Vaping is a thing that we, as a culture, have to deal with now. While the Food and Drug Administration is still scratching their heads over how to regulate vaping, a whole subculture of entrepreneurs and enthusiasts have grown up around these devices that turn oil into steam. Is vaping a liability in recovery? Well,…
Any significant change in life, big or small, doesn’t happen all at once and forever. There’s typically equivocation, trying and failing, trying again, making progress, sliding back, progressing again, and so on. There are typically five stages of change when you’re trying to get from here to there. These can apply to quitting drugs or…
During active addiction, people often tell themselves they are fine, even if they don’t feel that way. They often blame other people for their problems. It’s not until they get sober that they see the full extent of the damage addiction caused. Here are some things people in recovery regret most. Alienating friends and family.…
Gout is a painful form of arthritis. Symptoms of gout occur suddenly and include intense joint pain, usually in the large joint of the big toe. The pain may also be in the ankles, knees, wrists, or fingers. The affected joints become swollen, red, and tender, which may limit your range of motion. An attack…
Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, is a major risk factor for addiction. More than half of people with bipolar disorder will struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among people with bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is often mistaken for depression and it takes an average of…
Several recent studies show that the rate of depression in the US is rising. Blue Cross Blue Shield recently released a report showing that among its more than 40 million customers, depression increased by 33 percent between 2013 and 2016. Although women are about twice as likely to suffer depression as men, both men and…
Relapse can happen at any point in recovery. Typically, your risk of relapse decreases as you have more time sober, and the greatest risk is early on. Soon after you detox and can think relatively clearly, it’s a good idea to write down a plan for preventing relapse. Having a physical plan written down and…
One of the most important aspects of recovery is knowing your triggers. Knowing what triggers your cravings gives you much more control over them. Often, you will be able to avoid triggers entirely, relying on foresight more than willpower. If you are exposed to a trigger, you can take steps to stop a craving from…
One of the biggest challenges of recovering from addiction is dealing with cravings. When you experience a craving, you feel like you really need to drink or use again, that you are being pulled toward it and you can’t escape. Cravings feel like they will never end. In reality, they typically last only a short…
There is a common saying in AA: We’re only as sick as our secrets. It’s strange that keeping a secret could have a big impact on your life. After all, what is keeping a secret besides neglecting to mention something? It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Unfortunately, keeping secrets is a big…
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