Real people sharing real stories about their experience with substance abuse and mental health.
During my twenty-five year career in substance abuse treatment, I’ve frequently heard family members (and clients) insist that "Alcohol isn't his/her/my problem - drugs are!" and "Alcoholism isn't his/her/my problem - addiction is!" as if the same principles of recovery from chemical dependency don't apply to any dysfunctional situation where alcohol either isn't present or isn't present enough to be identified as the primary drug-of-choice.
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Hello, my name Bill and I’m an alcoholic. I started drinking regularly at the age of 13. Before I started drinking I viewed myself as a loser and was never really good at anything; mediocre at best. I was full of fear and self-doubt. I was bullied in school and was made fun of by older kids and that did nothing but make me recede into myself further. When I was introduced to alcohol, my whole outlook on life changed.
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Right now is a scary time for most of us. Coronavirus is spreading and the uncertainty is frightening. If you are struggling with addiction and/or mental health issues yet have fears about entering rehab during this time, we are here to help you. Here is more about coronavirus and addiction – what you need to know and how you can get the help you need.
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Amid this period of uncertainty, many have exerted effort to tap into their inner resources and reservoirs of strength. Some do so through looking to take action such as getting involved in service work or using their individual talents to assist others. Others find strength through meaningful time with loved ones, engaging in enjoyable activities, or within the quiet of solitude.
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As the global pandemic continues, and more people are finally beginning to truly understand the need for social distancing, fears of isolation are also growing. Does social distancing automatically create social isolation?
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My name is William. That’s me – the fat guy with those 3 beautiful girls in Maui this past Christmas. One year, 2 months, and 25 days ago, my 3 beautiful girls, my family, were all scared to death of me. Once again, after almost 2 years of sobriety, the addict in me took me away from them.
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Sitting at my desk this morning, I said, “Hey Siri, what is the definition of transformation?” In her robotic, Australian accent (it’s my favorite of the options) she responded, “transformation: a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.”
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When I was younger, about a decade ago, I dated someone who played guitar. Guitar is cool. It’s, you know, kind of sexy. (When you’re 23, I guess.) So I decided to start playing, and luckily it was something I stayed with, more or less, over the next few years.
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For many individuals, the cultural celebrations of winter – like Christmas and Hanukkah – mean an exciting time with family members. If you’re in recovery, though, it could mean an onslaught of holiday triggers. Returning home for the first time sober is a reason for celebration, but anyone who’s faced addiction knows it’s also a battle. Fortunately, there are several ways to overcome temptation and avoid triggers.
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Recovery is a long road with a variety of hurdles. One of the largest you’ll face, though, is having a sober holiday season. Relapse rates spike during this time of the year for a variety of reasons, but the only thing you need to be concerned with is not becoming part of this statistic. Stick by the following tips, and you’ll likely emerge with your sobriety intact.
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