When someone enters into recovery, it’s easy for them to romanticize or glorify their lives before they got sober. It’s quite common for addicts in recovery to describe the loss of identity they feel without drugs or alcohol in their lives. Many people feel like drinking and drugging gave them an edge and helped them …
It’s relatively common knowledge in the recovery community that people in early recovery from drug and alcohol abuse have pretty insane sugar cravings. The original Printing of the Big Book of AA even has a mention of a physician who encouraged newly sober alcoholics to keep chocolate and candy nearby to curb alcohol cravings. But, …
The Relationship between Drug & Alcohol Recovery and Sugar Cravings Read More »
These days, there seem to be mindfulness enthusiasts everywhere. And for good reason. Practicing mindfulness can literally change the wiring and makeup of our brains in a good way, which is pretty cool if you think about it. But what does it actually mean, and how can it benefit recovery? Mindfulness originated from ancient eastern …
The simplest definition of addiction is this: “a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance or behavior that is independent of withdrawal.” It’s often described as a “medical disorder that affects the brain and changes behavior.” And we know, of course, that certain substances such as alcohol, prescription medication, illicit drugs, and the …
Making the decision to enter into treatment for drugs, alcohol, or other addictions and compulsions is a very courageous move. If you’re currently facing this very tough decision, please know that having the willingness alone is a brave first step. So, if you’ve made it this far, please give yourself a pat on the back…but …
In broad terms, accountability simply means having the willingness to take responsibility for our actions and behaviors. Cheers to that. It certainly sounds easy enough on the surface. But what about those of us who’ve gone through the emotional wringer while facing our feelings for the very first time sans drugs or alcohol? Of course, …
A trauma trigger is basically anything that reminds you of a traumatic event, bringing up heavy and often overwhelming emotions. If a trigger is present, your body might feel like it’s actually re-experiencing the event. This means that you can internalize the trigger as danger, which can bring up anxiety, panic, stress, guilt, restlessness, and …
By Elizabeth Rosselle First things first—if you’ve struggled with substance abuse issues and you’re newly in recovery, you deserve a major pat on the back for getting to where you’re at now. It takes a lot of courage to get sober, and in the early days of recovery, just focus on the most important win …
By Elizabeth Rosselle It’s estimated that around 59% of the world’s population uses social media. That’s a lot, and the number climbs to over 80% for adults ages 18-29—the group that’s also most likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. And, while social media can be a wonderful connector, it’s impossible to ignore the significant influence …
By Elizabeth Rosselle Entering into a new year means another new beginning and, for many of us, another set of resolutions… The new year is a great time to reflect on what’s working in our lives and what isn’t. And, while yes, it’s true that it’s just another day, it still provides an ideal excuse …
