We rarely felt comfortable authentically expressing ourselves to others when we were in a state of active addiction. We became chameleons and changed every aspect of who we are to become who we felt others wanted us to be. Eventually, we came to a point where we lost touch with who we were behind the…
DetailsBenzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs with anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxing effects. They are often prescribed because of their ability to provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. Benzodiazepines work by triggering tranquilizing chemicals, such as GABA, in the brain, which can be extremely helpful in preventing panic attacks, prolonged…
DetailsAnxiety can be overwhelming in early sobriety. Many people in recovery are faced with increased anxiety and other mental health concerns after detox when their brains are beginning to heal. Many of us relied on psychoactive medications and other drugs as a way of self-medicating our anxiety problems, and are unfamiliar with healthy coping strategies…
DetailsCocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that causes on to feel euphoric, energized, talkative, and mentally alert. The drug acts directly on the brain’s reward path, causing surges of dopamine responsible for the euphoric and pleasurable effects. The effects of cocaine are not without consequence. The brain changes caused by cocaine use quickly lead to…
DetailsNew psychoactive substances (NPS) are a range of drugs that mimic the effects of other illicit drugs like LSD, cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. NPS are constantly changing in chemical structure as a way to circumvent national drug laws. These changes, however, also increase the unpredictability of the drug’s effects and potential to cause major adverse…
DetailsMeetings are a great way to get involved in the recovery community and benefit from hearing the experience, strength, and hope of others. In early sobriety, it is suggested to attend a meeting every day for the first 90 days. “90 in 90” is a great way to develop the healthy habit of incorporating recovery…
DetailsHeart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Heart disease causes one in every four deaths in the United States—about 610,000 people every year. Excessive alcohol use is recognized by the CDC as a major risk factor in the…
DetailsWe almost always enter into recovery thinking that we are alone in the feelings that led us into addiction. Perhaps we faced trauma or suffer from mental health conditions and feel as though we are somehow immune from the ability to recover from our addiction. We may see others as being better or worse off…
DetailsAlcoholism is a progressive and fatal disease. Without recovery, an individual’s alcoholism will inevitably worsen and they will face a slew of neurological consequences. The legal status of alcohol may influence some people to think of it as a “safe” form of intoxication, but alcohol abuse and addiction carry devastating neurological symptoms.Alcohol may take time…
DetailsMeditation is a great way to let go off the stress and anxiety that weighs you down. When we meditate, we effectively pull ourselves up from patterns of negative thinking and feel ready to take on the day. It may seem difficult in early sobriety to sit with our own thoughts, but once we begin…
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