The decision to stop drinking is hard for many people. They may have some good reasons to quit but alcohol may be their only coping mechanism. Or alcohol may be central to how they relate to others or have fun. … Read More
Tips for Avoiding Addiction After Surgery
One of the most common ways people are first exposed to opioids is following surgery or other medical procedures. During the 1990s and 2000s, many doctors were far too liberal with prescribing opioid painkillers. About a third of men who … Read More
Should Al-Anon Be Part of Your Recovery Plan?
Typically, joining a 12-step program like AA or NA is one of the first things people think of when they want to get sober. These programs are well known and widely available. Many people will need more intensive treatment, including … Read More
When Does College Drinking Become a Problem?
Alcohol has long been part of the culture of colleges and universities in the US. College students drink more than their non-matriculating peers, especially students involved in Greek life. Many students take a work-hard-play-hard approach to classes, studying hard during … Read More
Why Alcohol is a Terrible Way to Relieve Stress
In our culture, we almost take for granted that the way to unwind after a long week is to have a few drinks. The same may be true after a tough day or after hearing bad news. It’s a cliche … Read More
3 Tips for Making Sober Friends
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
4 Myths About Alcohol Use Disorder
For as long as there has been alcohol, there have been people with alcohol use issues. You might think that by now, most of the myths about alcohol use disorder would have been busted but many persist. Unfortunately, these myths … Read More
Build Your Physical Foundation
Before an old-timer from “the rooms” talks about how recovery used to entail sitting around in smoky church basements with endless Styrofoam cups of coffee, or how the only exercise they got was “running from the bust to make my … Read More
Why Stay Sober When the World is [BLANK]?
“I’m as mad as hell, and I’M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!” – Albert Finney in Network Whether you have a substance abuse problem or have never taken anything stronger than an aspirin, the above quote rings true whether you’ve … Read More
August in Oregon
Summer is still kicking in Portland. Let’s get the most out of the sunshine while we can. There are endless amounts of sober activities to do here in PDX this August. Here are a few options for some end of … Read More