Just the words “letting go” might produce an internal response to some who read this. It often comes with a negative connotation of some type of loss, giving up, or defeat. It might feel counter intuitive or even impossible to those of us with...
In addiction treatment and recovery, you learn why you became addicted and how to live a life without the drugs or alcohol that controlled you. As you go through treatment, you will also learn that, as an individual, you are connected to others around...
You wouldn’t sign up for a gym membership and expect to become more physically fit just because you carry a membership card. You won’t build muscles or lose weight even if you do visit the gym occasionally but still do not work out on...
A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can feel isolated from friends and family members. When that person is an introvert, the feeling of being alone can be intensified even if the individual prefers to not interact with others. However, in addiction...
What does it mean to be accountable? How can being accountable to yourself and to your peers help you in your addiction treatment? In fact, peer accountability is one of the major keys to recovery. The peer and professional support you get in an...
You have successfully completed addiction treatment and are moving forward with your recovery. Now you are faced with the prospect of needing surgery for an ailment or an injury. Your first thought may be about the drugs that physicians and surgeons always suggest for...
As you look toward the new year, you may be thinking about resolutions to improve your life. Then again, you may wonder if you should be making resolutions if you have doubts about being able to keep them. The good news is that people...
The coronavirus outbreak has affected the way we interact with other people in a significant way. We have been told to distance ourselves physically from others, to keep everyone safe and healthy. We wear masks to keep from breathing on each other. We have...
November 13 is World Kindness Day, a day to examine the opportunities you have to make a difference in someone else’s life. Your acts of kindness can also make a difference in your own life. When you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you...
The most important person to be honest with is yourself. In fact, the first step in the 12-step program is to admit that you are powerless over drugs or alcohol and that they have made your life unmanageable. Throughout your recovery, you will also...
Denial can have a strong pull, especially when you are addicted. You may make up excuses for your behavior or try to convince yourself (and others) that you don’t really have a problem. In addiction treatment, admitting and accepting your situation is a critical...
The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for many people throughout the US. Health officials have identified over 4 million cases and almost 145,000 deaths related to the virus and the numbers continue to increase daily. People on the front lines of healthcare who respond...