A long debate has existed about whether nicotine and/or caffeine addiction mean you aren’t sober. A few diehards cling to this opinion. They believe you should be free of all mind-altering substances. But is it true? Can there be a… Read More »Are caffeine and nicotine a drug relapse?
As a quiet and reserved recovery member, I understand the struggle with sobriety programs that ask me to interact with others frequently. I am an introvert at heart and become exhausted when I spend a lot of time with groups.… Read More »Accepting Your Introversion in Sober Recovery
Getting sober is hard enough, but sobering up with an additional mental illness is even more of a challenge. Many addicts bring other disorders to their recovery, such as major depression. My Story with Mental Illness I’ve lived with bipolar… Read More »Dual Diagnosis: Working Sobriety with a Mental Illness
There’s plenty of bad news lately: War, inflation, political disarray, and social strife. We need only turn on the TV or open a news website to think the world is ending. With those of us recovering from alcoholism and addiction,… Read More »How to Keep Hope in Sobriety During Difficult Times
HALT is a saying that asks you to take stock of how you’re feeling. It’s preparation before you engage in any stressful event. It touches on the dangerous feelings that can make us vulnerable to emotional distress or the temptation to… Read More »HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired
You’ve likely heard “gratitude journals” mentioned a lot. If a sponsor or companion hasn’t explained them to you, you might be wondering, “What’s that? Could I try one?” I’ll explain how I’ve used them and the approaches to getting started.… Read More »Gratitude journals: How to start
Strong sponsorship is a crucial element of strong sobriety. A sponsor is someone who guides you through the steps, meetings, and the fellowship. He or she has worked the program themselves and passes on the knowledge that they’ve acquired. As… Read More »How to Choose a Sponsor: 8 Personal Qualities that Stand Out
Upon therapy for the alcoholic himself, we surely have no monopoly. Yet it is our great hope that all those who have as yet found no answer may begin to find one in the pages of this book and will… Read More »5 Alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous
There’s a belief that sober people are boring, glum, and dull. They spend most of their day praying not to drink and rebuke anyone they see drinking. This stereotype doesn’t have to be you. Recovery through the 12 steps doesn’t… Read More »How to Have Fun Sober
So you asked someone to be your sponsor, and you started the steps. It is likely a confusing time if this is your first time working the steps. Most people aren’t sure what to expect. It doesn’t help that there… Read More »What to Expect When You Start the Twelve Steps