2020-06-25 16:37
Originally published at WorkIt Health
When I think back to early recovery, the thought of reaching a month, 6 months, a year seemed insurmountable. I had so many images in my head o… Read More
Blog Directory > Blogging Blogs > Life to be Continued blogging Blog >
2020-06-11 17:57
Please note: This is a guest post.
When suffering with substance abuse, more often than not, users who want to quit try to detach themselves from the environment that got them started in… Read More
2019-09-13 21:24
I’ve been sitting on this for a few days, debating when to actually sit down and write Cooper’s birth story. I wanted to let the memories settle a little, but also not let them f… Read More
2019-08-28 17:40
That January day we found out I was pregnant seems like both yesterday and a lifetime ago. Parts of that day and the emotions are so vivid, and others are already escaping me. I remember the… Read More
2019-02-16 17:59
So many of the greatest blessings in my life were not part of my grand plan.
Yet every time something new comes along, something that was not part of The Plan, I panic. I doubt my abilit… Read More
2018-10-18 01:16
This past winter, I wanted out of this life I’ve created.
I wanted out of Alexandria, out of my job, out of my house, out of my relationship. I felt like I couldn’t breathe, li… Read More
2018-09-13 14:23
A nasty ankle sprain, hella rope burn and pee all over the floor.
Those items listed may not equate to a happy heart for most people, but for me they do. In my world, they are a result of ha… Read More
2018-07-27 02:51
I’ve never understood people who can use their imaginations. Doing so has never come naturally to me, even when I was little. In fact, my mom will sometimes tell me I didn’t play… Read More
2018-05-07 21:51
As I wound my car along the familiar route to work this morning, I felt the completely unprovoked tears welling up. I felt them start streaming down my face. I felt myself accept that fact a… Read More
2018-02-10 20:54
Anyone from the Alexandria area will recognize the title of this post because it’s the city’s tagline. And it’s a damn good tagline because it’s true.
I was tal… Read More
2018-02-10 20:54
Anyone from the Alexandria area will recognize the title of this post because it’s the city’s tagline. And it’s a damn good tagline because it’s true.
I was tal… Read More
2018-02-04 23:10
The past few months have been some of the most uncomfortable of my life, with the exception of first getting sober. I’ve felt restless. Uncertain. Frustrated. Guilty. Confused. Sometim… Read More
2018-02-04 23:10
The past few months have been some of the most uncomfortable of my life, with the exception of first getting sober. I’ve felt restless. Uncertain. Frustrated. Guilty. Confused. Sometim… Read More
2017-12-17 21:27
Sometimes I just forget. I honestly just forget that I’m sober. To some people, this may sound dangerous, almost like I’ve let my focus slip. But to me it’s a good thing. I… Read More
2017-11-30 12:29
“The bottom line is that I’m sick of my own bullshit, but I am also done drowning in it. So this is it. This is the change I’ve been waiting for for nearly a year, and tell… Read More
2017-11-23 17:32
You know those people who have enough willpower to decide they are done with something and actually be done with it? I’m not one of those people, which is why I had never attempted a F… Read More
2017-11-04 01:22
It’s hard to remember a life before Brandon – a life before our home, a life before our dogs, a life before our love.
But that life existed once.
Three years ago, I had yet to… Read More
2017-10-17 21:16
Me, too.
Me, too. Me, too. Me, too.
For the past few days, this phrase has been echoed time and time again as I scrolled through my Facebook feed. The meaning? I (the poster), too, have bee… Read More
2017-09-27 00:10
Article courtesy of addictions.com
If you watch TV or read the news, there is a good chance you have heard about opiates in one form or another. They are the most popular medication fo… Read More
2017-09-24 18:57
This was originally published at Addictioncenter.com
Even though it is 2017, the concern of stigma is alive and well when it comes to addiction. Stigmas, or misconceptions or negative though… Read More
2017-09-14 00:27
If you follow me on any form of social media, you probably know that for the most part, my life is an open book. It started with talking about my drinking and recovery. Then I began to ackno… Read More
2017-08-25 22:07
I used to be shy.
At kindergarten open house, I was so terrified of the newness surrounding me that I clung to my mom’s waist, pulling down her skirt in the process. My kindergarten p… Read More
2017-08-13 22:07
This was originally published at The Fix.
I’ve always had a bad habit of checking my phone when I wake up in the middle of the night.
So last Saturday, when I woke up around 3 a… Read More
2017-07-21 20:34
All my life, I have been in a battle with my body.
Though I never suffered from an eating disorder or anything of that severity, my body-image has never been positive. In fact, I’d go… Read More
2017-07-09 21:50
This was originally published at The Fix.
A few weeks ago, I stood in front of my fridge with an unopened bottle of beer in my hand, pondering what would happen if I twisted the cap… Read More
2017-06-27 18:27
I recently had one of those workouts. You know the kind. You go into it feeling good, feeling like you got this. Then you get your ass handed to you physically. And not only physically, but… Read More
2017-06-17 19:48
When people find out I am sober, they often ask questions—typically some variation of “But don’t you ever want to drink?” Questions are OK with me. I know people are… Read More
2017-06-15 00:44
This was originally published at The Recovery Village
For much of my life, I have struggled with depression. Depression is a frustrating disorder to be diagnosed with, as it is unpredi… Read More
2017-06-06 00:01
I’ve been bouncing back and forth between writing this post because in a strange way it feels more personal than anything else I’ve ever written — which is saying a lo… Read More
2017-05-31 21:07
This was originally published in the Echo Press
A few weeks ago, I went on a trip to New York City with some of my favorite women in the world.
But here’s the funny thing: This was… Read More
2017-05-10 23:18
Growing up, I never understood it when women I knew said their sister was their best friend.
My sister, who is four years younger than me, was a pain in my ass. She was loud, sometimes obno… Read More
2017-05-04 23:51
I’ve never been a sucker for camo or cowboy boots — in fact, I’d always strongly disliked both. But two and a half years ago, at a Caribou Coffee in St. Cloud, I went on a… Read More
2017-05-03 00:16
This was originally published at The Recovery Village.
For as long as I can remember, anxiety has been a part of my life.
In situations where most people wouldn’t bat an eye, my… Read More
2017-04-22 16:28
Life has defining moments.
And sometimes, right in the midst of them, time slows and that thought actually crosses my mind: “This is going to be a defining moment. So pay attention to… Read More
2017-04-05 21:29
Those of you who follow my writing know that I am a pretty open book. There isn’t much I keep to myself about my struggles with alcoholism, with self-harm, with anxiety, with depressio… Read More
2017-03-30 01:36
I’ll preface this by saying this post is going to be a tough one to write, and a little all over the place. It’s never a good sign when I can say that in the first line. Usually… Read More
2017-03-19 18:10
I’ve been thinking about my relationship lately.
About how it’s no longer in the head-over-heels, heart-skip-a-beat phase it once was. About how he and I come home after a long… Read More
2017-03-16 01:09
Lately I’ve had quite a few people message me inquiring about Crossfit. They want to know what it’s like, how difficult it is, if they’ll be able to manage it. Though I&rs&helli…Read More
2017-02-27 20:54
I’ve spent the majority of today feeling like I am crawling out of my own skin. I’ve been restless and bored, unable to concentrate well. I’m unsure why, but in feeling th… Read More
2017-02-25 22:46
Sidenote: For those who don’t know, the Open is a 5-week, worldwide competition. Workouts are released Thursday night, and athletes have a few days to do the judged workout and report… Read More
2017-02-09 20:43
Completing your drug treatment program is a huge milestone that deserves to be celebrated. This big moment also represents another step in your journey that requires strategic planning to en… Read More
2017-02-03 23:08
Many in recovery wonder about how sobriety will affect their social lives. If drinking was your go-to in social situations, then it is likely you’ll need to do some adjusting when it… Read More
2017-01-22 17:00
There is a saying in the rooms of recovery that goes, “There but for the grace of God go I.” If you haven’t heard this saying before, the context it is usually used in, is… Read More
2017-01-21 19:09
“Checking your ego, abandoning it, letting it go, is a huge part of recovery from addiction.” – Susannah Grant
“I was an embarrassing drunk, man. I’d get pulled… Read More
2017-01-12 20:53
This was originally published at The Fix.
So you did it. You took the leap and decided it was time to give sobriety a try. Maybe you hit rock bottom, or maybe you just decided your rel… Read More
2016-12-31 18:33
Dear two thousand and sixteen,
I’ve been thinking about you lately — thinking about how it seemed like nothing monumental happened these past 12 months, yet you were still… Read More
2016-12-26 23:47
This was originally published at The Recovery Village.
When it comes to love, men and women with substance use disorders can have a hard time maintaining romantic relationships—… Read More
2016-12-14 00:09
It is well established that substance abuse could lead to traumatic brain injuries. According to a study published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 60 percent of 211 TBI injuri… Read More
2016-12-08 01:15
This post was originally published at The Recovery Village.
Though the holiday season isn’t traditionally centered around drinking, it may seem that way for those new to sobriet… Read More
2016-12-06 23:07
In the past few weeks, as we near a new year, I’ve had an Elizabeth Gilbert quote on my mind. It’s the one that goes,
“I’ve never seen any life transformation that d… Read More
2016-11-26 16:45
Today I woke up thinking of all of the people on this planet that are hurting. I woke up thinking about the people whose lives are still deeply affected by the traumas of their past. Those w… Read More
2016-11-18 21:45
This post was originally published at The Recovery Village Ridgefield
Let’s face it —even for those who go willingly, outpatient and inpatient rehab can be a scary, confusi… Read More
2016-11-18 21:42
This post was originally published at The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake
“The worst thing is watching someone drown and not being able to convince them that they can save themse… Read More
2016-11-10 01:04
Yesterday morning, I was so excited to be part of this historical election. I woke up ready. I was one of many voters who had no doubts that we’d be making the good kind of history. I… Read More
2016-10-27 23:35
When I came into the rooms of recovery I was simply looking for a way to stop the insanity of having to drink and use even when I didn’t want to.
All I cared about was staying alive, w… Read More
2016-10-27 22:59
For many people on the path of sobriety, receiving treatment is the easy part. It’s what follows treatment that can often scare people enough to stray from sobriety and back to their o… Read More
2016-10-27 22:58
This post was originally published at The Recovery Village.
When in active alcohol addiction, many aspects of a person’s life become affected—and usually not in a… Read More
2016-10-21 16:21
This post was originally published on The Fix.
For many newly sober individuals, one of the hardest parts of sobriety is telling others why they are no longer drinking. Though it&rsquo&hell…Read More
2016-10-21 15:00
This article was originally published on The Fix.
At age 20, most people are in college, eagerly awaiting to turn 21 and be able to go to bars with their friends. For the first part of… Read More
2016-10-13 00:15
By Andrew Cormier
Gratitude In Action
I often hear people say that they are grateful to be sober. Gratitude is such a common theme in recovery programs that an entire month has even been ded… Read More
2016-10-09 15:13
Have you ever had one of those days when you just wish you could crawl up in bed and go to sleep so that it’d be over? A day where no matter what you do things just seem to fall apart… Read More
2016-09-28 22:25
This post was originally published at https://www.palmerlakerecovery.com/blog/daily-affirmations-sobriety/.
As someone who has participated in 12-step meetings as part of my recov… Read More
2016-09-15 02:33
Getting sober was never something I could have done on my own.
But I didn’t always feel that way. In the beginning, when I wasn’t sure I actually wanted to be sober, I was convin… Read More
2016-08-17 02:06
By Rose Lockinger
I spent a significant portion of my life criticizing myself, honestly, if I had talked to other people the way I talked to myself, I doubt I would have had any friends. I h… Read More
2016-07-31 18:08
This post was originally published on The Recovery Village.
It can sometimes be awkward for individuals who are not in recovery themselves to broach the topic with a loved one for fear… Read More
2016-07-12 12:00
This post originally appeared on the Orlando Recovery Center’s website.
Being an ally to someone in recovery is not always an easy task. Those who are not an addict themselves ma… Read More
2016-07-11 23:39
This post originally appeared on The Fix.
When I first got sober three years ago, I never imagined I would tell even my closest friends, let alone write about my experiences and emotio… Read More
2016-07-08 20:26
I’m going to start by admitting that I don’t know where this post is going. For once, I’m just writing, trying to make sense of this world and the events unfolding. As Flan… Read More
2016-07-06 23:42
This post was originally published at The Recovery Village.
Chances are that if you’re not an alcoholic yourself, it’s not easy to determine what to say to someone who stru… Read More
2016-07-04 20:31
This was originally published on The Fix.
Before admitting I had a problem with alcohol, I spent a lot of time and energy denying that problem. Through meaningless hookups, nights I di… Read More
2016-06-28 00:51
This was originally published at https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/recovery-blog/why-alcoholics-blame-others/.
When it comes to the blame game, alcoholics are professionals.
We c… Read More
2016-06-24 01:09
This post was originally published at https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/recovery-blog/avoid-relapse-five-situations/.
Relapse. For many, it’s part of the long, winding jour… Read More
2016-06-04 17:36
Trust is a touchy topic for those who have struggled with addiction. Most of us found early on that we couldn’t trust most people, even those we were close to. This may have started ea… Read More
2016-05-19 01:40
Ahhh, you guys, I am so sorry for the lack of personal blog posts. Life has been coming at me full-force lately and I just literally have not had the time to sit down and write.
But…I… Read More
2016-04-28 22:57
If you’ve been in recovery for a little while, you probably already understand that while drugs and alcohol were a big problem, they weren’t the only problem. And, you probably a… Read More
2016-04-22 18:30
Addiction is everywhere.
Some would say such a phrase is being paranoid or overly concerned, but the truth is that addiction is an ever growing problem. We live in a time when the options f… Read More
2016-04-07 16:00
Similar to the “chicken and the egg” question, medical researchers are asking which comes first–alcohol abuse, or depression? Are depressed individuals turning to the bottl… Read More
2016-03-13 00:07
A few days ago, I complained because life was going too well.
I made the comment that when things are going so perfectly, I feel like I lose any and all drive to write. And it’s true … Read More
2016-03-08 00:23
The path to loving and accepting my body has been challenging to say the least. In the last year I have slowly but surely traveled towards seeing my body in a different light.
For most of my… Read More
2016-02-22 03:08
At this moment, I’m straight up burnt out on writing.
I used to think I’d never say that, but it’s the truth. The only time I ever write anymore is for money. I work a full… Read More
2016-02-05 01:17
This post was originally published at www.cosmopolitan.com
It’s one month after my sophomore year of college. I’ve always been comfortable with public speaking, but not today… Read More
2016-01-31 19:23
Name: Mary-Ann A.
Sobriety date: 1/18/15
From: Cape Town, South Africa
Today one year ago on this day I was raped and beaten and was nearly killed, but by the Grace of God I survived! Heb 15… Read More
2016-01-22 01:07
Chances are if you’ve ever considered getting sober, there’s a reason. Whether it be because of poor health, bad behavior or repercussions of drinking, there’s a way to mak… Read More
2016-01-17 12:00
Name: Samantha C.
Sobriety date: 8/30/2012
From: Tennessee
I had my first drink at like 9, but did not start hard drinking till around 19.
My rock bottom was 2009/10-ish, about a few years b… Read More
2016-01-16 20:35
This was originally published at www.orlandorecovery.com
Often, an individual in active addiction is the last to realize or admit to having a problem. Family members or friends may notice an… Read More
2016-01-14 23:57
Name: Patrick M.
Sobriety date: 6/19/2013
From: Maryland
This is Patrick’s story:
First time drinking: The summer after high school. So 2008, sometime during the first two we… Read More
2016-01-09 21:28
Today, Taylor took the time to reach out and tell me her story. I want to share it here.
Name: Taylor McHargue
Sobriety date: 10/1/2013
From: Oklahoma City
This is her story:
I took my first… Read More
2015-12-23 20:53
I used to be a cat person (gosh, that’s a tough sentence to type). In my defense, I was young and didn’t know any better. All I knew was that I saw kittens, they were cute, and I… Read More
2015-12-23 19:48
This is a column I wrote for the local paper I work at, the Echo Press.
College binge-drinking isn’t always just binge-drinking – sometimes it’s alcoholism.
I know… Read More
2015-12-04 19:38
This post was originally published at www.thefix.com
The first couple weeks of sobriety were the scariest of my life. There are so many things I wish people had told me very early on in my… Read More
2015-12-02 22:10
This post was originally published at http://www.orlandorecovery.com/.
I still vividly remember my first day of treatment even though it was over two and a half years ago. I did o… Read More
2015-11-24 01:01
This post was originally published at http://www.orlandorecovery.com/.
“I will literally never have fun again. My life is over. It’s ruined.”
This was one of the… Read More
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