Category: Recovery

sober coaching | life coaching > Recovery

HIT ROCK BOTTOM IS A DANGEROUS MYTH. YOU ARE FOOLING YOURSELF IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE WILL ALLOW YOU TO LIVE THAT LONG.

Society is not kind to people addicted to alcohol or drugs. When ‘hit rock bottom’ is uttered an unflattering picture emerges. The enduring perception of an addict or alcoholic is a skid row bum. Someone on one the very edges of society. A person to be avoided and disdained. Their condition a direct result of their poor moral choices. Lack of control and inadequate motivation has landed them where they are.If you subscribe to this interpretation, you are part of the problem that prevents people from seeking help. Nothing could be...Read More

SHAME AND GUILT DON’T DEFINE YOU. IDENTIFY THE CAUSE AND UNLOCK YOUR INNER SUPERSTAR.

Shame and guilt in recovery are driving forces of relapse and staying stuck. Defining what shame and guilt are in regards to substance abuse is complicated and difficult to understand. Clarifying shame like an internal feeling of not being good enough, and guilt as an emotion tied to actions and behaviors you regret will give you a place to start.Simplifying how shame manifests in your adult life and in your substance abuse will help you identify areas you can work on to overcome the incorrect beliefs you hold about yourself...Read More

ONLY DRINKING OR USING ON WEEKENDS IS A COP OUT. THE ONLY PERSON YOU ARE FOOLING IS YOURSELF. TIME TO GET REAL.

Just because you only drink or use on weekends does not mean you don’t have a problem. A substance abuse problem is not defined by how often you drink or use. Several criteria exist including; the amount you use, tolerance, obsession, frequency, dependency, withdrawal symptoms, and negative consequences. The negative consequences you face, the way you act, blackouts and gaps in memory, outrageous behavior, arguments, relationship issues, physical fights, mental health conditions, risky behaviors, and cash flow paints a picture of your reality.JUSTIFICATIONYou have so many creative excuses to minimize,...Read More

UNLEASH YOUR STRENGTHS. EMBRACE YOUR UNIQUENESS. DISCOVER THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS IN RECOVERY.

In any program of recovery, you are given a roadmap to follow. The basic principles are provided on which a foundation is built. Identifying your strengths and your unique qualities and applying them to your recovery is what makes it work.WHAT MATTERS?In the midst of substance abuse, you will lose sight of all the things that matter to you. Your value and belief system can become seriously compromised. Your strengths will have been buried under the chaos and drama that is your current life.In recovery, you will identify what you...Read More

PREPARE FOR REHAB ARMED WITH THE FACTS – YOUR EXPECTATION V. REALITY WITHOUT ANY NASTY SURPRISES.

Your substance of choice, behavioral addiction, or mental health diagnosis will dictate the type of treatment you will need. Whether you enter rehab voluntarily or not is immaterial when your life is on the line. Your angry, resentful, resistant butt needs to be in a seat. Luckily there are as many rehabs as there are substances and conditions, and you have to start somewhere. Prepare for rehab by arming yourself with information that will make the process smoother.Entering rehab for the first time, and hopefully, the only time is a...Read More

RECOVERY MYTH: ONE WEEK SUBSTANCE FREE. YOU ARE CONVINCED YOU ARE CURED.

I have not had a drink or a drug for a week. I am cured. How many times have you heard that? How many people actually believe it? For the uneducated, this statement paints a sad but true picture of the general public’s belief about addiction.It could not be farther from the truth!Once you complete detox and get a few days clean and sober under your belt, and are feeling better than you have in years, you might think you’re cured.This type of overconfidence will take you right back out...Read More

11 EARLY RECOVERY LESSONS. DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR AND STICK TO THE FACTS.

Early recovery is a time of healing, discovery, and rebuilding. It is also confusing, frustrating and challenging. One thing to remember is you didn’t end up dependent on substances overnight. The negative consequences you have experienced because of your substance use are going to take time to overcome.You are going to have to make a concerted effort to make changes, practice good decision making, and avoid relapse. Understanding how your substance use has affected you physically, mentally and spiritually and being willing to follow direction and do the work, will...Read More

QUICK TRICK TO VISUALIZE WHAT YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO LOOK LIKE. REFRAME THINKING TO SET LONG-TERM GOALS.

In early recovery you are encouraged to think about the future. You are asked to identify characteristics you want to possess, what is important to you, what kind of job you want, how you’d like your relationships to be, and how you would like to interact with the world.You take a close look at the consequences of your substance use and how you are going to go about fixing them.Short, medium and long-term goals are puzzled out. You exit treatment with an aftercare plan and new coping skills.DISCOVERYFirst you have...Read More

CLEAN AND SOBER – WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU IS A CHANCE AT A LIFE YOU DESIGN

It is impossible to explain to someone in the middle of addiction what the benefits of getting clean and sober are. There is a reason that their substance use has spiraled out of control, continues to progress, and results in the cold and stark fact that to feel normal substance use has to occur.There are unlimited scenarios involving addicts resisting treatment, but ultimately you will end up there . Understanding some of the difficulties you might face trying to get someone you care about into treatment will give you a better...Read More

RECOVERY MYTH – YOU CAN’T FORCE SOMEONE INTO TREATMENT

This is a minefield of opinion. But, yes, you can force someone into treatment. Whether they stay in treatment or remain clean and sober is another thing. HOW PEOPLE GET TO TREATMENTPeople are forced into treatment by the criminal and family court system all the time. There are special drug courts and outpatient programs that monitor clients over 18 months or so. There is also the 28 day stay at an inpatient if the courts so require.There are also probation and parole requirements that must be met that can include half-way...Read More

CODEPENDENCY SYMPTOMS – ELIMINATE ENABLING COMPULSIONS THAT SHATTER SELF-WORTH AND REWIRE YOUR BRAIN

WHAT IS ITCodependency is a condition where the natural caring process has become dysfunctional. It is caring gone awry. The codependent will engage in repetitive enabling compulsions in order to get an emotional reward. Codependency has long been associated with spouses and family members who have an alcoholic or drug addicted family member.Depending on who you talk to codependency is described as a disease, but not directly addressed in the DSM-5, or it is described as a relationship dynamic. Proponents of the anti-disease definition consider it an abusive, unhealthy relationship...Read More

ABSOLUTELY GENIUS GIFTS TO EXCITE SOBER AF WOMEN – BE THAT PERSON THAT KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK

Buying gifts for people in recovery will be a challenge if you are the type to only gift bottles of alcohol or alcohol related items. That gets old after a while. Want to make an impression? Gift something unique, out of the box, unusual, or right on point.Putting a bit of thought and effort into the equation will show your friend that you do indeed pay attention to their dreams, their current needs, and a way to spoil them. Spend some time to thoughtfully select something that will brighten their...Read More