Hard Truths that most people don’t think about when they think about ARC Fitness. Behind every ARC Fitness success story are some real struggles that rarely make the headlines: Relapse is a constant challenge. Many people who use our services battle setbacks and challenges, and ARC has had to develop tough but compassionate pathways […]
Reclaiming Identity After Addiction Addiction has a way of shrinking your world—and your sense of self. It’s not just the behaviour or the substance. It’s the story you start to believe: “This is who I am.” “This is all I’ll ever be.” Shame locks in. Identity gets wrapped up in survival. And before long, you […]
You Belong Here: Why Connection Beats Comparison in Recovery Recovery is hard enough without the extra weight of comparison. You see someone further ahead in their journey. Someone who seems more confident, more put together, more “healed.” And you start wondering: What’s wrong with me? Why am I not there yet? Am I even doing […]
ARC Colour Dash 2025 Lights Up Derry with Colour, Community, and Celebration Derry was alive with colour, cheers, and community spirit as the ARC Colour Dash 2025 took over the city’s streets this weekend. The event, a vibrant mix of fun run and recovery celebration, brought together hundreds of people from all walks of life […]
Emotional Fitness: Building the Skills to Feel Without Numbing Addiction is often an escape from feeling. Whether it’s stress, shame, grief, anger, or even joy, numbing becomes the default if an emotion feels overwhelming or unfamiliar. Substances promise relief, even if temporary. But in recovery, we’re no longer avoiding life—we’re learning how to live it. […]
When Progress Slows: What to Do When Recovery Feels Stuck Recovery isn’t a straight line, it’s more like a messy, winding road. And along the way, there will be times when it feels like nothing is moving. You’re doing the work, showing up, staying sober—but it feels flat. Stagnant. Like, the growth has stalled. This […]
Routine vs. Rut: How to Keep Recovery Fresh and Forward-Focused Structure is vital in recovery. Routines help stabilise your brain, create predictability, and reduce the chaos that often fuels addiction. But there’s a fine line between a routine that supports growth and a rut that holds you back. At ARC Fitness, we teach our clients […]
Self-Compassion Beats Self-Criticism Every Time When it comes to recovery, many people think they need to be hard on themselves to succeed. The internal dialogue often sounds like: “I should know better.” “I’m weak.” “I can’t believe I slipped again.” This harsh inner voice masquerades as motivation, but science tells a different story. At ARC […]
From Surviving to Thriving In the early stages of addiction recovery, the focus is often simple and crucial: just get through today. For many, this initial period is about survival—staying sober, staying safe, showing up. And rightly so. Those first steps are vital. But recovery doesn’t stop there. True healing is not just about removing […]
The Science of Routine: Why Structure Supports Recovery When life feels chaotic, unpredictable, or out of control, addiction often steps in as a coping mechanism. Substances can offer what feels like quick relief, but they also feed the chaos. In recovery, one of the most powerful antidotes to this cycle isn’t willpower alone. Its structure. […]