It is common knowledge within 12 Step groups that newcomers will be advised to avoid making any major life changes in their first year of recovery. Why is this good advice? The fact is that the person in recovery will already have a lot going on, without have to deal with the stress of additional…
DetailsMany men and women recovering from addiction to drugs and alcohol choose to engage in 12-Step recovery groups. These groups provide a pathway to sobriety as well as a sense of community. We are encouraged to develop relationships within the fellowship of our choosing so we have a network of people to rely on in…
DetailsThere are many mind-altering chemicals that provide seemingly similar effects as narcotics, but are often just as, if not more, dangerous than illegal drugs. Often, these drugs exist in a grey area of legality and are readily available at gas station and convenience stores. Although many have not been researched to the extent necessary for…
Details12-Step fellowships discuss, at length, the importance of having a “spiritual awakening” as a result of working their recovery program. This term, at a surface level, seems to imply a bright-light “Hallelujah” moment at some point in working the steps. For the vast majority of men and women in the fellowship, this is not their…
DetailsGetting clean and sober brings a sense of euphoria all its own. The phase of early recovery when you experience extreme happiness and excitement is called the ‘pink cloud.’ some people call it ‘the honeymoon phase,’ but it is also quite dangerous for many reasons. If you are in the pink cloud you may miss…
DetailsIt’s easy to get overwhelmed in early sobriety. We’ve entered into a new way of life and turned our backs on using drugs and alcohol as tools to cope with the stressors or daily life. Stress may have greater effects on our health than previously known, and in early recovery, when we are in a…
DetailsThe first step to recovery is to complete a treatment program to take you on the next part of your journey. Getting there can feel challenging but once you get there and complete it, aftercare is the next major step. Follow these strategies to help you transition into recovery with an aftercare life map. 4…
DetailsEveryone learns differently and some people really like those visual cues to help them get motivated. Other people like hands-on experience which helps promote a forward-thinking attitude. You might respond differently to various styles of addiction treatment. For many people, participating in therapeutic recreational activities can be powerful in addiction recovery. The Benefits Recreational therapy…
DetailsIn the program of recovery from drugs and alcohol, we may find ourselves engaging in addictive behaviors unrelated to substance abuse. These behaviors are capable of maintaining the disease of addiction by replacing substances with any number of activities that also affect the reward system of our brain. Process addictions can include gambling, eating, shopping,…
DetailsNegative feedback can feel like a punch to the gut. Everyone experiences receiving feedback at some point that is less than positive and sometimes not even constructive. Here are five ways to receive negative feedback in a way that will help you recover more quickly and efficiently without letting it hang over your head. 5…
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