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

I remember the first time I was introduced to recovery and how ignorant I truly was. It was no secret that my life was unmanageable, and I was powerless over drugs and alcohol. However, I was uneducated on what the disease of alcoholism actually entailed. I assumed that alcoholics were a group of unfortunates who had ... Read More

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

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

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

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

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

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