“Humility is the proper estimate of oneself.” – Charles Spurgeon, 19th c. English pastor and author I recall when I first got into recovery, I was introduced to how people in 12 Step programs and many addiction treatment programs view ‘humility’/‘being humble’—a trait I believed at the time was a sign of weakness, being…
“Be impeccable with your word.” – Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements Whether you’re in a substance abuse treatment center or an impaired professionals program, living with integrity is one of the key behaviors the staff — as well as your family, friends and coworkers — will be grateful to see emerging in you. Many…
“Caring for your body, mind and spirit is your greatest responsibility. It’s about listening to the needs of your soul and then honoring them.” – Kristi Ling Spencer, Bestselling Author If you happen to be in addiction treatment of any sort (e.g., an inpatient or outpatient program at a treatment center, an impaired professionals program,…
“Our inner beliefs (can) trigger failure before it happens.” – Marshall Goldsmith, NY Times bestselling author & considered “World’s Most Influential Business Thinker” (2018 Thinkers50 List) [Note to Reader: This is PART TWO of a two-part blog-post on addressing relapse triggers in recovery. It will help to have read Part One, especially since it covers…
“Often, little situations trigger enormous reactions.” – Eckhart Tolle After years of substance abuse, one of the important keys to gaining and maintaining sobriety—especially when one is in early recovery, i.e., at a rehab treatment center or in a professionals health program (e.g., a doctors recovery program)—is how to identify, avoid and properly manage relapse…
When I first heard the phrase, “Just do the next right thing,” it was in the context of my early days of recovery from alcohol and drug abuse. I was sitting in front of my 12 Steps sponsor, after having jabbered on and on to him about needing to deal with my upcoming DUI court…
The United States is steadily accepting marijuana as a legal recreational drug, but is it the right choice when it comes to vulnerable teens? Marijuana-related psychosis is slowly creeping into emergency rooms and addiction treatment centers. Patients suffering from THC related psychosis are getting younger and younger, too. Older teens are entering alcohol and drug…
Mental health disorders include a wide range of conditions that affect cognitive function, moods, thought patterns, and, ultimately, behavior. There are a wide range of common mental health disorders including anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Common Mental Health Disorders Recognizing common mental health disorders…
“We need discernment in what we see and what we hear and what we believe.” – Charles R. Swindoll, Pastor and Founder of Insight for Living [Note to Reader: Twenty-two years ago, I was “guided” to go straight from jail to a 12 Step meeting in Tampa, Florida. In AA, I learned that over half…
You ask, “What can I lose because of my drug or alcohol use?” More importantly, “What can I gain from drug or alcohol rehab?” When staring into the mirror at “the end of your rope” and on a gut level acknowledging just how much you’ve already lost and how much more can still be lost…