Early Recovery: Keeping Busy Over the Summer
Some recovering addicts find that summer is the toughest season to stay sober. It could be the number of cookouts and drinking that goes on. Or the long, lazy weekends on the water. It could also be the surge in energy that so many of us feel during the summer months. If you are new […]
What Does it Mean to Have a 12-Step Sponsor?
It’s not uncommon for people to have hesitations about sponsorship when they are new to recovery. Some people think that a sponsor is like a parent – a person that tells them what to do and when to do it. It’s also a concern that the sponsor will judge them and their approach to recovery. […]
Coping Skills to Assist in Your Recovery
Coping skills are tools that people use to deal with stressful situations in life. Not all stressful situations are negative, however. Things like moving to a new home or starting a new job are positive but stressful. People must have ways to manage these situations. When recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, coping mechanisms […]
Who Should Be On Your Addiction Recovery Support Team?
If you are a recovering addict or alcoholic, you need your friends and family to get you through the hard times. Your loved ones will help keep your mind off drugs and alcohol, fill your time with constructive activities and assist with keeping you on track with your recovery goals. But friends and family aren’t […]
Tips for a Sober Memorial Day
Kick off your shoes and bust out those grills – Memorial Day weekend is almost here! Memorial Day is one of the most popular summer holidays to celebrate because it marks the start of summer, the changing weather and the opening of swimming pools and water parks. Like other summer holidays, alcohol also tends to […]
How to Prevent Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue is common in helping professions, but the condition can also affect people who are caring for a loved one with a substance abuse problem. The condition is characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion and a significant decrease in the ability to empathize. It may come as no surprise that people with the most […]
Could You Be Sabotaging Your Recovery?
Addiction is a process of self-destruction that can be difficult to stop. While you were actively using, the drugs and alcohol created chaos in your life. They may have isolated you, destroyed your relationships and led to financial stress. Even though you knew what they were doing to your life, you continued down the same […]
Is it Normal to Feel Resentment Toward a Loved One’s Recovery?
Before your loved one agreed to get help for their addiction, you longed for the day when this would happen. You probably thought you would feel nothing but relief and happiness. But now that your loved one IS receiving treatment, you find yourself with different feelings. One of them may be resentment. Resentment is quite […]
5 Tips for Rebuilding Your Relationships After Rehab
Drugs and alcohol affect everyone in the addict’s circle. Families have been torn apart from drug use. Friendships have been ruined from alcoholism. Once you make the commitment to get clean and sober, how can you work toward repairing your relationships? Mending broken ties is not easy to do, and you may find that friends […]
Seven Traits to Look for in a Therapist
Continuing to see a therapist after completing your treatment program is highly recommended. You may be encouraged to see a therapist each week in the beginning, and these sessions can slowly taper off as you make progress. However, it’s beneficial to have someone to talk to from time and time. As you face stressful situations, […]
How to Find a Rehab that Works
Seeking addiction treatment is a major commitment. Rehab is usually not free and may exhaust some financial resources. It also requires time and effort, as addicts in treatment may be away from home for a month or longer. During that time, families need to pick up the slack and care for children, pay bills or […]
Benefits of Community Service While in Treatment
Donating your time to help others has massive benefits. Among them are increased social interaction, decreased stress and the learning of new skills. While volunteering your time and skills offers advantages at all stages in life, it’s especially important as you recover from drug or alcohol addiction. By spending time with others and making a […]