Wise Words “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” So said Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father, inventor, and coiner of pithy phrases. Ol’ Ben is on to something here when it comes to substance use disorders. If you’re making excuses for why you aren’t getting help for your problem, odds...Read More

Anxiety is an unavoidable part of our lives. But for most people, anxiety is felt in specific and limited situations. We feel a little anxious when we are going to meet someone new, for example. Or maybe we get the anxious jitters before a speech, a test, or visit to the doctor. Nervous energy and...Read More

We can’t overemphasize the potentially catastrophic danger of overdoses. Let us be perfectly clear from the beginning: overdoses require immediate medical intervention. Without that intervention, death is a very real possibility. Even if you survive the overdose, you may suffer severe organ damage or other significant health impacts. Life and Death An overdose is easily...Read More

When someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, it is natural to want to help. But sometimes—more often than anyone would like—these efforts to help might seem ineffectual. And exhausting. Addressing Your Feelings and Needs In these cases, you will find yourself feeling frustrated or angry or sad. If those feelings aren’t...Read More

Have you ever had a mentor? Maybe your mentor was a teacher or a coach who always supported you and helped you consistently improve your academic or athletic performance. Maybe you had an internship in college, and your supervisor served as a mentor to show you the ropes. Or maybe you learned an artistic practice...Read More

Relationships and Recovery When we think about important steps to take to support recovery, we often think about making amends to people we have hurt as a result of a substance use disorder. That process is one of the 12 Steps, but even if you aren’t participating in a program like Alcoholics Anonymous, you may...Read More

The time for New Year’s resolutions is upon us! If you are in recovery for a substance use disorder, your most important resolution is, of course, to maintain your sobriety. Still, it may be worthwhile to make a few additional resolutions—especially if those promises to yourself can provide support for your sobriety. Avoiding boredom can...Read More

Winter Weather The winter months can be challenging for everyone, especially when weather conditions force us to spend more time indoors, and everything from driving to work to getting the kids bundled up to catch the school bus can feel more difficult. Add the significant stress of the holiday season to those feelings of cabin...Read More

Spirituality and the Holidays December brings holidays connected with various religions to the fore, making it a time during which many people are thinking about spiritual matters of all kinds. The holiday season is also a fine time to consider what role spirituality might play in your recovery story. Before we go too far down...Read More

The holiday is called Thanksgiving. Seems straightforward enough. It is a day for giving thanks for all of the blessings in our lives. But for many people, the holiday hardly brings up feelings of thankfulness. Our gratitude can get blocked out by the stress of family gatherings, a huge meal to prepare and clean up,...Read More