Few rehabilitation methods can compare to the success of 12-Step programs. Research has shown that a 12-Step approach offers significant benefits for people recovering from substance use disorder (SUD). According to Social Work in Public Health, “[Alcoholics Anonymous] and [Narcotics Anonymous] participation is associated with a greater likelihood of abstinence, often for prolonged periods up…
There is a book titled, A New Pair of Glasses, by Chuck Chamberlain. Chuck C. was an influential member of Alcoholics Anonymous leading up to his passing in 1984. The message in this text is that, in recovery, we have the opportunity to see life through a new lens every day. No day is exactly…
Healing from substance use disorder (SUD) involves emotional ups and downs. Some people feel uncomfortable during quiet moments because they have become used to constant emotional drama. Recovery requires finding balance, emotional stability, purpose, and peace within a sober space. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation states, “By practicing mindfulness to savor everyday pleasant activities, an individual…
Founder of the Franciscan Order, Francis of Assisi, once said, “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” Many people believe that recovery cannot be fully achieved without forgiveness. There is a saying in the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous that refers to the dangers of resentment. To paraphrase, it is like hitting yourself in…
Spirituality is integral to the recovery process for many people struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Many aspects of treatment, including the 12-Step philosophy and experiential therapies, provide an opportunity for spiritual healing. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in one program that utilized The Twelve Steps, “21% of the…
By the time many people reach an advanced age, they begin taking prescription medication. It’s now common even for people in their thirties to be on several prescription drugs, which often are added to throughout the years. This leads to the view that taking highly addictive prescription drugs (including opioids) is simply another part of…
Since the 1960 release of Alfred Hitchcock’s seminal masterpiece Psycho first terrified the public, the word “psycho” has been used and misused in our vocabulary. We use words like psychotic, psychopath, and psychodrama, but what do they mean? Despite its association with Hitchcock’s film villain Norman Bates, the word psycho actually derives from the Greek…
For many people, being a parent is a normalized experience with common, shared roles among people of varied backgrounds. Many people find that becoming a parent fulfills a major life goal, giving them a purpose toward which they direct their energy. While becoming a parent may be one of the greatest achievements we can have,…
As human beings, the unique identifiers we place on ourselves are some of the most important aspects of our existence. We define ourselves even without realizing it, by our jobs, education, hobbies, likes, dislikes, and intersectionalities. These concepts combine to form our singular sense of self. They define us in every interaction. Our identifiers provide…
Some of our happiest memories are the ones we spend our lifetimes trying to continually recreate. When we think of these times (for example, birthdays, Christmas mornings, and Thanksgiving dinners at our grandmother’s house), we remember everything we liked and keep those memories with us. Unfortunately, some of our strongest memories tend to be the…