Making sober friends is one of the most important parts of recovering from addiction. Having a strong sober network gives you a sense of purpose and connection. It’s an opportunity to share your problems with people who understand and won’t … Read More
The North Wind Made the Vikings
“The north wind made the Vikings” is a Scandanavian proverb that reminds us that challenging circumstances can be a blessing rather than a curse. The Vikings were known throughout medieval Europe as fierce warriors and ruthless raiders but they were … Read More
What if Exercise Makes You Feel Worse?
There are loads of studies supporting the numerous mental and physical health benefits of exercise. For example, one study of more than a million Americans found that regular exercise reduced the burden of mental health issues by at least 20 … Read More
Under-promise and Over-deliver
When we are newly sober, the world is full of both fear and possibilities. We no longer have our crutches to rely on and are dealing with life on our own terms. Nonetheless, being actually IN CONTROL sounds incredibly liberating … Read More
September in Portland: Fun, Sober Events and Happenings Around Town
Get plugged into the Portland scene. September is an exciting time in Portland. Summer is coming to an end and the first crisp breaths of fall are upon us. There are plenty of fun activities that don’t revolve around drugs … 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 Wisdom of Taking Risks
It is ironic that as addicts we were extremely prone to engaging in high risk situations; whether it be driving intoxicated, stealing, or using illegal drugs. In our addictions we had no qualms with behaving in a manner that would … Read More
Is Sobriety the End of Fun as I Know It?
There is often chatter amongst certain individuals who enter into recovery that profess that sobriety is the end of fun as we know it. This notion is actually correct; it is quite literally the end of fun as we knew … Read More
Sober Living: Thriving Not Surviving
In the standardized sequence of different levels of care within addiction treatment, after completing detoxification and inpatient treatment (typically lasting about 30 days), the next and last step in the process is moving into a sober living environment. Because of … Read More
Make Sobriety The Love Of Your Life
Many men in recovery have described their substance of choice as a love of their life. While people in recovery can go through a certain grieving process to mourn the loss of drugs or alcohol in their life, men have … Read More