recovery process

Fall Recovery

October 6, 2017 // by Aton Center

I love seeing the leaves change and the weather cool in the fall season. What I think of most is how building healthy relationships and having warmth in our hearts can be so supportive to recovery from addiction.

At AToN Center we encourage Building Sober Support to sustain all the seasons of life. From family and friends to professional care to new healthy communities and most of all the relationships formed around the experience of suffering from something that robbed one of a life worth living.

We encourage our residents to reach out for help, meet new individuals, attend community support groups, and become familiar with resources available to aid in supporting us beyond our wildest dreams.

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

Coping with Panic Attacks, Mindfully

June 29, 2017 // by Aton Center

Panics attack may come suddenly and feel terrifying. They often leave us feeling very alone, isolated and very afraid. Panic attacks may be caused by perceived fear, worry or trauma. For those in recovery from addiction it is essential to be extremely cautious when responding to increased anxiety, depression or panic attacks.

Mindfulness practices offer the person in recovery a protocol to turn to when feeling a panic attack. This article from Mindful (https://www.mindful.org/4-ways-curb-panic-attack/) offers Four Mindfulness Tips for healthy coping skills when feeling overwhelmed by a panic attack. Included in this article is a free, 5-Minute Guided Breathing Meditation.

At AToN Center, residents learn and practice Mindfulness coping skills to use when the effects of guilt, shame, anxiety, fear or panic are recognized. Using coping skills like these help the suffering individual deal effectively with their feelings while remaining sober.

Chris McDuffie, RADT-1
Chemical Dependency Counselor
AToN Center 888-535-1516

Relapse Prevention and Abstinence Self–Efficacy

May 14, 2017 // by Aton Center

Some researchers in the field of addictive behaviors have focused on the concept of “Abstinence self–efficacy”, which is defined as the confidence to abstain from using alcohol or drugs in different situations. Multiple research studies have identified increased abstinence self–efficacy as a consistent predictor of positive treatment outcome. Due to these findings, many treatment facilities attempt to increase their resident’s abstinence self–efficacy to further prepare them for success.

AToN Center’s San Diego rehab has been utilizing the Abstinence Self Efficacy Scale to measure abstinence self–efficacy. This scale address four separate domains: negative affect, social/celebratory, cravings/urges and physical discomfort. Negative Affect addresses one’s confidence in maintaining sobriety when experiencing emotional discomfort. Social/Celebratory addresses situations such as parties, vacations, etc. Cravings/Urges addresses confidence in managing triggers, and physical discomfort addresses the domains of pain, detoxification discomfort and other physical symptoms.

Take a moment and identify what your largest area of weakness may be. Use this knowledge to help you be vigilant in your every day life to help you bolster your success in recovery. Focus on increasing your skills and confidence in each area. Remember that AToN Center is here to help you along your path. I wish you success, health and happiness!

Cassandra Cannon, Ph.D., Clinical Health Psychologist – Clinical Director

AToN Center – Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, California 888-535-1516

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