Recovery

Addiction often does not occur on its own. Many addicts also suffer from co-occurring mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, etc. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 17.5 million Americans, 18 or older, have had a severe mental health disorder in the past year. Four million of those…

Unfortunately, the statistics concerning those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction in the United States are high. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these statistics also show that men and women are equally likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. However, this does not mean that the experience of substance abuse is…

The first step in the 12 step recovery process is that we admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable. By the time that we get sober most of us had either realized we were powerless while we were still active in our drinking or right when we got sober.…

There are many reasons why anxiety is bad for our bodies, and we are aimed at avoiding all of them if we can. Our bodies can be completely derailed by anxiety, and the physical consequences of stress are a huge burden to bear. One of these effects is the impact it has one the immune…

As we evolve, so does the world around us. Humans are not the only organisms or lifeforms that change and adapt to the world. We are surrounded by animals that change, plants that evolve, and many things we can’t see that are continually moving forward to become better. This is also the case with illnesses…

For years, books have inspired the human race to overcome numerous obstacles and to pursue their dreams. Addiction recovery is no different. No matter what book you read, there’s a specific intent and purpose that the writer is trying to convey. You have to consider if that purpose is in line with what type of…

Anyone who has a loved one battling substance abuse knows that addiction doesn’t just affect one person – it affects everyone. Friends, family members, coworkers, and everyone who cares about that person become entrenched in this cycle of stress and worry. Even if that person seeks out treatment, those individuals still need to be finding…

From the start, human beings have struggled with admitting their faults. Perhaps it’s a form of self-preservation – or maybe it’s a way to avoid having to deal with pain, which often comes with recognizing where we’ve gone wrong. Either way, nobody really likes to acknowledge the pain or agony they’ve caused themselves or others…

In the AA Big Book and other 12 step literature, it is made clear that service work with other people suffering from substance use disorder is a sure way to feel better and stay sober long term. It is also an excellent way to gauge where you are at spiritually or mentally. If you are…