Try these resolutions as you go into the coming year

Happy New Year from the team at Common Ground! With today being all about resolutions, we want to help get your goal-setting started with recovery-friendly resolutions that can carry you through 2022.

And while traditional resolutions aren’t always a bad idea (eating healthy, working out, quitting smoking, etc.), we have a few more that go a little deeper — and are sure to boost your recovery, which will then have a positive effect on the rest of your life.

Try these 5 resolutions as you go into the coming year:

1. Let go of resentments.
   In 2022, they have to go. Resentments breed bitterness and keep you from experiencing peace of mind, joy and inner stillness. Simply put, when you’re focused on resentment, you’re using valuable energy that could be spent on recovery, on building healthy relationships, and finding your own healing and resolve. It’s not always easy to let go, but when you do, it will be worth it.

2. Expand your sober support network.
   Social connectedness is key to a healthy recovery process. This year, work on expanding your sober support. Focus on finding a few close friends in recovery that you work to build deeper friendships with, and try a group outing or two with a larger group to remind yourself that you’re not alone in recovery. You’re part of a vibrant, vast community ready to support you and have fun along the way.

3. Find a new hobby.
   When you cut out drinking and using — along with all activities that went with it — you need to replace it with healthy things to fill your time. There are endless hobbies to try, and they don’t have to be cookie-cutter. Remember, just because you haven’t done something before doesn’t mean you can’t start now. Whether you want to start playing sports, running, knitting or baking, the opportunities are endless. Focus on trying 1-3 new things each month, and keep the pressure at bay. If you don’t like it, don’t give up...just move on and find something new.

4. Keep hitting meetings.
   Hopefully this one isn’t new to you. No matter if your recovery is struggling or solid, keep going to meetings. Whether you find support at 12-step meetings or alternate recovery groups, a regimented commitment can help keep your recovery prioritized in your daily life, even when things get busy. And if you need an extra nudge to go, remember, showing up could be just what you need — or what someone who’s struggling needs.  

5. Make gratitude a priority.
   Gratitude is good for you — so stop putting it off. Find a way to incorporate a gratitude practice in your daily life through journaling, daily reflection or focused coffee dates with others looking to do the same. A step towards gratitude will keep you moving in the right direction, keeping you in a positive frame of mind and open to the adventure that life in recovery has for you.

Whether you’re new to recovery or have been in recovery for a while, resolutions are a great way to give your recovery a boost. They’re a reflection on all you’ve accomplished and where you’re headed next. And in recovery? The future is a hopeful, beautiful place.

Happy New Year!

Ready to take the next step? Common Ground provides chemical use assessments, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, and sober housing in Rochester, Red Wing and Winona. Speak with someone about your recovery goals today.

What to do this weekend—Sober.

Getting through sober weekends is one of the biggest challenges for people in early recovery. Many questions go through our minds—What do you do for fun now? What do you do, period? It’s okay! Don’t worry. Once you settle into some new activities, communities, and whatever else you find that makes you tick, you will be all right. You will actually find yourself being happy, healthy, and fulfilled. It may take some time, experimentation, and practice to get there. Here are 16 weekend activities to try and enjoy!

1. Try something that you may have given up. Guitar, drawing, work out, etc.

2. Take classes. Check out your local YMCA or search online.

3. Organize and clean out your closet. There are actually many psychological benefits in decluttering including stress reduction and mood boosting!

4. Call and catch up with family members or friends.

5. Movie night—binge your favorite show or find a new one.

6. Color, draw, paint, or write. Express yourself.

7. Attend a meeting, yoga class, or any other activity that brings recovery or spirituality into your day.

8. Be a tourist. Just drive to nearby city and be a tourist for a day. Shop, drink coffee, look online for tourist guides of what to do.

9. Take a walk and listen to music.

10. Try Dreaming big. Look for open house signs and take a tour in your dream neighborhood.

11. Learn how to cook your favorite food or dessert. The best part is eating your masterpieces!

12. Find a peaceful spot in your home or outside, google online meditations and try one.

13. Game night with friends or family. Board games, yard games, or video games.

14. A spa day at home—by yourself or call a friend. Wash your hair, do a mask, paint your nails and feel good about yourself.

15. Go to your local animal shelter and spend time with the animals. Simply petting a dog can decrease levels of stress hormones, regulate breathing, and lower blood pressure. Plus its fun!

16. Throw a sober dinner party. Show off your cooking and entertaining skills. Love your life and invite others to love life with you.

Congrats Tara!

Tara Markus, Common Grounds’ Program Director, was just voted in as MARRCH’s Region 8 Governor. MARRCH (Minnesota Association for Recovery and Chemical Health) is a unified voice and acknowledged authority on substance use disorders — treatment, prevention and recovery — in Minnesota. The association provides public policy, continuing education, professional ethics, and support for the whole continuum of care.

Tara has been in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2013. She has worked in residential and outpatient facilities for adults, women with children, and adolescent populations. Tara began working at Common Ground in early 2018 and currently oversees 3 outpatient locations, 1 jail program, 1 residential facility, and 4 sober homes.

When asked, she states, her biggest passion is advocating for change on all levels — for clients and for the field for addiction professionals. We are so excited for Tara to step into this additional role and assist the state in continuing to make positive strides for addiction treatment. Congratulations!

Program Update

Rochester Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient has transitioned to provide coed therapeutic groups — and they are thriving!

There are numerous benefits of coed treatment. People have more commonalities than they do differences. Discovering other genders experience many of the same challenges, emotions, and anxieties as oneself builds respect and community. When people know they can be open and honest about their wants and needs, they are better equipped for success in recovery. Coed treatment builds confidence, a key component in avoiding common relapse triggers. By discovering how to interact with their peers in a healthy, normalized way, they set themselves up for long term recovery. We are excited to provide this means of recovery support.

Note: Individual sessions are still provided to discuss gender-specific and confidential issues as they arise.

Mondays With Mattea - Addiction Recovery During a Pandemic

The coronavirus outbreak has had a unique impact on every resident of Minnesota and across the nation. With stay-at-home orders and bans on gatherings in place, people have resorted to social distancing and quarantining to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 for the past 9 months.

The pandemic is having a significant impact on people with a substance use disorder who are in EVERY stage of addiction recovery. Especially for people in the early stages of recovery who depend upon the support of peers and groups to stay sober—those support measures are threatened during a quarantine. That stress only multiplies when one is unable to work and struggles to make ends meet financially, as well as being isolated at home or in treatment without the possibility of visitors. 

The good thing is RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE—even during a pandemic!

Here are five daily tips to help those in recovery during the pandemic and how they can navigate these times and become stronger.

1. Stay Connected: The opposite of addiction is connection. I encourage those in recovery who are alone to check in with your families and people in your sober circle on a daily basis and attend virtual meetings as often as possible. Phone calls and video calls can make all the difference. For those of you living with family members, this situation has really given you a chance to reconnect and build your family bond. Make the most out of it!

2. Move Your Body: In-home exercises—such as yoga—and walking outside will aid in keeping your endorphins pumping and spirits up.

3. Focus on the good: Make a daily gratitude list and use journaling time to capture your experiences during the pandemic can be really rewarding. Writing is a great way to release negative emotions, get one’s thoughts out of your head, and reflect back at how far you’ve come in your recovery.

4. Remember this is only temporary: The pandemic is only temporary. Remind yourself that daily. Choose long term solutions for long term success.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Call us at 507-281-0023. We offer in-person and telehealth assessments, outpatient and intensive outpatient services, sober lodging, and residential treatment.