Isolation and Recovery During COVID-19
A common saying is that the opposite of addiction is connection, which makes this an extra scary time for sober people. In order to take care of each other, we need to stay away from each other. That is hard.
12-Step Meetings in 2020
Those who got sober through the 12 steps were excited to hear last week that Alcoholics Anonymous – long criticized for lacking scientific evidence to back its effectiveness – got a stamp of approval from the Cochrane Reviews.
Coping Skills for a Crisis
As we at Amatus believe strongly, everyone is unique. Each person is going to have a different reaction to the current pandemic. As such, the things that help us cope will be different. Please keep that in mind as I share some things that have been useful for me.
Liquor Stores Deemed Essential. But Why?
Aside from the economic advantage provided by keeping liquor, beer, wine and spirits stores open, it is likely a strategic public health practice that has led to this decision.
Substance Use In Response to Public Health Emergencies
With every natural disaster or public health emergency, there is a ripple effect. Apart from the threat of COVID-19 itself, a lot of people are unable to work. Many small businesses are struggling.
Mental Health and PTSD In Response to a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is already impacting our collective mental health. Mental Health America saw a 19% increase in screening for anxiety in February alone—and that is from only one source.
Meditation During a Pandemic
As many are saying, this is an unprecedented time. People new in recovery may need to put extra priority on their self-care and sobriety. Even people who have spent years building coping skills in recovery may find themselves unsure how to handle their stress.
Advocating for Eating Disorder Prevention
Every 62 minutes someone dies as a direct result of an eating disorder, and that could have easily been me. When I was growing up, I believed being smaller meant being better. There was nobody to tell me that’s wrong.
Tips for Staying Sober on St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and your corner bar will be full. After St. Patrick’s, there’s March Madness and the start of baseball season.
March in general is a heavy drinking month. But you can get through this season sober—and enjoy it.
Music in Sobriety: Meditative Effects
Music activates the same reward pathways in the brain that get hijacked by drugs and alcohol. These pathways are how we derive pleasure from healthy activities like eating, connecting with others, appreciating art.
