A popular expression at AA meeting is, “Never forget that resentment is a deadly hazard to an alcoholic.” We always think about the joy of breaking free from addiction. It’s true that there’s joy when this happens. However, a lot of emotions come up even when your life is going in the right direction. Let’s…
If you are in recovery from alcohol abuse or addiction, the holidays can be a difficult time. But, there are many practices and principles available which will help you remain sober during the holidays. Navigating recovery during the holidays may seem daunting. But there are many grounding techniques that can help you keep sober during…
Young adults should heed the mounting evidence regarding marijuana’s effects on the young adult brain. In a recent evidence-based review of research published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, Dr. R.D. Crean et al bring forward the results of a wide array of evidence-based studies on the effects of marijuana use on cognition, identifying a…
If you’re anything like me, you know your early days in recovery and the time you spent learning about addiction and recovery (whether in treatment or 12 Steps fellowships or both) were priceless, offering you an entire toolbox full of perspectives and practices for establishing a foundation for a new way of life, free from…
Given the ongoing pandemic and consequent increased demands placed upon the nation’s healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses and all medical caregivers—it should come as no surprise many of their ranks have struggled with issues of substance abuse or addiction. In an attempt to cope with or self-medicate from the additional COVID-related stresses, responsibilities, physical pain, sleep deprivation…
According to a just-released estimate by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a record number of drug overdose deaths were reported this past year—93,000—a 29% increase over the previous record (in 2019).[1] Brandon Marshall, a Brown University public health researcher who tracks overdose trends, said, “This is a staggering loss of human life. The nation…
The findings of recent research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) demonstrate both the potentially lifer-saving value of getting medically assisted treatment if you have an opioid use disorder (OUD, a.k.a. opioid dependency or addiction). In the study, of the roughly 50,000 adults who received outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder, there were…
Given the culture we live in today, with what seems to be its increasing tendencies toward commercialism, materialism and secularism, many of us who seek recovery from a substance use disorder (a.k.a. chemical dependency, addiction to alcohol or drugs) find it surprising to hear that developing spirituality, living according to spiritual principles, and/or nourishing our…
Very rarely do we see people come into recovery from addiction brimming with positivity, honesty and a caring attitude toward others. Instead, it’s much more typical to find “newcomers” feeling weighted down by distrust and defensiveness, callousness and alienation (if not resentment and malevolence), and a substantial amount of self-centeredness. However, as the saying goes,…
“I haven’t been able to stay sober/clean in the past – why should it be any different this time?” “I hurt everyone around me, no matter what I do.” “I’m not strong enough to achieve any of my real goals.” Negative self-talk is the stream of thoughts and dialogue in our minds that’s linked to…