Previously, we looked at common types of toxic relationships that can threaten your recovery, especially in the first few months after treatment. Now that you have an idea of what kinds of people might serve as roadblocks to your sobriety, we’ll look at some strategies for letting go of these relationships. It’s important to keep … Continued
Having a network of supportive friends and family can be a vital component of long-term sobriety. As you get sober, it is important to evaluate the relationships in your life and surround yourself with people who encourage you to be the person you want to be. Going to treatment is a good opportunity to review … Continued
A synthetic opioid originally developed to be a potential replacement for morphine is now causing a number of deadly overdoses across the United States. The drug, U-47700, is more commonly referred to as just “U4” or “Pink” due to its pinkish coloration. Dr. Donna Seger, Executive Director of the Tennessee Poison Center, says that while … Continued
By Patrick Dunn Meet Waylon (on the left); he is an off the track thoroughbred from Louisville, KY. Waylon had a short life as a racehorse but quickly found himself without a purpose and a home. Often racehorses don’t have a use after retirement, and like Waylon, are neglected. I found Waylon living alone with … Continued
Here’s a wake-up call for all of us: In 2015, more Tennesseans died due to opioid-related causes than in car crashes. Opioid use is on the rise in the Volunteer State, and there’s no real sign of it subsiding. According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, almost five percent of the … Continued
Nashville can be a fun and vibrant city for sober people of all walks of life. Part 1 in our series of Ways to Have Sober Fun in Nashville talked about many of the outdoor, historical, arts, and group adventure opportunities in this city. Today’s blog will look at other options for getting out and … Continued
No matter what your version of a good time is, Nashville has many options to get out and enjoy yourself in sobriety. Especially if you are new to Nashville, you might be looking for some fun things to do in the city with your recovery friends. Living in a city like Nashville with many events … Continued
12-step recovery is an important resource for many people who are trying to stay sober. Deciding to get help and go to treatment is a huge step, but another important aspect of recovery begins when you leave treatment and get back to your day-to-day life. 12-step programs can help you integrate what you learned in … Continued
My name is Tara. I’m 27 and I’m an addict. My drug of choice was heroin and my clean date is 12/1/12. This is my story. My whole life growing up I never quite felt like I fit in. I always felt that there was something different about me but I never knew what it … Continued
A Brief History of St. Patrick’s Day The notion of St. Patrick’s Day has come a long way from its inspirational origin. What began as the story of a man overcoming adversity, has turned into an excuse for people to consume copious amounts of alcohol while adorning themselves with shamrocks, leprechauns, and of course, an … Continued
As any pet owner could tell you, animals provide us with a very special sense of love and connection, particularly in times of need. Studies have demonstrated that pet owners live longer and enjoy better health due to the calming and restorative effect of having a companion animal. Animal therapy was built upon the healing … Continued
Prior to the American Medical Association’s official classification of alcoholism as a medical illness in 1956, popular social opinion believed addiction and alcoholism to be the result of a moral failing of the individual. In the early 1900s, alcoholics and drug addicts were often thrown into State sanitariums, or “insane asylums”, and were believed to … Continued
Yoga is a practice that has been around for thousands of years and promotes many health and wellness benefits such as deep relaxation, aerobic exercise, improved flexibility, physical restoration, and enhanced mindfulness. Yoga can also be very useful in early recovery by increasing your physical wellness, improving your mood, and helping you respond to cravings. … Continued
Once simply considered an easy and available substitute for soap and water, hand sanitizer has become a problem in recent years, not because of its effectiveness in fighting germs, but because of how many children and teenagers it is sending to the hospital. An analysis by Georgia’s Poison Control Center revealed that between the years … Continued
My name is Brittany and I’m 25 years old. My sobriety date is August 10th, 2014. I grew up in an alcoholic household. I remember my dad drinking almost every day. When he would get drunk, my siblings and I would watch him verbally abuse my mom. So my brother, sister, and I spent a … Continued
Hi, my name is Dennis and this is my recovery journey. A Frightening Reality My life nine years ago was unmanageable at best: my marriage was barely holding on, I had a broken relationship with my two sons, and to make matters worse I was a full blown alcoholic. Drinking was the one thing I … Continued
The line between heavy drinking and alcoholism can be hard to detect, especially if you are starting to question your own drinking habits. Many people who have experienced consequences like frequent hangovers, blackouts, regretted decisions, interpersonal problems, or even arrests like DUIs, may find themselves asking, “Could I be an alcoholic?” Long before well-known symptoms … Continued
For some of us, we are so familiar with a life centered around drugs and alcohol that we wonder what our life will look like after treatment. In early recovery, it is not uncommon to grieve the loss of active addiction, even though drug and alcohol use had obviously wreaked havoc in our lives. On … Continued
Addiction is much more than a personal ailment; it is an illness that affects the entire family. Although the individual in active addiction faces personal impairment and the physical and psychological consequences of the disease, the addict’s family also undergoes significant dysfunction and impairment as a result of the addict’s behavior. Families cope with addiction … Continued
Studies have shown that women have specific recovery needs that impact which type of treatment, therapy, and aftercare will best prepare them for lifelong sobriety. Understanding what research has uncovered about women in recovery can help you make the best decisions for yourself or loved ones as you consider treatment options and resources. Until the … Continued