Addiction and Recovery: What Do They Really Mean?

The terms “addiction” and “recovery” are used so often that it may be important to rediscover the true meanings of these very important terms. Being physically dependent on a substance does not make someone an addict. And learning to simply squash one’s urges and deprive oneself of a certain substance, with great suffering, is not the same as recovery. Both addiction and recovery are more complex than they may seem at first glance. Read more

Living Recovery and Helping Others: The Twelfth Step

“By helping others, you give what you have received.
By supporting new beginnings, you revitalize your own efforts.”

- Dr. Patrick Carnes, A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps

Step 12 in the twelve-step process of recovery completes the three “maintenance steps” – steps 10, 11, and 12. The maintenance steps promote daily utilization of recovery skills to support sobriety and maintain emotional health. The 12th step encourages the recovering individual to practice healthy and honest behaviors in all areas of his life and to share what he has learned with others who may be suffering from addiction. Read more

Food Addiction

In the last decade, researchers have expended significant energy trying to untangle the mystery of food addiction. Food addiction is somewhat puzzling and complex compared to other forms of substance addiction, and thus, treatment is problematic.

All humans need and consume food. We are hard-wired to seek out calorie-dense foods like fats and carbohydrates. We require them to live. Why do some people have greater difficulty consuming food in moderate amounts? Why do some overeat compulsively and become obese? Read more

Strengthening One’s Relationship with a Greater Power: The Eleventh Step

Step Eleven in the twelve-step process of recovery is the second of the three “maintenance steps” – steps 10, 11, and 12. In these steps, the recovering individual begins a conscious effort to utilize the tools of twelve-step recovery in his daily life. Daily exercise of recovery skills supports his sobriety and emotional health.

In a traditional 12-step recovery program, the individuals working the 11th step say, “We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.” Read more

Co-Dependence in Relationships: A Root and Enabler of Addiction

For many individuals who find themselves addicted to alcohol or drugs, co-dependent relationships function as a root cause and an ongoing enabler of their addictive behaviors. Read more

Daily Inventory: The Tenth Step

Step Ten in the twelve-step process of recovery begins what are sometimes called the “maintenance steps” – steps 10, 11, and 12. In these steps, the recovering individual begins a conscious effort to utilize the tools of twelve-step recovery in his daily life. Daily exercise of recovery skills supports his sobriety and emotional health. In a traditional 12-step recovery program, the individuals working the tenth step say, “We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” Read more

Dealing with Sleep Disturbances

Individuals who are recovering from addiction often experience significant sleep disturbances. Some of these problems persist only for the first few months in recovery, some for years after abstinence begins. Read more

Making Direct Amends in a Considerate Way: The Ninth Step of Recovery

With the eighth step of recovery, the recovering individual begins the active phase of rebuilding damaged relationships by achieving the genuine willingness to make amends to others. With the ninth step, the recovering substance user acts on this willingness by directly making amends with others.

In a traditional 12-step recovery program, the individuals working the eighth step say, “We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” Read more

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome – What You Need to Know

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (also referred to as PAWS) is a cluster of symptoms that occur in recovering addicts and alcoholics. Read more

Being Willing to Make Amends: The Eighth Step of Recovery

With the eighth step of recovery, the recovering individual begins the active phase of rebuilding damaged relationships. In a traditional 12-step recovery program, the individuals working the eighth step say, “We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.” Read more