by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | May 13, 2022 | Addiction, Mental Health
In my work as a crisis counselor, one of the first questions I ask people who reach out for support is if they are suicidal, followed by if they have been using alcohol or any other substances. There are a number of reasons why these are important questions to ask...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | May 1, 2022 | Addiction, Alcoholism
I once met a woman who became addicted to alcohol relatively late in life, after she had bariatric surgery. She had needed that surgical procedure to address obesity, which had resulted from food addiction. After her surgery, she could no longer eat large quantities...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Mar 14, 2022 | Addiction, Rehab
When I was in my twenties, I met a teenager who lived in a group home nearby. I saw so much potential in this smart, funny, kind, charming young woman. She spent the final months before she turned 18 in my home, and I was eager to see how her future would turn out....
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Feb 14, 2022 | Addiction, Recovery
It is difficult to talk about recovery without talking about forgiveness. In addition to being a crucial part of any 12-step program, forgiveness is one of our social expectations. We know it is important to right the wrongs we perpetuate and to try to let go of...
by Rob Cline | Jan 31, 2022 | Addiction, Recovery
Working a Program with a Sponsor For those who participate in a 12-Step program as part of their recovery journey, the relationship between an individual and their sponsor—a person who supports them as they move through the steps—can be quite meaningful. In some...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Jan 6, 2022 | Addiction, Recovery
A common fear among people who are considering entering recovery is that they will become boring and have a hard time connecting with other people without the use of alcohol. They may worry about their ability to find a significant other once they no longer drink. A...