Why Total Abstinence in Recovery Is Key to Long-Term Sobriety Alcohol AbuseBy Promises AustinApril 28, 2011Some people like to live on the edge. Always seeking that adrenalin rush that comes with taking risks seems natural to certain individuals. But when you’re in recovery, thinking that you can handle just one drink is more than dancing with temptation. It’s a recipe for relapse – and a chance you shouldn’t take. Total… Details
How to Choose From the Good, the Bad, and the In-Between Personal ResourcesBy Promises AustinApril 27, 2011Anyone who’s in recovery knows that it’s not all good times. Sure, there’s the great feeling you get from knowing that you’ve completed treatment and are on the road to recovey. But that’s just it – it’s an ongoing road, not a destination that you’ll charge towards and then rest at the end. This means… Details
Make the Most of Your Sobriety Milestones Staying SoberBy Promises AustinApril 21, 2011“It’s when ordinary people rise above the expectations and seize the opportunity that milestones truly are reached.” – Mike Huckabee, American politician, former Governor of Arkansas and Republican candidate for President of the United States in the 2008 election (born 1955) Yes we are ordinary people. Whether we are rich or poor, highly educated or… Details
When Drinking and Gambling Addictions Mix Alcohol AbuseBy Promises AustinApril 12, 2011One addiction is bad enough. When problem gambling and alcohol addiction come together, your (or your loved one) may find that it hard to recognize the source of their problem. And, make no mistake about it, there is interaction between drinking and gambling. Before we look at some of the specifics of the interaction, it’s… Details
An Interview with Patricia Womack: Residential Counselor at Promises West Los Angeles Staff StoriesBy Promises AustinApril 12, 2011With 23 years in recovery, Patricia (Pat) Womack has a unique way of connecting with her clients. “I’ve been to hell and back,” she said, “so while I may not know exactly how a client is feeling, I can tell them that I’ve been there and that I understand. It’s not just something I read… Details
Five Classic Rock Musicians Who Died From Substance Abuse Drug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinApril 8, 2011“Sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll” was once the motto of a generation during a time of great social and economic change. Back then, drugs were often viewed as mind-expanding and, in some cases, a right of passage. Drug use is not seen that way today, due, in part, to the many prominent people who… Details
Prochlorperazine (Compazine) Abuse Prescription DrugsBy Promises AustinMarch 8, 2011Prochlorperazine is a genetic medication available as Compro and Procomp and possibly generic alternatives. This medication is often used to control severe nausea and vomiting, as well as treating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Prochlorperazine is effective for the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved prochlorperazine for… Details
Bad Expectations: How a Negative Outlook Can Ruin Your Recovery Chances RecoveryBy Promises AustinMarch 5, 2011You’ve heard of self-fulfilling prophecies, right? Well, when it comes to recovery from addiction, going around with a sour outlook is not only a miserable way to exist, it also can put a serious crimp in your recovery chances. Naturally, you want to do all you can to both jumpstart your sobriety and to ensure… Details
What it Means to be of Service to Others in Recovery RecoveryBy Promises AustinFebruary 22, 2011If you are among the millions of those in recovery who regularly attend 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) meetings, you already know that the Twelfth Step work involves sharing the A.A. message with other alcoholics – and that such an endeavor can help keep you sober. But there’s a lot of confusion over how you get… Details
“Sextacy” Points to Broader Problem of Street Drug Formulations Drug Addiction InfoBy Promises AustinFebruary 18, 2011Heavily-marketed prescription drugs to treat sexual dysfunction are becoming part of dangerous street-drug combinations, such as Viagra and Ecstasy, to form a drug nicknamed “sextacy.” This trend, among others, points to increasing overall abuse of prescription drugs – and that even the most unlikely of medications can see street circulation. It also reflects a growing… Details