5 Signs You’re Not Taking Very Good Care of Yourself
You’re a nurturer. You’re a mom. A wife, sister, friend. You do a lot of care-taking, whether it’s physical or emotional, when it comes to your friends and loved ones. But are you taking care of yourself? It’s important that you put yourself first when it comes to your emotional and physical wellbeing if you . . . . Continue Reading
Toxic Friendships: 6 Signs It’s Time to Move On
Florence Isaacs, author of Toxic Friends/True Friends explains that “there has to be balance in a friendship for it to be healthy – not one person whose needs get met and another whose needs are overlooked.” Toxic friendships aren’t necessarily easy to spot, once you’re in one. They have a tendency to be the type . . . . 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
6 Signs You Are Playing the Victim Role
Many people choose to play the victim role, although they may not realize that they are choosing it, because they’re afraid of their anger and/or are in denial about their feelings of anger. People playing the victim role project their anger onto others. When “victims” assume this role, they often have a high sensitivity to . . . . Continue Reading
Will They Get You High Before You Get Them Sober?
The twelfth step of 12 Step recovery is all about “giving back.” We hear it in meetings all the time and our sponsors reinforce it with us: “We keep what we have only by giving it away.” And, after all, it was given to us so freely. What all of this means, generally speaking is . . . . Continue Reading
How Your Hormones Can Seriously Mess with Your Recovery
Hormonal fluctuations – you know them well. If you’re like me, hormones are the bane of your existence. (Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration). But hormones do have a profound effect on how we feel, both physically and emotionally. And it’s important to be aware of just how this stuff works, especially . . . . Continue Reading
When Healthy Eating Becomes Extreme: Orthorexia
We’ve all heard of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa but, there’s a new eating disorder condition that’s becoming more understood as of late: orthorexia nervosa. Just like other eating disorders, orthorexia has to do with extreme, patterned eating but it’s distinct from these other, longer-established disorders in a major way. What is Orthorexia Nervosa? In . . . . Continue Reading
In the News: Toronto ‘Crack Mayor’ Rob Ford to Head to Rehab After New Video Surfaces
Toronto Crack Mayor Rob Ford is in the news again but, it’s not what you think. OK, it’s partially what you think. Yes, Ford was secretly taped – yet again – as he used illicit drugs but, this latest chapter in the scandal that is Rob Ford’s life is that the mayor has finally agreed . . . . Continue Reading
4 Ways to Help Your Child Stay Clean
Your child has recently returned from a treatment program for substance abuse and addiction. You may think they’re in the clear now that they’ve gotten the drugs out of their system and had about a month away from their friends. The truth of the matter is that addiction is a life-long condition that requires ongoing . . . . Continue Reading
Should Pregnant Mothers Get Jail Time? Pros and Cons
In Tennessee, pregnant women who are addicted to illegal narcotics or prescription pills, such as painkillers, could soon be jailed under a bill awaiting the approval from the southern state’s governor. The strict, draconian proposal seems to have support on both sides of the political spectrum and despite objections from the medical community. It seems . . . . Continue Reading