clients report relief and release from grief, trauma, and fear, as well as a clearing of old negative beliefs, patterns and emotions.
Our Recovery Coaching Program is supportive of many wellness tools. Our approach to helping clients recover is open-minded-yet regimented,
technologically enhanced -yet old school, and client centered-yet spiritually focused.
We believe that blending our 23+ years of experience in sobriety with various available forms of holistic wellness is a winning combination for our clients.
-Coach
Recovery Wellness
Mindfulness, Meditation, and Addiction
Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of mindfulness meditation in Western medicine, cleverly titled one of his best-selling books on meditation, Wherever You Go, There You Are. Simple and obvious, perhaps, but easier said than done, especially when you're struggling with an addiction, which is often an attempt to go somewhere else, emotionally and mentally. Whether the specific addiction (or attachment) is to alcohol, drugs, food, sex, or shopping, your mind is usually focused either on how to get your substance of choice, taking steps to acquire it, using it, or recovering from the effects. Very little time and energy are spent noticing the present moment, except to try and change your experience. Indeed, the present becomes little more than a constant agitated state. It thus stands to reason that the practice of mindfulness, defined as non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, would be an effective tool in addiction treatment, and in fact this has been found to be the case in many clinical studies.
First of all, though it may seem paradoxical, by increasing your ability to accept and tolerate the present moment, you become more able to make needed changes in your life. This is due to your learning to deal with uncomfortable feelings that might accompany modified behaviors, rather than reacting on automatic pilot. Also, practicing balanced emotional responses can reduce your stress level, and anxiety and stress are often triggers for substance abuse and addictive behavior. In addition, when you choose a neutral rather than a judgmental response to your thoughts and feelings, you can increase your sense of self-compassion rather than beating yourself up, which is often associated with addictive behaviors.
Aromatherapy in Recovery
Recovering from an addiction to alcohol or drugs is a challenge. There are many great resources available that can make the process easier. Discomforts experienced by the individual during the early stages of sobriety are worth it because of the benefits of this new way of living.
We have found it possible to reduce these discomforts to a minimum.
Employing the use of alternative therapies such as aromatherapy makes an appreciable difference in the effectiveness of sessions with clients.
Aromatherapy Explained
Aromatherapy has been practiced for centuries by different cultures around the world – it is believed to date back to antiquity. Today it is classified as a type of alternative medicine or holistic treatment. It involves using various plant materials and aromatic ingredients in order to produce scents that are believed to benefit mental, physical, and spiritual health. The individual benefits from the properties of these mixtures through inhalation.
Essential Oils are the liquids used in aromatherapy. They are made up from the oils of plants or other compounds.
ff you're afraid, confused, in pain and don't know where to turn, reach out for a hand-up, a no-cost, no-obligation phone consultation. Our commitment is about helping people return to life, reach their natural potential, stop throwing away all that has been so graciously provided. We want to support and encourage all people to understand that the potential of peace, joy and the miracle of a new life in recovery is attainable and sustainable.
Local 12-Step Meetings
If recovery coaching is not right for you, there are many other helpful options available. Below are some recovery resources available to all men and women.
Since the late 1930's, millions of men and women have recovered from the disease of alcoholism through the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous . In Middle Tennessee alone, there are approximately 930 AA meetings each week. Recovery is alive in Tennessee and many people consider Nashville to be "Recovery Central" in the world of 12-step meetings, recovery events and recovery fellowship.
CLICK HERE to visit the Nashville area AA Meeting schedule
Since the first edition of the Narcotics Anonymous book called Basic Text was published in 1982 this fellowship of recovery, based in the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, has grown to over 63,000 weekly meetings in over 132 countries around the world. Many recovering addicts find themselves at home in these meetings where a member's former use of various mood-altering substances brings commonality to the rooms.
CLICK HERE to visit the Nashville NA website and meeting schedule
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
CLICK HERE to visit SAMHSA's website to discover helpful resources
CLICK HERE to visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CLICK HERE for 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
CLICK HERE to visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse website
Recovery Support Services may be provided before, during, or after clinical treatment or may be provided to individuals who are not in treatment but seek support services. These services, provided by professionals and peers, are delivered through a variety of community and faith-based groups, treatment providers, schools, and other specialized services.
CLICK HERE to visit a comprehensive listing of treatment facilities
Recommendations
We Recommend these Nashville Area
Behavioral Health Professionals
& Recovery-Related Service Providers
RECOVERY RESIDENCES
Tennessee Assoc. of Recovery Residences
CLICK HERE to find out more
Lee House
Recovery Residences
CLICK HERE to find out more
Local Therapists &
Addiction Professionals
Clancy Kiener, BS, MA, LMFT
Addiction Specialist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation
Paige Holliman, M.Ed, MTS, LPC/MHSP
Psycotherapy Services
CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation
Marita Beth Earle, MA, LMFT
Addiction Therapy
CLICK HERE to schedule a consultation