The Serenity Prayer— “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” — is used to open up most 12-Step fellowship meetings. In recovery, we strive for a state of serenity in our sobriety so that we do not…
DetailsEveryone will have to face strong emotional experiences in recovery that can feel like a test to their sobriety. The unfortunate reality is that, because addiction is a fatal and progressive disease, men and women in the recovery community are very likely to experience the loss of a friend or loved one to the disease…
DetailsOne of the first steps toward entering into a life of sobriety is detoxifying our bodies of any remnants of drugs or alcohol. The process is uncomfortable, but a happy future in sobriety it waiting for us at the end. Determining how long it will take for acute symptoms of withdrawal to diminish is difficult,…
DetailsOne of the greatest gifts of recovery is the ability to experience a spiritual awakening. The experience, although powerful, can easily be forgotten or diminished in our memory overtime. A spiritual awakening must be nurtured and maintained through a process of continuous spiritual growth if we are to stay happy, joyous, and free in our…
DetailsCoping skills are the behavior patterns we exhibit when faced with problems. For most people suffering from the disease of addiction, their only way of coping with external stressors was by using drugs or alcohol. In sobriety, however, it is imperative that we develop healthy mechanisms and behaviors to handle these stressors. Anxiety and fear…
DetailsThere are many spiritual books that, although not necessarily related to recovery or sobriety, have found popularity among men and women in the recovery community. These books are no replacement for the main texts used by your chosen recovery fellowship, but can be helpful in gaining a better understanding and connection with the spiritual aspects…
DetailsAlcoholism is a complex disease that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. It affects every aspect of our life and those around us, damaging our relationships and well-being at every level. Acceptance of the disease is difficult, and many people believe that, although their lives are no longer manageable as a result of their drinking,…
DetailsThe disease model of addiction takes into account that it is a chronic, progressive, and fatal illness. The chronic nature of the disease means that, like diseases such as diabetes and cancer, it must be managed. Fortunately, through adherence to a program of recovery, addiction and alcoholism can be managed successfully. However, if left untreated,…
DetailsNot all drugs create physical dependence and subsequent withdrawal symptoms. Marijuana and many psychedelics and hallucinogens, for example, do not cause a user to go into a state of withdrawal when discontinued, but still carry the potential for addiction. A person addicted to drugs that do not create physical dependence is still at just as…
DetailsWhen looking at different types of drinkers, we find three main categories: Moderate drinkers, hard drinkers, and those who drink alcoholically. These categories can be difficult to determine, as most people who suffer from the disease of alcoholism prefer to deceive themselves into believing that they are simple “hard drinkers.” If we are to determine…
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