White-knuckle sobriety refers to the practice of desperately holding onto sobriety without working a recovery program. Many programs stress the impossibility of maintaining sobriety by sheer force of will, but there are some—few and far between—who can for some time. The problem with white-knuckling sobriety is that it does not allow one to address all…
For many years, alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism, has been known as a threefold disease that affects the mind, body, and spirit. Within the disease, three parts are referred to as the spiritual malady, the physical allergy, and the mental obsession. These components, in conjunction, make up the disease of alcohol addiction, as defined by…
World Health Day recognizes a different health issue every year. Topics include physical and mental health issues such as depression, addiction, cancer, and other global issues. Each year the World Health Organization announces a different theme that usually encompasses several issues under one canvas. In 2021, the theme is “Building a healthier, fairer world.” At…
The disease of alcohol and drug addiction is not just mental and physical but also spiritual. In the first step of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), we “admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” We certainly have proof of the unmanageability of our lives from our past, our actions, and the mental and…
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “one day at a time,” you may have wondered exactly what that means in recovery. At face value, it seems quite simple—we don’t drink or use drugs during our day, without considering whether we will or will not tomorrow. However, “one day at a time” is more complex and…
Deciding to get treatment for addiction means considering several types of treatment programs. Residential rehab is considered a solid foundation for most people with substance abuse that’s moderate to severe. It offers the ability to learn, grow, and heal in an environment that promotes health and support. At Oceanfront Recovery, it is one of the…
Repeated alcohol consumption can have serious consequences. When individuals regularly drink, they put themselves at risk of developing a dependency or addiction. Alcohol dependence occurs when the body and brain become reliant upon alcohol to function normally. Dependence is hard to beat on your own, but treatment, including alcohol detox, can help. It can be…
Addiction recovery is a long road with numerous bumps to manage. There will be times when a person feels great and able to accomplish anything. Other times, it can be hard to get out of bed. Yet, maintaining sobriety has to be the focus of every day, even when it’s hard to do. You’re not…
What would a sober St. Patrick’s Day mean to you? Any sober holiday is a big deal for men and women battling addiction. It means finding joy in that holiday but not having to turn to alcohol or drugs to do so. That may be what you used to do, but today, you have a…
When a person is faced with addiction and pregnancy, everything seems complicated and impossible. Dependency or addiction means an individual is unable to stop using drugs or alcohol even if they want to do so because the substances have caused changes to their brain chemistry. Without the substance, individuals have extreme difficulty functioning properly and…