Jul 3, 2018 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Women's Issues, womens program

Women, Addiction and Recovery

There is a range of biological, social and environmental factors that denote risk of addiction, including gender. Although men and women are at an equal risk of developing a substance use disorder, women who have an addiction are also dealing with an entirely different set of circumstances than men. The differences between genders can be hugely influential in the development of addiction and warrant a gender-specific approach to treatment. How Does Addiction in Women Begin? Men typically begin using drugs or alcohol earlier in life and more frequently than women, but both genders, once introduced to substances, are equally likely […]

Sep 12, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alumni Personal Stories, Blog, Drugs, Family, Heroin, More News

My Daughter Showed Me What It Means To Be Humble

What a journey we have taken over the past 7 years.  My firstborn daughter celebrated her 4th year of sobriety last April.  I can still remember the shock and total disbelief I felt when I was finally able to admit to myself that she was addicted to heroin.  I did not know what this looked like and worse I was in total denial for a long time.  At least I was.  My wife told me time and time again that something was wrong but I refused to see it, always thinking she was getting better and that she no longer […]

Jul 4, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alumni Personal Stories, Blog, drug addiction, Family, God, mens program

Anything is Possible

anything-is-possible

BRC Recovery I had a dream once of going to Penn State and getting a Ph.D. Instead, I ended up at the State Pen getting a GED. After dropping out of high school in the 12th grade, because I thought I knew it all, I started to follow my feet wherever my self-will led me. At this time in my life, drugs and alcohol played an important role, and it seemed the world was out to get me. My family was always there to offer support and advice, and I would nod my head in agreement but I never followed […]

Jun 13, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alumni Personal Stories, Blog, God

Change

inevitable-aspects-of-life-change

one of the most inevitable aspects of life Change – one of the most inevitable aspects of life. We grow up, we make friends, we lose friends, we move, WE CHANGE. Despite the amount of “growing opportunities” that my Higher Power has presented in my path, it seems as though the process of walking through change remains just as uncomfortable! And as people say, we, as alcoholics and addicts, don’t accept change very well. The past few years of my life have been constant change. Surrendering to the fact that I would never be capable of “drinking like a lady” […]

May 9, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Blog, Family, God, Recovery

What Good Are Those Slogans, Anyway? (Part 3)

trust-the-process

If you’ve spent any time around Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, or other recovery-oriented groups, you’ve heard at least a few slogans and acronyms. Most of them seem to fall into one of three categories, and they include our relationship with: Our addicted loved one. Ourselves. Our Higher Power. This month, we’ll look at a few of my favorites that can help us accept events as they occur and allow natural consequences to take their course. Trust the process. Trusting the process can be particularly difficult when your addicted loved one enters a rehabilitation facility. Fear of the future can feel overwhelming. […]

Apr 4, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Blog, Family, More News, Personal Stories

What Good Are Those Slogans, Anyway? (Part 2)

If you’ve spent any time around Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, or other recovery-oriented groups, you’ve heard at least a few slogans and acronyms. Most of them seem to fall into one of three categories, and they include our relationship with: Our addicted loved one. Ourselves. Our Higher Power. This month, we’ll look at a few of my favorites that can help us handle seemingly overwhelming circumstances. Is everything okay right now? I woke up night after night and lay sleepless, worrying about my alcoholic son, wondering if he was okay. I often texted him just to see if he would respond. […]

Jan 24, 2017 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Blog, Drug Free, Drug News, News

President Obama Grants Record-Setting Clemencies

SETTING CLEMENCIES During the last several decades, one of the largest criticisms of the American criminal justice system has been the excessive sentences handed down to nonviolent drug offenders. Many of those offenders were sentenced under draconian laws that required mandatory minimum sentences, some of which included life sentences, that were enacted during the nation’s “war on drugs”. In an effort to remedy what is seen by many as an injustice, President Obama reduced the sentences of hundreds of nonviolent drug offenders during his last week in office, which concluded with the commutation of 330 sentences on his last day […]

Nov 22, 2016 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Alcoholism, Blog, drug addiction, Drugs, Family, Guest Posts

Finding Hope and Help in the Midst of Addiction: Healing Your Family

Deathiversary of my son’s death Yesterday was the fifth anniversary (deathiversary?) of my son’s death of a drug overdose. Brandon was one of those people who are larger than life. He was the life of the party. He had a loud voice, a lot of friends, an infectious smile, and he enveloped people with his bear hugs. He befriended the underdog and defended the helpless. He was intense; he loved and hated with his whole heart. He was the glue that held our family relationships together. He constantly reached out to each person in our family to spend time with […]