I remember the day I realized I hated myself. I was about 90 days sober – and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I sat there ugly crying and shared with a group of people my feelings. I had no idea how long I had actually disliked myself because I had been disconnected...
Take them to the next level through listening One of the most beautiful pieces of recovery is the sharing of stories—the connection that happens between two people or a group of people. There is a bond and mutual respect that occurs based on witnessing another person...
On the front lines, ensuring success for returning vets Recovery is more than just not using substances; it’s also about building a stable life in all realms – career, relationships, spirituality, support network and more. Support in any of these areas is, of course,...
Tis the season to be jolly, right? Sometimes it’s not that simple! Toward the end of my drinking days, the joy I had always felt around the holidays was no longer there. I opted not to go home to visit family on my last Christmas of drinking. My excuse was that it was...
The recovery community has its own language. We often speak it without even realizing we’re doing it. We grow accustomed to certain words, phrases and nuances. This can be an adjustment when first seeking recovery. I remember mimicking the things I heard and just...
What is hope? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, hope is defined as, “to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true.” I appreciate the dictionary’s definition, but I believe that hope is so much more than simply a desire for...
Did you know that YOU are creative? Yes, You! We tend to think of creativity is an artistic gift - music, painting, drawing, dancing, writing, etc. Creativity may be most visible in art, but it's so much more than that. By the most basic of definitions, creativity is...
At four months sober, I stepped off of the metro in Washington, DC, to see the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. I stood there in awe at the beauty. I turned to my friend to share my excitement at how beautiful this moment was, and was met with a somewhat confused...
It’s just as important to keep in shape mentally as it is physically. When people hear the term mental health, it’s natural to think of illness or disorders such as depression, anxiety or bipolarism. However, mental health is much more than illness. Mental health is...