There is nothing wrong with discussing one’s past during treatment and recovery. The problem arises when our discussions turn from a frank and honest examination of our past to romanticizing our addiction. Often, addiction has consumed our lives to...
Mental Health
Don’t Think About White Bears: The Dangers of Memory and Thought Suppression in Recovery
Famed author Fyodor Dostoevsky, in his 1863 essay Winter Notes on Summer Impressions, said, “Try to pose for yourself this task: not to think of a polar bear, and you will see that the cursed thing will come to mind every minute.” Dostoevsky was...
Self-Deception: A Roadblock to Recovery
Nobody wants to admit that they have a problem with drugs and alcohol. We are often trying to convince ourselves that we do not have a problem just as much as we are trying to convince others. Through all forms of self-deception, we will try to...
Anxious? Try Grounding Techniques
Grounding techniques comprise a variety of practices that can limit negative thoughts and emotions by connecting one back with the present moment. Grounding techniques are often used for those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and...
Improve Your Mental Health by Keeping a Daily Journal
Sometimes it can feel like we have so many racing thoughts that it’s impossible to think clearly. Getting our thoughts down on paper by journaling can be a great way to declutter our minds. Writing down our problems in a daily journal is a great...
Improve Your Mental Health by Living with Less
A simple life is a happy life. When we have too much going on in our lives, we can easily get overwhelmed. However, if we can learn to embrace a life of simplicity, we will find our stress and anxiety melt away. Removing unnecessary things or...
Therapeutic Treatments for Anxiety
Anxiety can be overwhelming in early sobriety. Many people in recovery are faced with increased anxiety and other mental health concerns after detox when their brains are beginning to heal. Many of us relied on psychoactive medications and other...
The Rise of New Psychoactive Substances
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a range of drugs that mimic the effects of other illicit drugs like LSD, cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. NPS are constantly changing in chemical structure as a way to circumvent national drug laws. These...
The Tragic Relationship between Addiction and Suicidal Thoughts
Thinking about or committing suicide are very real dangers that strike those suffering from the disease of addiction and alcoholism more than the general population. People often assume that early death from addiction will be the result of overdose...
Improve Your Mental Health with Music
Music can have amazing effects on our mood and mental health. When we listen to music, it has a direct impact on our mind and body, and can mean the difference between a good and a bad day. Whether you like rock, rap, metal, country, or any other...