When we are engaging in behaviors of addiction, we often don’t see past our own, immediate, situation. We are focused on what the high is doing – or not doing – for us, and putting ourselves in the shoes of others doesn’t tend to come naturally. The fact is that our addiction doesn’t only harm […]
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After the very important decision to move forward in your recovery has been made, the first of your many battles toward victory begins. Many report that the most difficult battle occurs in the beginning, as both your body, and your consciousness, fight against making the change that your heart knows is for the best. Being […]
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Addiction can be likened to a hell, and the recovery period following our exit from that dark place can be considered an oasis. Once the throes of kicking the habit have been endured, and we have gained some tools for retaining our footing on higher ground, we often enjoy a honeymoon of peace and hope […]
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Mark Twain is famously quoted as saying, “Giving up smoking is easy. I’ve done it a hundred times.” Most people take this quote to mean that this clever author was making reference to just how difficult it is to give up an addiction. We may make up our minds to quit, night after night, only […]
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Many who struggle with addiction come to realize that the social environment that they have been operating in is far from ideal. While you may care about the people you interact with everyday, you can also become aware of the fact that they are simply too consumed with themselves – and with getting drunk or […]
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When we set out to rid ourselves of our addictions, we are usually full of hope and resolve. We have a clear picture of where we are heading, and we are determined to reach our goals. We are not often equipped with the reality of the length of the journey, or with insight into the […]
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Friends stick with you through thick and thin, and are there when it matters the most – but when you go sober, you might quickly find that a lot of the people you once called ‘friends’ aren’t much for good company, let alone love and support. The bad news is that some friendships are built […]
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Drug recovery, or drug addiction treatment, is the process of helping addicts take the steps necessary to move from struggling with their addiction to be comfortable and confident in their sobriety. Even then, recovery doesn’t end, and continues until life’s end. More than just a treatment, recovery is a commitment to living a drug-free life […]
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It’s still a problem: drug users are heavily stigmatized, and that stigma carries over into self-stigma – an appropriated feeling that, because everyone else sees you in a bad light, you too begin to see yourself in it. But stigma is a construct, and reality isn’t determined solely by public opinion. Your life is not […]
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Supporting a loved one or friend going through drug recovery can be a heavy burden, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. We all want to save those we love, but the knowledge that some of what we do might be in vain can be just as crushing as thinking we contributed to […]
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