Before I got into recovery, I was entirely certain that the last thing in life I wanted was to be sober. It was a repulsive idea, actually. Not doing drugs was one thing but not drinking? Were these people mad? I was convinced that being an alcoholic and being a drug addict were two entirely […]
In a now famous Ted Talk, British journalist and author of Chasing The Scream Johann Hari shared his conclusion from significant research, that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety but connection. Hari’s opinion is supported by psychiatrist and author Dr. Gabor Maté, who identified issues of isolation and poor interpersonal relationships as key issues […]
Many questions and concerns can arise when someone is considering dating a recovering addict. For those who have not had the experience of addiction, lack of knowledge can be the greatest challenge. Addiction recovery is a complex process and it is important to understand what that process entails when entering a relationship with a recovering […]
What The Hell Are You? This question plagues your mind each day, but the answer is simple. A monster. A goddamn drug addict. You often feel as though you have expired, with the exception that your biological shell seems to continue to battle. Your heart still manages to beat. This, you do not get. […]
“The lotus flower blooms the most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud.” – Buddhist Proverb I grew up with what many would describe as a “normal” childhood. It was nothing too crazy or out of the ordinary. My parents had disagreements, I had a pet that died, I had a fight with my best […]
In my last post, I shared a number of books about addiction and recovery. It is difficult to cover such a growing and important genre of writing in one post so, I’m back! In the area of “How To”, there are a number of notable books worth reading if you or someone you care about […]
The genre of addiction recovery literature is ever growing with new offerings available almost daily. There are specific areas of interest in this genre including “How to”, “Early Sobriety”, and “Memoirs”. I am going to share a few of my “favorites” in the How to and memoir areas. This is by no means a comprehensive […]
Reentering the dating world in midlife can be both exciting and stressful. Statistics are showing a growing trend in middle aged single (divorced, widowed) people. Add to that the the average life expectancy in the US is between 78 and 81 years old and we find a large number of single people with many vibrant […]
The holidays can be a stressful time of year for anyone. For those of us who are entering the holiday season sober, things can feel additionally stressful. From travel to relationships with family and loved ones, coping with holiday-related emotions can take some skill and effort. The following are some of the most important tips […]
My name is Kate and I’m a 30 year old recovering alcoholic and addict. I had my first drink when I was 14 and drank alcoholically even that first time. Throughout the next 16 years, until 54 days ago, I drank. I drank to have fun. I drank to forget my problems. I drank to […]