Featured Bloggers

June/July = Guinevere Gets Sober

An award-winning, top-ranking addiction blog offering news, reviews, and straight talk about addiction and recovery

August = No Permanent Solutions

I'm 32, married, have a huge family, work behind a desk 9am–5pm and coach diving on the side. My favorite things in this world are my family, diving, dancing, corny movies, awe-ha moments (aka Godshots), silly hair, playful banter, and belly laughs. Any of these things shared with other people makes them even better! I'm in recovery from a myriad of dependencies, and I primarily relate as a recovering alcoholic, bulimic and cutter. I lived with major depression for half my life and have received 21 ECTs. Today I live free from the hell I believed I could only escape through suicide. I don’t know why I was graced with recovery after over a decade of pain and struggle, but I know I cannot afford to keep it to myself nor do I want to. I love sharing my story and my life today, and I hope that my experience might lend support and hope to others. Remember every experience we have will pass. Be present for the good as well as the seemingly bad, because both have value and both are only temporary.

Everyday Addiction: Healing the Habits of Life

In this afternoon workshop we will look at the issues that trouble us in our daily lives, both internal and external. We will explore self-judgment and painful emotional habits; we will work with letting go of the habitual behaviors that undermine our happiness and serenity. Using themes like honesty, intention, and acceptance, we will come to understand the roots of our distress and develop tools to overcome and heal these persistent problems.

The day's teaching will include mindfulness meditation techniques and Buddhist/12-Step parallels.

Kevin Griffin is the author of the seminal 2004 book One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps and the recent A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery. He has been practicing Buddhist meditation for three decades and been in recovery since 1985. He’s been a meditation teacher for over fifteen years. His teacher training was at Spirit Rock Meditation Center where he currently leads Dharma and Recovery classes.   

Kusala Yoga -Brooklyn NY

Kevin Griffin - Buddhism and Recovery

Outside Issues Magazine - Exposing the Recovering Mind

Welcome to the second edition of Outside Issues Magazine. We are honored to continue our mission of exposing this complicated puzzle of addiction. Our primary object...ive in this issue is break the stereotype that addiction revolves completely around drugs and alcohol. The infinite bottoms of other addictions such as co-dependency, eating disorders, or spending addictions are just as painful and life threatening. We hope the stories within these pages help to educate our readers and their family and friends. So now let us courageously journey forward once again into all of our Outside Issues, ‘Exposing the Recovering Mind!’

Sincerely,

David Weitz
Executive Editor
editor@outsideissues.comSee More

http://www.outsideissues.com/uploads/OI_Magazine_Winter_2012_Online.pdf

Highland House - Addiction Treatment

Highland House has treated over 200 clients in the past 3 years. For many of them Highland House has come to represent the beginning of their true lives... lives free from fear, misery and addiction.

Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

In our care and among their peers, they have found the strength, courage and skills to move beyond their old manner of living and embrace new and healthy lifestyle - find out why.

The evidence speaks for itself. We know, beyond a doubt, that addictive illnesses such as alcohol and drug addiction are treatable diseases... recovery is possible.

With the help and support of our qualified UK trained counsellors and clinical staff you can overcome active addiction.

LEARN MORE

NEW Recovery Forum

 

Welcome Recovery Discussion ~ We Talk Recovery to the Sober Sites Directory.  Our newest members forum features discussions on addiction, mental health, family and friends, 12 Steps, I am Grateful and more.  If your looking to spread your wings and get involved with an online recovery community check it out.

http://www.recoverydiscussion.com

Torah and the Twelve Steps

Residential Addiction Recovery Program
Spiritual Therapy integrating Jewish Wisdom with the 12 Steps

"Torah and the Twelve Steps, Inc is a spiritually based action oriented drug and alcohol rehab which integrates the spirituality within Torah Judaism with the Twelve Step model to effectively treat the underlying cause of addiction."

For detailed information please visit http://www.torahtwelvesteps.org

Giving Is Beautiful

New Jersey artist Gwen R and musician Laura C are joining with Marti Hottenstien's How to Save a Life Foundation to fight addiction. The "Giving is Beautiful Fundraiser" is centered around specially designed addiction recovery prayer beads from http://TwelveBeads.com combined with a CD from songwriter LauraC at http://lauracmusic.com.

Sales can be made via the Internet and are open to anyone who would like to donate. When visitors to TwelveBeads.com purchase the gift set, $20.00 will be deposited into the foundation's account.

The Giving is Beautiful HOPE Necklace features 8mm and 6mm black obsidian beads with gun metal Miyuki hex cut glass and bead accents. Black obsidian is known for its protective qualities and is believed to absorb negative emotions such as anger, fear, and criticism. The necklace and CD are available at http://www.twelvebeads.com/Giving_Is_Beautiful.html

"All three of us are passionate about addiction recovery and are always looking for new ways to help others," Gwen R said.

All donations go directly to the How to Save a Life Foundation http://howtosavealifefoundation.org and help those who can not afford treatment. Since its founding in June 2007, How to Save a Life has helped more than 400 people receive addiction treatment. The foundation dedicates its work to the memory of Karl Hottenstein who was denied treatment for drug addiction. He died six weeks later.

Gwen R and Laura C struggled with addiction and now put great energy into helping others in the daily effort to remain sober. "Addiction is not a moral failing but a disease that can only be cured through treatment," Hottenstien said.

Gwen R is a graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia and is founder of TwelveBeads.com. There she offers her own designs of prayer beads that soothe, heal, and bring hope. All promote recovery from addiction.

Laura C has been on CBS' The TODAY SHOW twice, various news stations around the country, She has performed at major events and continues to travel with her band. Laura C has been nominated for a coveted PRISM award.

The CD "The Gift of Brokenness" is about Laura C's journey. In a way, each song is a piece of her, as she took herself apart and put herself back together again. It is about dealing with anger, despair and fear. And ultimately, it is about joy, hope and healing.

"Our focus on healing, both through art and music, makes us a good match for helping How to Save a Life. Marti Hottenstien does wonderful work through her foundation," Gwen R said.

All of TwelveBeads recovery jewelry features 12 core beads used to say special devotions or affirmations. The central purpose of the beads is to help the wearer connect with his or her Higher Power.

Contact: Gwen R

cinderellamom96@comcast.net

http://www.TwelveBeads.com

http://howtosavealifefoundation.org

http://www.lauracmusic.com

Faces and Voices of Recovery

Learn a little more about the Faces and Voices of Recovery...

For too long those most affected by alcohol and other drug problems have been absent from the public policy debate. Faces & Voices of Recovery was founded in 2001 at a Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In the 1990s, advocates and their national allies met to strategize on ways to reach out to the medical, public health, criminal justice and other communities about the possibilities of recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, forming The Alliance Project. The project and its supporters found inspiration and support in the writings of historian William White and in the airing of a groundbreaking television series on addiction produced by Bill Moyers. The Alliance Project began planning for a national gathering; among their key tasks was the commissioning of the first national survey of the recovery community, The Face of Recovery.

Now go check out the Strategic Plan and get involved!

FACES AND VOICES OF RECOVERY
www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org

Orchid Recovery Center

The Orchid is an alcohol and drug treatment center designed for the specific needs of women suffering from addiction and unresolved trauma.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs

• Individual, Family and Group Therapy
• Experiential Therapy and Psychodrama
• Yoga and Exercise
• Acupuncture
• Healing Arts Therapy
• Healing Sound Therapy
• Massage Therapy
• Conscious Eating and Nutrition
• Spiritual Guidance

Visit www.orchidrecoverycenter.com to learn more about where women heal.

Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down

Are you ready to get that monkey off your back?

If you have a substance abuse problem (or think that you might), you are definitely in the right place and by taking a look at this website and other recovery resources you are taking a step in the right direction. There are plenty of tools for the recovering alcoholic and addict to use - if we'd only pick them up and use them! This new book is one of those tools.

Obviously, there are a lot of books about recovery from addiction and substance abuse and some of them are easier to read than others. The aim of this one was to write something that could be easily understood by any alcoholic or addict who is brand new to sobriety or trying to get clean and sober again. It's about the basics; what to expect and look out for during very early recovery.

Drawing on my own experience and that of others in recovery, this book highlights fifty things that all of us should know once we've decided to fight our addiction. Some of the topics included are:

* The First 30 Days - What to expect and how to get through it.
* Things to Avoid - Protecting your recovery and coping with stress.
* Dry Drunk - How not to be one.
* Relapse –Developing a prevention plan and what to do if it happens
* Spouses & Partners - How to include them and rebuild relationships.
* Children - It's never too late to be a good parent or role model.
* Dating in Early Recovery - The not so good, the bad and the ugly.
* Twelve Step Programs - How they work and what you should know.
* Isolating - Why we do it and why we shouldn't.
* Substituting and Fixing - Things we substitute for our addiction.

(Click here to read the chapter, 'About This Book)

INSPIRATIONS Teen Drug Rehab

TEENS STAGES OF ADDICTION
A. Pre Stage - Teen Experiments how drugs/alcohol works for them. Learning Process

B. Early Stage - Teen uses drugs/alcohol to get pleasure/high.
It's all just fun
1. Few consequences from the beginning use of drugs/alcohol.
2. Ability to control use of drugs/alcohol in most cases.
3. Drug of use/alcohol increases: start using more.

C. Middle Stage - Teen starts using to get relief from pain.
Change in Dealing with Life and Others
1. drugs/alcohol becomes a problem/source of pain.
2. Loss control over amount used of drugs/alcohol; using more and more.
3. Extreme discomfort when not using
4. Depression, emotional numbness, mental preoccupation

D. Late Stage - Teen is now using to obliterate consciousness.
Physical and Mental Breakdown
1. Severe psychological/physical consequences.
2. Dissociation from self/reality, many blackouts.
3. Suicide, insanity, accidental death, physical sickness, prison.


Inspirations for Youth and Families aka Inspirations Teen Rehab, is a nationally recognized, licensed residential treatment center, for teens ages 14 to 18 and their families, who are struggling with the chaos of teen behaviors combined with drug or alcohol use, abuse, or addiction. At Inspirations Teen Rehab we understand your concern for your teenager and the changing behaviors causing heartbreak and fear for your teen’s safety and future.

LEARN MORE visit the Inspirations website
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com/index.asp

Kevin Griffin Buddhism and Recovery

Principles of Mindful Recovery I
Friday, February 4, 1:00-5:00pm
Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society
4300 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA.

What Is Real, What Is True: Clear Seeing. First in a series of four workshops this year for addiction professionals and anyone interested in using mindfulness as a tool for healing addictions. 4 CEUs available. Optional meditation training, 10am-12 Noon. To register contact events@recoveryview.com

Christians In Recovery

Christians in Recovery® is a group of men and women who are dedicated to personal one-on-one sharing of faith, strength and hope as we live each day in recovery. We work to regain and maintain balance and order in our lives through active discussion of the 12 Steps, the Bible, and experiences in our own recovery from abuse, family dysfunction, depression, anxiety, grief, relationships and/or addictions of alcohol, drugs, food, pornography, sexual addiction, etc. CIR is comprised of people like you who become Members and/or Donate. Christians in Recovery®, Inc. is non-denominational. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors that meets on a regular basis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRISTIANS IN RECOVERY HERE

Buddhist Recovery Network

For those of you in recovery who are interested in Buddhism this is a great place to get started. Look for a meeting near you!

"The Buddhist Recovery Network supports the use of Buddhist teachings, traditions and practices to help people recover from the suffering caused by addictive behaviors. Open to people of all backgrounds, and respectful of all recovery paths, the organization promotes mindfulness and meditation, and is grounded in Buddhist principles of non-harming, compassion and interdependence. It seeks to serve an international audience through teaching, training, treatment, research, publication, advocacy and community-building initiatives."

Visit The Buddhist Recovery Network

New Hope Recovery Center - Interventions

Understanding Intervention Services

Interventions explained
There is some misconception about intervention services. Interventions are often portrayed in the media as highly conflictual meetings in which friends and family members air out their grievances towards one person. Certainly, interventions are confrontational, and they usually involve close family members. With a trained interventionist, however, an intervention session will be well run and contained.

An intervention is generally defined as an attempt to disrupt a person’s pattern of negative and addictive behaviors. Some individuals are unable to see how the disease of addiction has affected their lives and the lives of those around them. While some friends and family may have expressed anger, worry and frustration, their message does not get through. Addiction is so powerful and insidious because it causes the mind to rationalize compulsive and destructive behaviors to maintain the addiction. A trained interventionist can break through an individual’s false sense of reality. The objectivity that a professional interventionist brings to the intervention dissipates some of the intensity of the emotions that surface, preventing blaming, shaming and other defeating communication.

Only a trained clinician can assess whether an intervention would be appropriate for your friend or loved one.

The New Hope Recovery intervention difference
New Hope Recovery Center offers professional intervention services when needed. If you contact us, we can give you more detailed information on the intervention process and how it can help your loved one take the first step to recovery from addiction. Intervention services are tailored towards the needs of your family member or loved one. After speaking with you, we can get a better idea of the friends and family members to be present at an intervention, the format for the session and the most effective addiction treatment for the individual in need. Please contact us with your questions or concerns about interventions. We are here to help.

New Hope Recovery Center

Interventions Page