It’s important to keep in mind that recovery is a healing process. There is not quick fix for addiction treatment. We must be honest, open-minded, and willing if we want to change our lives for the better and break free from our addiction. Recovery is possible, but it takes time for our mind, body, and…
Detoxification and achieving sobriety is a strong step toward overcoming addiction, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. The real work begins when we leave treatment and reenter the world. Many people in recovery share similar stories of achieving sobriety, only to relapse shortly after treatment or after a brief period of sobriety.…
Many men and women suffering from addiction have molded their lives and personalities around their drug use. It becomes “normal,” and giving up the perceived comfort that comes from substance abuse can be a frightening prospect. After all, we often used drugs and alcohol as a means of medicating ourselves from other, deeper problems in…
Our lives are made up of a series of moments. In sobriety, we are finally able to let go of the anxieties, despair, and internal conflicts that were always present in our lives during active addiction. We are finally able to “stop and smell the roses,” appreciating the simple moments in our lives that we…
Going through the treatment process only to relapse quickly afterwards is a common story in the recovery community. We often think that once we detox and receive therapy in treatment, we are “cured” of our addiction and can move forward in our lives without ever using drugs or alcohol again. This misconception is often the…
Addiction is never cured. Overcoming the disease requires consistent mental and spiritual maintenance. Our nights are yet another time to exercise the recovery practices we have learned as a means of ensuring our sobriety in the day to come. We take the opportunity before we go to bed to bolster our spiritual connection and commitment…
Compassionate is the ability to have sympathetic pity and concern for the suffering of others. In recovery, compassion is a great motivator for us to seek out and help others who are still suffering from addiction and alcoholism. In fact, most recovery meetings begin with a moment of silence for those who are still sick…
Everyone needs a sense of purpose if they are to feel fulfilled in life. In active addiction, we often struggled to grasp any sense of purpose or meaning, aside from the incessant and uncontrollable desire for intoxication. As we continue on the path of recovery, we go through a process of personal and spiritual development.…
Every day is a day when we must reaffirm our commitment to sobriety. Many recovery programs incorporate daily activities, such as prayer and meditation, that allow us to reestablish a connection with a higher power of our own conception to guide us through the day with happiness, joyousness, and freedom. This way, we are much…
Addiction is a disease that controls our lives entirely. Where we go, what we do, who we surround ourselves with, all become dictated by our disease. We often come to a point where we feel trapped. No matter how hard we try, our addiction and perceived need for intoxication pulls us into a seemingly inescapable…