Guilt in sobriety threatens to derail recovery when mishandled. Often, it’s shame, guilt’s evil twin, which takes recovering folks down. And guilt can morph into shame if you aren’t careful. According to Brené Brown, a renowned shame and vulnerability researcher, the difference between guilt and shame is simple in theory. “Shame is a focus on…
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost While it is safe to assume that Robert Frost was not speaking of overcoming addiction when he wrote this, recovery is more like walking through the woods on a…
People often neglect their physical health when they are fighting an active addiction. Instead of going for a run or using another healthy medium to clear their mind, they would rather use drugs. For most people, their drug of choice satisfies them both physically and mentally. They rely on this drug for many reasons, whether…
Everyone gets the blues now and then. When those feelings of melancholy and despair linger for weeks, not days, it can be a sign of something more serious. Depression affects 1 in 10 Americans. However, the depression rate among those struggling with addiction is even higher. Furthermore, 21 percent of those suffering from depression report…
When you pull the trigger on a gun, it releases a bullet at a rapid speed that races until it runs into something that stops it. A trigger is, then, an appropriate word that describes when someone who has struggled with alcohol and drug addiction finds themself in a situation where they are tempted to…
You have undoubtedly heard the different things people say about addicts. It is possible that before you or a family member developed an addiction, you may have thought them yourself: “People with addictions are lazy.” “People with addictions are weak.” “People with addictions are hopeless.” Unsurprisingly, almost all the stereotypes you hear about addicts are…
There are many social obligations that involve alcohol. For example, maybe you are going on a first date. Or, maybe you have to go to a holiday party for work. Maybe you must attend a high school reunion, or you are simply out to dinner with new friends. It can be difficult to say no…
If you are trying to quit drinking, congratulations! Although some who struggle with drinking are able to quit alone, others find it difficult. It also can be dangerous to quit on your own, depending on how much and how often you drink. By getting professional help, you can experience an easier recovery with better-managed detox…
If you or a loved one have struggled with addiction, undoubtedly there have been times when you wished for a magical cure for the condition. You hoped for something that would make the pain go away, and understandably so. Addiction is not an easy thing to navigate. It is hard for the person struggling with…
Police, firefighters, along with the men and women that work as paramedics, face some of the most challenging jobs today. They are at a higher risk for developing alcohol and drug abuse simply because of the emotional and physical trauma they suffer. Addiction treatment for first responders is available, customized, and possible. You can restore…