As a close family member or friend, you may have experienced a gut feeling, an innate sense that your loved one has relapsed back to substance use. Chances are you have been closely engaged in this person’s treatment and recovery process and therefore have a special intuition about the signs of relapse. For most, however, […]
Family
5 Tips to Navigate Recovery on the Fourth of July
Somehow, over the decades, the Fourth of July went from being a wholesome American pastime with hometown parades and barbeques to one of the top three drinking holidays of the year. Independence Day is a beloved U.S. holiday and needn’t necessarily be avoided in recovery. However, it is wise to initiate some proactive planning to […]
Love in Addiction: The Importance of Protecting Yourself if Someone You Love Is Using
It is devastating to love someone who becomes addicted. The feelings of powerlessness, rage, hopelessness, heartbreak, despair can feel so overwhelming. For many relationships it can feel impossible to know what to do when staying is destructive but walking away feels wrong. If you are unsure of what to do, that’s okay. The most important […]
The Dysfunctional Family
There are many people that might resist the idea of labeling the home that they grew up in as dysfunctional, despite the flaws of their caregivers and the experiences that they had as children. Perhaps they have predominantly good memories of childhood or as an adult, there is more understanding and empathy for the plight […]
Family and Self-Care During Times of Crisis
It’s important that we come together and care for each other during these times, and that means more than following along with the suggestion to social distance and shelter in place. As people, pairs, and families we must be sure to take care of more than just our immune systems, so we come out healthy […]
When the Easter Bunny Brings More Than Chocolate: Surviving the Holidays Easter Edition
There is no shortage of advice on how to deal with the emotions that come along with the family gathering together for holidays. Some holidays require help to navigate the stress, traveling, and personalities; and others require advice on how to abstain when drinking is a part of the celebration. The family dynamic is unique […]