American Addiction Centers Blog

I used to think people other than those directly affected by my drinking to excess were aware of what for me was an absolutely epic effort to give it up.   In my alcohol fueled haze, my mere presence on this earth was of great importance to everybody. I believed that my acquaintances actually took […]

Children of Alcoholics Week happens this month, and for many people in recovery, the struggles caused by growing up with a parent living with an active addiction continue to plague their abilities to live balanced and emotionally healthy lives. A child who grows up with a parent or caregiver who drinks heavily and/or uses drugs […]

Milestones in life—e.g., a new year, an unexpected job change, big birthdays, marriage, divorce, etc.—often prompt people to assess their lives and where they’re headed. In doing so, we tend to focus on things we don’t like about ourselves or our circumstances. We pinpoint everything from unwanted pounds to financial setbacks as factors to be […]

In the 12-Step program, participants are often encouraged to acknowledge that they are not in control of their lives, that instead, a higher power is in charge. In early recovery, this can be an encouraging thought – essentially, the idea is that you do not have to worry about what you are going to do […]

What is a Sponsor? The Definition When you’re in recovery, “sponsor” is a word you hear often. What is a sponsor? As James explains, a sponsor is simply a mentor or a guide who has been in recovery and worked through the steps and no longer has to drink or use.   What does a […]

The basis of a twelve step program is the acceptance of a power greater than ourselves to restore us to sanity. Seven of the twelve steps directly mention God as we understand him. Nowhere do the twelve steps acknowledge a person’s own strength and conviction as the power behind the motivation to get sober. That […]

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the most frequently occurring substance use disorder is alcohol use disorder. Long-term use or abuse of alcohol has been empirically demonstrated to be associated with many different types of negative health issues and damage to numerous organ systems in the body. Volumes of studies […]

  If you go to a 12-Step meeting, do you have to talk? The short answer is no. You will never be forced to share. If you are asked, you can decline. Not sharing at your first (or first few) meetings is fine and normal! It gives you time to feel comfortable and get acquainted […]

  “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” –Aristotle Although people have benefited from art therapy for a long time, it’s become a more well-known term in the past few years. Visit any bookstore or arts and crafts store, and you will see a wide […]

  How do you join AA or another 12-Step group? It’s simple. You just show up. Seriously, that’s it. You go to an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. There are no speeches, dues, or paperwork to sign. You don’t have to take a pledge or provide your personal information. You won’t receive a membership card or […]

Alcoholism is a chronic condition. Recovery requires ongoing work. Even after leaving the treatment center, it’s important to have a support system in place to keep you focused on recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which pioneered the 12-Step program model, can provide the support system you need. The meetings provide a safe place to connect with […]

James Krah, the clinical director at American Addiction Centers’ Desert Hope Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), helps people new in recovery engage with the 12-Step program. Solid engagement with the process, Krah believes, will increase the chances for a smooth transition out of treatment. Leading in-house 12-Step groups, Krah fields countless questions. His responses usually show […]