Healthy Responses to Terrorism and Disasters
We live in stressful times. Almost daily, it often feels like the media is showing us a new story of profound human suffering, whether it’s due to natural disasters or the violence of other people. In a world where we can be extraordinarily aware of people dying or suffering, it can be easy to feel […]
Recovery Through Expressive Writing
Human beings are continually thinking, evaluating, and judging everything around them. The power to think about what is going on around you and make decisions, to express and feel feelings is a central part of what makes life worth living. We all have a narrator playing in our heads thinking about what we experience and […]
Developing Compassion in Recovery
While some people can be naturally compassionate, others may struggle to look outside themselves and consider other people’s feelings or see things from their perspective. When people have serious addictions, much of their life revolves around their own problems and it may be hard for them to be compassionate. When your own issues are so […]
Things You Should Never Say To Someone With An Eating Disorder
Talking to someone about their eating disorder, especially if they are a loved one, is never an easy thing to do. It will require a great deal of sensitivity and tact. Nowadays, eating disorders may be even more difficult to detect with all the fad diets that are so popular. It’s easy for an eating […]
Can An Atheist Join AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous is not associated with any religion, but it does promote a spiritual approach to recovery that isn’t for everyone. The idea of having a Higher power in particular and frequent references to God are what lend a spiritual emphasis to the program. This is precisely what makes many atheists uncomfortable when it comes […]
Alternatives to Self Medicating Panic Disorders
Occasionally feeling worried, stressed, or anxious is a normal part of being human. Before taking a test, facing a problem at work, or making a choice that seems to have serious consequences, it can be natural to feel a sense of worry or fear. Serious anxiety and panic disorders are much more severe, longer-lasting, and […]
What to Do If You Witness An Overdose
No one who used drugs or an excessive amount of alcohol expects their recreational habit to kill them, but sometimes it can be that dangerous. In fact, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Every drug, indeed, every substance you can ingest, has a level at which it becomes […]
Handling Your Fear in Recovery
People who have suffered from addiction may have many fears and misgivings about becoming sober. There is a wide range of fears that people deal with day to day and at times those fears can build up and become an obstacle to personal growth. Worries and fears can take over the mind and prevent people […]
The Power of Humility for Addicts
Humility might not seem like an important quality to have especially in our culture which normally praises assertiveness and self-confidence. A person who is humble, however, can experience many benefits from their ability to see and admit their own vulnerabilities. Acknowledging your own shortcomings can actually be a useful tool that can improve relationships and […]
Living With An Alcoholic Spouse
Being in a relationship or marriage with an alcoholic is challenging, frustrating, and extremely stressful. Living with someone with any type of addiction can affect all areas of your life. There will definitely be stress caused by the alcoholic or addict themselves, but a partner or spouse will also feel stress with themselves and how […]