Navigating the upcoming Holiday Season sober can be both frightening and freeing. Many of us think of the holidays as a time for family, friends, and fun. Often that fun has included substances. For many of us, substances have been a central part of our...
Everyone has good days and bad days. Sometimes, though, you don’t feel either emotion. You just feel kind of blah, with no emotions of any kind. When you are emotionally numb, you may have a condition known as anhedonia. Emotionally Numb When you feel emotionally numb, it...
For many years the impact of trauma was acknowledged through the presence of PTSD symptoms largely associated with experiencing war or sexual assault. However, trauma encompasses any distressing event or experience that affects a person’s ability to cope and function. We often recognize the effects...
The COVID-19 pandemic may have you feeling isolated and alone. While you may have to stay home and maintain social distances from others, you are definitely not alone. People across the world are putting into place similar measures, all focused on staying safe and healthy....
Staying at home and keeping your distance from others is critical for your physical health during the coronavirus outbreak. It is equally important, though, that you continue to care for your mental and emotional health as well. Taking steps to understand how to avoid loneliness...
When you free yourself from the burden of substance use, you make room for the greatest pleasures that life can offer. Finding peace after addiction is a journey, but it’s well worth the effort. If you believe that you can’t live substance-free, then consider the fact...
People often think about how addiction impacts our brains, emotions and cognitive abilities. Though we all know that substance use has physical consequences, it’s tempting to think about addiction as solely a disease affecting the mind. However, once you truly understand how addiction affects your...
Mental Illness Awareness Week in 2019 is October 6th to October 12th. The U.S. Congress established Mental Illness Awareness Week in 1990. Every year, it takes place on the first full week of October and highlights the efforts of mental health advocacy groups like the...
Substances mask our problems. They also numb us to some of life’s greatest joys. When people with a history of substance misuse remove the barrier of drugs or alcohol, they begin the journey of experiencing richer, fuller lives. Through addiction recovery, you learn so many...
While getting sober is often touted as the solution to all your problems, it’s not a magic bullet. As you grow accustomed to repairing relationships and waking up hangover-free, you may think that nothing could ever go wrong. In spite of the numerous benefits of...
Sleep Awareness Week, created by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), begins this weekend and it’s the perfect time to talk about how proper sleep can play a powerful role in your recovery. This year’s theme is “Begin with Sleep,” and the campaign is designed to...
Genuine recovery requires you to address the underlying emotional causes of addiction, which is aided by evidence-based clinical therapies and alternative approaches, like meditation. Meditation and addiction couldn’t be more different. One is about checking in and being present in the moment, while the other...
