What’s The Difference Between “Tough Love” and Acting Out of Anger?
Sometimes people feel that others, especially the addict or alcoholic, need that extra touch of ‘Tough Love’ to get them moving in the right direction. To help break people out of their harmful habits and destructive behaviors, when they have shown no effort or even desire to change their ways, their family or friends may implement ‘Tough . . . . Continue Reading
9 Signs You Are Too Judgmental
Judging people, it’s like eating a whole tub of cookie dough to yourself. It’s terrible for you, but sometimes you just get carried away, and other times it just makes you feel better (or worse) about yourself. Taking other peoples inventory is so easy because it makes it easier to avoid reflecting on our own, . . . . Continue Reading
10 Signs You Are Using Relationships to Fill a Spiritual Void
All you need is love. I am a firm believer this is the truth, the only problem is some people tend to believe that love has to be a romantic love. I believe wholeheartedly love is the essence of life, and it should be unconditional and without bias. That it is, in my opinion, . . . . Continue Reading
6 Pieces of Recovery Advice You Should Take With a Grain of Salt
Being in recovery means being open to suggestions. Some might be great pieces of advice while others, not so great. Most of the time, it depends on how you interpret it. Here are 6 pieces of recovery advice you should take with a grain of salt. #1: Take it slow It’s true, everyone . . . . Continue Reading
10 Signs You’re Not Really Willing To Go To Any Lengths For Your Sobriety
The first 2 questions my sponsor asked me, and the first 2 questions I always ask a sponsee are simple: Are you willing to go to any lengths for your sobriety? Are you willing to follow a few simple suggestions? The ironic thing is when you ask the first question, the person says yes, and . . . . Continue Reading
The 7 Most Surprising Things about Being Young in Recovery
Recovery is no longer limited to an older crowd, and actually has had a growing young community for decades. Most young people who are addicts and alcoholics that are early in recovery usually do not know what to expect out of joining this community, and there are plenty of surprises in sobriety that you . . . . Continue Reading
What is ‘Terminal Uniqueness’ and How Can I Know If I Have It?
What is Terminal Uniqueness? As someone recovering from substance abuse and addiction, I can say that I personally have dealt with periods of what is called ‘Terminal Uniqueness’ (also referred to as personal exceptionalism). This is the false belief that the situation an addict or alcoholic is facing is unlike anything other addicts or alcoholics . . . . Continue Reading
Creating Healthy Boundaries vs. Being Selfish: 5 Ways to Know the Difference
Being selfish is one of the things we as addicts and alcoholics are best at. We like to think of ourselves in almost every aspect and justify it in any way we can. It can be positive or negative, and we can even convince ourselves we are being humble or helpful but in many . . . . Continue Reading
“Why don’t they like me?”- 7 Signs You’re a People Pleaser
The subject of being a ‘people pleaser’ is one that hits home for me. I never even considered myself a ‘people pleaser’ until I had actually been called out by another person in recovery who was identifying character defects we shared. At that moment I felt the urge to disagree, but just smiled . . . . Continue Reading
7 Myths About Recovery That Are Probably Making You Feel Like You’re Doing it Wrong
You’re clean. You’re sober. Life is grand. And then, life shows up on life’s terms. It’s important to remember that you are more than just an addict in recovery. You’re also a human being. The human experience is multi-dimensional: we have thoughts, feelings, dreams (as in nighttime), goals, beliefs, experiences…language is too limiting to even . . . . Continue Reading