Recent data was compiled by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlighting which jobs have a higher rates of substance or alcohol abuse. Work can be a major stressor in our lives but some jobs create more stress than others with some workers choosing drug or alcohol abuse as a way to relieve stress as a coping mechanism….
Certain days of the year are more known than others to be times when people are drinking and driving. Unfortunately, people are not always responsible with their drinking and choose to get behind the wheel of a car. There are some days of the year which see more accidents and fatalities than others. Let’s take a look at when they happen…
Exercise is often cited as a natural high. Endorphins are released which boost mood, relieve stress and aid in overall health. Individuals affected by drug abuse or addiction benefit from exercise and fitness as a regular practice in their lives of sobriety. Substance abuse takes its toll on mental and physical well being. Exercise can set the stage for more effective…
One of the most challenging components of recovery is facing one’s own actions. This may sound easy but it is actually very difficult to look at oneself in the mirror and acknowledge the harm done through addiction. Step eight in the 12-step process says to make a list of all persons harmed and be willing to make amends to them all….
More than 12 million people in the United States reported having used prescription painkillers in 2010 for non-medical purposes. Unfortunately, many people eventually turn from prescription painkiller opiates to heroin, also an opiate. There are many side effects both from taking and withdrawing from opiates. Drug replacement therapy is a viable option for many people seeking to wean themselves away from…
Individuals sometimes make a start on their recovery journey with trepidation, unsure of whether sobriety means being resigned to a righteous and boring life. The elusive draw to dysfunction can make us fearful of being set on a more stable and constant path. We who have experienced real freedom assure those still skeptical that sobriety is exciting; that we can sincerely…
Our society portrays men as adventurous risk takers who are daredevils and seek any opportunity to climb the corporate ladder, scale tall buildings in a single bound and say yes to things that are dangerous. This is seen in movies and on television shows. Women used to be portrayed as homemakers, moms and busy wives who cooked and cleaned. The times…
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) turned 80 years old in June, 2015. Originally formed in 1935, the focus was on providing aid to those struggling with alcoholism with the basic principle of one alcoholic helping another. History Bill Wilson was a stockbroker in 1935. He struggled with a severe addiction to alcohol but it was not seen as an addiction back then. Eventually…
Keep the head still, grip firm but not too tight, rotate your lower body to start the swing, use your legs to take the club back but don’t forget to keep your left arm straight. Make sure the butt of the club points back at the ball during take away, now feel your hands set at the top but don’t be…
Psychological addiction occurs over a period of time. Frequent exposure to drugs or alcohol on a consistent basis can lead to addiction which requires treatment. There are many other behaviors which fall into the category of addiction including eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual and shopping addictions and more. Psychological Addiction By definition, a psychological addiction is based on an inability to…
Our bodies are built for movement. From the time we are born, we are constantly growing, building muscles to help us crawl, sit, stand and eventually walk. Watch children at play. Notice how they are built for speed and motion. Every moment of every day is filled with physical activity. We are essentially hardwired to move.Recently, our lifestyles have changed from…
Step seven in the 12-step program is focused on humility, seeking help from a higher power to do what cannot be done by sheer determination or willfulness. This particular step is spiritually focused as a means to understanding what it means to humble oneself before another in light of what has been done. Step 7: Humbly asked him to remove our…
Sobriety is not all sunshine and roses, all the time. Life is certainly better sober, but life still happens and sometimes that can be difficult. Without old behaviors to rely on, such as drinking or using drugs, it can feel confounding to figure out how to navigate life. When an emotional bottom happens, the feelings experienced can be shocking. Feelings of…
Drinking is so normalized in most every day social life that identifying alcoholism can be difficult. When faced with the question whether we or someone we love may have a drinking problem there are likely to be complications in answering “yes”. Denial, confusion, and rationalization might come into play. Many people make the argument that they drink because they want to,…
Shame. When thinking of the word shame, most often the words “toxic” and “dangerous” don’t accompany it. Shame, however, is much more than passing embarrassment. Shame sticks. It changes the way we think about ourselves, sneaking its way into our internal mental programming and making permanent adjustments. If left untreated, shame becomes a major risk factor in the development of substance…
Eating disorders affect all people, of each gender. Men are seen to be the minority, but not as minimal as you might think. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, men make up 10 to 15 percent of all sufferers in the US. (In the UK, that figure is slightly lower, but still…) Around 14 percent of…
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect everyone. However, more vulnerable than most to PTSD are veterans. High levels of psychological stress in veterans can often pave way for alcohol dependency and other addictions. Problematically, this combination can lead to an exacerbated distress, acted out upon in different ways. A 2014 study published in the journal Mental Health and Substance Abuse found…
Until you accept a problem in its entirety, and shoo away all excuses and justifications, you cannot, and will not, overcome it. Just because you’ve accepted that your behavior is destructive doesn’t mean you’re suddenly ready to part ways with it. After all, you’re addicted because, on some level, the lifestyle serves you in some way. Your old habits are like…
The holidays are a time for traveling and for fun. Unfortunately, as holiday celebrations go, those two don’t always mix well. Christmas is nearing, the eggnog is already flying off the shelves, and with the roads getting more slick, it’s time for the yearly reminder of just how easily one can become too impaired to drive safely.It’s much easier than you…
In Silver Springs, Maryland, there is a community of halfway homes called The Oxford House. Since 1975, the self-supporting drug-free home has hosted between six and 15 residents at a time, each. From the outside, these 1,900 houses appear to be typical community sober homes. But the business has drawn attention from researchers like psychologist Leonard Paul of DePaul University for…
I turn 30 years old today. I vaguely remember my birthday 2 years ago. If I recall, that birthday consisted of drinking vodka and popping Vicodin in bed at my parent’s house. I could not muster the courage or strength to leave my room, let alone leave the house. I was full of fear, afraid of everyone, and everything. Alcohol and…