Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are based on the idea that support is a key component in healing from substance abuse. Sponsors are an important part of the program, since serving others is one of its foundations. You can work a 12-Step program without a sponsor, but many people find...Read More

If you haven’t been to a 12-Step meeting before, you may be wondering what to expect from the experience. Walking into a new environment where you don’t know the other participants can definitely be a nerve-wracking experience, but recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous go out of their way to make any newcomers feel welcome.12-Step Meeting...Read More

At one time, doctors viewed opioids as effective, though highly dangerous, drugs.They were only used in specific situations, such as for patients who were terminally ill, who had just had surgery, or who had been severely injured. In the 1990s, opinions about this class of drugs changed, as pharmaceutical companies promoted their product as being...Read More

Depression isn’t just one type of disorder.Instead, there are different types of depression and each one has its own set of symptoms. It’s not the same thing as being “blue” or down, although being unable to enjoy hobbies and pastimes that used to bring pleasure is one of the signs of depression. Depression isn’t grief,...Read More

Sober date ideas aren’t just a good idea for people in recovery.When you’re trying to get to know someone, alcohol may help to relieve a sense of nervousness, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you or your date will be revealing your true selves. Staying sober gives both of you the chance to get to...Read More

If you have been stopped by police and charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs) offense, you may be wondering whether seeking professional treatment will help. Before you make a decision about when and where to seek help for substance abuse, your best bet is to get some professional advice...Read More

It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to describe someone with a substance abuse issue as being a person who holds a lot of emotions inside. In fact, one of the common reasons cited for starting to use drugs or alcohol is to cope with negative emotions.Learning healthy ways to process your feelings is a...Read More

If you are in recovery, it’s normal that at some point you’ll want to think about dating. Once you meet someone you like and the relationship looks like it might have some traction, you’ll start thinking about how to tell the new person you are dating about your recovery.Before you sit down to have “the...Read More

Reading is so much more than just a temporary distraction from the reality of your daily life. The books you choose can help you gain a new perspective on your own struggles or better understand what the people you care about are going through.Addiction and recovery have long been popular themes in the memoir genre.Although...Read More

At first glance, you may think the initial stages of drug and alcohol treatment are the most challenging part of getting clean and sober. Once someone “graduates” from rehab, they must have recovery figured out and it’s smooth sailing from then on, right?Wrong!Life after leaving rehab can be very challenging for addicts who are new...Read More