So you made resolutions to stay sober in the New Year, now what? Like most of us, you made a bunch of lofty resolutions, some of which may seem daunting and unattainable when looked at with the eyes of reality in the cold of January.  Maybe the hangover of the holidays made you realize you need to listen to that inner voice telling you this isn’t how life is supposed to be, and maybe, just maybe you need to get sober.  Perhaps you’re thinking, “How am I ever going to be able to live without drugs and alcohol? How can …

As summer fades, we begin to feel the pull of school and all that it entails. Walking into any store right now will confirm this, hook, line and sinker. Target has their entire back section stocked to the brim with back to school supplies. Seriously. It’s happening right now and we can’t avoid it. It’s time to wipe the sand from beneath our feet and get ready to rock our backpacks once again. Often, the dilemma for those who got sober or stayed sober through the summer break is this:  How do we navigate going back to school without getting …

submitted by Grayson I have learned a lot about myself in treatment so far. I have learned that I have a lot of insecurities about myself and that was a large factor in why I was using drugs. I was using so much because I didn’t want to feel anything at all. I didn’t want to think about if people liked me or didn’t want to be around me, so I would use drugs to drown out those thoughts. I know that a big reason why I feel like I can’t talk to people and have conversations is because I …

One of the greatest gifts of recovery is having learned the many ways in which we can care for ourselves. We typically come to recovery via hard emotional and/or physical bottoms. In other words, we have often lost our asses in the process of trying to stay afloat. So, when we get to a place where we are being taken care of, we soon discover we are also learning to take care of ourselves. When holidays are bestowed upon us, there is a great opportunity to invoke a sense of self-care. In the past, holidays often meant alcohol-filled parties or …

What is that higher ground anyway? Oh, my, it’s just about here, that busy, family filled, often harrowing holiday season. But rather than  harping on the negatives and the what-ifs, I think it’s more apropos to talk about gratitude. There is certainly a lot to be grateful for, wacky family dynamics aside. It’s time to take a good look of where we are and where we’ve been and start making those gratitude lists. Often times, changing the way we look at things allows us to manage difficulties with grace instead of bombastic derivations. Certainly, we all have family members that …

Ah, Hallow’s Eve, the one day during the year where one can don masks, dress like anyone or anything they want, and of course, eat lots and lots of candy. To celebrate this phenomena, there are parties galore, some of which happened this past weekend, and some that will occur this evening. Here are some reminders for party savoir faire: Bring your own drinks if you’re concerned that there won’t be any non-alcoholic treats for you. Make sure you have sober friends with you or are surrounded by people who respect your sobriety. Let your sober network know where you’ll …

School has started, though the remnants of the Summer heat are still lingering about. It’s also prime time for Image via Wikipedia the first of many anticipated school parties! For the newly sober, and even for those with a little time under their belts, this might be a source of contention or stress. So, how DO you participate while staying safe and sober? For starters: Bring a friend with you that has your best interests in mind. In other words, someone who isn’t on the fence about you being clean and sober!  Arrange for your own transportation so you don’t …

Cover via Amazon Even without addiction issues, going back to school can be a bear. Going from middle school to high school is a huge shift, but more often than not, you’re not away from home. However, the shift from high school to college can be huge, especially if going to college means living on your own. All of a sudden the safety of any parental input (no matter how annoying it may be) is gone–trust me when I say this, you’ll eventually miss the family dinners you fought so hard to get out of. There are a few things …

Did you know the Fourth of July has one of the highest rates of drunk driving accidents and DUIs? Did you know that there are other options to getting behind the wheel when you’re under the influence? AAA is offering their usual “Tipsy Tow” service on the Fourth of July in an effort to get drunk drivers off the road. This is great news for those of you still out there, fighting sobriety one drink or drug at a time. Another holiday is upon us, wherein we’re almost expected to imbibe. Fourth of July is geared toward BBQs, drinking, and …

Image via Wikipedia When I think of the phrase “I’m an alcoholic,” I often think of Popeye and the fervency behind his frequently uttered catchphrase: “I yam what I yam.”  When admitting to being an alcoholic, you’re taking the first step towards admission of powerlessness. It implies an understanding that in claiming that label, one is willing to look at the mind-body connection to their drinking and using. According to the 12 and 12, “Admission of powerlessness is the first step in liberation.” It is the way those of us in 12-step recovery begin to build the foundation on which …