When Jill R. finished her first day of family programming at JourneyPure at the River, she needed an outlet for her emotions so she poured her heart into a journal, easily filling five pages. “I had to do that for my own self-healing,” she said. It’s been a challenging year for Jill and her son, … Continued
By Nikki Baker Think back to the first time you learned to ride a bike. You probably remember some feelings you were experiencing – fear, excitement, maybe a little trepidation. What you weren’t aware of is how your brain was responding to this new activity, which requires an incredible amount of mental focus and balance. … Continued
When Kim C. takes out her cell phone, she’s constantly greeted with acronyms for hope. Hold On Pain Ends Hang On Peace Exists Having Only Positive Expectations Help Open People’s Eyes HOPE is my mantra. These words remind her of where she has been but more importantly they keep her focused on where she is … Continued
*Tim was a heroin addict. He had a great spirit but was just beat up by life. He was angry with God. And he certainly did not want to climb a 40’ cedar tree just to ring a bell. But Keoni Enlow, adventure facilitator at JourneyPure at the River, knew that this challenge – called … Continued
The Tennessee Opioid Crisis is growing. “We’re going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of money on the opioid crisis,” said president Trump as he declared a state of emergency in August. More than 100 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Recent data is revealing Tennessee … Continued
Since drug and alcohol addiction became a focus of health professionals, one fact remains: About half of addicts and alcoholics relapse after treatment. Between 40 and 60 percent of addicts and alcoholics suffer a relapse after completing treatment, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The question is why? Although many treatment facilities succeed in treating … Continued
Singer/songwriter John McAndrew has led a successful musical career, landing a handful of his songs in a couple of Hollywood movies and capturing the attention of local country superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. But none of that would exist without his journey into recovery coupled with his ability to appreciate the magic of music. … Continued
Coming to terms with the dimensions of reality that addiction encompasses can be a complicated thing. The first thing that addiction does is take away our awareness. Drugs and alcohol lock us in a never-ending cycle of craving and aversion that keep us from accessing the very dimension of self-awareness and pause required to transcend … Continued
When it comes to underage drinking, prevention is the best strategy. Educating adolescents about the dangers of alcohol abuse is critical, as more than 80 percent of youth ages 10 – 18 say parents are the biggest influence in their decision to drink or not. Adolescence can be a challenging time and unfortunately, alcohol can … Continued
Nashville has a diverse recovery community with many resources for those in early recovery and who are trying to get sober. There are many places in Nashville where you can find support from others in recovery as you start to build your sober community. 12-step meetings are a great place to meet those who are … Continued
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