My name is Renee, and I am an alcoholic. A recovering one at this point, but never recovered. Always recovering. How it Started: Sparkly Golden Chardonnay I took my first drink at age 14. At that time, I worked for a catering company, and the owners were my neighbors. They paid me … Read more about What Alcohol Recovery Means to Me
As many people will attest, living with an alcoholic is no easy feat. People who live with alcoholics or those with substance abuse problems get accustomed to specific behaviors. Alcohol use Friends and family members of alcoholics have likely tried everything in the book to get the person … Read more about 5 effective ways to manage your mental health when living with an alcoholic
by Renee W. Although I’ve had a handful of relapses, one will be cemented into my memory forever. Around three and a half years of sobriety, the restlessness began. I couldn’t sit, I couldn’t just be, I couldn’t concentrate. Then, the thoughts. The ones I never shared with anyone until way … Read more about Life After Relapse: How to Start Over…Again
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” You may have heard variations of this quote from Marianne Williamson in recovery circles, and for a good reason. Poison is the best way to describe unforgiveness, which leads to … Read more about Forgive and Remember: Letting Go of Resentments in to Protect Your Sobriety
by Renee W. My first stretch of sobriety lasted for three years and (almost) four months. 1,231 days, to be exact, and I only know that because I Googled the dates. During those three-plus years, I stopped drinking, threw myself into AA meetings, worked with a sponsor, lost weight, got fit, … Read more about What is Emotional Sobriety?
Stress. We all have it. Whether it’s a new job, a lost job, an illness, the death of a loved one, a move across the country, a divorce, or the global Covid-19 pandemic, no one is exempt from stressors in life. Stress can result from a myriad of factors and is defined “as the degree to which you … Read more about The link between Stress and Alcohol
by Renee W. Christmas time brings loads of cheer and celebrations, or at least it’s supposed to, right? For a recovering alcoholic, the holiday season may also bring on loads of stress and anxiety. Newly sober, I dreaded the Christmas holiday season. A time that is meant to give gifts, share … Read more about My top 5 ways to stay sober over Christmas
by Renee W. While deep in my alcohol addiction, I was about as self-absorbed as I could be. All my thoughts and behaviours revolved around the centre of my universe: me. It wasn’t until months of recovery that I began to realize just how much I thought of myself. I do not mean I thought a … Read more about A secret weapon in recovery: Helping Others
