choice house blog

how to apply your recovery skills to self-isolating during a global pandemic Although the COVID-19 global pandemic seems to be putting most of our lives temporarily “on hold,” it helps to look for the silver lining in our current situation. If you’re in recovery, you likely have ready access to many of the skills required…

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” And to some extent, faith is what individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction need more of: faith that they can quit, faith that treatment centers and 12-step programs can help, faith that life is…

For many who are trying to overcome their addictions, 12-step programs are a fitting path to the community support that proves integral in finding lasting sobriety. However, because the 12-step approach has its foundation in believing in a higher power, it may not be for everyone. This is why some look at other options such…

We’re closely monitoring COVID-19 throughout the United States and have put into place additional processes to ensure client safety, education around this virus, as well as increased hygiene of our staff, clients and facilities. In the interest of our clients, staff, families, and local community we are proceeding with the following precautions: Some outdoor activities…

The perception of addiction as a disease or a choice is a viewpoint with far-ranging consequences. For years, mainstream thinking posited that it was a choice, a “moral failing” that affects weak individuals. Fortunately, our knowledge and understanding of addiction have evolved, and we have seen that it affects all kinds of people, from all…

Change is hard. Change — the kind of transition required to leave a lifestyle of addiction to alcohol and drugs — can often seem overwhelmingly daunting. However, once you realize that you no longer want to let drugs and alcohol control your life, there are ways to make sure your decision to quit has staying…

Most people who have struggled with an alcohol use disorder (commonly known as alcoholism) know that quitting brings its own challenges – not the least of which are physiological effects that can be mild to life-threatening in severe cases. Fortunately, medications are available to assist in alcohol detox, and with medical supervision, you can treat…

To Date or Not to Date During Recovery? Embarking on a new journey to sobriety is a big transition — a positive one, but still a significant change. In general, therapists and treatment centers alike recommend that someone who’s new to sobriety aims to achieve at least 12 months of recovery before starting to date…

Big life transitions can be unsettling — job layoffs, loss of a loved one, divorce — and taking steps to overcome a drug and alcohol addiction is no different or less challenging. And while it’s good to acknowledge that there will always be some circumstances that are beyond your control, there are steps you can…