Ozzy Osbourne’s Addiction Story 

Ozzy Osbourne is arguably the biggest rock and roll star that Birmingham has ever produced. ‘The Prince of Darkness’ first rose to fame in 1968 as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, a band that helped pioneer the heavy metal genre. After separating from the band in 1979, Ozzy would go on to have a…

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Meditation and Mindfulness for Addiction Recovery: Emerging Trends

Recently, meditation and mindfulness have emerged as powerful tools for individuals looking to recover from drug or alcohol addiction. Meditation helps to promote ‘mindfulness’: a state of mind whereby an individual can escape from repetitive and negative thought-patterns associated with addiction. In doing so, one can achieve a sense of calm, laying the foundations for…

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The Minimalist Mindset: A Cycle of Consumerism

A big part of society and culture in the 21st Century is consumerism. Everyone shops, whether that be online or going to your local high street, and we all often fall into the culture of ‘this is great, I need it!’, but how much of this is consumerism, and does this, in turn, make us…

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The Rise of Digital Addiction: AI and Algorithms

More and more online platforms, from e-commerce websites to social media platforms, are exploiting the power of AI for the purpose of maximising user-engagement. The darker, more invisible side to this trend however is that increased user-engagement inevitably encourages addictive behaviours. From compulsively scrolling on social media to desperately shopping for the latest bargains, digital…

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Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction 

Drug addiction can manifest itself in subtle ways, gradually taking hold of someone’s life. Recognising the early signs is crucial to preventing deeper dependency. However, even if you are experiencing the most severe symptoms of drug addiction, it is never too late to seek professional support to help you make a full recovery.   In…

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National Recovery Month 2024

Celebrating Strength, Hope, and Community September is once again National Recovery Month. A dedicated time to raise awareness of substance addiction and mental health disorders, with a focus on celebrating the power of recovery and supporting those in their current journey to healing.  National Recovery Month Legacy The National Recovery Month began in 1989 and…

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How Long Will I Be in Addiction Recovery?

When an individual attends treatment for a substance or behavioural addiction, treatment can last anywhere from 7 days to 30 days +. However, recovery is not the same as an addiction treatment. This is because recovery is defined as a process when an individual stops abusing any addictive substances or behaviours and changes their lifestyle…

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Effects of Alcohol on the Body & Withdrawal Symptoms

The effects of alcohol aren’t just restricted to specific organs or bodily functions – alcohol can have far-reaching consequences for the whole of your body. Alcohol misuse can lead to various short-term and long-term health problems, some of which can be life-threatening. From organ failure to addiction and mental health problems, sustained and unchecked alcohol…

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What To Expect from Addiction Group Therapy

Finding Strength in a Shared Journey At New Leaf Recovery, overcoming addiction is a challenging journey for all clients; often this can require a varied approach to treatment and rehabilitation. Addiction group therapy is one of the methods of rehabilitation offered at New Leaf Recovery; it a powerful tool that can have a significant impact…

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What is the 12-Step Programme?

The 12-step programme provides addicted people with guidelines to help them replace addictive behaviours and thoughts. By following the motivation to overcome addiction, these steps can help you to implement a healthier routine, change unhealthy thought patterns, and reassess priorities, whereas lots of effort and support may be needed. This program was originally created by…

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