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,…
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…
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…
When someone you love is drinking to excess or is out of control due to a substance use disorder, getting the care they need in a drug addiction treatment program is the first step in helping them put their lives back together. When it comes to helping a loved one search for drug rehab centers,…
Some people may tell you that the time to seek treatment at a meth addiction treatment program is the moment you start using crystal meth. This drug is highly stigmatized, and its use is not considered socially acceptable like alcohol. Surprisingly, the rate of addiction among meth users is relatively low, although many people may…
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…
Heroin addiction can be pretty powerful, so it is admirable to want to end your dependence on this potent opioid. You may wish to try quitting on your own at home, but this is not recommended. Like with other opioids, detaching from the habit can present a challenge. Without the proper resources as you detox…
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…
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 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…