Recovery is so much more than getting sober. Stopping drinking and using — a huge task itself — is simply the gateway to a lifetime of work in recovery. — Once we stop self-destructive behaviors with drugs, we uncover how much our substance use disorders have affected all aspects of our lives: we are often left with a lack of coping strategies, unresolved traumas, co-occurring disorders, dysfunctional relationships, and financial challenges.

So, let’s face it. Sobriety is really daunting. If you’re like me, the prospect of staying sober a year can seem downright impossible. When I first got sober, I spent many hours with a Styrofoam cup of coffee in my hand — filled half way so my shaking hand wouldn’t spill it — thinking about what life will be like sober. I can admit that I didn’t think much of the sober lifestyle…

Compulsive sexual behavior can interfere with your health, happiness, and relationships. How can you find an in-network clinician or program to help you with sex addiction? — What is sex addiction? Sex addiction is a type of behavioral addiction defined by, like all addiction, by compulsive behavior continued despite negative consequences. …

This was my third year speaking to the senior class on retreat in the school where I work. — As usual, I shared my journey in recovery and the faith that came as a result. With 12 years sober, I am fortunate that my school trusts me to share a nearly full disclosure of my history with drugs and alcohol. I feel grateful for their trust. It has been…

The landscape of black market opioids has seen some pretty major changes over the years. — An influx of illegally manufactured fentanyl has infiltrated the heroin market, and has even been found in other street drugs like cocaine and pressed pills, leading to an uptick in overdose deaths that have been described by some as an “epidemic” or “crisis.” When produced for pharmaceutical purposes, fentanyl is…

Having a loved one in recovery is such a blessing but navigating the holiday season and integrating your now sober loved one back into family gatherings can be daunting to think about. — This will be the first time in two years my son is spending the holidays with the family. He is currently doing well and is sober. We have had many Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with him being high or simply not showing up at all.

The answer is, yes you can! — Of course, that is not all I have to say on this subject, or we would not have a blog post; let me explain! As someone in recovery from an eating disorder as well as mental health issues, I have found a new profound love of exercise. The activity I…

“It’s just us three from here on out,” I remember thinking as I stood in my kitchen and stared at the scruffy faces of my two cats. See, I was getting divorced and it was hard not to feel like a divorced old cat lady. — This person is a cliché for reason: they actually exist and now I was them. Here I was a gay man at 46 years old as my ex-husband went off with his new, younger boyfriend and I was left the consolation prize of these two felines. Oh don’t get me…

If you and your family are planning to watch one of the three NFL games scheduled for Thanksgiving Day or one of the twelve NFL games scheduled for the Sunday following Thanksgiving, your thoughts may turn to players’ health. — Physical trauma including concussions on the field can cause progressive cognitive disorders including Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE and other slow-developing brain diseases may cause behavioral health problems in the present. Players may also struggle with mental health conditions and addiction issues that predate their careers and/or that worsen once…