Addiction destroys lives. It is an age-old truth. The effects of substance abuse have a profound neurological impact. And it causes addicted individuals to often hurt those close to them. This strains relationships and ruins families and friendships.
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.
An individual's recovery from alcohol or drug addiction depends heavily on triggers. A trigger is an internal or external stimulus that triggers cravings or emotional responses associated with substance abuse. In order for individuals to achieve long-term sobriety, identifying triggers is crucial. In this article, we hope to shed light on identifying and dealing with triggers in recovery.
Introduction
You know all too well how difficult it can be to overcome substance abuse, yet resources exist that can provide essential assistance. Sober living homes are one such environment that offers safe havens where those recovering can work through the early phases of sobriety while building meaningful relationships and honing essential life skills.
It can be difficult to know how to help an alcoholic friend or family member. But if you have a loved one who is struggling from alcoholism, it’s important that you try to help them get the help they need. Alcoholism can be difficult to overcome, and your friend or family member will need all the support they can get.
On December 11, 1934, while under treatment at Towns Hospital for alcoholism, Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, experienced a profound and lasting spiritual experience. This intense and life-changing spiritual awakening left Bill with an overwhelming sense of well-being and freed him from his obsession and craving for alcohol. Bill said this about his “hot flash”, “I knew I was a free man”.
Here we are… months after the world became an unknown place, and many of our creature comforts, things we took for granted, turned into vast luxuries. I dream longingly of a haircut or sitting in a café with a dear friend over a steaming cup of bad coffee…or, hardest of all, receiving a hug at an AA meeting. I am getting accustomed to my new masked reality, the shouting at friends from a distance when I have the rare pleasure of seeing them. And, somehow, it is all ok. Really ok. And that is because I watch my mouth.
“Love and tolerance of others is our code”. (Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 84)
Several years ago, close to Valentine’s Day, I was listening to the radio one morning on my drive into work. The radio host asked the above question to the listening audience. Immediately, the phoneline was inundated with dozens of phone calls from listeners all offering sage wisdom on the topic. However, one caller’s comments have stayed with me all this time. He responded with, “Love isn’t a noun – it’s a verb”.
