Anica M. first knew something was wrong when she began having trouble driving: “Whenever I was driving, I felt like I was going to black out, and my heart was racing. I’d get headaches.” Anica’s job at the time involved driving eight hours a day, and these episodes soon began to impair her ability to get to work and ... 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.
No More Shame: Anica M.
No More Shame: James H.
“The day I developed a love for alcohol was July 8, 1984,” James H. recalled in a recent interview. “I was 13 years old, and my parents were celebrating their wedding anniversary. The night before, I went to a keg party three blocks away.” As the youngest of 12 children in an Irish Catholic family, James had always ... Read More
Managing Stress Without Turning to Substances
One of the most challenging hurdles for an addict is learning how to deal with stress without alcohol. In fact, studies have shown that 50% of people relapse within the first 12 weeks after leaving treatment. A fight with their partner, a stressful day at work or a bad encounter with a stranger could send a person ... Read More
Is Sobriety Boring?
Is Being Sober Boring? It’s a question that comes up often. The answer is multi-faceted. As people grow in their recovery, their worldview, their ability to follow through with a plan, and their willingness to take risks change over time. The good news is that recovery can open the door to a life full of meaning, ... Read More
NOT! Drinking around the World in Disney
Staying Sober AROUND THE WORLD at Disney: My Epcot Adventure As someone in long-term recovery, I'm always on the lookout for substance-free fun, and Disney Parks are at the top of my list. While alcohol is available at all U.S. Disney parks at age 21, the real magic lies in the experiences—not the drinks. As a Florida ... Read More
No More Shame: Jeff M.
What possesses a 16-year-old kid to join the fire service in Orangeburg, South Carolina? “I wanted to help people and was drawn to the lights, sirens, and equipment,” Jeff M. said, in an interview for our No More Shame series. He also wanted to know “what people were running away from—to go into the burning building ... Read More
No More Shame: Kara W.
Kara W. had her first drink at the age of 14. It was the summer of 2006: My mom had gone out of town, and my dad was home but not very present. We took his beer, my brother and my friends, and I got drunk for the first time. The second time that she got drunk, Kara drank to the point of blacking out and falling in a ... Read More
The Modern Man’s Guide to Spiritual Health
I tend to cringe a little when I hear people use the word ‘spirituality.’ That’s not at all a knock against the practice, I believe I am a very spiritual person, but I found in early recovery it was a term used so much for way too many things. I include myself in that statement. I used it too much. When I got out of ... Read More
