I forgive myself for being honest, for trusting too much, for forgiving again and again, for being me in a false world where values are upside down, for defending others, for trying to find some kind of justice, for trying to protect to relatives who were lost a long time ago, for trying to find some kind of coherence in our lives, for trying to find the good in others, they no longer existed, for trying to help someone who did not even see what is wrong because was lost long time ago, to try to be a family member who cares when they never see me or love me as a family, to be blind all these years and never see that, my worst enemy was so close to me, maybe I was in denial because I was resisting myself to even imagine that, to be so naive and keep betting on my original family, believing that they have a good heart, but the only thing they want for me all this year is to fail, manipulating people and situations against me, cutting off my wings so as not to fly, making sure I fail again over and over again and feeling happy about it, how evil is that, it sounds horrible but that was happening. I was resisting to believe that something like this could exist in my life, but the reality showed  me and opened my eyes, it is painful of course it is, I was suffering and crying about this so much and I continue to processing in my mind, my emotional health and my mind was devastated it. Unfortunately sometimes it is not going back, because when you forgive many times, they get used to hurting you.

Only God knows how painful it is to even write about this, only he knows all the troubles and how sad it was, but also only he could restore and renew your strength like an eagle and show his love and compassion, he was hugging and loving me at all times, all praise and glory to him!
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I know it will be a new season in my life, a new beginning, I choose and will always choose to move forward happily, without hatred but wisely to never return again, because trust and relationship is broken, it's over. Sometimes God clears our way to make us Holly again, happy again, to open new doors, new people, good people, friends to become family, to love and accept you for who you are, to live without conditions.

I feel free now, somehow. 

I declare the best for me and my daughters, our health, our minds, our hearts, our lives, our future is covered by the love and protection of Jesus, restored in his name and guiding us towards a wonderful, brighter, successful future and abundance

--Abuse survivor, single parent of two children

En español
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Me perdono por ser honesta, por confiar demasiado, por perdonar una y otra vez, por ser yo en un mundo falso donde los valores están al revés, por defender a los demás, por tratar de encontrar algún tipo de justicia, por tratar de proteger a familiares que se perdieron hace mucho tiempo, por intentar encontrar algún tipo de coherencia en nuestras vidas, por intentar encontrar el bien en los demás ya no existían, por intentar ayudar a alguien que ni siquiera veía lo que está mal porque se perdió asimismo hace mucho tiempo, por tratar de ser un miembro de la familia que se preocupa por los demás, cuando nunca me vieron o me quisieron como familia, por estar ciega todos estos años y nunca ver que mi peor enemigo estaba tan cerca de mí, tal vez estaba en negación, porque me estaba resistiendo a mí misma siquiera imaginar eso, ser tan ingenua y seguir apostando por mi familia original, por creer que tenían un buen corazón, pero lo único que querían todos estos años es verme fallar, manipulando personas y situaciones en mi contra, cortándome  las alas para no volar, asegurarse de que vuelva a fallar una y otra vez y sintiéndose feliz por eso, qué malvado es eso, suena horrible verdad, yo me estaba resistiendo que algo así podría existir, pero la realidad me mostró y me abrió los ojos, es doloroso por supuesto que lo es, llore mucho y aún sigo procesándolo, mi salud emocional y mi mente estaba devastada. Lamentablemente a veces no hay vuelta atrás, porque cuando perdonas muchas veces, ellos se acostumbran a lastimarte.

Solo Dios sabe lo doloroso que es, incluso escribir sobre esto, solo él sabe todos los problemas y lo triste que fue, pero también solo él pudo restaurar y renovar mis fuerzas como un águila, me mostró su amor y compasión, no me soltó, me abrazó y me mostró su amor. en todo momento, toda la alabanza y gloria a él!

Sé que será una nueva temporada en mi vida, nuevo comienzo, elijo y siempre elegiré seguir adelante feliz, sin odio, pero sabiamente para no volver nunca más, porque la confianza se rompió y la relación se acabó. A veces Dios limpia nuestro camino para hacernos Íntegros  nuevamente, felices nuevamente, para abrir nuevas puertas, nuevas personas, buenas personas, amigos que se convertirán en familiares, que te amen y acepten por lo que eres, sin condiciones.
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Me siento libre ahora, de alguna manera. 

Declaro lo mejor para mí y mis hijas, nuestra salud, nuestra mente, nuest

Many people find success with traditional treatments for addiction, but the drawback of traditional methods of recovery is that they sometimes leave gaps in care. Using alternative treatments for recovery, like mindfulness, stress management, and exercise, can help fill those gaps. For some people, that means using these in place of more traditional treatments, while others find that they’re a great complement to what they’re already doing. 

When Should Someone Seek Alternative Treatments?

If you’re new to the world of complementary medicine, or if you’re just starting your recovery process, it’s hard to know which approach is right for you. The reality is that anyone can benefit from increasing mindfulness, reducing stress, and exercising. Many traditional treatment programs don’t give you the tools you need to manage stress long term, which is a key piece to thriving and staying successful in recovery. Using alternative methods can put that missing piece into your recovery process, giving you more control over your body and emotions.

How Do Alternative Recovery Methods Work?

They reduce stress. Managing stress is an essential part of recovery. Studies have shown that addiction changes a person’s response to stress, and when people in recovery experience high amounts of stress, they are more susceptible to relapse. Engaging in activities that reduce stress is a simple but effective way to break this cycle. Lifestyle changes like meditation and exercise can provide a long-term solution to managing stress, but it’s also important to do little things daily that reduce stress whenever it pops up. For example, reading a good book for even a few minutes is a great way to let your mind escape, and afterward, you can refocus. You can also reduce stress and anxiety by decluttering and cleaning your home.  A space free of clutter can promote a more positive outlook. 

They help address underlying problems in ways traditional therapy can’t. For some people who have underlying problems linked to addiction, like depression and anxiety, alternative therapies like meditation can create a relaxation response that helps when traditional therapy doesn’t. Meditation is one practice that can help someone achieve mindfulness — becoming more aware of thoughts and feelings while also being able to remain detached from them. Mindfulness is an excellent tool for regaining control over thoughts and choices. A study in JAMA Psychiatry showed that individuals who used mindfulness-based relapse prevention had a lower risk of relapse than those who used traditional therapy.

They can change your brain chemistry. Of course, exercise is good for your health, but it is also therapeutic. When you get your heart rate up, your brain releases endorphins, giving you a completely healthy “natural high.” In this way, exercising actually has an effect on your brain chemistry that reduces stress and gives you more energy and strength for whatever comes your way. According to the Fix, focusing on exercise makes your mind feel lighter, so in addition to relieving stress, it helps with practicing mindfulness too. There are countless ways to maximize these results by doing activities that are both active and meditative, like taking a hike in nature.

Additionally, paying close attention to your gut health can help with stress and mood management. Although it might be hard to believe, the health of this microbiome can have a profound effect on your overall well-being. In fact, vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and magnesium are just a few of the nutrients that can act as “mood boosters” when we work them into our regular diets. So, whenever possible, try to incorporate leafy greens, avocados, nuts, eggs, and asparagus into your meals — even if you’re not used to eating these foods.

Are There Risks to Alternative Treatment?

Mindfulness, stress management, and exercise are all part of a holistic way of living that is safe and good for you. Depending on your situation, though, it may not be a good idea to use only these treatments for addiction without also getting the help of a professional substance abuse counselor. If you have underlying mental health issues like depression, a professional counselor can help you determine whether substance abuse is the source of your depression or if depression has played a role in leading to substance abuse. You can use mindfulness and other holistic measures to treat depression, but only a professional can assess what’s really going on to make sure you’re getting the treatment you really need. Joining the Hope Connection International addiction recovery support group can also be integral to your recovery. This support group is led by well-trained therapists and mentors who can support your recovery with compassion and insight.

For most people, combining the professional expertise of a counselor or treatment program with alternative treatments like mindfulness is the best approach to recovery. A professional addiction treatment specialist can make sure you’re getting the right care. Combining that care with holistic ways of managing stress will give you the tools you need for long-term success.

Photo credit: Pexels

Author: Jennifer Scott
Spiritfinder.org | info@spiritfinder.org