Have you ever heard the phrase, “show me who your friends are and I’ll show you who you are?” It’s a common phrase because, in many ways, it’s true. It’s especially true for people struggling with Substance Use Disorder - whether that’s with alcohol, opioids, or any other substance or substances. Friendships can make or [...]
Addiction treatment is never a “one and done” experience. Recovery is a life-long process of day-to-day maintenance. It becomes routine and it gets easier, but it always takes work. You have to take recovery one day at a time, no matter what. There will never be a day where you’ve “completed” your recovery journey. The [...]
Summer is here! While the warm weather and fun activities of summer may make you excited to get out there and soak up the sun, many people in recovery - especially those in early recovery - find that summertime months can be very triggering. With so many parties, get-togethers, picnics, beach days, BBQs, camp [...]
When most people think of addiction treatment, they think of residential treatment, colloquially referred to as “rehab.” In the popular imagination, addiction is a problem with only one solution. You’ll hear things like “she needs to go to rehab,” “I’m trying to get him into rehab,” and “they’re trying to make me go to rehab.” [...]
Structure. Routine. Discipline. What do these words mean to you? For some, they represent safety, sameness, predictability. Others feel stifled or even oppressed by what these concepts represent. Our previous experiences - or lack of experience - with structure and routine will often color how we feel about embracing these tools in recovery. Whatever these [...]
If you’re in recovery, you know that it’s important to have a game plan for handling special occasions in new and healthy ways - without relying on old patterns to get you through. That means staying connected to your recovery program during the holiday season, thinking outside the box, making new traditions, and exploring [...]
Have you ever heard the acronym HALT? It stands for Hungry, Lonely, Angry and Tired. When we are feeling some or all of these symptoms, it’s much easier for us to make bad decisions that we will regret later. This is true of all humans, regardless of mental health diagnosis - everyone can be [...]
When you are in recovery from substance use disorder, it is very, VERY common to dream about using. A lot of folks find these dreams really disturbing and upsetting. When you have a “drug dream,” do you find yourself wondering: If you are at risk of relapse? If you are working your program hard [...]
Wintertime blues are nothing new. It’s usually that time before spring’s first bulbs but after the holidays that hits people the hardest. Dark days, bad weather and chilly temperatures tend to get the best of us down. But when you’re in recovery, it’s so important to do everything you can to practice self-care, stay [...]
Note: Trauma can impact us deeply. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, reach out to Lines for Life right away. Local, understanding people are available to listen 24/7. Their number is 800-273-8255. This article deals with trauma. If you do not feel safe to read material about potentially upsetting subjects right now, please [...]
