Something that I thought was the end of my life was really the beginning, and that’s a powerful reminder when I am going through a difficult time. Upon getting sober, you’ll be told many times that it won’t be all sunshine and rainbows. This seems like an obvious statement, as life has ups and downs. But the reason you’ll be told this is because you need to be prepared for how you’ll handle such ups and downs when drinking is no longer an option. Lately I’ve been dealing with

As humans, we crave social interaction with one another. Communication skills pave the way for meaningful conversations, telling funny jokes or relaying our heartaches. Despite its importance, our ability to communicate is one of the first skills we lose once addiction becomes a factor. As addicts, we often feel isolated and ashamed, while our loved ones are left feeling confused and powerless to help. Talking to one another can be extremely difficult. If we don’t know how to

Relapse rates vary depending on the substance being abused, but most run fairly high. Understanding that addiction is a chronic problem can help you to stay in treatment and better handle temptation. Addiction relapse is generally considered to be the return to substance use after a period of abstinence. However, according to James Garbutt, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a researcher at the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies,

Interesting... the first encounter I had with a Starbucks that served alcohol was in Chicago on the corner of Diversey and Sheffield, which was one of the first alcohol serving test stores. The drug and alcohol treatment center I worked at was less than a two minute walk from this location. In a city whose streets are bustling with bars, liquor stores, and restaurants with outside seating, Starbucks was neutral/safe spot to hang out at. When they started serving alcohol it be

Regaining trust from family and friends after battling an addiction is a healthy, necessary part of the recovery process. With patience and a consistent effort, reestablishing trust is possible. Mending Relationships After Treatment Once life begins to stabilize and you’re able to think clearly in recovery, the top priority is often regaining the trust of your loved ones. It’s important to make amends with family and friends and have them feel you are trustworthy again. Howev