Substance Abuse
Anxiety, Stress, and Loneliness Being isolated can cause many negative emotions and feelings such as, anxiety, stress, fear, and loneliness. These are all normal feelings and emotions to have during these current circumstances. For those of us working from home it’s important to keep a routine and balance throughout the day. It can be tempting […]
Addiction doesn’t care whether a person is famous or not. Many celebrities have struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. Recently, during the NFL Championship game, singer and activist Demi Lovato received praise for her performance of the national anthem. Lovato has long struggled with substance abuse, but is maintaining long-term recovery. Her activism has helped […]
E-cigarettes, or vaping as it’s widely known for, has appeared in the news a lot within the past year. And with good reason. With the sudden deaths among teens, young adults, and others using the cigarette alternative, it has definitely attracted a lot of attention. So, what is vaping and why is it such a […]
As a recovering alcoholic and addict (I still hate to admit the addict part, but there it is) I have been present at hundreds of anniversary celebrations. Our sobriety date is a big deal to us. Those of us who belong to a group of recovering individuals have the option of telling our story to […]
As legal cannabis becomes more common, studies are beginning to emerge regarding the safety of taking the substance. One recent study at an Italian university has shown that cannabis products may not be safe for pregnant woman. Their study found that cannabis may alter the brain chemistry of developing embryos, raising the question: is it […]
It’s no secret that alcohol manufacturers are reliant on people drinking to keep the lights on. As more and more people become aware of the harmful effects alcohol has on the body, there have been calls for alcohol firms to do more to promote moderation. These alcohol firms have acknowledged these calls and begun promoting […]
I spent a lot of years responding to other people’s emergencies; many were about addiction in one form or another. I struggled with addiction and kept the struggle to myself for many years. I was privy to many candid discussions about the people we were called to treat. Again, and again, and again the question […]
Life and death decisions shouldn’t be met with doors closed in your face. Yet, for some who battle the disease of addiction, it happens, such as in cases complicated by concurrent medical conditions, which can create additional roadblocks to recovery. Sometimes, not every door to recovery is the right door. But how do you know […]
Faced with the prospect of staying at rock bottom and likely losing his life, Recovery First alumnus Jonathan managed to click on a switch. He grasped a tool he had received in treatment to help gain power over addiction. It wasn’t easy, but he “played the tape through.” He thought about his situation, what was […]
Deciding to seek treatment for addiction takes courage. It is a personal choice that can be difficult to make. Often, you’re sitting at rock bottom before the idea of getting treatment even crosses your mind. Suddenly, you’re thrust into a world of having to decide what the best way to seek help looks like for you. […]
Funny how finding sobriety after a long and very active illness cleared up so much. Not only do I feel better and think more clearly, but I also look better, my eyes are not as sensitive, my nose has lost the redness and bumps that worried me so much, and I have a lot more […]
Memorial Day weekend is here, and we know that holidays and family gatherings can be difficult for those struggling with addiction. Old family feuds, drama between family members, or disapproval of things that have happened in the past tend to come up during family functions. All of this can be extremely stressful. There is no […]
