Pets can be our best friends, and coming home to a happy animal after a long day can be a source of comfort and stress relief. Interacting with animals can do wonders for our attitude and help us get through tough times. Researchers have found that...
12-Step recovery programs focus on the development and maintenance of a spiritual awakening and psychic change as a means of recovering from addiction and alcoholism. By having the vital spiritual experience through working the 12 Steps, an...
Detox is one of the first steps toward a life of sobriety. It is the process of detoxifying the body of all traces of drugs or alcohol. Chronic drug and alcohol use can lead to physical dependence, and if we are to recover from addiction we must go...
Many of us did not realize that we were addicted to substances until it was too late. There are a variety of factors that influence addiction and no single timeline of when substance abuse becomes addiction. An individual is more likely to become...
The term “Higher Power” can be confusing for newcomers to 12-Step recovery. Upon first hearing the term, it is easy to equate it with “God” and religion. The concept of a Higher Power, however, is far removed from and religious associations. A...
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing technique that has been used for over 3,000 years. At first glance, acupuncture may seem like a strange and pseudoscientific way of treating ailments. The practice has grown in popularity in recent...
Alcoholics Anonymous was the first twelve step recovery program founded by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in 1935. The basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous, known as the Big Book, was published in 1939 and laid out the original twelve step program of...
Many people believe that if they have a problem with one drug, they can simply switch to using a different, safer drug. For example, someone with a heroin addiction may think that, once they are no longer physically dependent on heroin, they can...
Treatment is often necessary if one is to be successful in recovery. Addiction is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit, and treatment offers the opportunity for an individual to address the various aspects of their disease. It is important that...
Although many people believe that relapse is part of the process of recovery, it does not have to be. Relapse is preventable by adhering to a recovery program and maintaining awareness of potential risks. Effective treatment encourages the...
