Everyone knows that human beings are not perfect. Why, then, should we find it so difficult to comprehend that imperfections do not mean that we are a failure? For the average person who is not in recovery, learning how to live with imperfections may be something that isn’t all that much of a problem. But for those [...]
There are plenty of obstacles to be overcome on the road to recovery from drug/alcohol addiction. Some of those obstacles are outside forces. Former friendships, locations and situations can all trigger a desire to return to drug/alcohol use. Nevertheless, the strongest obstacle to your recovery dwells inside of you. Your own thoughts and actions hold [...]
The holidays are fabulous, but they are also filled with time crunches, financial pressures, travel frustrations and interpersonal stresses. Everyone is sensitive to these holiday challenges, but if you are in active addiction or even addiction recovery, you may feel more sensitive towards them than most. In many cases, it was an inability to cope [...]
“Life without idealism is empty indeed. We just hope or starve to death.” – Pearl S. Buck, American author noted for her novels of life in China, received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938 (1892-1973)
Looking through old photo albums may be a favorite pastime for families, but dwelling on the past is anything but beneficial for anyone who’s attempting to build a new life in recovery. In fact, it’s more than disadvantageous. Romancing the past is actually a dangerous practice in recovery.
Addicts in recovery, along with their loved ones, close friends, and co-workers, often wonder if the recovering individual will develop new or substitute addictions, once treatment has been completed for the initial addiction. In other words, how likely is it that the person who received treatment for alcohol addiction or drug addiction will move on [...]
Don’t let everyday stresses and problems get you down to the point where you think the only relief is smoking a joint, popping a pill, having a few too many cocktails, or some other drug-related solution. Not only will your so-called relief be temporary, it can also be harmful to your health, contribute to possible [...]
There’s no getting around it. You slipped. You had a relapse. It’s time to face the facts, pick yourself up, and start back on the road to recovery. The truth is that many recovering addicts have one or more relapses before they finally “get it together.” This is not an indictment, simply a reality. The [...]
By Suzanne Kane The first reaction many people have to getting out of rehab is that they’re glad it’s over. Then, reality sets in. Now comes the hard part: staying sober. When you find yourself up all night, plagued with drinking dreams, or you can’t make it through the day without some reminder, some temptation [...]
Overcoming Temptation – A Critical Point of Recovery By Suzanne Kane Fresh out of treatment for addiction, many people are eager to resume their lives, possibly convinced that everything will get back to normal. Others may not be so sure, but they’ve been equipped with a strong set of coping skills and practiced their behaviors [...]