a doctor explains to her patient about how to create a relapse prevention plan

Self-Medicating to Escape our Pain  

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, PLEASE get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). When we struggle with addictions, we are often driven to our addictive substances and behaviors because we’re using them to self-medicate to try and escape our inner pain. We come to realize… Continue Reading Self-Medicating to Escape our Pain  

a group of people talk about why self help groups alone are not enough to beat addiction

Why Self-help Groups Alone Are Not Enough to Beat Addiction

Self-help groups for addiction include 12-step groups, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, LifeRing, and others. Of these, 12-step programs like AA and NA are by far the most popular, with more than 100,000 AA groups alone worldwide. SMART Recovery is the largest non-12-step program with about 1500 groups in the US. What newer groups like SMART,… Continue Reading Why Self-help Groups Alone Are Not Enough to Beat Addiction

a woman meditates and wonders how can i find inner peace

How Can I Find Inner Peace?

Living with addiction means we’re often struggling with inner turmoil, tumultuous interpersonal relationships, challenging circumstances, stress, anxiety and depression. At the root of our pain is a lack of inner peace. We don’t feel grounded, centered, stable or secure. We don’t feel at peace with ourselves, our lives, our relationships. Attaining inner peace doesn’t mean… Continue Reading How Can I Find Inner Peace?