Newcomers are often dismayed to hear that they should wait one year before getting into a relationship. Waiting one year is not a rule, but a very sound suggestion based on the cumulative experience of countless men and women in recovery. The first year of sobriety should be focused on the enhancement of our spiritual…
DetailsAlcoholism is a disease that affects more than just the sufferer. Family and friends are also greatly affected when they have a loved one suffering from alcoholism. It may be difficult for them to determine the best course of action to take to support their loved one suffering from alcoholism, and they may be dealing…
DetailsIn active addiction, our lives were defined by the incessant search for happiness in all things external. Many of us are familiar with thinking that we would be perfectly fine if only we had more money, a better car, or a nicer house. In the absence of drugs and alcohol, we can easily turn to…
DetailsThe news always seems to have stories about artists and musicians being arrested for drug possession or passing away as a result of substance abuse. It seems as though creative people are more likely to become addicted to or abuse drugs. Is there a link between creativity and addiction? Research suggests that there may be,…
DetailsMany recovery programs focus on a spiritual experience as a necessary means of changing our thoughts, behaviors, and reactions in our lives. Some people experience a sudden and drastic upheaval, while for others, the spiritual experience occurs more gradually. While the experience may be powerful in momentarily changing our views, it is rarely enough unless…
DetailsMany men and women suffering from addiction also have co-occurring mental disorders such as depression. If an individual is taking an antidepressant, using drugs such as MDMA, DMT, Kratom, and other substances that boost serotonin, can lead to a dangerous health complication called serotonin syndrome. Without an antidepressant, serotonin syndrome may also develop from taking…
DetailsEveryone needs a sense of purpose if they are to feel fulfilled in life. In active addiction, we often struggled to grasp any sense of purpose or meaning, aside from the incessant and uncontrollable desire for intoxication. As we continue on the path of recovery, we go through a process of personal and spiritual development.…
DetailsDeveloping healthy sleep patterns is incredibly important to our mental and physical health in sobriety. We rarely exercised healthy sleep practices in active addiction. In sobriety, however, we can begin to improve our sleep hygiene and become more motivated, energetic, and rested throughout the day. Sleep hygiene refers to a collection of habits and practices…
DetailsThe decision to seek help is the single greatest decision we have made in our lives. Many of us were averse to reaching out for help because it meant we had to open up about our problems with drugs and alcohol or address shameful behavior that we would rather ignore. We soon realized that reaching…
DetailsThe environment one lives in plays a major role in their development of addiction. Addiction arises from a combination of both genetic and environmental factors, but environment can play a major role in whether the genetic trait is activated. Nobody is doomed to become addicted, but environmental factors can be a major determining factor. Environmental…
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