Relapse is common in recovery. But with perseverance, support, and a willingness to learn, every relapse can be an opportunity for growth and progress. Keep getting back up and moving forward towards ...
Relapse after long term sobriety: embarrassment is normal but shame and embarrassment can kill you if they keep you from getting the help you need. Learn what to do after relapse, no matter how many ...
Getting into a daily exercise habit reduces your odds of addiction relapse – so what’s stopping you? Here are the 7 most common exercise excuses – all refuted!
In early recovery, we're easily left with a sense of loss when we romanticize euphoric experiences we had with our drug of choice (and overlook the costs). Are you looking through the wrong end of ...
During early recovery we often find ourselves raw. But you can't heal what you can't feel. There are no quick fixes. Learn how to let it go.
After a few months, it’s easy to hit a recovery wall and start to feel bored and dissatisfied with your new clean and sober lifestyle. This dissatisfaction will pass, but until it does, you can ...
Exploring ideas for life-change, where domestic abuse complicates addiction recovery and addiction makes it harder to break free from abuse.
Why consider long-term addiction recovery over the standard 30 day rehab? Learn about successful recovery options and how to increase your treatment duration.
For the next 10 seconds, try not to think of a pink elephant…Impossible, right?! The fact is, the more you try to suppress an impulse to use drugs or alcohol the more fixated your mind becomes on ...
There are many pathways to recovery. If the 12 steps don’t feel right, consider SMART Recovery meetings. SMART Recovery is a free, science-based community self-help group.
When caring for the kids means seeking help for addiction: Overwhelmed by the competing demands of daily life, single parents are at a higher risk for substance abuse and addiction.
New Year's can be a time for reflection, but for those in addiction recovery, it can also be a minefield. About taking stock, as this year comes to an end.
The holidays are a universally stressful time of year. For those of us in recovery, unique challenges demand our care and attention.
It’s hard to avoid the craziness of the holiday season. Take this self test and see if your Christmas habits put you at risk of relapse.
Developing a support system in early recovery can be overwhelming. Choosing a sponsor is an important choice that gives stability. Here's what to look out for.
Learn how to see 'the steps' as opportunities. After relapse, making the most of them hinges on our attitude and on our willingness to change.
Does the true cost of resentment go beyond taking up room in our hearts and mind? Learn how to let go of bitterness and baggage.
Understanding what it means to be a "dry drunk" and un-learning negative behaviors can pave the way to permanent recovery.
Self-deception is rarely a conscious process. Sobriety and recovery naturally yield clarity but it's a process and it requires conscious effort.
Powerlessness is one of the most difficult things to accept in early recovery. Free yourself from unhealthy expectations and futile pursuits.
Alcoholics and addicts do things in active addiction which leave them feeling guilt and shame. Learn what you can do to get over your guilt and shame to forgive yourself and let go of the past.
If you're an in-recovery drug addict, but not an alcoholic, can you ever drink alcohol again? Learn how to decide for yourself.
Pets offer an anchor of unconditional love and helpful routine, but they're also a big responsibility. Would a dog or other pet help you stay clean and sober?
Folks in 12 step programs understand that in early recovery, we can't remember things even if we want to. They provide us with acronyms and simple sayings that speak volumes.
Most medical professionals receive very little training in addictions so you need to protect your own recovery. You may need addictive medications. Make sure to consider the risks, ask the right ...
Staying anonymous in a social media world - how to balance getting the recovery support you need with maintaining anonymity.
Decrease your relapse odds and increase your happiness, resilience and health by focusing on balanced wellness. Here’s an 8 item wellness checklist with suggestions for small changes you can make ...
Recovery milestones like the first 30, 90 or 365 days can increase your relapse risks. Learn about the specific dangers and pitfalls at each stage and get prepared to avoid them
Do you have anything to lose from taking a leap of faith? Learn more about choosing a higher power - even if you're not religious.
Learn how getting and staying sober can spark a life of purpose and passion.
Don't let a criminal record, probation or parole break your recovery efforts. Read on for 6 tips on building a better future, despite a difficult past.
You can't live recovery at the same pace you lived addiction - all or nothing. Learn new speeds beyond "all out" and "dead stop".
Self-discipline and restraint: willpower isn't something you have or don't have - it's something you can build on your own and with others.
From the high-life to minimum wage - how do you start over again at the bottom rung without feeling like a loser?
Ask and answer the following 13 questions after a slip to identify exactly what led you into trouble.
One of the greatest things about recovery is that there's always something you can add. Online resources fortify your recovery.
This article describes what a relapse prevention plan is and how to write an effective plan. It includes ideas for what you can include in a simple relapse prevention plan or a detailed recovery plan.
The best of the best – an incredible collection of 12 comprehensive expert answers on subjects as diverse as the ethics of passing bipolar on to biological children, organ donation for alcoholics, ...
The 12 most read, influential and helpful resource articles of the past 12 months.
Worried about how you’ll make it through Thanksgiving? Here are 7 simple suggestions for making sure your holidays don't end in relapse.
Addiction may cause debilitating or even fatal health conditions. How do you start recovery when you've already done so much damage? This article explores the worth and benefits of late-stage ...
How to be happy right now. We don't find what we're not looking for. In the midst of striving for a better life we often lose sight of all we have to be grateful for.
Grief and loss can rock you, no matter how strong your recovery. Learn to grieve in healthy ways to sustain your recovery and honor your departed loved-one.
You can't keep it unless you give it away. Here are practical tips for using your own strengths and experiences to help others build recovery.
Addiction is a disease that damages the body, mind and spirit. Here's a how-to guide to healing your physical, mental and spiritual health once in recovery.
Worrying doesn't actually help but it could make things worse. Learn how to really offer support by taking care of yourself first, learning from others via self-help groups and by working to ...
We often talk about formal treatment and self-help groups like AA, but we rarely mention the third essential pillar of recovery – peer driven recovery support services. Find out how recovery ...
In recovery and thinking about becoming an addictions counselor? Here's what's needed to get in and do well in this very worthwhile field.
This article explores the importance of learning financial responsibility in recovery. Addicts in recovery need to learn to place financial needs over material wants. This can take planning, ...
Early recovery is an emotional rollercoaster. We want to celebrate, recruit others to join our new fantastic way of life, make up for lost time and take on way too much all at once! With patience and ...
It's easy to confuse acceptance with passivity, but one keeps you sober and one doesn't! Learn how to find acceptance and peace in your life through active recovery.
Learn this effective system for accomplishing short, middle and longer-term goals.
New relationships can be stressful and place a burden on recovery. This article includes tips for reducing the stress of new relationships.
Boredom in recovery can lead addicts to relapse so it is important to find ways to have fun in recovery. This article explores ways to discover new interests and fun activities to keep people in ...
Getting your first job in recovery can be a scary thing to consider. You probably need the money, but you're also scared of relapse - how can you know when you're ready? Read on to find out how to ...
An article about the benefits of and how to prepare for going back to school in recovery. It includes information and resources for getting your GED, going to college or to a trade school and has ...
Guidelines for getting back to work once safely in recovery. How much to reveal, how to deal with questions, how to return to your old job, or if you can't or don't want to - how to get a new one ...
Discover who you are without alcohol or drugs! Many addicts and alcoholics fail to complete some of the normal developmental tasks due to their addiction. Recovery becomes a time to go back and ...
An explanation of the first 4 stages of recovery: how long each one takes, what kind of treatment you need in each stage, and what you need to accomplish before you can graduate to a higher stage.
Some basic facts about relapse, why a slip never needs to mean the end of a recovery or that treatment has failed, what to do if you slip (right away) and how to reduce your odds of relapse in the ...
Quitting drugs or drinking often means severing ties with your old drinking/using buddies…but what do you do if you don’t have any other friends? Here’s a how-to guide to starting over and ...
The most talked about, most influential and most important (helpful) addiction and mental health articles of the past 12 months.
There's an adage in self help, "We found the only thing we needed to change was everything." As we adjust to life without drugs and alcohol, we need to develop new habits to guard against our old ...
A relationship strengthening worksheet: once in recovery you can improve intimacy and relationship satisfaction and you can do it from day 1, and since a sober intimate partner can provide such great ...
Learn distress tolerance skills like mindfulness and imagery so you can handle uncomfortable feelings with out needing to get drunk or high.
If you’re in recovery you’re probably used to dealing with problems by getting drunk or high. Unexpected problems are still coming (as they always do) so get ready for them. Learn effective ...
Clinical research proves that one of the greatest indicators of relapse is poor sleeping during initial sobriety. Unfortunately, the legacy of alcohol abuse on sleeping cycles makes falling asleep ...
7 tips and tricks for getting the most out of your phone, tablet and laptop as you work to maintain your recovery.
Discover the 6 life practices associated with healthy self esteem and make a few changes to boost your own sense of self worth!
Feeling stuck in addiction? Lacking confidence or motivation for change? Read on and get inspired by 12 wisdom-filled quotes on addiction recovery from some of history’s greatest writers and ...
After convening a panel of experts and consumers to talk about what’s really important in the recovery process SAMHSA has released an updated 10 rule guidebook on sustaining a successful recovery. ...
Resilient people adapt to change and bounce back from adversity – and resilient people are less likely to react to tragedy or great stress with relapse back to substance abuse. If you’re in ...
The best of the year's addiction and addiction recovery articles on ChooseHelp!
Make a few minor changes, take on a few of those tasks that have been weighing on you, pamper yourself a little bit and learn to accept yourself for the great person - with strengths and weaknesses - ...
In recovery, it’s helpful to avoid over exposure to peers who abuse drugs and alcohol. Here’s some information on the occupations that are most and least associated with substance abuse.
Idle hands and too many idle hours aren’t often helpful as you strive to maintain your recovery – and also, everyone needs to make a living, right?! Problematically though, addiction is rarely ...
Inside (82 articles)
Relapse after long term sobriety: embarrassment is normal but shame and embarrassment can kill you if they keep you from getting the help you need. Learn what to do after relapse, no matter how many years of sobriety you have behind you.
Getting into a daily exercise habit reduces your odds of addiction relapse – so what’s stopping you? Here are the 7 most common exercise excuses – all refuted!
In early recovery, we're easily left with a sense of loss when we romanticize euphoric experiences we had with our drug of choice (and overlook the costs). Are you looking through the wrong end of the telescope?
During early recovery we often find ourselves raw. But you can't heal what you can't feel. There are no quick fixes. Learn how to let it go.
After a few months, it’s easy to hit a recovery wall and start to feel bored and dissatisfied with your new clean and sober lifestyle. This dissatisfaction will pass, but until it does, you can lower your risk of relapse by taking some time to plan islands of excitement to look forward to.
Exploring ideas for life-change, where domestic abuse complicates addiction recovery and addiction makes it harder to break free from abuse.
Why consider long-term addiction recovery over the standard 30 day rehab? Learn about successful recovery options and how to increase your treatment duration.
©
DavidRphoto
For the next 10 seconds, try not to think of a pink elephant…Impossible, right?! The fact is, the more you try to suppress an impulse to use drugs or alcohol the more fixated your mind becomes on that very impulse, and this is bad news for anyone serious about maintaining their sobriety. Fortunately, you don’t have to drink or use and you don’t have to fight or suppress your cravings, all you have to do is surf over them and they’ll disappear – using a proven mindfulness technique known as urge surfing.
There are many pathways to recovery. If the 12 steps don’t feel right, consider SMART Recovery meetings. SMART Recovery is a free, science-based community self-help group.
When caring for the kids means seeking help for addiction: Overwhelmed by the competing demands of daily life, single parents are at a higher risk for substance abuse and addiction.
New Year's can be a time for reflection, but for those in addiction recovery, it can also be a minefield. About taking stock, as this year comes to an end.
The holidays are a universally stressful time of year. For those of us in recovery, unique challenges demand our care and attention.
It’s hard to avoid the craziness of the holiday season. Take this self test and see if your Christmas habits put you at risk of relapse.
Developing a support system in early recovery can be overwhelming. Choosing a sponsor is an important choice that gives stability. Here's what to look out for.
Learn how to see 'the steps' as opportunities. After relapse, making the most of them hinges on our attitude and on our willingness to change.
Does spirituality have a place in recovery? Find out how spiritual practices can make a real difference and help us in our sobriety and daily living.
Does the true cost of resentment go beyond taking up room in our hearts and mind? Learn how to let go of bitterness and baggage.
Understanding what it means to be a "dry drunk" and un-learning negative behaviors can pave the way to permanent recovery.
Self-deception is rarely a conscious process. Sobriety and recovery naturally yield clarity but it's a process and it requires conscious effort.
Powerlessness is one of the most difficult things to accept in early recovery. Free yourself from unhealthy expectations and futile pursuits.
Alcoholics and addicts do things in active addiction which leave them feeling guilt and shame. Learn what you can do to get over your guilt and shame to forgive yourself and let go of the past.
If you're an in-recovery drug addict, but not an alcoholic, can you ever drink alcohol again? Learn how to decide for yourself.
Pets offer an anchor of unconditional love and helpful routine, but they're also a big responsibility. Would a dog or other pet help you stay clean and sober?
Folks in 12 step programs understand that in early recovery, we can't remember things even if we want to. They provide us with acronyms and simple sayings that speak volumes.
Most medical professionals receive very little training in addictions so you need to protect your own recovery. You may need addictive medications. Make sure to consider the risks, ask the right questions and advocate for yourself.
Staying anonymous in a social media world - how to balance getting the recovery support you need with maintaining anonymity.
Decrease your relapse odds and increase your happiness, resilience and health by focusing on balanced wellness. Here’s an 8 item wellness checklist with suggestions for small changes you can make today.
Recovery milestones like the first 30, 90 or 365 days can increase your relapse risks. Learn about the specific dangers and pitfalls at each stage and get prepared to avoid them
©
Don Christner
Do you have anything to lose from taking a leap of faith? Learn more about choosing a higher power - even if you're not religious.
©
Prayerfriends
Learn how getting and staying sober can spark a life of purpose and passion.
©
Dgblitwin
Don't let a criminal record, probation or parole break your recovery efforts. Read on for 6 tips on building a better future, despite a difficult past.
©
Matthias Weinberger
You can't live recovery at the same pace you lived addiction - all or nothing. Learn new speeds beyond "all out" and "dead stop".
©
Tina:0)
Self-discipline and restraint: willpower isn't something you have or don't have - it's something you can build on your own and with others.
©
-HNDRK-
From the high-life to minimum wage - how do you start over again at the bottom rung without feeling like a loser?
©
Andreas Levers
Ask and answer the following 13 questions after a slip to identify exactly what led you into trouble.
©
Ed Yourdon
One of the greatest things about recovery is that there's always something you can add. Online resources fortify your recovery.
©
enthuan
This article describes what a relapse prevention plan is and how to write an effective plan. It includes ideas for what you can include in a simple relapse prevention plan or a detailed recovery plan.
©
Kevin Dooley
The best of the best – an incredible collection of 12 comprehensive expert answers on subjects as diverse as the ethics of passing bipolar on to biological children, organ donation for alcoholics, talking to small children about addiction and staying sober at college as a freshman alcoholic.
©
Darwin Bell
The 12 most read, influential and helpful resource articles of the past 12 months.
©
Thomas Hawk
Worried about how you’ll make it through Thanksgiving? Here are 7 simple suggestions for making sure your holidays don't end in relapse.
©
Emanuele Tagliaferri
Addiction may cause debilitating or even fatal health conditions. How do you start recovery when you've already done so much damage? This article explores the worth and benefits of late-stage recovery.
©
Thomas Hawk
How to be happy right now. We don't find what we're not looking for. In the midst of striving for a better life we often lose sight of all we have to be grateful for.
©
George Hodan
Grief and loss can rock you, no matter how strong your recovery. Learn to grieve in healthy ways to sustain your recovery and honor your departed loved-one.
©
Prabhu B Doss
You can't keep it unless you give it away. Here are practical tips for using your own strengths and experiences to help others build recovery.
©
Laris.Sa*
Addiction is a disease that damages the body, mind and spirit. Here's a how-to guide to healing your physical, mental and spiritual health once in recovery.
©
Evil Erin
Worrying doesn't actually help but it could make things worse. Learn how to really offer support by taking care of yourself first, learning from others via self-help groups and by working to transform the whole-family dynamic for the better.
©
Phil H
We often talk about formal treatment and self-help groups like AA, but we rarely mention the third essential pillar of recovery – peer driven recovery support services. Find out how recovery support services can help you stay clean and sober for good.
©
Tojosan
In recovery and thinking about becoming an addictions counselor? Here's what's needed to get in and do well in this very worthwhile field.
©
Bilobicles bag
This article explores the importance of learning financial responsibility in recovery. Addicts in recovery need to learn to place financial needs over material wants. This can take planning, budgeting and thinking of long-term needs over the instant gratification of wants.
©
Cobalt123
Early recovery is an emotional rollercoaster. We want to celebrate, recruit others to join our new fantastic way of life, make up for lost time and take on way too much all at once! With patience and prioritizing you can enjoy all the good without falling back into the bad.
©
Cszar
It's easy to confuse acceptance with passivity, but one keeps you sober and one doesn't! Learn how to find acceptance and peace in your life through active recovery.
©
Mutsmut
Learn this effective system for accomplishing short, middle and longer-term goals.
©
Denise Mayumi
New relationships can be stressful and place a burden on recovery. This article includes tips for reducing the stress of new relationships.
©
Express Monorail
Boredom in recovery can lead addicts to relapse so it is important to find ways to have fun in recovery. This article explores ways to discover new interests and fun activities to keep people in recovery from feeling bored and restless.
©
Susanne13
Getting your first job in recovery can be a scary thing to consider. You probably need the money, but you're also scared of relapse - how can you know when you're ready? Read on to find out how to prepare yourself for safe employment now that you're in recovery.
©
Polkadotandplaid
An article about the benefits of and how to prepare for going back to school in recovery. It includes information and resources for getting your GED, going to college or to a trade school and has links to GED testing and financial aid for school sites.
©
Snapsi
Guidelines for getting back to work once safely in recovery. How much to reveal, how to deal with questions, how to return to your old job, or if you can't or don't want to - how to get a new one even with a large gap in your resume.
©
Christiano Betta
Discover who you are without alcohol or drugs! Many addicts and alcoholics fail to complete some of the normal developmental tasks due to their addiction. Recovery becomes a time to go back and complete tasks that were delayed because of addiction.
©
Amexis Mire
An explanation of the first 4 stages of recovery: how long each one takes, what kind of treatment you need in each stage, and what you need to accomplish before you can graduate to a higher stage.
©
Ohsoabnormal
Some basic facts about relapse, why a slip never needs to mean the end of a recovery or that treatment has failed, what to do if you slip (right away) and how to reduce your odds of relapse in the first place.
©
Radioher
Quitting drugs or drinking often means severing ties with your old drinking/using buddies…but what do you do if you don’t have any other friends? Here’s a how-to guide to starting over and building sober friendships.
The most talked about, most influential and most important (helpful) addiction and mental health articles of the past 12 months.
©
Pink Sherbet Photography
There's an adage in self help, "We found the only thing we needed to change was everything." As we adjust to life without drugs and alcohol, we need to develop new habits to guard against our old ones.
©
sicoactiva
A relationship strengthening worksheet: once in recovery you can improve intimacy and relationship satisfaction and you can do it from day 1, and since a sober intimate partner can provide such great recovery support, making things right at home is one of the best things you can do for everyone involved.
©
Ferran
Learn distress tolerance skills like mindfulness and imagery so you can handle uncomfortable feelings with out needing to get drunk or high.
©
Dhammza
If you’re in recovery you’re probably used to dealing with problems by getting drunk or high. Unexpected problems are still coming (as they always do) so get ready for them. Learn effective problem solving techniques today and avoid relapse tomorrow.
©
Kema Keur
Clinical research proves that one of the greatest indicators of relapse is poor sleeping during initial sobriety. Unfortunately, the legacy of alcohol abuse on sleeping cycles makes falling asleep and achieving a restful sleep very difficult. Learn about the influence of sleep on recovery, and tips on getting a good night's sleep.
©
Amanky
7 tips and tricks for getting the most out of your phone, tablet and laptop as you work to maintain your recovery.
©
Jon McGovern
Discover the 6 life practices associated with healthy self esteem and make a few changes to boost your own sense of self worth!
©
Black History Album
Feeling stuck in addiction? Lacking confidence or motivation for change? Read on and get inspired by 12 wisdom-filled quotes on addiction recovery from some of history’s greatest writers and thinkers.
©
_Ambrown
After convening a panel of experts and consumers to talk about what’s really important in the recovery process SAMHSA has released an updated 10 rule guidebook on sustaining a successful recovery. Here are the 10 things you need to do to achieve and maintain your recovery.
©
Trident82
Resilient people adapt to change and bounce back from adversity – and resilient people are less likely to react to tragedy or great stress with relapse back to substance abuse. If you’re in recovery, resilience can save your life. Read on to learn 8 ways to become a more resilient person.
©
*Sally M*
The best of the year's addiction and addiction recovery articles on ChooseHelp!
©
Stevendepolo
Make a few minor changes, take on a few of those tasks that have been weighing on you, pamper yourself a little bit and learn to accept yourself for the great person - with strengths and weaknesses - that you already are.
©
NickWheeleroz
In recovery, it’s helpful to avoid over exposure to peers who abuse drugs and alcohol. Here’s some information on the occupations that are most and least associated with substance abuse.
©
Noodlepie
Idle hands and too many idle hours aren’t often helpful as you strive to maintain your recovery – and also, everyone needs to make a living, right?! Problematically though, addiction is rarely associated with high job performance and though you’re now in recovery and ready to do great work – the gaps in your resume can make it hard to even get in the door. In a booming economy, it might not matter, but when times are tight, getting a job in early recovery can be really tough. Here’s a list of resource agencies that specialize in helping people in recovery find work – as well as a list of tips for general job searching success.
©
Mr. T in DC
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as long as you no longer use illegal drugs, you have a right to treatment and you cannot face discrimination at the workplace because of your past addiction. Learn more about your rights under this federal law and find out what to do if your employer violates the law.
©
Grzegorz Łobiński
Getting and staying involved in a community self help and support group during the initial period of recovery is a very good idea. Support groups can keep help keep you motivated to stay at the fight, can offer wisdom and encouragement and can be an excellent source of sober support and friendship. 12 steps groups are the most common type of community support group, but not everyone finds what they need though the 12 steps - and some people find the spiritual component uncomfortable. Here then, are 6 great alternatives to AA and NA.
Addictive pain medications pose a real threat to anyone in recovery, but then, so does chronic and untreated pain. Learn of drug-free pain management strategies, and a safer way to take narcotic drugs.
Why rehab graduates stay on after graduation, and how to choose a quality rehab.
A long period of alcohol abuse can take a heavy toll on the body, and few people enter treatment in optimum health. Heavy drinking interferes with the body's absorption, processing and even consumption of vitamins and nutrients, and chronic drinking often causes serious vitamin deficiencies.
With more than 75 years of history, and literally tens of millions of lives bettered, 12 steps recovery programs have value. they don't work for everyone, but they're free, they're everywhere and they might just work for you. Give 12 steps a try...and stay sober one day at a time.