There are those who realize that they have a drinking problem and are able to cut back or simply stop. I wasn’t one of them. I abused alcohol for 20 years knowing that it was causing problems both physically and mentally, but didn’t stop until I had lost everything. Here’s what I learned from thinking …
Even in Addiction, It’s Never Too Late to Start Over Read More »
Every year, millions of people gather for awareness events and charity walks for cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. These inspiring events make a difference on a national level. They help raise funds for research, education and treatment and spread a message of hope. While similar events occur for addiction, mostly on a local level, …
Volunteering is a wonderful way to support your recovery from addiction. After completing an intensive program of addiction treatment you may feel invigorated and ready to take on the world. It could also be that you feel lost and unsure what to do next. Many people find themselves without purpose post-rehab. For a long time …
Being outside and enjoying nature have great restorative powers. You don’t have to take a weeks-long wilderness adventure to reap the benefits that the great outdoors offers. Simply spending time in a park or working in front of a window with a view of a green space can work wonders for your mind, lower stress …
It seems like a simple idea, and maybe like an unnecessary thing to worry about when you have bigger issues to deal with, but exercise could be very important to your recovery from addiction. Some of the latest research into addiction treatment indicates that healthy lifestyle changes can help recovering addicts resist the urge to …
Imagine having a safe haven in which you could share your deepest, most private thoughts and no one but you would ever read the words unless you chose to reveal them. Would you accept the opportunity to enter? Well, that “room” is as close as a pen and piece of paper. Journaling is one of …
Write On! The Power of Journaling in Addiction Recovery Read More »
By Sean P. Egen If you or someone you love is involved in the recovery process, you understand that one of the biggest challenges can be picturing a life free of the abused substance(s) or behavior. Not wrapping your mind around the concept of a simpler, more fulfilling life lived unburdened by the negative effects …
Are men and women the same when it comes to drug addiction and recovery? Should their treatment look the same? At a 2013 conference in Britain, the topic of male and female addiction similarities and differences was addressed by Joanne Neale, a professor of public health at Oxford Brookes University. Neale interviewed and followed up …
Men and Women Seeking Addiction Recovery: Different and the Same Read More »
By Angus Whyte In many 12-step addiction recovery programs, the practice of a musical instrument is considered to be a top-line behavior. In this article, I’ll discuss the relationship between music and mindfulness, and describe how I incorporate the mindful practice of guitar scales into my addiction recovery program.
For 20 years, I battled with a cycle of depression that went from manageable low moods to periods of isolation and despair. Yet it wasn’t until I had a complete breakdown that I started to challenge my mental health status. When I did, it turned out to be the first step to overcoming depression and …
5 Key Elements of Recovery from Depression and Substance Abuse Read More »