Social Anxiety is a disorder characterized by an intense fear of being judged or ridiculed in public. While everyone has probably felt  nervous when delivering a speech or auditioning for a part in a play, people with Social Anxiety Disorder experience such profound anxiety that it negatively impacts the person’s quality of life. In recovery, […]

When someone is currently dealing with substance use, they often experience negative emotions, like guilt, fear, and shame. One may bottle up those feelings inside in hopes of hiding them from everyone—even from one’s self. But when powerful emotions fester, it only serves to perpetuate the addiction cycle. Cultivating open communication with loved ones is […]

After transitioning from treatment to the home environment it is common to experience feelings of boredom and loneliness. While in treatment, your days were jam-packed with therapeutic activities, and now that you are home life can feel a bit dull. Those in recovery can expect boredom and listlessness while the body readjusts its dopamine production […]

Step Nine: “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” Step 9 of A.A. is a biggie. It is the culmination of all the previous steps, which have guided us through the process of admitting our character defects and taking responsibility for changing them. In […]

Step 8: “Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.” The pathway toward renewal and personal growth in recovery is a gradual one. The 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous provides the framework to slowly but surely attain this new mindset. Arriving at Step 8 […]

For someone who has completed treatment for substance use disorder, a big, bright world awaits. Life in recovery is full of new opportunities for personal and professional growth, assuming sobriety is sustained. Early recovery poses undeniable challenges. Some can be predicted and planned for, while others may seem to pop up out of nowhere. Having […]