Benefits of Keeping a Recovery Journal

When you were younger, you may have had a diary in which you recorded your innermost thoughts. Perhaps the pages of your diary were the first place where you confided the name of your secret crush, or wrote down your frustrations with a classmate. As you got older, though, your daily habit of writing diary entries might have gradually faded away as you found alternative ways to express your emotions.

However, journaling is incredibly beneficial for your mental health, especially once you begin pursuing addiction recovery. If you aren’t already keeping a recovery journal, here are some reasons to consider starting one.

1. Journaling Provides You With Perspective

Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we lose sight of what’s truly important in life. By writing down your thoughts and feelings, either on paper or in digital form, you can gain a greater sense of perspective. For example, perhaps you go through a day or two where you are struggling with strong cravings and urges to return to drug or alcohol use. If you use your journal to write down how you feel and rate it on a one-to-10 scale, it can help you take stock and assess your emotional state.

2. Your Journal Can Show You How Much Progress You’ve Made

Inevitably, there will come a time when you feel stuck in a rut with your recovery. Perhaps you feel your motivation flagging as you come to terms with the fact that there are no shortcuts in sobriety. During these challenging periods, reviewing past journal entries can provide the spark you need to discover a renewed sense of enthusiasm. Having that window into your past thoughts can be beneficial because it can help you prove to yourself that you have come further than you might have thought.

3. Journaling Boosts the Results of Therapy

In therapy, you will learn how to work through the complicated emotions that may have formed the foundation of your addictive behavior. Journaling can serve as a complementary practice to what you learn and discuss in your sessions with your therapist. By writing down what’s bothering you – stress of family responsibilities, or tensions with a co-worker – you can help yourself come to terms with any inner turmoil and decide on constructive, healthy ways to cope with it.

4. Your Journal Becomes Your Safe Space

When you write freely, without worrying that anyone is watching or judging you, it can be enormously liberating. Even when you talk with a close confidant, you might still hold back part of what you’re feeling because you’re worried about how they could react. In a journal, your private thoughts will always remain that way unless you choose to share them with someone else. In your journal, you can let all your thoughts flow without insecurities or anxiety.

5. Journaling Promotes Mindfulness

No matter what type of journaling you choose, you’ll see that writing daily entries also helps you filter out mental chaos and bring your attention to the present moment. Writing in a journal is a solid first step to becoming more mindful, and you’ll see that the more you practice it, the less time you will spend dwelling in the past or fretting about the future.

Reach for New Heights

Don’t allow addiction to interrupt your life or come between you and your goals anymore. At Hope Academy, our mission is to help young adults learn the life skills they need to recover from a drug or alcohol misuse disorder and lead productive lives in sobriety. Learn more about how we can change your life today.

The Most Commonly Misused Drugs for College Students

College creates a mix of freedom and stress that is unique to the campus environment. Being on their own for the first time can feel liberating for your child, but the pressures of studying and meeting new people might feel overwhelming. Students carrying a full course load could be tempted to drink or use drugs, especially on campuses that have a party culture. What are the most typical drugs for college students to use, and what should you, as a parent, know about them?

1. Alcohol

Alcohol is readily available on many college campuses, even for people who are under 21. The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed some eye-opening statistics about drinking on college campuses.

• 54.9% of full-time college students between ages 18 and 22 drank alcohol within the past month
• 36.9% had experiences with binge drinking
• 9.6% described themselves as heavy alcohol users, defined as people who binge drank five times or more within a month

The risks of underage drinking are numerous, especially in young people whose brains are still not fully developed. Remind your child that you’re there as a resource for them if they get invited to a party where alcohol and other drugs will be available and they want to avoid peer pressure.

2. Marijuana

Another illicit drug that is, unfortunately, easy to come by on many college campuses is marijuana. Students may be curious about smoking or vaping pot because its depiction in countless movies and TV shows makes it look fun. They may have also heard marijuana can help them relax, which can seem appealing to people who are stressing out about exams, group projects and looming due dates.

In addition to remaining illegal in about half of U.S. states, marijuana use can cause memory loss, as well as impaired motor skills and decision-making ability. It can also lead to a sharp decline in academic performance.

3. Stimulants

Prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin can help people with ADHD concentrate, but that temporary clarity appeals to many college students who believe these drugs can give them a competitive edge. Thanks to the frequency with which doctors prescribe stimulants, these medications are prevalent among college students, and your son or daughter may be able to obtain these so-called “study drugs” from a friend who has a legitimate prescription.

Although not everyone who uses Adderall is in danger of developing an addiction, you should know that prescription stimulants can be highly addictive, because they affect the reward center of the brain the same way methamphetamines do. People who take these drugs at higher doses outside a doctor’s supervision will gradually build a tolerance until they no longer feel as if they can function normally without the medication.

What You Can Do to Combat College Drug Use

As a parent, you can help convince your college-aged child not to experiment with drugs and alcohol while they’re away at school. Talk to your daughter or son about the consequences of drug use, including failing their classes, the possible legal ramifications and the hazards to their health.

You can also educate yourself about the college’s drug and alcohol policy and how they enforce it. Meanwhile, before sending your child away to school, make sure they know how to recognize and respond to an overdose.

If you believe your child has developed a problem with alcohol, marijuana, stimulants or any other drug, reach out to us at Hope Academy. We can get your college-aged son or daughter the help they need to recover and discover the bright future that awaits them without drugs and alcohol.