Dana’s Perspective If you’re familiar with 12-step recovery, you may have heard that it’s best to stay out of new relationships within your first year of getting clean. While this is not a requirement to find or maintain recovery, there are some valid reasons for this advice. Relationships are not easy for most of us as humans and may be particularly more challenging for those in early recovery. Not only
Obviously, the number one thing to do in order to have a sober bachelor party is to not drink, but can it be that easy? Yes, it can be very easy to celebrate someone’s bachelor party and still have fun without drugs and alcohol. Early in recovery it can be hard to think about those milestone events, like your own wedding day and not drinking that cliché glass of champagne
In the beginning of sobriety, trying to find fun activities can seem hard. Typically, this can be due to the fact that almost everything prior to getting sober involved drugs and alcohol. Now, you have to find new ways to have fun that do not involve any mind or mood-altering substances. Sometimes it can feel like there is almost nothing you can do that doesn’t involve drugs or alcohol, but
Entering into recovery for the first time can be scary, nerve-wracking, anxiety provoking and can sometimes feel lonely. We hear all the suggestions about ‘building a network’, ‘get to know people’, ‘let people get to know you’, as well as the ones about changing ‘people, places and things.’ This often feels overwhelming; especially when we don’t even know where to start in meeting new, sober friends. There is, however, some
There may have come a time where you were concerned whether it is for yourself, a friend, or a loved one where you question, is that too many drinks? Is it normal to feel the way I do? Should I cut back on drinking? Is it social drinking or is it more than that? This can then lead to an internet search for “what is alcoholism?”. Depending on what you
Many people wonder what causes addiction. Initially, people believed that addiction was simply a black and white choice. And that people that fell prey to it did so because of moral shortcomings. This is no longer the case. As science has progressed, we have learned that addiction can stem from many things. Currently, people see addiction as a disease. This point of view is controversial, but it is more important
Addiction can be physical or psychological. While drugs and alcohol can be physically addictive, other behaviors like sex, gambling or shopping can also be addictive. Both types of addictions can impact your brain chemistry and change your pleasure and reward center. While physical addictions to things like alcohol and opiates can cause physical withdrawal, psychological and behavioral addictions can be just as difficult to overcome. Certain behavioral and psychological addictions
EMDR is a non-invasive treatment that can help treat trauma-related issues. But, what is EMDR therapy? In short, if you struggle with a trauma-related disorder, such as PTSD, it can be difficult to find relief from your symptoms. PTSD can create troubling symptoms that can be debilitating, with severe cases preventing you from working or pursuing an education. Trauma disorders are caused when you experience or witnesses a troubling, disturbing
When people go to rehab for the first time, they often wonder what they should take. Every rehab center is different with regard to what they allow inside of their facilities. When you decide what to bring to rehab, there are a few necessities that you should pack. While most rehab centers allow these necessities, it’s still good to contact your facility beforehand to learn about specific rules. What to
When you love someone, you want to help him or her in any way possible during troubling times. Unfortunately, there’s a fine line between helping and enabling when your loved one has an addiction. In fact, this line is so fine that you may wonder, “Am I an enabler?” If you are, the best way to help your loved one is to stop enabling his or her behavior. Am I
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