I Never Knew Addiction Affected My Life
I was raised in a stable safe home, by a single mother that often struggled to make ends meet. We didn’t have a lot but we always had each other and I always knew I was loved, a lot. My parents ended their very short lived marriage by the time I was eight months old. My dad would visit from time to time until I turned three. Around that time, he left town without a trace. He didn’t visit on weekends, or send birthday cards, and he certainly didn’t send any money for child support. I grew up that way; [...]
The Strength of Our Stories
In early recovery, I really struggled when looking back on my past. All of the errors in judgement I had made, the people I had harmed, it seems every choice I made was followed up with one that was worse. My own family called me the “dumbest smart guy” they knew. I guess that fit at the time. The problem was, early on I realized I couldn’t change what I had done or the way I had behaved and that really created self-esteem that was built on shame. I felt that not only had I made mistakes but I WAS [...]
The Unsung Heroes in Addiction Treatment
Addiction is a powerful force that damages real families and claims real lives. The battle against the scourge of addiction has front-line soldiers—workers whose diligent efforts and quiet professionalism make a substantial impact on a recovering person’s progress. At Transformations Treatment Center, these difference-makers are the behavioral health technicians. Like an offensive line in football, these men and women help provide protection against addiction’s destructive forces that isn’t always glorious; despite their unsung status, they are crucial components of a highly functioning addiction treatment team. What behavioral health technicians do is both important and varied: their roles include observing [...]
How To Get Non Profit Drug Rehabilitation Treatment If You Lack Health Insurance
Concern about the cost prevents many people from seeking help for drug addiction. It doesn't have to.
The Serenity Prayer is not only for alcoholics or people in A.A.
The 12 step Serenity PrayerThe 12 step Serenity Prayer is a prayer for everyone, not just alcoholics. The prayer was written by Reinhold Niebuhr and is specifically for people who want to break their bad habits, change their ways, and accept the things that cannot be changed. The prayer has been adopted by AA, which is why it is often associated with alcoholism. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.The 3 Requests in the Serenity PrayerThere are 3 requests [...]
Your Recovery Must Come First
Imagine that you suffer a heart attack and collapse to the floor. Paramedics rush to your side. Examining you from head to toe, they find can’t find a pulse or breath. From the way your wrist lies twisted on the floor, it’s clearly broken. What should the medics do first: administer CPR, or set your broken bone? It’s obvious, right? The wrist can wait; a broken bone won’t matter if oxygen isn’t pumping through your body. The same is true of your recovery. It must come first. If your own recovery is in jeopardy, you won’t have the oxygen you [...]