Founder of the Franciscan Order, Francis of Assisi, once said, “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” Many people believe that recovery cannot be fully achieved without forgiveness. There is a saying in the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous that refers to the dangers of resentment. To paraphrase, it is like hitting yourself in…
DetailsThe first yoga sutra of the teachings of the ancient Indian sage Patanjali states, “Atha Yoga Anushasanam.” This roughly translates to, “Now the practice of yoga begins.” This same message can be interpolated into recovery life. Every morning can begin by exclaiming, “Now recovery begins!” In recovery, it is good to stay in the day-to-day,…
DetailsRecovery from substance use disorder (SUD) involves learning new skills and adapting to overcome challenges. Leisure activities, hobbies, and experiential therapy can help people develop greater self-awareness and satisfaction during the healing process. According to Psychosomatic Medicine, “engaging in multiple types of leisure activities plays a role in buffering the negative psychological impact of stress.”…
DetailsSpirituality is integral to the recovery process for many people struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Many aspects of treatment, including the 12-Step philosophy and experiential therapies, provide an opportunity for spiritual healing. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in one program that utilized The Twelve Steps, “21% of the…
DetailsWhen it comes to getting treatment for addiction and seeking long-term recovery, there are challenges that many people don’t anticipate. For one, they may not even know where to begin. Although there are many treatment centers, it can be difficult to get the help you need. There is also cost to be factored in, as…
DetailsWhy does it feel so good to be outside? Being out in the sun, feeling the breeze and breathing in the fresh air, hearing birds, seeing trees, lakes, mountains, and maybe even the occasional wild animal, all have a way of invigorating our spirits. Scientific studies suggest that one reason it may feel so good…
DetailsBy the time many people reach an advanced age, they begin taking prescription medication. It’s now common even for people in their thirties to be on several prescription drugs, which often are added to throughout the years. This leads to the view that taking highly addictive prescription drugs (including opioids) is simply another part of…
DetailsSince the 1960 release of Alfred Hitchcock’s seminal masterpiece Psycho first terrified the public, the word “psycho” has been used and misused in our vocabulary. We use words like psychotic, psychopath, and psychodrama, but what do they mean? Despite its association with Hitchcock’s film villain Norman Bates, the word psycho actually derives from the Greek…
DetailsFor many people, being a parent is a normalized experience with common, shared roles among people of varied backgrounds. Many people find that becoming a parent fulfills a major life goal, giving them a purpose toward which they direct their energy. While becoming a parent may be one of the greatest achievements we can have,…
DetailsAs human beings, the unique identifiers we place on ourselves are some of the most important aspects of our existence. We define ourselves even without realizing it, by our jobs, education, hobbies, likes, dislikes, and intersectionalities. These concepts combine to form our singular sense of self. They define us in every interaction. Our identifiers provide…
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