by Renee W. Labels can be incredibly damaging. They come with all kinds of biases and connotations, whether positive or negative. However, how we label ourselves defines not only the lens through which we see ourselves but how we act. There are always negative connotations to the label … Read more about Labels, Identity, and Recovery
by Renee W. When I got sober the first time in 2014, my strategy was simple: get my body back. I had gained weight from my alcoholism, and I thought if I could eat better and exercise, I would lose weight, feel better about myself, and stay sober. So, I put all my effort into … Read more about How Does Diet Culture Affect Women in Recovery?
The inextricable link between addiction and trauma is well known. Movements such as Alcoholics Anonymous (and other 'anonymous' fellowships) have undoubtedly made significant contributions to the therapeutic processes surrounding addiction. Rarely though, does this work purport to address … Read more about EMDR Therapy: A Highly Effective Treatment for Trauma and Addiction
In the depths of addiction, we can lose our own self-esteem. We have no faith in our ability to assess ourselves and, ultimately, we believe we are worthless. To feel better about ourselves in this situation – if only temporarily – we seek the approval of others. This can become an … Read more about Why are boundaries important in recovery?
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." - Buddha In eastern philosophy, the key to happiness is … Read more about The Importance of Gratitude
As we explored in Attachment Theory Part One, the attachments formed in childhood may affect a person physically, mentally, and emotionally throughout a lifetime. If a child develops a healthy attachment to a caregiver, he or she will more likely develop a secure attachment throughout life and … Read more about Understanding Attachment Theory and Addiction: Is There a Link?
by Renee W. As a recovering alcoholic who has been enabled by well-meaning family and friends, I have a strong stance on this issue. When I was drowning in my addiction, I manipulated my family and friends as all addicts do. Some fell into the destructive cycle of enabling me … Read more about How to Know if You’re Enabling an Addiction
While Christmas is a time for joy, celebration and excitement, the festive season also brings with it a heightened sense of loneliness and despair, and many people can feel left out. For those with an addiction, Christmas can be an especially difficult time of year. These low feelings can, … Read more about How Christmas is often a turning point for those with addiction
