It is easy to fall into unhealthy thought patterns of internal shame and external blame. We never wanted to find ourselves caught so tightly in the grips of addiction that it was impossible to live the lives we expected to have before drugs and alcohol. Our pasts, however dark and full of suffering they may…
The greatest thing about recovery is the vastness and inclusivity of the recovery community. No matter where we are, we can almost always find a meeting close by or reach out to someone in the recovery community for support. There are even recovery meetings that take place online if we are unable to find one…
While countless recovery programs provide very specific directions on what needs to be done to achieve and maintain sobriety, not everyone will have the same experience with recovery. For some, the process may be easy, but others may require multiple attempts and face unanticipated struggles on their journey of recovery. There is no single treatment…
Recovery is an extremely fulfilling and rewarding process, but it can be difficult in the beginning. We may face all sorts of mental, physical, and spiritual problems during the beginning of our journey. However, if we can get past the common stumbling blocks of early recovery, we will find that it become much easier. Our…
Passing judgment on others is a negative defense mechanism that ultimately makes us feel worse. On the other end of the spectrum, feeling like we are being judged can cause all sorts of negative emotions and reactions to arise. We can use judgment in positive and productive ways, but we can’t let it reach a…
When we first enter into a life of sobriety, we may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of avoiding any and all things related to drugs and alcohol for the rest of our lives. Fortunately, this is not the case. We will eventually reach what 12-step programs refer to as a “position of neutrality.” We will…
Conflict, whether internal or external, can be hugely detrimental to our sobriety. When we are conflicted with ourselves or others, we feel all the happiness, joyousness, freedom, and serenity in our lives begin to slip away. A large part of learning to “go with the flow” is by practicing acceptance and allowing ourselves to branch…
Early recovery can be a confusing time. We want to get involved in a long-term recovery program but are unsure about the pros and cons of each program. There are 12-step programs, religious programs, secular programs, and different programs focused on overcoming different addictions. One of the great things about early sobriety is that we…
Metta is a Buddhist concept that loosely translates to “loving-kindness.” Additional meanings of the term may be friendliness, benevolence, goodwill, amity, and empathy for others. Metta is a means of recognizing that there is a sense of solidarity in humanity, and approaching others with a sense of friendliness, consideration, and generosity. Recovery focuses on living…
In sobriety, sometimes all we have is our word. We lived our lives in such a way that our friends and loved ones have grown accustomed to our lies. They have heard time and time again that we are sorry and that we will stop drinking or using drugs, but we were never able to…