A new working definition of recovery has been released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The definition is simple: Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Such a definition is designed to encompass all
7-Day Love Your Body Challenge
It’s important to develop and maintain positive body image throughout your life. When I help people recover from eating disorders, in most cases it’s relatively easy for me to show them how to make their eating disorder symptoms go away very quickly. Even when a person has had active symptoms for years, with the
5 Tips for Lasting Sobriety
For the recovering addict, it isn’t easy to achieve sobriety. Here are five things to remember to ensure that you’re taking the right steps. #1 You can’t do it on your own Remember that song “Lean on Me?” We all need somebody to lean on. Whether it’s family, friends or a therapist, identify the support
5 Reasons to Have a Support System in Addiction Recovery
5 Reasons to Have a Support System in Addiction Recovery When you were actively drinking or doing drugs, you probably found yourself using alone, withdrawing from your friends and family. If you did surround yourself with people, they were probably people who encouraged your drinking or drug use. When you decide to get clean and
Started From The Bottom
My childhood was wonderful. Although my family had its struggles, it wasn’t nearly as traumatic as some of the stories I have heard other addicts and alcoholics share. Yet, at the age of 15, we had moved to a new city and I realized I was gay, and my whole world turned upside down. I
Step 8: The List is Just a Start
Step 8 gives us the opportunity to make a plan that will help us clean up some of the damage or hurt we caused during active addiction. It is very important we take the time out to pray and meditate because having a clear mind and heart is crucial when we build this list and
What is a Relapse Prevention Plan?
Getting sober is a monumental first step, but what happens after rehab? One of the biggest fears going into addiction treatment is the prospect of facing life sober. Those fears aren’t entirely unfounded. According to statistics, 60 percent of relapses occur within the first six months of sobriety. Through a combination of therapy, peer support, and introspection,
The Gift of Peace in Sobriety
My name is Cassidy and I have recovered from addiction. Growing up, I was that girl who lived in a cookie-cutter suburban home, drove a BMW to school, played on the varsity basketball team, and made the honor roll each year. I am also the girl who, despite all the gifts I had in life,
Step 8: Making a List, Checking it Twice
Some people use the list they generated from Step 4 to get a ballpark idea of the people they will make amends to in Step 8. Some sponsors will help you prioritize the list into classes – amends that are easy and attainable, amends that will take a little more time because they’re more emotionally
Finding the Joy We Used to Have
I remember there was morning light streaming through the window the morning I started my journey with sobriety, and the room was full of an eerie glow that made it feel like time was standing still, or like it was dawn and dusk all at the same time. I was cold and sweating and shaking,