BLOG
Why Alcohol Awareness Month is Important
Although tragic that we live in a world where Alcohol Awareness Month needs to exist, I’m glad that it does. April is Alcohol Awareness Month
10 Things Every Newly Sober Person Needs to Know
One of the things I am most often asked is, “what advice do you have for newly sober people?” It makes sense. When we’re newly
How Binge Drinking Can Change Your DNA
Binge drinking is considered to be any pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams percent of above. This generally
10 Prominent Women in Recovery You Should Follow
For Women’s History Month, I wanted to put together a list of women in recovery you should be following. Fortunately, there are now a large
How to Survive St. Paddy’s Day Without Booze
The Chicago Tribune ranks the St. Patrick’s Day as number one on the top 10 list of drinking holidays. It’s hard to go through the
How Kundalini Yoga Enhanced My Recovery
When I got sober, I kept hearing phrases like, “yoga heals.” I had gone to a few yoga classes during my addiction and I just
How Yoga Positively Influences Mental Health
What I’ve learned in recovery is that yoga is much more than just a way to stay in shape, lubricate your joints, and help you
Why Fentanyl?
If you’ve been paying attention, then you’ve probably heard of the newest drug on the block – Fentanyl. It’s been all over the news and
10 Holistic Recovery Tools
Substance use disorders are complicated. There are many contributing factors and symptoms at play. That’s why there are several different recovery pathways and why different
How Does Trauma Cause Addiction?
It wasn’t until recently that I started exploring the trauma in my own life and researching the connection between addiction and trauma. It’s a much
Why Addiction Treatment is For Anyone Who Needs It
A common misconception in today’s world is that treatment is reserved only for people who call themselves addicts or alcoholics, or worse yet, that you
How to Send Encouragement to a Friend Who is Still Drinking
Since getting sober I’ve noticed a lot about other people’s drinking habits. I’ve become hyperaware of how others use alcohol, why and how they drink,
10 Signs of Codependency
If you’re in, or know anything about recovery, chances are you’ve heard the word codependent. Maybe you’ve heard used in casual conversation. “Oh, they’re in
Exercise and Addiction Recovery: Why They Go Together
Substance abuse and addiction can have a large, harmful impact on a person’s body. With the use of drugs and alcohol, a body can go
Get Addiction Treatment, Find Lasting Recovery in a Beautiful Place
Two beautiful locations, one powerful mission. We get it — it can be a huge, daunting decision to get help for an addiction. In between
Where You Seek Addiction Treatment Matters
With the wide spread addiction epidemic, across the world, there are many different treatment options out there. But witht the amount of treatment options, it
Megachains, Walmart and Sam’s Club, Join The Fight Against The Opioid Epidemic
In The United States, the opioid epidemic is at an all-time-high. With the continual rise of opioid-related addiction and deaths, many different organizations are taking
The Importance of Detoxing, The Right Way
In most cases, the first step in the process of choosing to fight an addiction is often going through a detoxification process. Detoxification, also known
Benefits to a Pet Friendly Addiction Treatment Center
For the longest time, pets have been a huge part of the human experience. Pets, whether a dog, cat or another creature, can provide us
Apparent Overdose of Artist ‘Mac Miller’ Sparks Needed Conversation
Earlier this month, on September 7, 2018 popular artist ‘Mac Miller’ or Malcolm McCormick was found dead in his Los Angeles home of an apparent
Child of An Addict: How Children of Addicts Hurt, Heal and Grow
This piece was originally published, here. It was late in the evening — the light from the television screen dimly enveloped the plain, desolate living
What are the Most Positive Aspects People in Recovery Should Do Everyday?
With any addiction, the main focus is to try and stay sober one day at a time. There are, however, ways to supplement your efforts
First Date Tips in Sobriety
You have probably heard that you cannot date in the first year of sobriety and that is probably a wise decision, but what do you
What is SMART Recovery?
12-Step programs are the most recognized recovery programs in the United States. Since 1935 thousands of people have become sober from the spiritual program that
Faith Over Fear
Fear is everywhere and probably a normal part of your daily feelings. You may not be afraid to the extreme that it will stifle your
What Should I Disclose About My Addiction at a Job Interview?
One of the life skills that you will most likely learn in your rehabilitation facility is reasons why you will need to get a job
How Self-care Can Make a Difference in Your Recovery
The last thing that you probably wanted to take care of during your addiction is your self-care. Instead of making sure you were fed, bathed,
Can I Use Antidepressants for Anxiety?
There is not a one-size fits all method to treating anxiety. In fact, anxiety comes with different causes and symptoms that makes the classification of
Guidelines to Travel Sober
If you travel often for your job or for your own personal leisure, you may be nervous to do so because you just got sober
Why is Desoxyn on the Down Low?
Americans are responsible for using around 80 percent of world’s supply of pharmaceutical stimulants. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),
Video-game Addiction in the NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL) is well known for their fast-paced skating skills as well as their missing teeth, and their epic fights that take
Why Should GHB be Feared as a Drug?
Gamma-hydroxybutyric (GHB) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter although is mostly known as a psychoactive drug. GHB is a synthetically manufactured drug that is used mostly
Summertime Sobriety
Summer is finally here, and you probably want to stay sober through what you perceive as maybe some of the toughest months to not pick
How Do I Know if I Really Have an Addiction?
There are many people that are heavy drinkers that may ask themselves if they are really addicted to drugs and alcohol or have someone close
Best Ways to Right Your Wrongs
People hurt each other all the time in a variety of ways. Someone with an addiction especially will probably do many things that hurt their
Cure Your Hangover with 3 Simple Tips
There are two types of people that wake up after a long bender of drugs and alcohol – someone who does not have a hangover
Will a “Buprenorphine Team” Help San Francisco to Treat Drug Addiction?
San Francisco has been estimated to have approximately 11,000 residents that use heroin with needles. The Sanitation Department disposes of more than 12,000 needles every
Why Change is Inevitable in Recovery
If you want something you never had, you have to do something you have never done. The point is that if you keep doing what
Is Ketamine Safe for Depression?
Finding ways to cope with major depression can be disheartening for some people to say the least. Trying to find the right medication along with
Drug Related Arrests and the Statistics of Incarceration
The amount of people that get arrested for drugs and alcohol yearly is astronomical and continues to grow. Approximately 11 million people are arrested each
What is a DUID?
Drunk driving has been a problem for decades, probably ever since the Model T was around in the early 1900’s before prohibition. New York is
Is Marijuana Safe for Morning Sickness?
The first signs of pregnancy can be initiated with nausea and vomiting. With the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, 83 percent of the dispensaries in
Ways to Define Your Higher Power
When you attend 12-Step meetings, you will most likely hear discussion that includes having a relationship with a Higher Power. Hearing others share how they
What is Lucemyra?
The opioid crisis has been pushed into the limelight because of the horrible statistics of addiction and overdose. Finding a way to combat the epidemic
Tips to Enable Solution Rather Than Enable Addiction
Enabling an addiction is common in families. Instead of letting their loved one fall flat on their face with their excessive use of drugs and
Is Legalizing Gambling a Good Bet for Addiction?
Gambling back in the early 1990’s posed a problem on American soil. On June 26, 1991 there were public hearings held on sports gambling with
Reasons Why Trauma and Addiction Go Together
Statistics show that trauma is a one of the most prevalent reasons that people turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the torment. The
What is Shatterproof?
At the Clinton’s Foundation Health Matters Conference in January of 2013 a vision was pronounced in the name of changing the perception of addiction. Gary
Ways to Have a Better Relationship with Your Dad
Father’s Day is a time that you can reflect on the times you had as a kid with your dad. For some people this can
Does Failure Mean Finality?
The mentality of “all or nothing” resonates with many people with thoughts of if I cannot have it all why should I even try at
Tips to be Grateful for What You Have in Sobriety
Society today can really dictate how you feel about yourself if you let it happen. Comparing yourself to others is a normal humanistic trait. Someone
What Dysfunctional Characteristics Are You Displaying in Your Loved One’s Addiction?
The family dynamic is usually always changed by the devious ways addiction infiltrates relationships. Someone that is addicted to mind-altering substances not only alters the
Sixth Month: Sixth Step
Every month 12-Step programs bring into the spotlight the different steps that are in accordance of the number of the month. June is the sixth
Why is Alcohol Referred to as “Spirits”?
Alcohol has many different names that it goes by. Booze, an elixir, hooch, moonshine, liquid courage, and most definitely spirits. The meaning behind spirits comes
Facts You May Not Know About Marijuana
As marijuana has become legalized in more states around the United States, there has been much more research that has gone into the study of
How Can Inhalants be Deadly?
Do you ever remember a time when you found the whip cream can as a kid and decided to put the spout in your mouth?
Tips to Stay Sober at a Wedding
June is the month that is most known being as the time of the year for weddings. The weather is typically sunny and not too
How Can I Stop a SUD Before it Even Stops?
A person that is addicted to drugs and alcohol may have been asked a time or two, “Why don’t you just stop.” This may seem
Class of 2008: Eminem Celebrates 10
Musical artists generally will pour their struggles and their passions into their lyrics, into their instrumental tracks, or into their performance. The best music is
Did Your Weight Loss Turned into an Eating Disorder?
When someone looks at an overweight person, their first inkling may be to assume that they have a binge eating disorder. There are people out
What You Should Know About Flower Seeds Abuse
When someone wants to get high, they may acquire anything they can to get to that point. You may think that this desperation only applies
Which Six States Have Legalized Doctor-Assisted Suicide?
73 percent of Americans favor the right to die. Doctor-assisted suicide has become a hot topic for voters although it has been recently banned by
Do Service Dogs Help to Reduce Symptoms of PTSD?
Man’s best friend has really made their way into the everyday environment. People bring their furry companions into supermarkets, coffee shops, and even on airplanes.
From Addict to Health Mogul? The Melissa Hartwig Success Story
Everyone has a story. Even famous and successful people have skeletons in their closet. These backstories can either make or break a person depending on
Should Marijuana be Reclassified?
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a list of drugs, substances, and chemicals that sets the groundwork for the federal regulation of a controlled substance.
How Do I Stay Motivated in Recovery?
Getting in recovery and sustaining recovery is important for someone who wants help to stay sober. The problem that often arises is staying motivate to
The Importance of Meditation
One of the hardest aspects of recovery for people is getting into the habit of meditation. With the hustle and bustle of life it can
Does Clonidine Work to Stop Withdrawals?
Once someone decides it is time to get sober, there are four stages that occur during the natural progression of rehab. These stages include intake
Warning Signs of Postpartum Psychosis
Depression is a common ailment that can happen to a mother after they have given birth. Postpartum depression can happen anywhere up to twelve months
What Do We Know About Addiction in the LGBT community?
One of the things about addiction is that it does not overlook any walk of life. Addiction can be any race, gender, profession, economic standing,
Tips to Have a Sober Fiesta on Cinco de Mayo
You may find yourself wanting to celebrate on Cinco de Mayo because it is what you do every year on May the 5th. In yesteryears
Is Addiction a Learned Behavior?
When addiction is looked at from every angle, there are many ways that addiction can ensue in a person whether it is from social, environmental,
How Legislation Could Influence Residential Sober Living
Once a person finishes their treatment for addiction in a rehabilitation facility, usually the recommendation is to move into a sober living. This transitional residency
What is Neurofeedback?
There are all types of therapies that are used to help people that are battling drug or alcohol addiction. One therapy that has become innovative
The Cannabis Oil Guide
Now that marijuana has been legalized in a few states, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of the different products that come from
Should I Carry Naloxone for A Loved One I Am Concerned About?
The Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, had some interesting advice last month for the United States citizens regarding the opioid crisis. He gave pertinent statistics of
Benefits of Being of Service in Recovery
Part of the recovery process is being of service. If you are in a 12-Step meeting and hear that you must give back to others,
Does Balance in Recovery Even Exist?
Everywhere you look it may seem like everyone is searching to create some sort of balance in their life. With the ever changing twists and
Reasons Why You Could Think 12-Step Programs Are Not for You
Sobriety takes some effort to achieve. Getting sober requires dedication and intention to get to a point where drugs and alcohol no longer rule your
Is There a Link Between Addiction and Anxiety?
Trying to figure out if addiction is followed by anxiety or if anxiety comes before addiction can be difficult to interpret for someone who suffers
How Physical Effects of Withdrawals Prevent Getting Sober
Withdrawing off drugs and alcohol is a difficult process to endure. Depending on how long the addiction lasted along with the choice of drug and
Reasons Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
Addiction takes away happiness that people should feel with each line, each drag, or each drink that they take. Drugs and alcohol suck the joy
Why Do I Have to Stay Celibate in My First Year of My Sobriety?
The first year of sobriety is full of new changes and new ways. If you are attending a 12-Step program in early recovery, you will
Ways to Achieve Your Dreams in Recovery
You have probably heard since you were a small child that you can be whatever you want to be when you grow up. This statement
Is Mindfulness Helpful for Creative People?
Mindfulness has become a buzzword in recent years that indicates a type of meditation practice. The premise of mindfulness is to be in the present
Recovery for the Elderly
Persons that endure an addiction may feel like they are trapped with no way out. Addiction does not discriminate because it affects all walks of
4 Tips to Improve Your Relationships in Sobriety
Plain and simple – relationships in any capacity are difficult to manage. Then you add trying to stay sober by enduring the high and lows
What is W-18?
Designer drugs have become more prevalent over the years with reports of their popularity. These drugs burst onto the scene and have caused a sudden
8 Foods that Can Become Addicting
Convenience it a big part of today’s culinary culture. There almost seems to be fast food and take out at every corner of every street.
4 Ways to Just Say No
“No” is hard for many people to say. This tiny two-lettered word may be intimidating for you to use but has such a powerful meaning
Does Dual Diagnosis Treatment Even Work?
Addiction many times is synonymous with mental illness issues. Statistics show that half of people that abuse drugs and alcohol also have bouts of depression,
An Eating Disorder in the Major Leagues
Women are usually depicted as suffering from eating disorders. Until the last few years, men and eating disorders was considered a misconception and not talked
Fifth Month – Fifth Step
Each month a step is highlighted in a 12-Step program that can be found congruent to the number of the month. Even though many people
What is Bipolar Depression?
Life presents the ups and down that everyone feels at some point, but there are people that suffer from depression which is a whole other
What You Should Know About Adderall
Looking around college campuses across the nation, you can find students up all night cramming for their exams and finalizing homework assignments. What you may
I Had a Slip in My Sobriety – Now What?
You will hear time and time again that relapse is part of recovery. Staying sober can certainly be a difficult task and should remain your
Why is My Past Considered an Asset?
You may have been told to never forget where you came from when it comes to your addiction. This could be baffling to someone who
What Happens During an Online Recovery Meeting?
Our society is one of convenience these days with a click on the send button to get groceries delivered right to your door, packages for
Best Ways to Heal in Recovery
Addiction is detrimental to your body when you abuse drugs and alcohol because they affect the mind, the body, and the spirit. To become a
How to Renew Your Recovery for Spring
Springtime is generally associated with regeneration, rebirth, and oh yeah, spring cleaning. Once winter has finished up, people are happy to stop wearing heavy clothes