Why It’s Important to Clear the Air
Clearing the air – getting rid of doubts or hard feelings – is necessary for being a healthy, well-adjusted adult. But, for those in recovery from the disease of addiction, it’s probably extra-important to be able to speak up when something someone says or does bothers us, or when we are the ones who have . . . . Continue Reading
13 Self-Affirmations Every Woman Should Know
“When sleeping women wake, mountains will move.” Chinese Proverb It’s no secret that women, especially alcoholics and addicts – whether in their active addiction or in recovery from it – tend to suffer with low self-esteem. This is a result of societal messages, passed down through community and family members as well as being a . . . . Continue Reading
Why YOU’RE the problem
As harsh as the title may sound, this isn’t so much about blaming (self) as it is about being accountable. Far too often, we turn to blaming other people or circumstances for our mistakes, problems, and failures. However, when you think about it, the one common denominator in every single of your experiences is…you. There’s . . . . Continue Reading
What It’s Like to Be Dual Diagnosis: My Thoughts on Robin Williams
This post is probably going to be less about Mr. Robin Williams and more about me. Or rather, how his life, and more specifically, his death has affected me and thousands others. As a blog writer, the way my day goes is like this: I come in to the office, open my email and read . . . . Continue Reading
Does it Matter Why Someone Goes to Rehab?
In my opinion, the answer to this question is a simple ‘no’…it really doesn’t matter why someone goes to rehab. But I’ll explain further in the content below. First, I’d like to share a bit of my own story, being that I was once an actively using drug addict and I went to rehab as . . . . Continue Reading
11 Signs You’re Winning at Life (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
It’s all about perspective, baby. Here are 11 signs you’re winning at life (even if it doesn’t feel like it). 1: Your parents call you everyday Although this might get to be a little annoying, the fact that you actually have a relationship with your parents now and it’s a pretty good one is a . . . . Continue Reading
7 Myths About Recovery That Are Probably Making You Feel Like You’re Doing it Wrong
You’re clean. You’re sober. Life is grand. And then, life shows up on life’s terms. It’s important to remember that you are more than just an addict in recovery. You’re also a human being. The human experience is multi-dimensional: we have thoughts, feelings, dreams (as in nighttime), goals, beliefs, experiences…language is too limiting to even . . . . Continue Reading
9 Reasons I’m Grateful to Be Sober Today
Something that I like to share when I speak at meetings is that I truly am grateful for everything, including my addiction. My whole life I experienced that inner void, that feeling of emptiness and unhappiness that pretty much dictated everything in my life: my actions, thoughts, beliefs, emotions, relationships, etc. And, now that I’ve . . . . Continue Reading
Stop Playing The Victim: 5 Reasons Addicts Are the Luckiest People in the World
As addicts, we can be kind of selfish and are pretty much all about instant gratification – we want what we want and we want it now. That being said, you’ve probably heard people in early recovery say something like, “this isn’t fair” or “I don’t deserve this” when things aren’t happening the way they . . . . Continue Reading
8 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Drug Addicted Self
After a decade or so in active addiction, I finally decided to do the deal and get clean. I was the ripe ol’ age of 32 when I sought treatment for my substance abuse problem and part of me wishes I would have done it earlier, when I was a bit younger. Don’t get me . . . . Continue Reading