“You don’t see cancer patients or diabetics stealing from the jewelry box or the family,” Annie Highwater writes in the description of her book, “Unhooked: A Mother’s Story of Unhitching from the Roller Coaster of Her Son’s Addiction.” Battling her son’s addiction to opioids, this mother admits she was self-righteous about the fact that addiction […]
Category: Recovery
Self Care – Put Your Oxygen Mask On First
“In the unlikely event of an emergency,” flight attendants tell us at the start of every flight, “oxygen masks will appear in front of you. Place it firmly over your nose and mouth and breathe normally. If you’re traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask first and then assist the […]
Why Pet Therapy Can Improve the Road to Recovery
It’s difficult to measure the value of a good dog. Beyond mere anecdotal evidence, research suggests that dogs (and other pets) can help people come back from traumatic experiences, lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression and, yes, even be powerful allies in recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Hundreds of years of evolution and […]
Drug Offenders and Welfare Benefits – Lifting the Ban and Lending a Hand
One of the harshest and most ineffective policies of the U.S. government’s “war on drugs” is the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act which was passed in 1996. Sponsored by Republican John Kasich, Ohio’s state representative at the time, the act banned anyone with felony drug convictions from receiving welfare benefits, such as food […]
September is National Recovery Month: Our Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery!
Stories of personal recovery, local events and award ceremonies are just part of National Recovery Month, an observance held every September for the last 29 years. 2019 Recovery Month Theme The theme for Recovery Month 2019 is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” and explores how integrated care, a strong community, sense […]
On-Campus Recovery Housing – Does it Help Students Stay Sober?
Take a segment of the population prone to poor impulse control and judgment, who, biologically, are at the peak of risk-taking and pleasure-seeking behavior, put them all in one place – welcome to college. Life on most college campuses includes a vibrant party culture where alcohol and drugs are easily accessible. For students in recovery, […]
What is the Difference Between IOP and PHP Outpatient Programs?
An estimated 24 million people suffer from addiction or dependency to drugs and alcohol in the United States. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that only 11 percent – 2.6 million – receive the treatment they need. The PHP medical abbreviation stands for “Partial Hospitalization Program.” The IOP medical abbreviation stands […]
5 Benefits of Quitting Sugar When Swapping Addiction For a Sweet Tooth
When a person with an addiction to drugs or alcohol enters treatment, the last thing on their mind is their diet. The focus, as it should be, is on recovering from the mental and physical damage that substance abuse causes. As anyone with substantial time in sobriety can attest to, this is not an overnight […]
Getting High On The Music – Sober Meet-Up Groups At Concerts and Festivals
Making sacrifices to stay clean and sober is an aspect of life that most, if not all, people in recovery identify with. For some, this means ending toxic relationships with friends or loved ones. Others might struggle with activities that they previously enjoyed while using drugs or drinking alcohol, such as going to concerts or […]
Defining Recovery: SAMHSA’s 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Founded by Congress in 1992, SAMHSA’s mission is to make research, services and information more accessible to healthcare providers, as well as the general public, in the areas of substance use and abuse and […]