We hear the term “codependency” in a lot in recovery circles. It refers to an intense psychological and emotional dependence on someone else (usually, but not always, a romantic partner). The term was originally used in AA to refer to … Read More
The Tree House Recovery Addiction Blog is a made up of contributors from our Staff and other leaders in the addiction treatment field. Our blog is a resource for men struggling with addiction and the family members and friends who want to help. We write to educate, empower and inspire men with drug and alcohol addictions and show them that a sober-happy life is attainable and sustainable.
Rigorous Honesty and Sobriety
When we’re in active addiction mode, we’re often living in a state of denial and severe dishonesty. When the fog clears and we commit to recovery, the importance of rigorous honesty becomes glaringly obvious. Why is honesty so important in … Read More
Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and Remedies
Everyone feels down and out sometimes. Some call it the blues, others call it sadness or melancholy. This is a natural and necessary part of the human experience. However, sometimes symptoms of depression are persistent and interfere with daily life. … Read More
Living in Service: The Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering can be defined as participating in any activity that benefits a person, group, or cause. It’s all about offering your time and effort in the selfless service of others. Volunteering your time for a cause or person that you … Read More
Simple Practices for Cultivating Gratitude
Gratitude is one of the most important attitudes you can cultivate. Quite simply, gratitude involves a sense of thankfulness and appreciation for what we have and the world around us. Studies show that when we cultivate gratitude regularly, we experience … Read More
A Higher Power: Unpacking This Crucial Element of Sobriety
The second step in AA involves coming to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. After we admit that our lives have become unmanageable, it’s time to turn our wills over to higher energy. While … Read More
The End of Summer: A Meditation
The summer is coming to an end. While August is often one of the hottest and sunniest months here in Oregon, it also signals the end of the summer season. The summer season is a time when we’re energized by … Read More
Boost Your Mood With These Oregon Foods This Summer
There’s nothing like summer in Oregon and the end of summer and beginning of fall offer some of the most abundant foods, many of them locally grown. From berries to melons to cabbage, Oregon’s late summer crops are vibrant and … Read More
Color Therapy
Color therapy is a system of alternative medicine that utilizes color, usually in the form of projected colored light. Color therapy is an interesting (and beautiful) healing modality. It typically involves the use of different colors on various parts of … Read More
How to Surrender
We know that the idea of surrender is extremely important to the recovery process. Sometimes surrendering references the 12-Step program, the idea of recovery, or to the fact that we have a problem. In early recovery, the idea of surrendering … Read More