Recovery

12-Step Meeting on a Beach The jungle of Costa Rica seems an unlikely place to find a 12-step meeting, but during a recent vacation it’s where I found myself. I wanted to stay committed to attending meetings regardless of where I was. The international directory online listed the location. I pointed and the taxi driver took off with a shrug and dropped me off at the entrance of a national park. What was I doing? It was nearly dark, the monkeys were chirping, and the local Ticos were packing up their coolers and leaving the beach for the day. I [...]

Whether the goals are written down or not, everyone has something that he or she wants to accomplish. These goals are typically tangible and quantifiable measures of success, like getting a raise or saving a certain sum of money. While this is a smart way to set goals, sometimes people get caught up in deciding on and achieving goals without ever feeling true satisfaction. Often the root of this disappointment lies in emotional wellbeing. What is emotional well-being? It's a person's capacity to enjoy life, to find satisfaction in the present moment and to feel good about oneself. It's something [...]

Many individuals in early recovery experience difficulty getting a good night’s sleep. The emotional and physical toll of withdrawal can lead to a variety of symptoms that impact sleep — Irritability, racing thoughts, shaking, fidgeting, nightmares and headaches can all make getting good rest elusive.   When you're in recovery from drugs or alcohol, this transition time affects all areas of your life, and sadly, sleep is one of them. While the amount and quality of rest will inevitably fluctuate during this period of early sobriety, don't fret because it won't last forever. Soon enough, you'll have better sleep than [...]

Unfortunately, it is all too common for people with substance use disorders to get possession charges and DUIs. Typically this happened while they are in their active addiction because they are not thinking as clearly as they would be if they were sober. For those who have actively sought treatment and are now in recovery, dealing with the legal ramifications from your past life can be discouraging. However, an important part of recovery, difficult though it may be, is recognizing that your actions have consequences that need to be addressed in due time. This truth does not need to be [...]

In our society, weddings have somehow shifted from being a celebration of a lifelong commitment between two people to the biggest party you'll ever throw in your lifetime. As a result, wedding receptions can sometimes pose a great threat to someone's sobriety. Open bars, cocktail hours and champagne toasts can all be potentially triggering. While it may be an option to avoid going to some weddings, it's unrealistic to believe you will never have to attend another wedding in your lifetime. And that's okay! You wouldn't want your sobriety to keep you from celebrating your people anyways. So, in order [...]

It's exciting, being asked by a close friend to stand in her wedding as a bridesmaid. However, it might also make you nervous if you're recently sober or committed to living soberly. Weddings and alcohol seem to go hand-in-hand, unfortunately, so facing a wedding as a sober individual can feel incredibly stressful. But it doesn't need to be. There are steps you can put into place and a mindset to adopt to successfully partake in a wedding party sober. Not just partake, but truly enjoy. By putting a plan in place, keeping yourself accountable and being fully open with the [...]

There’s no shortage of changes when you’re in recovery. Whether you’re a high school student, college student or an adult looking to make a career change, going back to school is a major transition to take on when you’re in recovery for substance abuse.  To maintain your recovery while getting your education, it’s essential that you know how to set yourself up for success. Create a Community Find New Friends Chances are you’ve both lost and gained friends during your recovery for drugs and alcohol. Keeping these new friends who positively influence you is vital. Finding more in your school [...]

For football fanatics all over the country, the golden days of fall have the power to arouse feelings of fellowship, camaraderie and sentimentality in the name of love of the game. Football season means heightened emotions and potential disappointment. Devoted fans and fantasy players enjoy watching and interacting with games on many levels, from season ticket holders to football parties to heated group message feeds. For those in recovery, however, the football season comes with its own unique set of triggers. Football games and relapse triggers Tailgates with friends and family before games typically involve plenty of food and lots [...]

If you are dealing with chronic pain and a related opioid addiction, you are not alone. Many peoples' opiate use disorders originate in their battle with chronic pain. Chronic pain can precede the addiction, in which case the opiates become a tool for self-medication in an effort to find relief. Perhaps you were prescribed opioids to aid in recovery from surgery or other injuries, and your brain responded in an addictive way. On the other hand, your chronic pain issues may be the result of injuries sustained in and through active addiction. When these injuries are not attended to properly [...]

Many substance abuse recovery programs encourage clients to consider the benefits of belief in and interaction with a higher power. Having a higher power in recovery is valuable as it helps you feel supported and cared for; it encourages the practice of self-acceptance, and it aligns and strengthens one's moral compass, or sense of right and wrong. Finding a higher power For some people, believing in a higher power is easy. They may have grown up in a religious household, or have been led to practices of spirituality through close friendships or innocent curiosity.  On the other hand, some individuals [...]

Throughout the summer, people look forward to holidays like Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. Most associate these holidays with time off from work, barbecues, and for many, drinking. This can be problematic if you are in recovery from a substance use disorder. However, summer doesn't have to equal a relapse. Here are some suggestions for maintaining your recovery through the summer months and into the fall. Structure Your Time If you know that you are going to have free time this summer, it is helpful to create a weekly schedule to identify how you are going to [...]

Now that you’ve finished your treatment for addiction, it’s time to get back into the social scene. By starting your own fun group, you can socialize, make like-minded friends, and have fun rather than slip back into old habits that can impede your recovery. We walk through just how to cultivate a community around your interests. Starting local groups, or even international groups through online communities can help you connect with others. Identify Your Passion What do you want to do? From forming a thought-provoking book club to starting a hiking club, it really is up to you. Look at [...]