For many in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, it isn’t a question of whether relapse will occur but when. Not that anyone goes into drug rehab, believing they will slip, but the reality is that many ultimately do. One point that recovery experts repeatedly stress, however, is that relapse does not mean failure. It […]
The catalyst for discussions of the addiction crisis in American has, unfortunately, been the opioid epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid-related overdoses quadrupled between 2000 and 2014, and the problem shows no sign of easing. Alongside these overdoses, a stigma of addiction has developed. However, it may not be quite
Shifting Stigma of Addiction: What We Saw Then vs. What We See Now Read More »
Once you finish your addiction treatment or rehab, you are in a position to look back on your time as an addict with fresh eyes. Now that you’re in a more positive place and feel better physically and mentally, it becomes extraordinarily clear how chaotic your life was when you were actively drinking alcohol or
After getting sober, I immediately wanted to apologize to everyone I knew. Especially those closest to me because I had hurt them the most. When I left inpatient treatment and finally had clear eyes, I could see how much damage I had done. It was horrifying. My instinct to apologize was overwhelming. I shared this
Making Amends: Is There a Right Time for an Addict to Say Sorry? Read More »
When the fog of not knowing never seems to lift, and you’re fed up. Perhaps from repeated arrests for driving under the influence, your spouse tossing you out of the house, your kids hating you, or your job jeopardized, all is not lost. You may not be able to quit drinking or drugs on your
What to Do When You Can’t Quit on Your Own: An 8-Step Strategy Read More »
Recovery starts with that first step toward getting clean but it is a lifetime endeavor. As with any important undertaking, the support of loved ones can make all the difference when it comes to succeeding. Supporting a loved one in recovery can be frustrating at times but it is worth the effort. Your loved one
Staying sober does not mean that you have to remain in solitude in a dark room. You likely thought that you were having fun when you were drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, using prescription opioids, heroin, cocaine or other drugs. Perhaps you knew that you needed treatment at a recovery center such as The Ranch, but
What is codependency? It’s a question that comes up a lot with families looking at drug and alcohol treatment. People in relationships strive to support one another. In a way, codependency is born out of this need to be there for someone you love. Understanding the term codependency is essential if you care for someone
You may have heard someone mention life skills training and wonder to yourself, “Do I have lifeskills?” As we grow and reach milestones throughout life, we gain many skills. These can be as simple as knowing how to cook a traditional meal, going on a job interview, or handling a bank account. For most people,
What’s wrong with trying to control life? What’s wrong with holding the people around us to a higher standard? The problem is that addicts expend a lot of energy trying to micromanage the universe and the people in it. What happens when people and circumstances don’t measure up? We’re angry, disappointed, depressed and resentful. And
Unrealistic Expectations Drive Us Deeper Into Addiction Read More »
