In the fall of 2014, the winningest athlete in Olympic history didn’t want to be alive anymore. Michael Phelps had just been arrested for DUI and he was “in really a dark place,” he said. The swimmer’s blood-alcohol level was at 0.14. With Phelps’ weight at the time at about 225, he would have had …
After Rehab, Michael Phelps Says ‘Anything Is Possible’ Read More »
One of the first things you have to do when you are newly sober is to choose a sponsor. A sponsor is often your closest friend or mentor in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. He or she is the person you are most likely to turn to in order to ask questions or share your …
Adam Daar remembers what he was thinking when ordered by the courts into addiction treatment at age 14: “I’m never going to have fun again.” How could he? Partying was how the young had fun, and that just wasn’t possible without drugs and alcohol, he believed. “I was even thinking ahead to college. How am …
“Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.” — William James A contrast of the dark and light is a human paradigm, yet seeing the shadow and not the sun is commonplace for people entrenched in addiction. Are people hardwired for optimism or pessimism? Some studies indicate certain people seem to be born with a bent …
Making the commitment to do something proactive to overcome drug and alcohol addiction is an excellent first step, one that’s crucial to learning how to live a healthy and happy life without the crutch of addictive substances. But the road to recovery is often fraught with unexpected turns, not the least of which is attempting …
Mindful walking was introduced to the Western world by the Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese writer and teacher who first brought his unique brand of Buddhism, known as mindfulness, to the U.S. in the early 1960s. Hanh defines mindfulness as “our ability to be aware of what is going on both inside us …
For anyone in recovery, some of the most perilous times are when you’re on the road and away from your usual routine. It may be tempting to forego meetings, especially since you don’t know anyone at this new location and rationalize that it’s OK to skip it just this time. But that’s not the best …
The High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are considered the most sacred on the Jewish calendar. The autumnal holidays signal a time of personal reflection and reconciliation of attitudes and behaviors that occurred in the previous 12 months. Prayer, fasting, asking for and offering forgiveness, as well as time in synagogue await …
How the Jewish High Holy Days Relate to Recovery Read More »
Now that you’re in recovery from drug addiction, you have made it past some very big hurdles. You have made huge life changes and you should be proud of your accomplishments. However, recovery does not mean you can stop improving yourself and your life. Once you are out of rehab and back to so-called real …
After New Jersey’s law protecting first responders who administer the opioid overdose antidote Narcan was signed into law in March, a free training program is helping ordinary citizens learn to administer the drug and save lives, as well as shining a spotlight on the issue of addiction.