Sleep Hygiene

Circadian and Ultradian Rhythms in Rehab

April 6, 2020 / Holistic Care and Treatment, Mental Health, Sleep Hygiene

Why and How We Live Rhythmically at Two Dreams The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken – Samuel Johnson Every living organism has a natural rhythm. These rhythms are disrupted by illness, particularly drug and alcohol use. A drug can create false sleep. A drug can stimulate alertness. A drug can suppress appetite. Another can stimulate appetite. The science behind living rhythmically, strategies that promote and restore natural rhythms, and the role of sleep, nutrition, meditation, and exercise in the 21st century approach to healing oneself in recovery …

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How To Address Your Cell Phone Addiction

April 6, 2020 / Holistic Care and Treatment, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Sleep Hygiene, Young Adults/Teens/College-Aged

It is estimated that between 75 and 90 percent of Americans have cell phones. The numbers are increasing each year, with plenty of young children being granted cell phones each year as well. Now, in and of itself, this is not an issue, but it does become an issue when someone becomes addicted to their cell phone. Just look around whenever you’re out in public. You’ll see a good number of people staring at their cell phones. Some are texting, some are scrolling social media sites, or doing something with their cell phone. Oftentimes, you’ll see a family out for dinner …

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11 Foods and Drinks to Avoid Near Bedtime

April 6, 2020 / Holistic Care and Treatment, Nutrition, Sleep Hygiene

Recovery is largely about ritual, and at Two Dreams we encourage the establishment of rituals that promote regular, high quality sleep. For example, each morning residents on the Outer Banks embark on a sun salutation walk on the beach to expose their retinas to sunlight, encouraging the switch from a sleep state (when GABA brain receptors are activated) to a wake state (when glutamate brain receptors are activated.) In the evening, we recommend shutting off all electronic devices at 8pm, so as to not confuse the body’s sleep/wake neurotransmitter cycle with the unnatural light from the screens. I won’t go …

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What Are the HALT-ernatives To Drug Use?

April 7, 2020 / Drugs and the Brain, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene, Sober Living

It can be easy to get into the habit of pushing aside concerns and replacing problem-solving behaviors with substance use or other non-constructive methods of coping. We all get used to behaving in certain ways in response to stress; in fact, after reacting to a situation the same way a few times, our brains program the reaction as an auto-response. When this auto-response is self-destructive, such as using drugs and/or alcohol, our problems can actually begin to amplify and lead to uncontrollable drug use. At this point, a professional may need to step in to help reprogram the brain, disrupt …

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Six Reasons to Quit Caffeine During Drug Addiction Recovery

April 6, 2020 / Drugs and the Brain, Nutrition, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene, Sober Living

To gain control over addiction, it is important to remove all drugs from your system that affect neurological signaling, which includes caffeine. Although caffeine is commonplace and not considered to be harmful in most cases, it is an addictive substance that can cause its own set of health problems such as upset stomach, sleep disorders, and anxiety. Two Dreams recommends that people undergoing alcohol or drug addiction treatment cut out caffeine in addition to alcohol and drugs for a number of reasons, some of which are listed below. Exception: we do allow our residents to have a shot of caffeine …

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Using a Holistic Approach to Treat Addiction

April 7, 2020 / Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Nutrition, Outer Banks, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene

It used to be, if you visited a physician for a medical exam, he or she would most likely ask you few if any questions at all about your lifestyle: what kind of food you ate each day, how well you slept each night, and whether or not you incorporated exercise into your life on a regular basis. Today, it’s standard practice for many healthcare professionals to use a holistic approach in treating their patients. And most likely, when you step into your doctor’s office for a visit, your physician will not only pull out his or her stethoscope, he’ll …

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December 2015’s Dream Journal

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Art Therapy, Chicago, Dream Journal, Heroin and Opioids, Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Medical Consequences, Mental Health, Mindfulness, New Orleans, Nutrition, Outer Banks, Outpatient, Prevention, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene

Dream Journal Volume XXXV / December 2015 Note from Dr. B. The holidays can be a difficult time for individuals in recovery: frustrating family members, crazy Christmas parties, stressful shopping trips, etc. You don’t have to let the season get you down though! There are plenty of ways to stay centered and sober during the winter season. Make sure to listen to your body and avoid letting yourself get hungry. Maintain a regular meal plan full of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Eating a plateful of cookies may seem like a good idea when you’re at an event, but the inevitable …

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Lose Interest in Selfish Things – July Dream Journal 2014

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Addiction Science, Alcohol, Dream Journal, Drugs and the Brain, Holistic Care and Treatment, Inpatient, Medical Consequences, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Outer Banks, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene

Dream Journal Volume XIX / July 2014 Note from Dr B. It gives me great pleasure to announce that I have been featured in the current issue of Addiction Professional Addiction Professional. I emphasize in the article the call to come together as treatment providers and programs and set aside our differences. This message parallels our theme for this month, which is about losing interest in selfish things and gaining interest in our fellows. The disease we face is complex and relentless, and to keep evolving as a community we must face it together. Monthly Promise #7: “We will lose interest in …

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Make Direct Amends – September Dream Journal 2013

April 6, 2020 / 12 Steps, Dream Journal, Ecstasy/Molly/Club Drugs, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Recreation, Research/Trends/Statistics, Sleep Hygiene, Synthetic Drugs

VOLUME IX / SEP 2013 Two Dreams is a wellness program led by Andrea G. Barthwell, MD, FASAM that provides individualized care for those who dream of recovering a healthy lifestyle. NOTE FROM DR. B. As we move forward on our path to recovery, I wanted to highlight the Ninth Step with The Ninth Step Promises from Alcoholics Anonymous 3rd ed., pg 83-84 We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. …

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