Drug Rehab Center

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

When family members express guilt over time spent looking after themselves, Cathy suggests that a better understanding of the distinction between love and sacrifice. As Cathy says, ‘there is no we without me’.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Cathy suggests that self-care involves different aspects of life. It is more than just staying calm and relaxed – it also involves intellectual growth and physical health.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Low grade worry is a form of anxiety or type of stress that can impact times in our lives where we are required to show up in life with energy and enthusiasm. This is particularly true for those in the service industry that have direct contact with the general public. Cathy suggests that we focus on the source of this chronic, low grade worry and worry about the stuff that we have control over and letting go of the rest.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Cathy points out that just as addicts have cravings, family members can have emotional triggers. These emotional triggers can lead to emotional overwhelm and hinder personal growth.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

In this video Cathy talks about the importance of boundaries which is crucial to self care, particularly for family members who are faced with a loved one’s addiction.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Cathy talks about the biochemical impact of stress on the body and why self care is so important. Having elevated levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline lead to a fight-or-flight response which can be stressful and a hindrance to healthy living.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterlng, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Cathy finds that families who are affected by a loved one with addiction tend to neglect their own bodies. Cathy recommends that family members take the time to eat nutritious food, avoid caffeine, tobacco and sugar, and processed foods.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Do you know where your car keys are? Maybe you need to get organized. Cathy recommends that creating resilience may require that we organize our lives. In fact, many books point to the need for simplicity in our modern world and organization is a great way to begin living a more simple life.

By Cathy Patterson-Sterling, MA, RCC
Director of Family Services
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Cathy points out that sleep is critical to staying resilient in the face of life’s challenges. Ruminating on what has to be done the next day or dwelling on a problem is not conducive to a good night’s sleep.

By Geoff Thompson, MA, CCC
Program Director
Sunshine Coast Health Center

Stress is often blamed for relapse. In this video, Geoff debunks the myth that a person in recovery needs to just stay away from stress in order to stay sober. Geoff says to be human is to have a bad day, bad week, or a bad month. The question Geoff asks is ‘how do you make sense of your life?’ This will often determine your ability to handle stress or, in other words, to be resilient.