We might be able to think of the most spiritual person we know, if we are prompted to think of that person. They might assume a certain character, or seemingly transcend any kind of character. A spiritual person might be … Read More
What is the Fear of Missing Out, Really?
We hear terms in recovery like “stay in the middle of the herd”, “get involved” and “be of service”. If we look at the global network of recovery like a herd, a tribe, or a community, we can take these … Read More
Living In Recovery: Approach Recovery Philosophically
Convention is an overlooked theme in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. We discuss treatment plans and programs as being conventional or unconventional, often questioning the validity as well as the inclusion of 12-step philosophy which is considered conventional. … Read More
Rage Vs. Rage
Dylan Thomas, the famed poet, told us as men to “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” “Do not go gentle into that good night,” Thomas warned us. Thomas’s poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” is … Read More
Functions of Gratitude in Recovery
Gratitude can be called the keeper of recovery. To keep is to “have or retain possession of” to “continue or cause to continue in a specified condition, position, course”. Recovery is something that has to be earned and possessed everyday … Read More
Going To Treatment Vs. Going It Alone
Every man who is considering going to treatment in order to quit- and stay quit- from an addiction has a choice. He can go to treatment or he can go it alone. Isolation is heavily argued against in recovery. Left … Read More
The Write Stuff: A Mind-Body Narrative
Writing is a cathartic exercise that demands the energy of the mind and the body. Professional writers, recreational writers, poets, novelists, journalists- anyone who writes experiences the physical experience of writing. Writing is not simply a mental activity. After intensive … Read More
Hack Your Brain for Sleep
Sleep is an essential tool for a man in recovery from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. On average, men need 6-8 hours of sleep to gain the full benefits of deep sleep. Newer recommendations have put that nightly average at … Read More
How You See the World Is Influenced By Who You Are
Is the glass half empty or half full? Our answer is supposed to define who we are and how we see the world. If you see the glass as half empty, you are said to be a pessimist, lacking in … Read More
Why the Prefrontal Cortex Matters in Addiction and Recovery
Addiction is a matter of reward. The most simple of neurobiological models for the function of addiction in the brain highlight the brain’s reward circuit as a key participant. Drugs and alcohol, in addition to other mind altering substances, stimulate … Read More