Addiction is a complex disease that depends on many factors. Many people who suffer from the disease of addiction have a parent or relative who also does. Addiction does run in families and there is a genetic and biological component to the disease. However, biological predisposition does not mean one will inevitably become addicted. There…
Cleaning up our past and moving forward is a vital part of recovery. We must learn to let go of our previous lives in addiction if we are to be successful in maintaining our sobriety. Often, there are those whom we feel have harmed us, and moving forward means learning to forgive. This can be…
Pets can be our best friends, and coming home to a happy animal after a long day can be a source of comfort and stress relief. Interacting with animals can do wonders for our attitude and help us get through tough times. Researchers have found that owning a pet can actually make us feel better…
12-Step recovery programs focus on the development and maintenance of a spiritual awakening and psychic change as a means of recovering from addiction and alcoholism. By having the vital spiritual experience through working the 12 Steps, an individual’s motivation, desires, and thinking changes—one is no longer interested in drugs or alcohol, and instead focuses on…
Many people entering into Twelve Step recovery fellowships are uncomfortable with the seemingly ubiquitous use of the word “God.” Twelve Step recovery, however, is not religious—the use of the word “God” is simply referring to the concept of a power greater than oneself. We realized that we were powerless over alcohol and drugs, and to…
Sometimes the best thing we can do when faced with a stressful situation is take a moment to breathe and focus on the present moment. When we stay in the moment and accept the present situation as is, we are in less danger of building up feelings of anxiety about what may or may not…
Detox is one of the first steps toward a life of sobriety. It is the process of detoxifying the body of all traces of drugs or alcohol. Chronic drug and alcohol use can lead to physical dependence, and if we are to recover from addiction we must go through the process of detox, no matter…
Painting can be an effective way to eliminate stress and improve your overall mood. Art therapy, which includes painting and other forms of creative artistic expression, is a therapeutic practice utilizing art and creativity as a way of managing emotions and other mental issues. Making use of art therapy can be a great and fun…
Many of us did not realize that we were addicted to substances until it was too late. There are a variety of factors that influence addiction and no single timeline of when substance abuse becomes addiction. An individual is more likely to become addicted if they start young, have biological and genetic predispositions to addiction,…
Twelve step fellowships stress the importance of giving up self-will and trusting in something greater than yourself. We learn to stop trying to assert our will over every facet of our lives. Instead, we learn acceptance of the unchangeable and faith in a higher power. When we make the decision to “turn our will and…