Detox is one of the first steps toward a life of sobriety. It is the process of detoxifying the body of all traces of drugs or alcohol. Chronic drug and alcohol use can lead to physical dependence, and if we are to recover from addiction we must go...
Addiction Treatment
Giving Up Self-Will
Twelve step fellowships stress the importance of giving up self-will and trusting in something greater than yourself. We learn to stop trying to assert our will over every facet of our lives. Instead, we learn acceptance of the unchangeable and...
Leaving Behind Drinking and Using Buddies
Addiction leads to isolation and deep depression. We often leave behind our loving friends and family in exchange for friendships with others who are also using or drinking. These friendships are often superficial and quickly dissolve one we are no...
Admitting There is a Problem
Denial can be one of the strongest impediments in seeking help for addiction and alcoholism. We use all forms of self-deception to keep ourselves from admitting the truth—that we are powerless over addiction and our lives are unmanageable. We may...
Finding Support in Fellowship
Twelve Step recovery is about more than just sobriety. It is also about building friendships within a community of other men and women attempting to recover from addiction and alcoholism. Many of us felt alone and ashamed of our addiction, but were...
Is Entire Abstinence the Only Way to End Addiction?
Many people believe that if they have a problem with one drug, they can simply switch to using a different, safer drug. For example, someone with a heroin addiction may think that, once they are no longer physically dependent on heroin, they can...
Is Individualized Treatment More Effective?
Treatment is often necessary if one is to be successful in recovery. Addiction is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit, and treatment offers the opportunity for an individual to address the various aspects of their disease. It is important that...
Is Professional Treatment Necessary?
Addiction is a complex disease that requires many different physical and psychological treatment methods to overcome. Many people hold the erroneous view that addiction is simply physical dependence, and an individual is cured of addiction once...
Are Psychedelics Addictive?
Psychedelics, like LSD, DMT, mescaline, and psilocybin, are a class of hallucinogenic drugs takes because they alter perception and cognition, giving users feelings of heightened and altered consciousness. Psychedelics do not create the same...
Finding Motivation in Recovery
Early in our sobriety, there will be moment when we feel down in the dumps and don’t want to do anything. Lethargy, depression, and anxiety can all be symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, and can keep us from feeling motivated. Many of these...