Why Addiction Doesn’t Define You

You are not your addiction       Not long ago, anyone who found themselves addicted to drugs would become an instant social outcast. They were labeled as derelicts without any drive or ambition.   People saw their manipulative behaviors as part of their personalities instead of what they really are: part of a disease. […]

The Benefits of Peer Coaching and a Support Network

Peer coaching and a support network help in recovery         Anyone who is about to embark on a long and difficult journey would benefit from some moral support. Recovering addicts are no exception.     People who are recovering from substance abuse struggle with temptation and withdrawal symptoms daily. It helps to […]

Goodbye letter to my addiction #2

Saying goodbye to my addiction   Today, we have a special guest post from Danielle who has written a goodbye letter to her addiction. If you would like to share your goodbye letter to your addiction, you can send it to Dear Addiction,     It started out as fun, my weekend companion, I […]

How Social Media is Aiding Recovery

Social Media’s Impact on Recovery         As ubiquitous as it has become on the cultural landscape, the narrative surrounding social media is not always positive. A large part of the issue is that social media can so easily be weaponized. There have been numerous news reports about teens getting bullied on social […]

Mental Health Month: You Are Not Your Illness

“You are not your illness. You have an individual story to tell. You have a name, a history, a personality. Staying yourself is part of the battle.” – Julian Siefter   For Mental Health Month, our very own Jody Morgan has shared part of her story with us.    ​I started working in the mental […]

What is #NoMoreShame?

    Stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness has always been an impediment to eradicating the addiction epidemic. Stigma prevents people from asking for help and often causes them to isolate, which is never the answer. There are many organizations today that are working to fight the stigma of addiction, including Stamp Out Stigma, New […]

The Importance of Recovery for Young People

Why recovery is an important topic for young people         When our modern idea of recovery from drugs and alcohol first took form in the 1930s, young people were not factored into the equation of sobriety. In fact during those early years of recovery very few women were even introduced to the […]

The Dangers that Synthetic Opioids Pose

Opioid abuse and the dangerous epidemic       It is no secret that synthetic opioids have become a huge problem in this country, to the point where President Obama has addressed the issue in an attempt to raise awareness among the population about the potential epidemic that we have on our hands. He has […]

Can addiction really lead to this?

Addiction and its Effect on Suicide   Addiction and suicide sometimes, unfortunately, goes hand and hand. A person caught in the depths of addiction can often times see no way out and as a result, believe that their only option is to commit suicide. This is always an extremely sad thing to hear, not only […]

How to Use Apps and Technology To Support Your Recovery

How technology can support your recovery   There was a time when the only technologies that were available to aid you in your recovery were the telephone and the printing press. This, however, is not the case today and there are now hundreds of applications and technology to support your recovery. These will come in […]

September is National Recovery Month

The Importance of National Recovery Month     September 1st marks the beginning of the 27th National Recovery Month. National Recovery Month is intended as a month to educate the American population on the benefits that substance abuse treatment and other mental health services can offer to those struggling with substance abuse problems or mental […]

New addiction and mental health Twitter Q&A: #AscentChat

Twitter chats: getting others involved on the social platform by asking questions and engaging with other people’s answers. Twitter chats are a great way to educate and involve other individuals and businesses on Twitter. It is a group of people coming together and providing their thoughts and advice on the topic that the host chooses. […]

Addiction-recovery treatment plans that work

An addiction-recovery treatment plan       As a post-parent coach, Jane Adams PhD, has counseled many parents who’ve had to cope with a young adult’s substance abuse. She has followed them through the bewildering array of options for addicts, ranging from in-patient rehab to day treatment, 12-step programs to individualized or family therapy. Depending […]