The words “happy, joyous, and free” are said quite frequently in the rooms of recovery meetings. However, what are they referring to? It seems simple enough– we find happiness in sobriety, our lives become filled with joy, and we are free from the chains of addiction. However, the happiness, joyousness, and freedom that we experience…
Many people have the experience of going through the difficult process of detoxifying their body of alcohol and drugs, only to relapse quickly after leaving treatment. It is not an uncommon situation– about 85% of people who seek treatment relapse on drugs within one year after discharge. This is because there is no cure for…
Many people view the disease model of addiction with skepticism. They may assume that people who are addicted to drugs are making the conscious decision to continue using simply because they enjoy the feeling. In the beginning stages of drug use, this may be true. However, as addiction develops, it entirely changes the brain in…
Addiction is a disease that entirely takes over our lives. We come to rely upon substances to control every aspect of our feelings. We use on good day, on bad days, on days when we are overwhelmed, and on days when we are bored. Using drugs becomes our only source of enjoyment and comfort, relieving…
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.…
The first thirty days of sobriety can be the most difficult. We are in a position where we want to overcome alcohol and drug addiction but have yet to develop the coping skills and engagement with a recovery program necessary to live happily, joyously, and freely in our sobriety. The first thirty days of sobriety…
Recovery is about more than just not drinking or using. We engage in a process of continual spiritual and personal development to help us achieve a state of happiness, joyousness, and freedom. The more we practice the principles of recovery, the better we become at maintaining our serenity. The best way to ensure that we…
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…