Substance Use

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Through prevention and education efforts we have seen alcohol use continue to decline over the past few years. The reason? Some experts attribute the drop to a renewed focus on wellness and others note that vaping and marijuana use may have become a substitute for alcohol.

Recovery is, at its core, an act of profound self-love. Every day you choose sobriety, you're choosing yourself. You're saying, "I deserve better, I am worthy of care, and I am enough."

The holidays often bring joy, celebration, and cherished traditions, but for people in recovery the holiday season can also present some challenges making Christmas, Hannukah, and New Years feel a bit like walking through a minefield.

The holidays are often portrayed as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many older adults, the reality can be quite different.

With changing legislation and increasing social acceptance, marijuana use has become more widespread across the United States.

Herren Wellness was recently featured as part of  the WCVB 5 Investigative Series on the impact legalizing cannabis has had in Massachusetts from public health concerns to addiction and psychosis. Chris Herren now leading recovery center seeing more cannabis use disorders SEEKONK, Mass. — The basement classroom in Hingham High was stuffy and lunch

In the complex landscape of mental health, few connections are as profound and consequential as the relationship between trauma, mental health disorders, and addiction.

Alcohol use disorder affects millions of people worldwide, impacting not only those who struggle with drinking but also their loved ones.

The landscape of drug use and addiction in America has transformed dramatically over the past five decades. Understanding these changes is crucial

HMN 2024: The Power of Love in Alcohol Recovery “Alcohol is the anesthesia by which we endure the operation of life.” —Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw Alcohol abuse is among the leading causes of preventable death in the United States—not opioids such as illicit fentanyl, given all the media attention

Herren Wellness founders, Chris and Heather Herren as well as Executive Director, Lori McCarthy recently sat down with South Shore Magazine to talk about Chris's journey to recovery and founding a residential substance use treatment organization in 2018 located in Seekonk, MA as a hands-on approach to healing from alcohol and substance

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, where couples will plan sweet dates and post their loving messages on social media.  But what about those in recovery… When is dating a good idea? In a culture where inclusivity is everything, telling those in early recovery to abstain from dating for one year can

Individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder experience intense feelings of guilt and shame.  In recovery these feelings are worked through in treatment, therapy, and 12 step programs.  But what happens when someone in recovery relapses, when the shame comes roaring back to the surface? The danger in shame is that it keeps people

In January of a New Year exercise rises to the top of many priority lists, however at Herren Wellness exercise is always a top priority year-round. We understand how important exercise is in the recovery process: from improving mood, to fighting cravings, better sleep, and increased self-confidence.  What we also see is

It’s the start of 2022, and that means the return of the Dry January challenge.  It is estimated that one in seven Americans are participating. What started as a public health campaign in the UK eight years ago has grown into a popular way in which people kickoff and reset their New Year.

As this year draws to a close, people will be gathering with friends and family (safely) to celebrate the holidays and New Years.  The good news for those of us in recovery… Thanks to the booming non-alcoholic drink industry, there are many options for filling our champagne glasses and toasting. In the past

This time of the year is all about giving to others- however it is also a good time to think about what you can give to yourself to enhance well-being.  Forgiveness is often described as a “gift” and there is a reason for it: Resentment can cause your blood pressure to spike

At Herren Wellness we understand that the holidays can be a challenging time for those in recovery.  Friends and family members may not know how to support them, and find the perfect gift to give. We understand that if you’ve supported a friend or family member through their journey to recovery, you are

Embracing Gratitude, Inner Light, and the Joy of Recovery This Holiday Season  At Herren Wellness the holidays are a special time of year where the community comes together to celebrate and reflect.   While being away from family during this time can be challenging, we encourage our guests to focus on

How to Enhance Wellness This Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is right around the corner, a day to celebrate with family and friends, be thankful for all we have, and for some it is the unofficial start to the holiday season.  At Herren Wellness we understand that while the holiday can be a time

Image courtesy of Los Angeles Times Recovery for Young Adults at Herren Wellness  At Herren Wellness we have seen first hand the impact that Covid-19 and social isolation has had on young adults.  During 2020-2021 we have experienced an increase in guests who fall into the 18-24 age range struggling with

The holiday season is kicking off with Halloween just around the corner.  What once was a tradition geared towards children has become one of the biggest drinking holidays in the United States. At Herren Wellness we recognize that this holiday can be overwhelming for those in recovery, particularly those new to

5 Tools to Manage Anxiety in Recovery  At Herren Wellness we recognize that individuals who struggle with substances oftentimes experience anxiety when entering recovery, and particularly in the early months of sobriety.  A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Services estimates that 48% of people with substance use disorders also

What Recovery Means To Me: A Herren Wellness Alumni Perspective In honor of National Recovery month we at Herren Wellness asked a member of our alumni community what recovery means to them. Recovery means so much to the Herren Wellness community, and we love hearing the unique ways it impacts individuals.

Image courtesy of Faces & Voices of Recovery Language Matters: Breaking Down Stigma and Lowering Barriers to Recovery Support As we continue celebrating National Recovery Month 2021 at Herren Wellness, it's important to take a look at how the use of language matters when dismantling stigma and lowering the barriers to

Meditation has been used for thousands of years as both a spiritual practice and according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation is a mind-body activity intended to promote calm and relaxation and help people cope with illnesses and improve well-being. At Herren Wellness we utilize meditation to

5 Ways Gratitude Can Help Recovery It is said in the recovery community that “a grateful heart will not use substances.”  However, what exactly is gratitude and how does it actually help us in our recovery and lives? Gratitude is often likened to thankfulness, however these two ideas are quite

Image courtesy of @morejoy At Herren Wellness we believe sobriety is inclusive to all, and it is especially important to support the LGBTQ+ population, which according to studies suffers from substance use disorder at a rate of 30%, while the general population is 9%.  “Formative experiences of shame and stigma contribute

When people embark on recovery at Herren Wellness it is a unique journey with individual revelations. One revelation often experienced by our guests is how creativity blossoms in early recovery.

Image courtesy of @unexpectedjoyof For those living in recovery, summertime and the accompanying trips and holidays can be challenging. Substances may be around, and normal routines are out the window. In this week’s blog we provide a valuable resource to take with you in your back pocket and in your ear

Image courtesy of @themocktailproject The Mocktail Revolution Mocktails are having a moment.  According to surveys 40% of restaurants now feature mocktail options on their menus.  So what's the deal with this trend? Driven by an increased interest in wellness and the expanding selection of no-ABV beverages, 58%

Image: Meetup.com The Sober Events Movement Oftentimes when people get sober they think to themselves… Will I ever have fun again?  It is suggested in early recovery to avoid people, places, and things that may be triggering because sobriety is still fresh and fragile.  Connection is essential in recovery, so what are the

You Don't Know This Now At Herren Wellness we guide our guests through a journey of self discovery.  Part of this journey is attending groups run by our certified life coaches, where the community comes together to work through different exercises. This past week the community participated in the exercise “You

Image Courtesy of @TheLuckiestClub The Rise of Online Sober Communities 12-Step programs are centered around common purpose, in person meetings, and fellowship.  When COVID-19 hit all of this was shut down and moved to Zoom which members of the sober community quickly adapted to. Prior to the Pandemic the rise of alternative 12-Step sober communities were

Courtesy of AccessOnline Chrissy Teigen's Sobriety In the event that you haven’t been on social media since January 1st allow me to catch you up on unexpected headline news: Chrissy Tiegen is four weeks sober!  With the state of the nation and world it's an interesting story to have risen to the top.

24 hours at Herren Wellness Over the holidays I asked the Herren Wellness community on social media what content they wanted me to publish. A few people requested to know what a day at Herren Wellness looks like… and I found it apropos as we are all getting back to our routines from

How to Change 2020 is not a hard year to say goodbye to.  This post was initially going to be about New Year’s resolutions and why they are important and a catalyst to change.  But that didn’t feel right, so I went to the source of where the inspiration for this blog comes

Holidays at Herren Wellness It’s the week of Christmas here at Herren Wellness.  The world is upside down and heavy… but walking into Jacob Hill the Christmas spirit is very alive.  Joey is outside burning a fire in the pit surrounded by the adirondack chairs covered in snow.  When I walk through the

The concept of self-care can feel foreign to many people in early recovery, because in active substance use even basic self-care is often not a priority, and it’s common for our mental and physical health to fall

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” ~ Lao Tzu It’s a New Year – a new decade in fact – and people are talking about new beginnings, examining habits that no longer serve them, and

Former Boston Celtics forward Chris Herren once battled heroin addiction and other substance misuse, but he's now 11 years sober and trying to make a positive impact for others dealing with similar situations. He founded Herren Wellness, where people are able to overcome

John McGonigle, M.D. is a Family Medicine doctor who uses both conventional and holistic strategies for treating substance use and enhancing well-being. He consults with the Herren Wellness team and guests to address any biological and chemical obstacles that may be preventing someone from moving forward in their recovery. He explores with guests

We talk a lot about the importance of community at Herren Wellness, because we know that nearly everyone begins their recovery journey through connection with and support from someone who has walked the path before them and reaches out to help. Larry Perrulli was the Director at the Daytop facility where Chris completed an

It is often said that the opposite of addiction is connection, and it is vital for people in recovery - especially early recovery - to find a community of support.  Community is essential for maintaining and enjoying sobriety, avoiding feelings of isolation, rediscovering self, and connecting with others who understand what you're experiencing. The

I never saw this part of my life coming. In 2011 I was a teacher, and Chris came in to speak to the students at the high school where I worked. I remember thinking: ‘wow, what an unbelievable story and what an amazing family’ but at that time I really didn’t understand addiction, and

In honor of Father’s Day we are grateful to share the recovery story of one of our former guests which highlights a family’s journey and the healing power of recovery.  I am 40 years old, I’m from Worcester Massachusetts, and I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m married

Proper nutrition is always good for your body and brain, however, when recovering from substance use disorder it is essential to eat properly for several important reasons. In addition to the myriad of physical problems caused by improper nutrition when using drugs/alcohol, brain function can be impaired as the brain is deprived of

We hear all about opiates (and opioids, which are used interchangeably for the purposes of this post because opiates and opioids affect the same receptors in the brain) and the opiate addiction epidemic sweeping the country. It’s important to be fully informed about

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and it's a good time to revisit how alcohol affects the body and the mind. Alcohol is so pervasive in our society, it is easy to forget it can be a dangerous,

There is a common belief that when overcoming substance use disorder that consuming sugar and junk food is acceptable because sugar and junk food cravings are common in early recovery, and poor eating habits are still an improvement

Boredom is part of everyone's life, but it can be precarious for someone in early recovery from substance use. People who are newly sober find themselves with more time on their hands, time that used to be

Deciding to stop drinking can be daunting, as for most people getting sober involves a lifestyle change of some kind. From who you spend time with to how you fill your days, many people feel intimidated by the prospect of life without alcohol. You may be asking yourself what you...

It's a new year again, and all around people are talking about resolutions, change, and how 2019 is going to be better than 2018. While a hopeful and optimistic outlook is a good thing, it's

First Demi Lovato relapsed, and now Ben Affleck. Relapse is all over the news these days, and while there is a lot of media attention to the more sordid side of addiction, the attention given to relapse is an opportunity to speak openly and honestly about something that affects between...

What is Stigma? Stigma is defined as this: a set of negative beliefs that a group or society holds about a topic or group of people. Another truth about stigma is that is it rarely based on facts, but rather on preconceptions, assumptions, and generalizations. In today’s global information-sharing age,...

The numbers speak for themselves: nearly 9 million people have what is known as a "co-occurring disorder", meaning both mental health and substance use disorders, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  Despite these overwhelming numbers, only 7 percent of individuals receive treatment for both conditions, and...