For those of us in recovery, the holiday season can be one of the most challenging times of the year. We’ve spent many holidays over the years actively using, and it can be a hard transition to try to celebrate the holidays sober. Many of us come from families where
As we’re choosing a path of sobriety, we know we’ll face many challenges ahead that are unique to those of us living with addiction. What we might have yet to realize, however, is that even with all the potential challenges, there are tremendous benefits of sobriety to look forward to.
Of all the tools we gather to help us stay sober, exercise in recovery might be one of the most helpful and supportive for our sobriety. Although seemingly simple, a regular exercise routine can actually be a powerful and effective tool for self-care, holistic healing, and transformation. Managing Depression and
Addiction and financial hardship often go hand in hand. We might even feel as though stress around money caused our addictions to develop in the first place. For many of us, money difficulties, such as the loss of our job or our home, can lead to higher rates of substance
Throughout the process of recovering from addiction, we often tend to put our health and wellness on the back burner. We’re juggling so many different things that we forget to prioritize self-care in recovery. Our determination to complete treatment and to attend meetings can become a source of pressure and
Of the many courageous steps we take in recovery, one of the most difficult is talking to loved ones about our addiction. This process can be especially emotionally charged when we’ve had conflict or misunderstanding with those loved ones in the past. Whether we first realize that we have a
When someone we love struggles with addiction and then tragically suffers an overdose, we’re left reeling from the grief. We’re confronted with difficult questions that feel impossible to answer. Was their overdose intentional? Did they intend to take their own life? Was it an accidental overdose? Should I have seen
Many of us recovering from addiction have learned just how helpful and effective it can be to find holistic ways to support our recovery. Some of the most powerful are also the simplest, for example, finding stillness and wholeness by spending time in nature. Connecting with the natural world around
The lack of safe housing is impacting a growing number of people worldwide, in both developing and developed countries alike. The stress of housing instability can negatively impact mental health outcomes. Not having a safe place to live can weigh heavily on us and can greatly impact our peace of
As we’re recovering from addiction, there are many life changes we can implement to help ourselves stay sober. One of these life changes that can support our sobriety and bring us immeasurable joy is having a pet once we are stable enough in our recovery to care for it safely.