Am I addicted? You may want to think about your uncle, aunt, friends, or coworkers. You know they have a problem and you wonder, "Are they addicted?” That's a wonderful question to ask, but today let's find out if you're addicted — if you have something going on that you just can't seem to break free from. I want to share this with you: There is no shame if you're struggling with something. This article is not about shaming. I am a recovering alcoholic, drug addict, sex addict, porn addict, … [Read more...]
7 Different Relapse Types (and What They Were Trying to Tell Me)
Why I relapsed used to be a mystery to me. I felt like I was on autopilot the whole walk home. I don’t remember any of the thoughts going through my head, just that I had this strong internal force that seemed to have completely taken over my body. I got in the door, kicked my shoes off and threw my jacket onto the floor. I brought my bag with me onto the couch, pulled the bottle out of the bag and without hesitation cracked the cap and took a long swallow. Reality suddenly came rushing … [Read more...]
Meditation Therapy for Recovery
Over the past thirty years, meditation therapy has become increasingly popular in fields of mental health, medicine and education as a way to manage stress and impulsive behavior and improve emotional stability, mindfulness, decision making, empathy, cognitive function, and overall health. Evidence has supported the neurobiological, psychological, and social benefits that come with regular practice. Some benefits of regular meditation include enhanced brain and immune function; improved focus … [Read more...]
Meditation Keeps Me On The Beam and How That Happened
After slips and relapses, I knew enough that I was not going to be able to sustain drinking. And I didn’t want to. I desperately wanted to not drink alcohol. But I often found myself drinking, sometimes crying while I lifted the bottle. I was searching for a spiritual solution… for a sense of peace and tranquility. I wanted to create a life where I didn’t crave the oblivion of alcohol. I desperately needed to integrate the vision I had for my life with thoughtful actions. In my mind’s eye, I … [Read more...]
The Miracle (an abridged version)
A wise man and a friend of mine used to say "If you've got a problem with alcohol, I have a solution for you. Stop drinking. If your problem is with alcohol then when you stop, it will go away. But if you have what I have, a disease called ALCOHOLISM, when you stop drinking, the problem really begins." Confused? I was too. But I kept coming back and it slowly, day after day, started to make sense. The beginning is hard. For me, it was the hardest time frame of my sobriety so far. See, … [Read more...]
