Seeking Closure With People From Active Addiction During Recovery

I’ve both sought closure from people I knew in active addiction, and been the one others were seeking closure from. Through these experiences, I’ve learned to be thoughtful about how this is done from both sides. The Risk of Falling Into Old Patterns When I reached out to one particular person, I was struggling with […]
Top Five Sober Activities to Do in Gaithersburg, Maryland

A big question many people ask when they first get sober is, “What will I do for fun?” Luckily, there are so many answers to that question. Below are five fun sober activities to do in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Watch Live Performances, Take Classes, and Experience Art at the Arts Barn The Arts Barn is a […]
Coping With Sleep Issues in Recovery

Addiction significantly impacts sleep. People in active alcohol addiction may think drinking is the only way they can fall asleep (I did), but alcohol is associated with sleep disturbances and related disorders like sleep apnea. 25-72% of people in treatment for alcohol use disorder report sleep problems.[1] Cocaine, on the other hand, can cause insomnia. […]
The Myth That Alcohol Calms You Down

The last couple years of my drinking, I had panic attacks nearly every morning as the alcohol wore off. But until I got sober, I probably would have said drinking relieved my anxiety. This is a common myth; there’s an idea that drinking is a necessity for socializing or unwinding because it lowers inhibitions. This […]
Taking Time to Acknowledge Growth in Recovery

In my experience, there is a lot of forward momentum in recovery. I’m constantly looking to grow and learn—making up for lost time from my years in active addiction. Growth in recovery is wonderful and intrinsically motivating. However, we can’t keep going and going without pause. The Importance of Pausing It’s important to stop sometimes […]
Having Compassion for Your Past Self

As your mind clears in recovery, you might feel like a very different version of yourself. You may want to separate current you from the past you who was in active addiction; I know I did. That’s okay, but even as you distance yourself from past you, it’s important to save them some compassion. Guilt […]
Staying Sober Through Grief and Pain

Grieving is a huge and really painful process—whether that’s a death, a breakup, the end of a friendship, your health, or any other big loss. Many of us in recovery used drugs or alcohol to numb or blunt difficult feelings. A big part of the work of recovery is facing these emotions sober. When loss […]
Making Big Choices During Recovery
When we’re in active addiction, it can be difficult to have intention. I never felt like I could take responsibility for my choices. In the moment, it can be comforting to feel like things just happen and you’re not responsible for your decisions—but I’ve found making informed choices in recovery so empowering. Trusting Yourself in […]
How Recovery Changes Over Time

In my seven years sober, I’ve learned that some things about recovery stay the same—and many things change. It continues to be full of surprises, rewards, and challenges. However, those are different as time goes on. In early recovery, your brain and body are going through the first parts of healing while you learn to […]
Congressman David Trone, Congressman and Attorney General candidate Anthony Brown, and Mayor of Hagerstown Emily Keller visit Awakenings

Staff at Awakenings had a meeting and tour with Congressman David Trone, Congressman and Attorney General candidate Anthony Brown, and Mayor of Hagerstown Emily Keller. Employees spoke with them about some of the barriers Awakenings faces, and how they can help us break those barriers. Trone, Brown, and Keller also spoke with two of […]