International Overdose Awareness Day
Today, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). IOAD is dedicated to raising awareness about overdose and fighting addiction stigmas, as well as remembering loved ones who have passed away from overdose or suffered permanent injury. The event was initiated in 2001 and has been coordinated by the Penington Institute, a non-profit public health […]
7 Things to Look for in a Sponsor
Recovery newcomers may not have heard the phrase “working the steps” or may not understand what exactly that means. In the addiction community, the “steps” referred to are the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (Narcotics Anonymous uses the same 12 steps). Your sponsor helps to guide and support you through the steps, meant to provide […]
New Data Suggests Opioid Overdose May Be on the Decline
Preliminary estimates released this month from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that deaths from opioid overdose may be falling, despite a ten percent increase in overdose death rates in 2017. A record number of Americans died from opioid overdose last year, according to the CDC data, and the 72,000 deaths number […]
The Importance of Healthy Addiction Replacement Habits
A big contributor to addiction and addictive behaviors is poor coping mechanisms. When someone is in active addiction, self-medicating with substances is often the only coping mechanism that someone knows. Much of recovery involves replacing harmful habits with healthy ones and learning to rely on these positive substitutions. It is critical to take care in choosing […]
The Devastating Resurgence of Methamphetamines in America
With the opioid crisis reaching alarming levels— over 140 Americans die every day from opioid overdose (National Public Radio) and thousands of major pharmacies across the country now sell non-prescription Narcan, a naloxone nasal spray used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose— methamphetamine use has been flying under the public health radar. In 2005, […]
Accepting Setbacks in Recovery
In recovery, it is essential to remember that relapse does not erase your successes. A relapse is a speed bump, not failure. Still, it can be difficult to keep this in mind when you’ve been sober for a length of time. It’s important to accept your setbacks and build on them in ways that support […]
Practicing Self-Worth/Care in Early Recovery
Substance use disorders often wedge themselves into relationships— including the one you have with yourself. When substance use is a priority, basic health and well-being practices are often neglected. Good mental and physical health are essential to a happy, healthy life and are of particular importance to those in early recovery from a substance use […]
Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery
Like other diseases, substance use disorder can negatively impact not only the individual, but also that person’s loved ones. One of the most significant things you can do for yourself is maintaining healthy relationships in recovery. Establishing new relationships in recovery is one thing, but rebuilding relationships negatively impacted by substance use disorder is more […]
Why You Should Limit Rewards in Early Recovery
Early recovery is a time of emotional highs and lows, and those overcoming a substance use disorder who are newly sober must take care to limit their rewards. Too many rewards— material items, gifts, even words of praise— can have negative effects on those in early recovery. When you receive a reward, the brain’s pleasure […]
What to Read After the Big Book
The “Big Book,” AA’s foundational text, is cornerstone literature in the recovery community. The Big Book is a great text to bookmark and revisit while in recovery from a substance use disorder, but adding additional recovery texts to your rotation never hurt. Why should I read recovery literature? Reading recovery literature can help you to […]