It is rare to find an addict who’s proud of their addiction. While some people may be highly functioning addicts, most wouldn’t admit to having an addiction. Quite often many people hid their addiction in plain sight or through more traditional means as a means to avoid public shame. Here
In Signs of Opiate Addiction, we discussed the terms opiates and opioids. Both are powerful drugs that are highly effective for the relief of pain. And, as all too many of us know, they are dangerously addictive. What’s the difference between the two? You often hear the words used interchangeably. Let’s look
A Complex Combination “If I am hurt in a car wreck, please don’t take me to a 12-Step meeting.” This bit of wisdom is occasionally heard in the rooms of AA or NA, the point being there are human ills that recovery programs will not cure. Depression is one. But
For many recovering alcoholics and addicts, venturing into a twelve-step meeting for the first time can be an intimidating prospect. Where do I park? Where is the meeting entrance? Will there be coffee? (Check out our list of 5 Things to Know Before Your First Meeting for tips on navigating
If you or a loved one is considering attending a 12-step meeting, you might have questions about what to expect. Both Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are well-known programs that have helped countless individuals overcome addiction. While they cater to different substances—AA focuses on alcohol, and NA on
I recently read some information provided by a treatment facility in the South that stated non-12 step treatment modalities were more effective than traditional 12 step treatment programs. Unfortunately, misinformation like this abounds on the internet. While it is true some studies have called 12 step treatment programs into question,
It can be scary when you or a loved one acknowledges addiction but seeking help through a 12-step program is one of the best methods to obtain sobriety. Since 1935, the program and variations of the program have been helping individuals recover from alcohol and drug abuse, and the process
An article on Salon recently went viral. Thousands of social shares later, and I’m sure at least some people with substance abuse disorders have died because of it. Perhaps that view is a little extreme. But if you’re in recovery, you know that alcoholism and addiction are life and death matters. Not
Bill Wilson’s book of essays Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions seeks to broaden and deepen the understanding of the Twelve Steps as written in the earlier book Alcoholics Anonymous. 12 step programs for alcohol and drug addiction use these two texts (or modified versions) almost exclusively. In his essay on the 5th
AA’s first step is neatly sliced in two distinct yet intrinsically related pieces. “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol” and “our lives had become unmanageable”. In order to completely extinguish the appetite for destructive drinking and drug abuse, both pieces of this pie must be swallowed in their entirety.It’s
