Am I as Sick as My Secrets?
When I was growing up, people minded their own business. We didn’t ask each other how much money we made, why we were a part of a particular religion, or who we voted for in an election. And we all followed the golden rule that “whatever is said in this house, stays in this
7 Tips to Stay Sober During the Winter
No matter where you’re spending the winter, the season can be a difficult one for anyone. With less sunlight, no leaves, cold weather, and often some amount of isolation because fewer people go out and do things, many of us are prone to depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder known as S.A.D. If you’re recovering
I’m Alone, Can I Stay Sober Over the Holidays?
For most people, the holidays are about spending time with family, being loved, and having fun. But, if you’re a recovering alcoholic, facing the holiday season can be significantly more challenging. If you’re alone and preparing to face Christmas and New Year’s without your family and friends, it can be even more daunting. But,
Emotional Sobriety – Do I Have It?
I had no idea that sobriety was anything more than getting clean. I thought, “I stop drinking, and I get my life back.” I quickly realized, however, that abstinence was only the first step towards my happily ever after. Suddenly, I was being repeatedly slapped in the face with all of these emotions that
7 Ways to Deal with Cravings in Early Recovery
Detoxing from drugs or alcohol is a long, painful process, where your body adjusts to not having a substance. While the worst is over after the first few weeks, you still have to deal with cravings, which will range from mild to extremely intense. Learning to cope with cravings in early recovery is crucial
How Exercise Helps You Stay Sober
Recovering from an addiction to alcohol can be demanding and difficult, especially as you work your way back into your life and career. However, as you do, there are plenty of supports and tools you can use to help. Exercise is one of those tools because it helps you to fight cravings and offers
Relapse Warning Signs
I relapsed again. I felt like crap and was afraid my husband would run out of patience and leave me. He can’t understand why I don’t just tell him when something triggers it, but it’s just not that simple. Any event, stressful interaction, or relationship difficulty can trigger a relapse. Since they are often
7 Tips for Staying Sober While Traveling
Whether you’re recently sober or have been clean for some time, traveling anywhere on vacation can be a test of your sobriety. Because many vacation destinations and even business events focus heavily on alcohol and drinking in social settings, traveling may mean being constantly exposed to temptation, being pressured into drinking by friends and
7 Common Relapse Triggers in Addiction
Recovering from a substance addiction is a long process that requires perseverance, changing your habits, and changing your life. While cravings get better over time, you will have to learn with long-term side effects from the substance that can and will make it more likely for you to relapse. Relapse triggers can be found
5 Tips for Stopping Cravings
I used to think that recovery was at the end of a long road, but recovery doesn’t end with getting sober. Instead, it is the beginning of something brand new. I learned that this beginning involved my brain and giving it time to rebuild connections that changed while I was in my addiction. My