Addiction Recovery Services

Addiction Recovery Services Our mission is to provide evidence based group counseling, family education and medication management for people with addiction and mental health symptoms.

01/14/2026

Brad Pitt and Dax Shepard on getting sober—two people who actually met at an AA meeting. What stands out isn’t advice or some big insight. It’s how open he was.

He didn’t have it figured out. He was just willing to listen, try something new, and admit he needed a reset.

That moment—when you’re tired enough to be open—is where a lot of real change starts.

There’s no one right way to get sober. But being honest with yourself and not trying to do it alone can make a real difference.

If this resonates and you’re curious about support that fits into real life, learn more about our programs or reach out for a free, confidential consultation.

Link in bio.

Stress can mimic drugs in the brain.Neuroscience shows that relapse is a trained, conditioned brain response that activa...
01/14/2026

Stress can mimic drugs in the brain.

Neuroscience shows that relapse is a trained, conditioned brain response that activates under pressure and pain.

One experiment changed how addiction is understood.

In laboratory studies, rats were trained to press a lever to receive co***ne. With unlimited access, they pressed compulsively. Sometimes until they collapsed.

When the drug was removed, the behavior stopped. The brain adapted. It appeared the learning was complete.

Until stress entered the picture.

No drugs. No cues. Just stress.

The rats immediately returned to pressing the lever. Stress alone reinstated the drug-seeking pattern—no substance, no craving triggers, just the body under pressure.

The brain treated stress like the drug itself.

It wasn’t withdrawal. It wasn’t desire. It was a neural circuit reactivating exactly as it had been trained to do. Stress had become a substitute for the substance and the pattern returned automatically.

The brain had learned something powerful:
stress = dopamine relief.

This helps explain why addiction can persist even after long periods of abstinence. The brain isn’t making a moral choice, it’s executing a survival pattern. Once pain becomes linked to quick relief, future stress can trigger the same response automatically.

It also explains why relapse can happen when life improves. When vigilance drops and coping systems relax, the brain may return to what it learned works fastest. Not because of failure, but because of conditioning.

Humans aren’t different, just more complex.

Trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and overwhelm all increase addiction risk. Substances often become tools for regulating emotions when safer coping skills aren’t yet in place.

That’s why recovery that ignores stress regulation is incomplete.

Sustainable recovery teaches the brain how to tolerate stress and safety without returning to compulsive reward-seeking. That’s where real, lasting change begins.

When we understand this, treatment can focus on skill-building, nervous system regulation, and learning new responses to stress. Not shame or punishment.

If you’re looking for evidence-based addiction treatment that addresses the real drivers of relapse, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Private Counseling are designed to support lasting recovery in real life.

Learn more at arsnh.com or reach out for a free, confidential consultation.

01/10/2026

Sobriety is practiced, not achieved.

It’s built one step at a time, especially on the ordinary days.

If you need support staying consistent, learn more about our recovery programs at the link in bio.

01/08/2026

Motivation fades. That’s human.

Addiction is driven by patterns, habits — and patterns change through structure, support, and consistency, not willpower alone.

If you’re looking for support that helps you build real consistency, we offer outpatient recovery programs built around structure and skill-building.

Dopamine Drips vs. Dopamine DumpsNot all dopamine is the same, and in recovery the difference matters.Dopamine drips are...
01/07/2026

Dopamine Drips vs. Dopamine Dumps

Not all dopamine is the same, and in recovery the difference matters.

Dopamine drips are slower, steadier releases that help regulate your nervous system over time.
They support emotional balance, focus, motivation, and long-term wellbeing.

Examples include:
🏃‍♂️ Exercise
☀️ Sunlight
🤝 Connection
🎵 Music
🧘 Meditation
😴 7+ hours of sleep

Dopamine dumps create intense spikes followed by sharp crashes.
They can increase cravings, irritability, anxiety, and compulsive patterns.

Common examples include:
🍷 Alcohol
💊 Drugs
🚬 Ni****ne
🍩 Sugar
🎮 Video games
📱 Social media
🎰 Gambling

Why this matters in recovery:
Addiction thrives on dopamine spikes.
Recovery happens when the brain learns to regulate and find balance again.

When your brain isn’t constantly chasing spikes, it can relearn how to feel calm, clear, and motivated — without extremes. This process takes time and support.

Recovery isn’t about eliminating pleasure.
It’s about changing the source of it.

Small, steady choices — repeated daily — are what rebuild balance.

If you’re looking for structured support to help you build healthier habits and lasting change, our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Private Counseling are designed to help.

Learn more at arsnh.com.

As we step into a new year, we’re taking a moment to honor the resilience, growth, and commitment it takes to keep going...
01/01/2026

As we step into a new year, we’re taking a moment to honor the resilience, growth, and commitment it takes to keep going. Especially when the path isn’t easy.

At ARS, we’re grateful for every person who trusted us this year. For the hard conversations, the quiet wins, the setbacks, the progress, and the courage it takes to show up day after day.

To our community, our clients, and their families: thank you for letting us walk alongside you. We’re here with you as this new chapter begins. One step, one day at a time.

Happy New Year 💚

12/31/2025

Ben Affleck has been open about his recovery, but what stands out most is this reminder: you don’t have to be defined by it.

Some people find strength in identifying as an alcoholic. Others don’t. That choice is personal — and neither approach determines your worth, your future, or who you are as a person.

Addiction, compulsive behaviors, and coping patterns often come from the same place: trying to manage pain and get through life the best way someone knows how at the time.

Recovery isn’t about adopting a label.
It’s about finding healthier ways to live, cope, and connect — in a way that works for you.

You are more than what you’ve struggled with.

At Addiction Recovery Services, we offer Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and private counseling designed to help people build real life recovery without stepping away from work, family, or daily responsibilities.

If you’re exploring change and want support that fits into your life, learn more at the link in bio.

What happens when you stop drinking for just 31 days?A University of Sussex study followed over 800 people who tried Dry...
12/30/2025

What happens when you stop drinking for just 31 days?

A University of Sussex study followed over 800 people who tried Dry January. Many didn’t complete the full month but nearly all experienced meaningful changes.

By 7 months later, participants:
• Reduced drinking days from 4.3 to 3.3 per week
• Lowered drinks per occasion from 8.6 to 7.1
• Decreased episodes of drunkenness by 38%

The immediate benefits were just as powerful:
• 88% saved money
• 71% slept better
• 67% had more energy
• 58% lost weight
• Over half reported better skin and sharper concentration

And the biggest shift wasn’t physical, it was mental:
• 82% thought more deeply about their drinking
• 76% learned their triggers
• 71% realized they don’t need alcohol to enjoy life

Sometimes one small pause, one day at a time, is all it takes to change direction and create real momentum.

If you’re curious about what a reset could look like, support helps. We offer structured outpatient recovery programs and private counseling designed to fit into real life, without stepping away from work or family.

Learn more at arsnh.com or reach out when you’re ready.

12/30/2025

Motivation comes and goes.
Consistency is what carries change forward.

One day at a time still counts.

If you need support building consistency this year, we’re here. We offer addiction recovery programs — including Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and private counseling — designed to fit into real life, not pull you away from it.

Link in bio.

12/29/2025

Part 3: Will my insurance cover intensive outpatient treatment?

One important thing to know: every health insurance plan includes disclaimers. That means coverage is never 100% guaranteed, and sometimes claims are denied due to technicalities or loopholes. Even when everything was explained correctly upfront.

If you ever receive a notice from your insurance company that looks different than what you were told before starting treatment, don’t panic. This happens more often than people realize.

At Addiction Recovery Services, only about 5% of clients run into insurance issues, and when they do, we don’t disappear. We advocate, appeal, and work directly with insurance companies on your behalf — because you shouldn’t have to navigate that stress alone.

And most importantly: a billing issue should never be the reason someone stops treatment.
If insurance doesn’t resolve it after appeals, we’ll figure out next steps together.

Recovery is the priority. We’ll help you protect it.

📍 Questions about insurance or coverage?

Reach out or book a free, confidential consultation — we’re here to help.

Late December and the start of the new year can feel especially hard in recovery.This time of year often brings:• Increa...
12/27/2025

Late December and the start of the new year can feel especially hard in recovery.

This time of year often brings:
• Increased social pressure
• Disrupted routines
• Family dynamics
• Financial stress
• More alcohol-centered events

As the year winds down, emotions can run higher—which can make cravings or old patterns feel louder than usual.

So what do you do?

You don’t have to avoid everything or white-knuckle your way through this season. You can still enjoy time with others with a few intentional choices that help protect your recovery.

Here are a few practical tips:

1. Decide your exit plan ahead of time
Knowing how long you’ll stay, how you’ll leave, and what you’ll do afterward lowers pressure before you even arrive. Having a plan gives you options when things start to feel overwhelming.

2. Bring your own drink if that helps
Having a non-alcoholic option in your hand can reduce social pressure and limit awkward conversations. Small preparations can make a big difference at alcohol-focused events.

3. You don’t have to make your sobriety a group discussion
If you don’t feel like explaining yourself, you don’t have to. Your recovery can stay private—you decide what, and how much, you share.
Listening to your limits and stepping away when needed is a sign of awareness, not weakness.

4. Support makes this season easier
Recovery doesn’t pause between the holidays and the new year. You don’t have to navigate this time alone and support is still available.

At Addiction Recovery Services, we help people find steady, sustainable recovery through Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and private coaching.

If you or someone you love could use extra support right now, explore our programs at arsnh.com.

Address

1 Bayside Road Ste 110
Greenland, NH
03840

Telephone

+19782285853

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About ARSNH

Addiction Recovery Services (ARS) of New Hampshire provides Intensive Outpatient (IOP) offerings in two locations: Salem, NH, and Portsmouth, NH.

The Mission of Addiction Recovery Services is to provide accessible and effective group therapy, family education and medication management for addiction and mental health symptoms provided by compassionate licensed professionals.

Call one of our trained admissions counselors to learn more. 814.515.9896