When I was growing up, I learned about Chicken Little who ran around telling everyone that the “Sky is Falling!”  The point of the story was to teach young children not to put too much stock in absurd beliefs*. I was reminded of this story when I read all the social media chatter about the new Plain Language Big Book that has been approved for publishing by AA World Services.  

Recovering from addiction is a long process, especially for women. It can be hard for women to put their own recovery first because society often expects them to be selfless caregivers. That’s why they need an effective approach to recovery that prioritizes them by treating them as a whole unit. This is exactly what a holistic approach is all about.

Men usually think of traditional therapy programs first when they think of rehab. They mostly cover segments like one-on-one, group, and family therapy. Even though these are important parts of rehab, people also benefit from other services. A holistic approach to drug dependency recovery for men can help those who are using drugs, for instance.

Think about a journey that promises support, guidance, and a chance at a better life. That's exactly what the 12 Step program offers to those who are seeking recovery from alcohol addiction and substance abuse.

In the early days of January, it is easy to make progress on New Year’s resolutions, but by the time we reach the end of the month, many of us have abandoned our resolutions for 2025. This year, instead of making a resolution, how about making a SMART Goal?  In this way if you have an off week or two, we can always climb back on the train to your intended destination.

The journey of overcoming addiction is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It's absolutely important to address the specific needs and challenges of the recovery process, regardless of gender. Today, we will explore the essential steps toward achieving holistic addiction recovery for men.

December often raises many questions for family members who have a loved one active in an addiction – or a loved one early in recovery.  It can be difficult to know how to support our loved one.  Below are a few simple tips.

 

1. INTENTION: Begin each day with humility. Reach out and connect with something greater than you, in whatever way resonates for you. Help me. Show me. Guide me. Take away my difficulties. Heal and care for me. Lead me with Love. Breathe in, breathe out. Ask your Higher Power to assist you with navigating this day as it unfolds.

 

Staying sober during the holidays can be a challenge. Alcohol permeates our society and is associated with many traditions of the season like baking recipes, festive holiday drinks, or celebratory toasts. All of these traditions seem to revolve around alcohol. However, just because this may describe the season, it doesn’t dictate the season or us. We don’t have to trip over something that is behind us. We can make new holiday traditions.

In 2020, around 40 million people in the U.S. aged 12 and up were suffering from substance use disorder. But, only about 10% of them sought support and recovery. The reason is mostly because they could not rely on the traditional system of clinical settings or professional therapies. This is where peer-led recovery centers come into play, offering a unique and practical approach to help individuals overcome addiction.