Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse - Behavioral Changes

The signs of drug abuse are too often obvious only after we find that there is a drug problem of long duration. Once the problem has been percolating under the surface for a while, fixing it is much more difficult. So it is useful to know and recognize indications of drug use..

11 Essential Addiction Recovery Steps & Strategies

Step 1. 'Truth It' aka Being Honest with Yourself. Face it, addictive behaviour is a problem in your life. It has stripped away far more than it has ever given back. Addiction hurts your health, your relationships, your finances, your sense of self worth, your peace of mind and possibly your legal status. Admit the truth to yourself - addiction creates and never solves problems .

4 Addiction Recovery Mistakes - Avoid These Pitfalls and Achieve Success in Your Recovery

Addiction recovery is a challenging time, and none of us are born with a manual inside us. Recovery is as individual as a fingerprint, yet reliant on a few wise principles that can make the difference between success or losing control. Avoid these 4 recovery mistakes to achieve a more solid recovery.

Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery

One of the most common requests I get for counselling is to help people with their relationships in recovery from addiction. This can mean anything from repairing current relationships to developing healthier connections in the present and future. Sometimes the threat of losing a partner can be the catalyst for getting into recovery. Whatever the starting place, ultimately it is the addicted persons desire for a better life, including healthier relationships as a center piece, that will sustain their recovery.

Addiction and Recovery - Answering the Question - How Long Will I Have Cravings?

Recovering people are often troubled by comparing their own experiences to the experiences described in 12 step meetings by others. They may have some unexpressed fears about whether or not their recovery is proceeding as quickly "as it should". A common concern is the persistence of "cravings" or "urges to drink/use".

Communication in Addiction Recovery - Twelve Guidelines For Family Feelings Meetings

Families just don't know what to do with themselves when the designated alcoholic or addict gets sober. The first year of recovery is a time of confusion, joy, fear, anger, sadness, happiness-in short a full range of emotion. Most families don't what know to expect in that first year. They know the addict has gotten sober and that something has changed in the system. They know, too, that they are expected to change. But they may not be sure how they are supposed to be changing and what they are supposed to be doing differently.

Addiction Recovery - Don't Let Grief Over the Loss of Alcohol Derail Your Transition Into Recovery

One of the common experiences of the earliest efforts toward quitting drinking and becoming sober, is grief over the loss of the chemical. For many people with an alcohol or other drug problem, the chemical, (whether it is alcohol or oxycodone) has become the addict's best friend and constant companion. When this best friend is given up, the alcoholic/addict experiences grief.

Addiction Recovery Newsletter (1/21/2012)

Addiction Recovery Newsletter (1/14/2012)

Addiction Recovery Newsletter (1/6/2012)

Addiction Recovery Newsletter (12/29/2011)

Addiction Recovery Newsletter (12/21/2011)