When I was first asked to write about the topic of fun in sobriety, naturally I started scrolling through Google looking for everyone else’s “fun in sobriety” experience. My screen was flooded with “10 Ways to Have Fun in Sobriety,” “20 Fun Activities to Rediscover in Sobriety,” and many similar self-help articles. If ... 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.
“I’m Still Fun, Even Though I’m Sober”
Alumni Outlook: The Continued Benefits of AA Involvement and Spiritual Practices
It would be fair to say that most of us, recovering alcoholics, are typically not advocates of discipline, change, or structure - at least outside of our addiction. However, upon venturing into the realm of recovery, these practices have been my saving grace. Early on, someone told me, “You only need to change one ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: Why Spirituality is an Essential Part of Recovery
Science and Spirituality: If addiction is a disease of the brain, why is spirituality vital to recovery? I was your average child growing up: full of hope, purity, and love. As we all do, I had a fundamental yearning for a connection to a spiritual power greater than myself. Life eventually dealt me a handful of ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: Finding Balance in Recovery and Letting Go of the ‘All or Nothing’ Mentality
Balance...a word that is cringeworthy to every alcoholic - sober or still drinking. The truth is, most of us have extreme personalities, completely void of any moderation. Think of the game whack-a-mole, the second we begin addressing our addiction, an extreme character defect pops up to the surface. As addicts, we ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: 4 Tips For Parents in Addiction Recovery
Of all the gifts that have come to fruition in my recovery, the ability to show up and be the best mother I can be is by far my favorite. When I think of the things I’m most grateful for, my kids instantly come to mind -- talk about undeserving. Before getting sober, I was an absolute mess. I couldn’t take care of ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: Benefits of Continued Therapy in Recovery
Most people assume the remedy for recovery involves detox and abstinence from the drugs/alcohol. The truth is, this is only the beginning. Recovery is a life-long process, one that requires discipline and most importantly intensive treatment and therapy. Addiction is usually a symptom of an underlying issue such as ... Read More
Managing Stress Without Turning to Substances
One of the most challenging hurdles for an alcoholic/addict, in early recovery, is overcoming the curse of walking through life with a distorted perception. Stress is the perception that more is being demanded, of an individual, than he/she can manage. Stress can be rooted in many areas such as work, finances, family ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: The Hardest Part of Recovery
Whether we have been sober 3 years or 30 days, most would agree our sickness is propelled by negative thinking and behaviors. The common connection between all addicts is our fundamental inability to deal with emotions. Many addicts turn to drugs/alcohol in order to escape reality and shift our thinking. Once we escape ... Read More
