Many people say, “Meditation is too boring.” They are under the impression that mediation means they have to sit in the lotus position and close their eyes and try to clear their minds. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. A great way to meditate is by getting outside and walking. Many experienced meditation teachers, from Jack…
DetailsA person who first achieves sobriety is in danger of falling into the trap of behavioral addictions. Food, sex, and gambling are examples of behavioral addictions that a person may find themselves engaging in as an attempt to replace the fleeting feelings of pleasure provided by drugs. Another common behavioral addiction is working out. Unfortunately,…
DetailsAnxiety can be difficult to deal with in a healthy way, and it often feels more prominent during the first few crucial weeks or months of sobriety. Our minds and bodies are still healing from the damages of drugs and alcohol, and as a result we may feel more susceptible to feelings of stress, anxiety,…
DetailsTreating opioid addiction requires that treatment staff take into account gender differences when it comes to drug use. Opioid addiction, in particular, affects women different than it affects men. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 18 women die every day from prescription painkiller overdose and in 2010 there were more than 6,600 deaths.…
DetailsThe words “happy, joyous, and free” are said quite frequently in the rooms of recovery meetings. However, what are they referring to? It seems simple enough– we find happiness in sobriety, our lives become filled with joy, and we are free from the chains of addiction. However, the happiness, joyousness, and freedom that we experience…
DetailsThe immune system is responsible for the body’s ability to defend against bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and other dangerous pathogens. Without a properly functioning immune system, we are entirely defenseless against disease-causing microorganisms. Drugs and alcohol weaken the immune system and leave us vulnerable to both common and severe infections. One of the most important…
DetailsRecovery is about mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. Drugs and alcohol were a way for us to stay within our comfort zones. We self-medicated to cope with any and all external stressors and found solace in the immediate comfort provided by intoxication. Sobriety gives us a chance to take on new challenges and gain confidence…
DetailsAddiction already carries the risk of extreme life consequences, but when a person is both pregnant and addicted to drugs and alcohol, the potential risks increase dramatically. Pregnant women require treatment that addresses their specific needs if they are to be successful in overcoming addiction. Without treatment, the consequences of drug addiction and alcoholism will…
DetailsThe great Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky once said, “The greatest happiness is to know the source of unhappiness.” When we enter into recovery, we often felt disconnected from ourselves for quite some time. We don’t know what truly makes us feel happiness aside from intoxication, nor do we know what makes us unhappy. Recovery is…
DetailsMany people in recovery continue to smoke cigarettes. While nicotine is not psychoactive enough to trigger one’s physical allergy to cause them to relapse, there is evidence that smoking cigarettes is linked with substance use, relapse, and a slower recovery process. Quitting smoking when we enter into sobriety can be an effective way to improve…
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