When’s the last time you did something that brought you joy? Or felt so relaxed that you really believed you deserved it? The scope of self-care is broad and inviting, and is especially vital to recovery health. How Would You Define Self-Care? The simple act of making a diverse salad for dinner instead of a...

It’s hard to believe that aspects of the coronavirus pandemic are still affecting us. But new variants and, at press time, a continual rise in cases means that many people still feel the stress and strain of this global health crisis. Another unfortunate side effect of the pandemic is a rise in drinking. High Drinking...

Individuals who strive for self-improvement and have the courage to seek treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) eventually uncover a number of reasons for their behaviors. One particular emotion that’s not only a root cause but also a symptom of substance use issues is anger. Anger, the “Secondary Emotion” Psychology...

Although human beings have suffered trauma for their entire existence on earth, it wasn’t until 1980 that post-traumatic stress was acknowledged by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). That year, the organization added post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the third edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). What Defines PTSD? Even after...

With all the focus on opioid addiction in the past decade, it might appear that other drugs no longer pose a threat. Unfortunately, that’s not true. Not just a notorious 80s drug, cocaine is still a grave problem in the U.S. What Is Cocaine? The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the U.S. Department of Justice...

Once you’ve made the decision to be sober and free from chemical dependency, it’s almost as though you’re a unicorn wandering among a herd of regular horses. You’re similar, but also different. And sometimes people might not treat you the same if they don’t understand your journey. This doesn’t mean you can’t have satisfying life...

Many people in early recovery wonder if they can still have fun without drugs or alcohol. They feel life might not be as exciting or interesting without some type of social lubricant. But how do we define what’s fun anyway? Let’s find out! What Is Fun? Like humor, what you might consider pleasurable, amusing, lighthearted,...

Without a doubt, there are days when too many thoughts zoom through our brains at once. The to-do list seems endless, time demands are considerable, and it’s as though we’re splitting ourselves into multiple directions. One way to return (or retreat—however you want to look at it!) to a calm center is through mindfulness. What...

Some people have never heard of club drugs, much less taken them, but it’s important to know that they have serious repercussions. Addiction can occur even after short-term use, as can a lot of other illnesses and side effects. What Are Club Drugs? According to American Family Physician (AFP), club drugs are various psychoactive chemicals...

One of the most common misconceptions about addiction is that anyone should be able to quit if only they put their mind to it. As advances in addiction science continue to educate all of us about this brain disease, it’s easier to clarify at what point willpower plays a role in sobriety. Understanding Willpower What...