You might be nervous about taking part in group therapy. For an individual in recovery, a group therapy program is often one of the first opportunities they get to speak about their substance use issues in the presence of more than one person. What could you possibly gain by discussing your problems with a group…
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“Suffering does not solve any problem mechanically as much as it reveals the constant problem that we are to ourselves, and opens up new spaces within us for learning and loving” – Richard Rohr Connecting With Others Life is about connection. Human beings are social creatures. We are often at our best when we…
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Nearly everyone has heard the word “addiction” before and knows the meaning of this word. However, terms you may not have heard of before are “physical dependence,” and “psychological dependence” which go hand in hand with addiction. As most people know, addiction is a chronic condition that is marked by a person actively seeking drugs…
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There is a specific moment that I find myself recalling frequently. It occurred when I was in treatment in Spokane, WA about six years ago. I was on the phone with a loved one and I experienced a moment of clarity. It was clear to me that I had much to learn about recovery. I…
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The opioid epidemic kills approximately 80 Americans per day. And at the beginning of 2020, we learned that the death toll for opioid-related deaths in the U.S. was almost 30% higher than originally reported due to documentation errors. The current opioid epidemic affects every section of the population, and people are more likely to become…
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In the United States, millions of people struggle with substance abuse. Addiction to drugs and alcohol costs taxpayers billions each year and takes tens of thousands of lives. Many individuals who struggle with addiction never seek professional help, even though addiction (like any disease) often requires formal help. If you or a loved one is…
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A friend of mine recently posted on social media that he was looking for support. He had taken someone in who was struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, as well as untreated trauma from past physical abuse. This person was living with him temporarily, sleeping on his couch, and was “surviving on morphine, nicotine,…
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A Mindful, Community-Centered Approach A mindful person intentionally pays attention in a particular, non-judgemental way to the present moment. This may seem like a simple concept, but mindfulness is a skill that takes time and energy to develop. A mindful person is aware of (but not consumed by) the people around them. Mindfulness is especially…
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In the United States, drug addiction has reached the levels of an epidemic. According to the Center on Addiction, 40 million Americans struggle with substance abuse. Some factors that contribute to an addiction to drugs or alcohol include mental health issues, past trauma, and peer pressure. Anyone with an addiction to drugs or alcohol should…
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Addiction affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic statuses. No one plans to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol, but unfortunately, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 20 million people in the U.S. had a substance use disorder in 2018. Of that group, many will never seek…
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