For many, there’s nothing worse than watching a loved one struggling with chemical dependency. You may want to help them, but not know the best approach. This is particularly true when addiction is clearly “off limits” every time you try to talk to them about getting help. So how do you approach a loved one
Shannon’s Story of Recovery
Pittsburgh, PA | Sober Date: May 20, 2017 I am from a small town in western Pennsylvania and come from a middle-class family that loved and gave me whatever I would ever want or need. Like most teenagers, I kind of didn’t know who I was because I was part of many different groups of
Principles of the 12 Steps: Pay It Forward
As mentioned before, some consider Step 12 part of that “maintenance step” package included with Step 10 and 11. For me, Step 12 is a call for more action and to double down on my efforts to make sure I’m in the community, attending meetings, and being of service to others. By the time I
Step 12 Overview
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs As we arrive at the completion of our steps, we are granted one of the greatest gifts of all: New Life – our journey through the steps
R.O.A.M.I.N.G. IN RECOVERY: Dissecting The Recovery Model – Part 2
The “Wellness Approach to Addiction Recovery” that I created through trial and error in finding what resonated with me, can also help you to heal, and to manage the disease of addiction. I do strongly suggest that you find a treatment facility to begin a medically supervised detox program, one that is open to holistic
R.O.A.M.I.N.G. In Recovery: Self-Care Tool Guide – Part 3
Early in my recovery from prescription drugs, I was exploring a variety of holistic modalities that would support me to sustain my recovery through natural and organic solutions. I continue to use all of these healing modalities every day in my third year of recovery. The following is a list of items that you probably
Grief and Loss is Tricky and Unpredictable
The best definition of grief that I have found to date is that “grief is the normal and natural emotional reaction to loss or change of any kind.” I like this definition because generally speaking when one talks about grief, it is related to the death of someone or loss of something (i.e. loss of
Daniel Montalbano: A Victim of our Broken System
As told to Sherry by Barbara Theodosiou, Founder of “The Addict’s Mom” My son, Daniel Francis Montalbano, passed away in April of 2015, at the age of 23. Daniel was diagnosed with Co-occurring Disorders: Mental Illness (MI), and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). These two deadly disorders are the source of much tragedy and heartache in
Horses and Recovery: What is the Relationship?
The Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association (EAGALA), founded in 1999, is an international nonprofit association for professionals incorporating horses to address mental health and personal development needs. EAGALA Model Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) incorporates horses experientially for mental and behavioral health therapy and personal development. It is a collaborative effort between a licensed therapist
An Honest First Step Was The Difference in my Sobriety
As they say in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, “you must complete an honest first step or all the other steps will not work.” My personal experience with step one started after a horrible relapse and a struggle to make it back to “the rooms”. How I Did an Honest First Step My sponsor asked