Welcome to the Hotel Recovery
Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door I had to find the passage back to the place I was before Relax’ said the
October 29, 2018
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Going Through Hell? Keep Going!
What doesn’t kill you… makes you stronger? Not necessarily. Not if you don’t learn from it. If you do what could potentially kill you, again,
October 22, 2018
Report the Good News!
The “war stories” of people with substance-use disorder prove to be some of the most enticing stories, judging how popular they are. They can be
October 15, 2018
Marijuana Legalization: I’m Against It and I’m For It
One of the hottest topics in how society might be about to change, and that is causing a lot of emotion and political upheaval lately,
October 8, 2018
Are We Doomed? Inaccurate Predictions and Immature Science
The science of psychology has been attempting, for years, to classify and identify personality traits that would categorize people—especially those with mental-health issues—and put them
October 1, 2018
NOT Everything is Politics, and Politics is NOT Everything – Why What You Say Matters
Recently, I attended a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) event on Attachment and Connection, where the facilitator of the program bashed U.S. President Donald Trump and
September 24, 2018
Hungry Ghosts
According to one definition, “Defined by a fusion of rage and desire, tormented by unfulfilled cravings and insatiably demanding impossible satisfactions, hungry ghosts are condemned
September 12, 2018
Addiction, Uninvited Guests, and Escaping Distress
“Far more than a quest for pleasure, chronic substance use is the addict’s attempt to escape distress.” ~ Gabor Maté, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
September 6, 2018
It’s a Group Effort
What does it mean to belong? This is a question that’s always been on my mind—ever since I knew I was relinquished, ever since I
August 28, 2018
Stand by My Side
I’ve been really lucky to have a supportive partner throughout my journey of recovery, but I know that this is often not the case when
August 21, 2018
The Ignoramus Sapiens
I’ll just straight say it: I haven’t felt this angry in a long time. Recently, I met a mother of an adult adopted son who
August 13, 2018
The Connection Between Dislocation and Addiction
For as long as I’ve been immersing myself in the field of addiction and recovery, I’ve always had questions about what causes addiction. I’ve asked
August 7, 2018
The Language of Addiction
Language is one of the things that defines who we are. We are of some nationality, Immigrant or Refuge or Local, we are of certain
August 2, 2018
Having FUN is Horrible
Living sober in this world obsessed with alcohol can seem is hard. After all, how do you “do” birthdays, weddings, work parties, national holidays, Christmas?
July 23, 2018
Trauma and Addiction are Indisputably Linked – Let’s Be Sure to Acknowledge That Fact
I don’t know a lot of people with addiction whose stories don’t include the kind of experiences that would raise the hair on your neck.
July 16, 2018
It’s Good for You! No, Really. (Not Really!)
Oh, who doesn’t want to be fabulous, young and having the time of their life? Who doesn’t want amazing things happen to them—instant friendships, being
July 9, 2018
Happy Sober Independence Day!
Tomorrow is probably one of the most celebrated holidays of the year—the Fourth of July (Independence Day). For many of us, this holiday means family
July 3, 2018
There’s More to Recovery Than 12 Steps
For many of us, Alcoholics Anonymous (or any other 12-step program) is the first introduction to recovery. The text of the Big Book explains, “Alcoholics
July 2, 2018
Oh My, Yes! – There is Life Beyond Recovery!
It wasn’t an easy road, and it took me some time to get to where I am now, but eventually I found a solid philosophy
June 19, 2018
Addiction and Recovery: It’s About the Family
Becoming a parent, an uncle, or a grandparent is different for people with addiction than for those without it. This is because many of us
June 11, 2018
