What Hope Is (& What It Isn’t) Hope is defined by Mirriam-Webster as cherishing a desire with anticipation; wanting something to happen or be true. It’s markedly different from simple positive thinking because it requires a clear understanding of the obstacles you’ll face along the way. Just as drugs and alcohol affect the mind, beliefs and expectations release neurotransmitters and affect your brain chemistry. Hope isn’t a wish, or an attitude, or a feeling. It’s the determination to take control of your life, believe in a better future, and take action in order to achieve your goals.   Why is […]

During recovery, you’re completely changing your priorities. You’re putting down drugs and alcohol in favor of a life of renewed sobriety, health, and possibility. As you go through this transition, it’s not uncommon to think about using again. Addiction used to be the most important thing in your life – it makes sense that it would pull at you from time to time. However, if these thoughts become more constant, you may be at risk of mental relapse.   What is Mental Relapse? Relapse itself consists of three stages and is defined as the recurrence of a disease after a time […]

As anyone in recovery can attest, getting and staying sober is not a straight line. Instead, there are ups and downs and many stumbling blocks along the way. While it won’t be easy, knowing what to expect can make recovery a little easier to navigate. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created some great tools to help paint a better picture of some of the stumbling blocks to expect in recovery. They also offer some practical steps so these stumbling blocks don’t detour you from achieving your goal of lasting sobriety. The definition of a stumbling […]

More and more experts are making a connection between clutter and mental health. Simply put, too much mess causes stress. How? Clutter has been found to cause your body to produce more cortisol, a hormone linked to stress. What’s more, clutter can make it harder to focus and process information. The mess messes with our ability to understand what is going on around us. Keeping a clean and clutter-free home, on the other hand, can make room for a healthier recovery. You’ll have more time and energy to devote to recovery activities, self-care and sober fun. A welcoming space: Packing […]

Time management is an essential skill for recovery – and it’s about much more than just having time to complete that to-do list. Managing your time allows you to prioritize what matters most to you and your recovery and overall health. Some experts say it should really be called “personal management,” because it helps you be a better you with a better quality of life. There are numerous general health benefits of managing your time, including: Reaching your goals. Improving your relationships. Increasing productivity. Improving your health. Finding stability in life. Here’s a look at a few more ways that […]

Finding the right recovery support group can be pretty powerful. You’ll come together with others who understand you and who can offer encouragement and tips for overcoming the many ups and downs of recovery. Yet the more you put into the group, the more you’ll get out of it. In other words, to make the most of your recovery support group you’ll need to do more than just show up and drink coffee. Here are a few ways to make support groups work best for you: Participate: While it’s okay to remain quiet initially, it is important that you eventually […]