Understanding the complicated relationship between addiction and mental illness has been a debatable topic for quite some time. In fact, many people refuse to correlate the two and view addiction and even mental illness as an “excuse” for moral failing and lack of “willpower.” Let me give a little firsthand experience ... Read More
Alumni
At FHE we are very proud and supportive of our Alumni community. They are the proof of our clinical program and when they come to us with a desire to share their story of hope, we love to recognize them. We regularly reach out to alumni and ask them to share their perspective on: what they wish they knew before rehab, their treatment experience, and their thoughts on life in recovery. There is power in relatable experiences, and through their stories we hope you will identifiy with their messages.
Overcoming the Stigma of Therapy
Overcoming Codependency and Finding Independence in Relationships
Codependency. This subject, in particular, invokes painful memories from not only my childhood but even well into my recovery. Long before I ever picked up a drink or a drug, codependency was a significant part of my story. In fact, codependent, toxic relationships were my solution - until they weren't anymore. There ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: How to Identify Toxic Relationship Red Flags
If I am completely honest, I was nervous about writing on the topic of toxic relationships. Keeping up with total transparency, I have been a glutton for chaotic, messy, most toxic relationships for as long as I can remember. Many of us that come into recovery feel like we have a degree in these unhealthy ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: How to Empower Others in Addiction Recovery
Before getting sober, I vividly remember wondering how other people were so happy living “boring,” sober lives. I couldn’t fathom spending one second sober. In fact, I often made fun of the friends who gracefully declined to party with the rest of us. The sober individuals in my life never pressured me to evaluate my ... Read More
5 Benefits of Self-Care for Mothers in Recovery
As a mother in recovery, I have had quite the experience of raising two beautiful children while also working a full-time job and maintaining my sobriety. Recovery is full of ups and downs for all of us, and especially adventurous for the mothers in recovery. By nature, mothers are often nurturing, compassionate ... Read More
How to Address and Overcome Past Holiday Guilt
The holidays typically evoke images of family bliss: —Uncle John carving up a big turkey for a traditional family dinner, Grandma bestowing her precious gifts, and Aunt Mary gracing the family with the hilarious stories of her childhood. The reality is that this dreamy scene usually is nothing more than that—a ... Read More
5 Life Lessons I’ve Learned in Recovery
I know we often hear people say hindsight is 20/20 - and let me tell you this has never been more relevant than it is now. If I could go back and change how everything played out, honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I am constantly reminded that everything is exactly as it should be. Life is an ever-evolving journey ... Read More
Overcoming Grief and Triggers Over the Holidays
There is no doubt that the holiday season is a favorite time of year for many people. Glistening lights garner undivided attention and ease the stressors of the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Rosy cheeks, illuminated by a comforting fire, snuggle up on the couch and indulge in the laughter creating the perfect ... Read More
