Relapse Isn’t Failure
My recovery from addiction was hardly a straight line. My family, like many other families, hoped and expected …
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Changing My Inner Dialogue
It wasn’t until I took my first drink and drug that I found some kind of comfort in the liquid courage. I found my group of friends in my teenage years that shared similar interests. That interest was getting high and getting drunk.
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Exit Addiction
I was so excited about my own success that I tried to tell everyone around me that my way was the only way to go, and that no other way mattered. My life experiences and the knowledge I have gained over the years have taught me differently. I now believe that every person who has a desire to enter recovery should find his or her own path, based on individual strengths and points of view.
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Courage to be Imperfect
Somewhere in those discussions, he knew that my drive to be perfect came from feeling so imperfect. I felt as if I was full of damaged goods on the inside. My thinking was if I looked perfect, acted perfect, and performed perfectly on the outside, then no one would notice the damage on the inside. What was on the inside was all I could see.
Continue Reading But… 12-step Recovery Doesn’t Work for Me
If you have found your path—congratulations! I encourage you to remain open-minded and supportive of those who choose another way. Remain open to the idea that there is more than just one “right” way. For those of you that may still be searching, I encourage you to never give up, but find what works for you.
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Being My Own Valentine
I am learning how to sit with my feelings and thoughts and be okay when I am alone. Regulating my emotions and using mindful practices creates a space for love. I am changing; I am finding the feelings I once sought from others within my own heart.
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