Recovery Articles

Needles and opiates and opioid abuse paraphernalia
Addiction

A Primer on Opiates and Opioids

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

Depression and addiction
Addiction

Depression and Addiction

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

12-Step Meeting Etiquette
Addiction

10 Etiquette Suggestions for 12-Step Meetings

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

Alcoholics Anonymous provides support
Addiction

What to Expect at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings

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

The 12 Steps in Medical Research
Addiction

The 12 Steps in Medical Research

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,

Understanding The 12-Step Program

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

Addiction Researcher and Anti-12 Stepper Owned By Harvard

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

12 Step Recovery: Step 1, Part 1- Admission, Surrender & Acceptance

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

Step 1 in AA – Why You Aren’t Powerless

The concept of powerlessness is always a hot button topic amongst those sober (and not sober). I’ve heard heated post meeting debates on this topic. Sometimes it feels like oldtimers and newcomers cannot agree on this idea as it relates to recovery. Just what does ‘powerless’ mean as it pertains