Marlee was 18 when her mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. “My mom was my best friend,” Marlee said in an interview. “We did everything together.” Not long after her diagnosis, Marlee’s mother moved in with Marlee’s grandparents and Marlee left for college. Journeying Through Grief and Anxiety as a ... Read More
Featured in Alumni
No More Shame: Marlee B.
No More Shame: John C.
“It started in my late 20s. In hindsight, I can see blips on the radar during my teenage years.” 47-year-old John C. was talking about when he first developed a substance use disorder. What Triggered the Substance Use Issues Was there one event that triggered it or multiple causes? “I believe I was born an ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: Do Men “Cry for Help?” How to Spot The Signs
Growing up, I always heard about ‘what a man should be.’ My dad would talk about it, TV and movies would preach it, and other kids in school would talk about it. Generally, a man should be the strong, silent type who never complains and takes care of their own personal problems. This was an ideal that was widespread ... Read More
Alumni: How to Respectfully Set Boundaries to Maintain Sobriety
Whether it’s a new job, a new apartment, tax season, family in town, or the holidays, certain moments or events are often accompanied by higher rates of stress. For some, these moments can become a potential trigger for relapse. But the good news is that with thoughtful boundaries, these whirlwind experiences become ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: The Difference Between Anxiety and Social Anxiety
What is Anxiety? The definition of the word anxiety is as follows: “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” If we go simply off of that definition alone, many of us have probably had many moments where we felt some anxiety. Life is full of ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: The First Step is the Hardest
Many people who struggle mentally or with an addiction are reluctant to come forward. They do not want to be perceived as weak and unable to cope with the challenges in their life. As a retired First Responder, I can attest to the reluctance of coming forward. My ego and my fear were at play before I reached out for ... Read More
Alumni Outlook: Self-Care When Healing From Trauma
Trauma sucks. I don’t have any other way to put it. It’s something that I never consented to experiencing. I promise that if anyone had said, “This is going to happen, would you like to back out?” I absolutely would have done everything to avoid it. When each event occurred, I felt like I had no choice or say in the ... Read More
Mental Health Tips for Pregnancy, from a Mom-to-Be in Recovery
I’ve been in long-term recovery for years. Being pregnant, on the other hand, is mind-blowingly new. That may be one reason people have asked me what it’s like to navigate the mental health challenges unique to pregnancy as someone in recovery. They really seem to be asking, “How are you staying sane and sober through ... Read More
