3 Ways to Enjoy a Sober Valentine’s Day
Before even knowing what alcohol is, we formed a subconscious link between alcohol and celebrating. As children, we watched our parents having a good time with friends over the holidays drinking and celebrating. For men and women who struggle with addiction, the holidays can be an especially challenging time. If you are newly sober, you […]
A Conversation About Shame and Self-Compassion With Neuroscientist Marc Lewis
I had the pleasure of speaking with Marc Lewis over Zoom about addiction, neuroscience, shame, and self-compassion. Lewis is a neuroscientist and professor emeritus in developmental psychology. He is the author or co-author of over 70 journal publications in psychology and neuroscience, and the author of two books. Lewis currently writes for the popular press, blogs, and […]
12 Step Fellowships
12-step fellowships help people who are struggling with addiction change their lives. Beginning in 1935 with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)—a program to help people in recovery from alcohol use disorder—12-step fellowships have become a standard for helping those struggling with addiction. Dozens of programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), use the same principles as AA to [...] Avoiding Complacency in Recovery
At over six years sober, I feel solid in my recovery. Many of us get to a point in our sobriety where we feel this way—but that doesn’t mean the work is over. I feel lucky that this is a process of continued growth, but it can feel easier sometimes to get complacent. Contentment Versus […]
3 Common Holiday Addiction Triggers

Holidays should be happy occasions that provide an opportunity for friends and family to get together and enjoy the season. However, these gatherings can pose a risk of relapse due to addiction triggers such as stress and increased access to drugs and alcohol. If you are recovering from addiction, you surely know that treatment does […]
Recovery as Healing
Recovery is not just about physical sobriety. It’s a lifelong process of healing mentally, emotionally, and physically. It means addressing the reasons you drank or used in the first place, and learning how to cope with the ups and downs of life sober. Many of us in recovery find that even when we take away […]
What is the Difference Between Blackouts and Brownouts?

A blackout is when you lose memory due to excessive drinking; you might not remember where you were or how you got there. According to Healthline.com, “The hippocampus is found deep within the brain. It’s critical to forming memories. The hippocampus can’t develop long-term alcohol tolerance. This means it can’t create memories when a blackout […]
How To Maintain Your Sobriety During The Holidays

Holidays can be a fun and exciting season of the year. There are plenty of parties, gatherings, and seasonal activities that call everyone to eat, drink, and be merry. For people in their recovery journeys from alcohol or drug addiction, holidays may not be a fun time. Holidays have a lot to deal with, from […]
Memory and Recovery
Memory is a strange thing when it comes to recovery. Triggers are essentially memories-circumstances, people, places, or feelings that your brain has come to associate with drinking or using. But for many of us, memories of times when we were intoxicated are distorted and fragmented. In recovery, we can feel grateful that we’re able to […]
How to Stay Sober During the Holidays
The holidays can be a time of celebration, but they can also be a time of added stress. On top of other potential triggers like navigating family relationships or dealing with financial stress, many holiday parties revolve around alcohol. People in recovery from alcohol or other substances may find this time of year difficult. There [...]