sober outings

Structure

April 9, 2018 // by Aton Center

A theme many of our residents have been discussing over the past few months is the positive effect structure has had on their recovery. At AToN, our residents have a daily schedule, which is filled with recovery based activities.

Many have reported that they would love to create a daily schedule for themselves after discharge to mimic this structure that was instilled with them while they were residents at AToN. Here are some tips to help with structure:

1) Be realistic about how much you can complete in a day. Don’t fill your daily structure too heavily, but also don’t leave large gaps of unproductive time available. Balance is key here!

2) Fill your day with recovery based activities (IOP, therapy, community meetings), but also include time for exercise, stress management and sober socialization.

3) Take the time to plan your structure in advance, you can plan your day the night before, or you can plan each week in advance.

4) ADHERE TO YOUR STRUCTURE! We are so good at talking ourselves out of that recovery meeting, run, or sober outing. Remember, you will feel better when you adhere to your structured plan. You will find that once you take the first steps to go to that meeting, or go on that run, that you will likely end up being glad you did it in the first place.

5) Remember that your AToN Family is here to support you in your recovery – come to Aftercare on Saturdays and keep in touch with us!

AToN Center 888-535-1516

Balance Your Life

March 28, 2018 // by Aton Center

One of the six foundations of recovery as taught at AToN Center is to Balance Your Life. Having balance and a healthy lifestyle includes having fun! Whether it be a creative outlet, the great outdoors, playing sports or just hanging out with friends, many people in recovery find it helpful to develop (or rediscover) hobbies.

It’s natural to consider the activities that you liked prior to recovery, although for many people these activities are laden with triggers due to being tainted by previously participating in the activity while using. Often it is difficult to un-pair these associations.

We make it a point at AToN Center to help residents begin to have fun again without substance use. We do so by incorporating play/fun into our program via hiking, paddle boarding, bowling, mini-golf, the zoo, playing music (Rock To Recovery), playing games like ping pong, and many other outings and activities.

Often the key to actually having fun is to participate in activities you enjoy with like-minded people. Many individuals who love music and concerts often have strong associations with drinking and drugging while they saw live music in the past. In fact, for many bands and music festivals there is a well-known culture that normalizes excessive drinking and drugging. These types of events are particularly difficult for those in recovery because there is such an emphasis on drugs and alcohol. For the newly sober, and even the more seasoned, a music festival would be a high-risk activity. It is good to know that recently there is more of a sober presence at music festivals such as Bonnaroo and even at Phish shows!

There’s even a growing sober club scene! These exciting opportunities do not completely negate the risk involved in these activities but they provide support for those who do want to participate. Find more on sober clubbing here.

Dr. Sanders
Program Director
AToN Center 888-535-1516

A Happy & Sober Thanksgiving in Recovery

November 22, 2016 // by Aton Center

With Thanksgiving this close – I can speak for AToN Center when I say that we wish you a very happy and sober Thanksgiving! Now is a good time to reflect back upon all of the wonderful gifts that recovery has given us. It may look a little like this:

Freedom
Healing Relationships
Self Esteem
Occupational Stability
Financial Stability
Living a Life Without Shame
Self Acceptance
New Friends
New Life!

I’m sure that you can expand upon this list a hundred fold – so please do so! Recovery gives us our lives back – and that is the most valuable gift that can be given. If the Holidays are a stressful time for you, do not forget to reach out to your support system to help get you through. Do not forget that you can come to AToN’s Aftercare on Saturdays! If you find that you or a loved one is in need of help, feel free to contact AToN and we can point you in the right direction!

“No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Cassandra Cannon, Ph.D. – PSY24315
Clinical Director
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Building Sober Relationships

October 20, 2016 // by Aton Center

At AToN, we tend to get quite a few “first timers” in treatment. Many of these first timers come face to face with many new realizations as they begin their recovery. One major challenge facing many is seriously examining your social circle and identifying who will be an asset to you as you take on this new life.

It’s not uncommon for the realization that this list is a very short list – and this often leaves people feeling hopeless. AToN hopes to assist you in creating a new social network that is supportive of the life changes you are making. While at AToN Center, you will have the opportunity to attend small groups on a daily basis with people who are battling many similar issues that you are – you will have the opportunity to create a new “team” in your life!

You also will have the option to attend differing types of meetings in the community – SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery and 12 Step meetings are regularly offered. AToN also has a Aftercare Group which meets on Saturdays. These AToN Alumni are happy, fun and wise. Who doesn’t want people like that in their corner? AToN also offers quarterly events for Alumni – and AToN Staff attends as well. The next event is a 6K (http://heroesinrecovery.com/heroes6k/san-diego-ca/) where you will be able to bond with others in recovery – all for a good cause!

If you are looking to begin a new chapter in your life, please contact us! If you are an Alumnus – please join us on November 12th for the Heroes In Recovery 6k!

Dr. Cannon
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Holiday Fun

December 24, 2015 // by Aton Center

We all look towards the holidays with emotions and thoughts. Memories of past holidays could be happy, humiliating or even hurtful. Sometimes the thoughts we are holding onto feed into the emotions we are experiencing. We may hold resentments, have envy of others or shame in where we are at this time in our lives.

All of these emotions as well as the celebratory, joyful and exciting feelings can be internal triggers that can lead to drinking or using. The thought of being in treatment over the holidays can be difficult for many and especially when considering the thoughts and emotions that begin to flood in as we get sober.

At AToN Center we teach residents that there are many ways to think about the situations we are currently in or have been in in the past.

It’s truly a gift to begin to see things in the light of a rational mind. When we look to the reality of our situations and how valuable lessons can be learned in all that has happened we will see the silver lining ahead – the true beauty of life is obtained…all in the eye of the beholder.

Enjoy the Journey!

Kristin Colton CATC II
Chemical Dependency Counselor
AToN Center 888-535-1516

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