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…
DetailsThe initial wave of the baby boomer generation turned 65 years old in 2011. Currently, older adults make up 30% of the population in the United States. The rates of older adults are increasing, and so too are the rates of alcoholism and addiction among the older generation. However, many older adults are unwilling to…
DetailsWhile 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…
DetailsRecovery 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…
DetailsPassing 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…
DetailsWhen 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…
DetailsConflict, 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…
DetailsCrack is a freebase form of cocaine that provides a brief but intense high when smoked. Smoking crack allows the drug to reach the brain very quickly and create a strong surge in dopamine, leading to short-term feelings of euphoria. Crack is less expensive that cocaine, leading to it being used more often in impoverished…
DetailsOvercoming addiction and alcoholism puts us in a unique place. We are able to understand the true nature of addiction and alcoholism in ways that most people never will. The insight we gain about addiction and how to successfully recover is one of the major gifts of sobriety. It is a gift that allows us…
DetailsPrescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the United States. Benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax, are a class of drug often prescribed to treat anxiety. In the short-term, benzodiazepines can be effective in treating mental health concerns, but when abused or taken over a long period of time, they can cause major health…
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