Focusing all of your attention on the addict in your life – especially if they are still choosing to stay in active addiction – is not good for either of you. When we consistently do for them what they can – and should – be doing for themselves, we enable them by robbing them of the feeling of knowing their own resiliency. This keeps you in a state of worry and keeps the addict stuck in addictive behaviours. … [Read more...] about Addicts Need to Understand Their Own Resiliency
Recovery from addiction
Allowing the Addict You Love to Be Uncomfortable in Their Addiction
When an addict becomes “comfortable” remaining in active addiction, they will have no real incentive to do anything different. When we take care of their needs – financial, physical, and emotional – so that they are not required to do much, if anything, for themselves, then we also take away their chance at a real and lasting recovery. … [Read more...] about Allowing the Addict You Love to Be Uncomfortable in Their Addiction
Let’s Give Addicts Their Power Back!
In my opinion, our society has become the worst ‘addict’ walking our streets. Its drug of choice? An old, outdated way of thinking that’s actually keeping our world stuck in the horrors of addiction. We’ve been taught to believe that addicts are powerless. Twelve-step programs have, for decades, been our country’s go-to solution for addiction in all of its forms. These programs teach us to implement Steps that are based on the notion that there’s a disease to blame, and that the only solution … [Read more...] about Let’s Give Addicts Their Power Back!
The Law of Attraction: Help for Addiction Recovery
I have come to realize that most people – myself included sometimes – generally go through their days from beginning to end with no real plan, focus, or intention. They usually know the basics of what’s going to happen: wake up, groggily get ready for the day in terms of hygiene and breakfast, dress themselves in something appropriate, and head out the door for work or school. Then, when they get to their destination, it’s usually same-old same-old. They see the same people, do the same kinds … [Read more...] about The Law of Attraction: Help for Addiction Recovery
30 Years Clean & Sober: My Gratitude Speaks
On July 18, 2017, just a few days from now, I will be celebrating 30 years of continued recovery—primarily from prescription pills and pot. As I look back on these years, what I know for sure is that I definitely feel as if I’ve been born again within this one lifetime. So how did this happen? Truly, when I first started my recovery from addiction, if anyone had told me that I would someday have 30 years, I would have told them they were crazy. I couldn’t see past my own nose, at that point. … [Read more...] about 30 Years Clean & Sober: My Gratitude Speaks