The opioid crisis is taken more seriously now than ever before as there is more sympathy for those that are under the influence as well as the justice system changing how they deal with drug-related offenses. This is inspiring more people to want to understand addiction and help those who are struggling. By obtaining an […]
Spending more time in nature is good for you, especially if you’re recovering from addiction or mental illness. Whether you just take a daily walk in the park or go camping for two weeks in Yosemite, science keeps discovering new ways that nature is good for your physical and mental health. Here are some of […]
It may seem like entrepreneurs have it all in that they are running successful companies that are making employees and customers happy. In reality, entrepreneurs deal with their anxiety just like other people in that they work long hours, have to run everything 24/7, and are responsible for any problems their companies may face. It […]
It’s terribly frustrating having a loved one with a substance use disorder. Their behavior seems to make no sense. It may feel like all you can do is watch while your loved one’s life slowly falls apart. Their behavior may be directly hurting you as well, causing additional pain and frustration. You want to help […]
There are many sticking points between addiction and recovery. At first, most people won’t even admit they have a problem. Eventually, they may accept they have a problem and that they need help, but they may have many excuses not to get it. While some of these excuses may sound convincing, what’s typically going on […]
No one wants to see a friend or family member suffer. It’s natural to want to help. Unfortunately, helping doesn’t always help. Sometimes helping just allows your loved one to feed her addiction. When someone becomes addicted, the addiction becomes her top priority. She will do whatever is necessary to satisfy it. She may become […]
It’s normal, and perhaps inevitable to try to gauge your progress by looking around and seeing how others are doing. It’s hard to know if we’re heading in the right direction, especially when trying something new. While comparing yourself to others might be tempting, it can make recovery more difficult. Here’s why. Comparisons are divisive. […]
Self-loathing is a common obstacle to recovery. It often comes before addiction. Drinking and drugs may have been a way to escape a constant assault of self-critical thoughts and painful memories. In the course of active addiction, many people end up feeling even worse about themselves. They may have done things they feel terrible about, […]
It’s common for people in recovery to suddenly find themselves eating tons of sugar–doughnuts, soda, pastries, candy, you name it. Addiction transference is when you quit one addiction only to replace it with another. Sugary foods provoke a strong dopamine response, and people often subconsciously discover that something sweet helps take the edge off of […]
Children of parents with substance use disorders are often anxious, unsure what kind of mood their parents might be in, whether they might be happy, angry, or indifferent. Children in this position often adapt by being extra helpful to try to win the kindness, attention, or approval of her parents. This tendency, learned early on, […]











