The Importance of Sleep in Recovery

The Importance of Sleep in Recovery

One of the most repeated pieces of advice that people in addiction recovery receive is to make sure they get enough sleep. The acronym HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) is often used to remind recovering individuals of the basic needs that must be addressed to...
The Power of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

The Power of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

In high school, I had a therapist who was tough as nails. She didn’t listen to excuses, and she could not be manipulated. One day, during a particularly exasperating session, she told me that my biggest barrier to happiness was myself; I was creating self-fulfilling...
Understanding Why People Fear Sobriety

Understanding Why People Fear Sobriety

To people who have never struggled with addiction, the idea that anyone would fear sobriety might seem odd. Isn’t it abundantly clear that substances are the biggest barrier to an addicted person’s happiness? Why don’t they just stop using? Not That Simple Addiction...
The Impact of Co-Occurring Diagnoses

The Impact of Co-Occurring Diagnoses

It is not uncommon for people with mental illnesses to use substances to self-medicate, or for people to manifest or exacerbate a mental illness for the first time after using alcohol or other drugs. Regardless of which condition arrived first, when a person suffers...