Blogs

My New Favorite “F” Word

By: Michael Murphy, Transformations/Help For Our Heroes alumnus & Alumni Coordinator Last summer, after I graduated from Transformations I took what I had learned and hit the ground running. In my time here I learned a tremendous amount of knowledge. Not only about myself, but also about life “Back on the outside.” It is no…

Why Mommy Is Sober

By: Lisa Blomgren, Transformations Alumni Coordinator Dear little one. I haven’t met you yet but I already love you more than I have ever loved anything in this world. Each little kick and squirm is a reminder of the new life that I am bringing into this world and all of the adventures that lie…

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS: IT’S A SET UP

Who came up with New Year’s Resolutions? Whoever they were, they must have been a masochist. I have seldom seen a person stick to their resolutions; more often, I have witnessed the guilt and upset that comes from falling short of lofty goals. Don’t get me wrong! Goal setting is important- vital, even, in recovery….

Gratitude: Appreciate and Honor Life’s Challenges

Thanksgiving time tends to bring the concept of gratitude to the forefront of our thinking, as it is typically a time of giving thanks for the things we have been blessed with.  When most people hear the word gratitude, they think of paying attention to the good things in their life, sometimes acknowledging the fact that they are more fortunate than others around them. 

Love My Transformation

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.”

Kick Fear Out of the Driver’s Seat

For as long as I can remember, fear ran my life. As a child, I let fear stop me from making friends, getting outside of my comfort zone and raising my hand when I had a question in school. I let fear keep me from standing up for myself, even when I knew it was the right thing to do. I let fear keep me from trying a new hobby that I was secretly interested in or even applying for a job that I wanted. I let fear consume my life. My life was no longer based on what “Lisa wanted”, but instead it was a life based on what I thought others expected of me. Needless to say, it was exhausting.

Switch Your Fix: Substituting New Vices for Old Ones

When I first made the decision to give up alcohol and other substances, I was not aware at the time that I am a creature of habit, someone with an extremely addictive personality. Having thought of myself as a “normal” person apart from the excessive drinking and drug use, I truly believed my alcoholism was simply that – an addiction to alcohol and drugs.

High Holiday Transformations: A Therapist’s Reflections

The Jewish New Year, or “High Holidays” is a period uniquely designated for reflection and spiritual renewal. In just a few days, individuals in Jewish communities across the globe will come together for a day of prayer and self-examination.

Living Active Recovery

Why do people relapse after leaving treatment?

Throughout my years as a substance use disorder recovery activist and interventionist, I’ve helped scores of people enter treatment. And while these folks flourished in a highly-structured setting,