12-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…
Getting 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…
Everyone 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…
In 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,…
A high-functioning alcoholic may be able to do many things everyone else can do: work, socialize, and go about daily life without being hindered by drinking behavior. Some people may even be able to become top achievers at the height of their professions. Even so, a high functioning alcoholic will struggle to keep obligations and…
In our journey toward sobriety, we may find ourselves at a point where we feel as though we are just “going through the motions” of our program. We find ourselves losing the feeling of excitement we had when we first entered into our recovery program. Boredom was often a reason for our past use, and…
If you are considering rehab as a C-Suite executive, you are not alone. If you suffer from addiction, seeking effective treatment for your condition is imperative to moving forward and being healthy again. Living in the public eye and working at a high level can require enrolling in a treatment program that caters to your…
Psychedelic drugs, such a LSD, psilocybin, and various other hallucinogens, are commonly misunderstood as “safe” drugs because they do not have the same propensity for addiction as “harder” drugs like opiates and stimulants. Psychedelics, however, carry a slew of possible risks to our mental and physical health. Short-term abuse of hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin…
Every human being feels an innate connection to water. We are made of water so it makes sense when the ocean or a body of blue water is in our sights, we feel a sense of wonderment and tranquility. Science has a reason for why we feel so soothed by the presence of water. It…
12-Step recovery programs often refer to the necessity of a spiritual awakening or experience to maintain long-term sobriety. Carl Jung, as quoted in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, described the nature and importance of a spiritual awakening, explaining that “once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual experiences. To me…