The early weeks and months of addiction recovery are challenging but also rewarding. It’s hard to get used to living without drugs and alcohol but you will also probably feel better physically and feel happier while connecting to others in … Read More
3 Myths About PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that sometimes develops following a traumatic experience. It is characterized by a number of symptoms including re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares; emotional numbness; avoiding people, places, and things associated with … Read More
Early Signs You Might Be Heading for Relapse
Relapse rates are notoriously hard to track but the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that between 40 and 60 percent of people with substance use disorders relapse within a year after completing treatment. Many people assume relapse is a … Read More
Is Lifting as Good as Running for Mental Health?
Regular exercise is a crucial element of any recovery plan. We’ve long known that exercise is good for your physical health; it helps you maintain a healthy weight, reduces blood pressure and resting heart rate, and generally keeps your body … Read More
How to Have a Successful Sober Holiday
It’s nearly the end of another year, and we want everyone in our recovery community to be looking forward to 2020 feeling hopeful and confident. But before we get to January, we’ve got to make it through the minefield of … Read More
Is Drinking Coffee OK in Recovery?
One common stereotype of members of AA and other 12-step groups is that they drink a lot of coffee and smoke a lot of cigarettes. While studying members of a group with “Anonymous” right in the name is difficult, one … Read More
When is it Time for a New Therapist?
Therapy is an essential part of addiction recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than half of people seeking help for substance use disorders have a co-occurring mental health issue. [https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/common-comorbidities-substance-use-disorders/part-1-connection-between-substance-use-disorders-mental-illness] These commonly include depression, anxiety disorders, … Read More
When Can You Start Dating Again?
Guys always want to know when they can start dating again in addiction recovery. Although addiction affects people of every age, it typically begins between the ages of 18 and 25, the time of life when people are most actively … Read More
When You Don’t Feel Like You’re Good Enough
Shame and poor self-image are common problems for people who have struggled with addiction. Many people with substance use disorders have a history of childhood abuse or neglect. They often carry excessive guilt over some trauma they have experienced. Their … Read More
Why Nature is Good for Addiction Recovery
Recovering from addiction requires effort on several fronts. One is making healthy lifestyle changes including eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep. A frequently overlooked aspect of self-care is spending time in nature. Not only is spending time … Read More