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 […]

Giving back is a great gift for your recovery and for those who need it most. Here are a few simple ways you can help out this holiday season and show support to those in your community: Purchase a toy. There are roughly 13 million children in America who live in poverty and who will receive few or no toys this season. Toys for Tots has locations in every state – and just one toy or a small monetary donation can make a huge difference in a child’s life. Volunteer for the Veterans. Many vets are spending the holidays alone […]

When you’re recovering from a substance use disorder and/or a co-occurring mental illness, caring for your whole self is paramount. This means paying attention to your physical, spiritual and emotional health – which are all connected and linked to your lasting sober and overall wellness. According to Mental Health America (MHA), incorporating joy, spirit and relaxation into your life is one way to develop resiliency and stay healthy during recovery. MHA says the four C’s to joy, spirit and relaxation are connect with yourself, connect with others, connect to your community and create joy and satisfaction. By keeping in mind […]

Happy hour is not so happy for those of us in recovery. In fact, it’s simply a bad idea when you’re in recovery. But how can you stay social, sober and shake off a little stress? Luckily, there are a bunch of sober activities that you can enjoy with your co-workers – it just takes a little creativity. These ideas will help you get started: Get your art on. Many local art galleries and museums stay open late one day a week. Call around and gather a group of coworkers for a night of art and culture. If this isn’t possible, […]

Your time in residential treatment is spent creating a new life for yourself, so it’s vital that you move forward in a way that aligns with your new sober mindset. Going straight from the residential treatment environment into “the real world” can be a jarring experience. You’ve made changes during treatment, but your home life may have stayed the same. The same stressors you used to face–perhaps the stressors that drove you to use substances–could still be there. Sober living houses, also known as halfway houses, are designed for people who have completed intensive residential treatment and want to transition […]

September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide is preventable. This year’s theme: “Working Together to Prevent Suicide.” Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages. It’s responsible for more 800,000 deaths, which equals one suicide every 40 seconds. According to IASP, there are many things that you can do daily, and also on World Suicide Prevention Day, to prevent […]

We all feel shame in our lives when we make a mistake, say something we regret or disappoint someone we care about. But for some people, shame can be downright debilitating, and for those struggling with addiction, it’s something that is dealt with on a daily basis. The Difference Between Shame and Guilt Shame and guilt are often used interchangeably, but they are in fact two different emotions. Shame is a feeling that a person has about themselves, while guilt is a feeling that a person has about their actions or behavior. Guilt is almost always related to something that […]