In recovery, things shift away from rehab or treatment into real life. This is when life begins in sobriety. To start over again takes some support from everyone in your life. You are taking important strides and goals but you have to make the...
Shame is such a harmful emotion when it lingers around too long. It usually partners up with guilt to pummel you in recovery, just to remind you it is kicking butt and taking names. Active recovery requires looking at your baggage, including shame,...
Going out at night may be a thing of the past in recovery. Or is it? It does not necessarily have to stop you from having fun unless nightlife is triggering for you. If you are used to thinking going into the night is equated with drinking or...
Recovery is not easy, but it is essential for people with addiction. It might mean medical detox, treatment for drugs or alcohol, or picking up some coping skills training. The time after rehab is the best time to focus on your needs and desires...
Pathways to recovery are many and varied, depending on the individual. One of the best ways to experience recovery is with resiliency to handle whatever comes your way. Resiliency research looks at how the brain is wired, especially regarding...
Regret is a strong emotion to have. It can hold you back from going forward in life and alter the course of your recovery. There are simple ways to let go of shame and guilt about what happened in the past and move forward. When you look ahead, you...
Learning how to live in recovery is something everyone has to discover on their own. Even when they feel like they might have it figured out, the work of recovery has so much more to offer. Self-care is part of the crucial journey. Self-awareness...
Going home after finishing rehab can feel exhilarating (and nerve-wracking). So many things have changed, and yet, so many things are still the same. Feeling like a new person in old skin can be challenging at times. With recovery, there are some...
Tension can be a difficult thing to address in recovery. It pops up unexpectedly and may linger for a while, depending on what is going on. The hidden signs of stress left unaddressed, can become triggers to use substances or some other means of...
The anniversary of a loss or painful experience can bring up difficult memories. It may be triggering for someone in recovery to want to use drugs or alcohol to numb that pain. With the right tools, that person can learn how to navigate it and stay...
