Progress is Progress... Mile or a Millimeter

Thriving Unmedicated: Juggling ADHD and Sobriety Without the Safety Net" Hello there! Navigating the roller coaster of life with ADHD can be like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a unicycle, especially if you're in recovery from substance abuse. But don't worry, you're not alone in this circus act, and there are some juggling tricks that can help you keep all the balls in the air without relying on medication. First, let's talk about the elephant in the room: stimulant medications. While they can be helpful, they're not the only act in town, especially for those with a history of substance abuse. In fact, some experts suggest that stimulant medication might even prevent recovering addicts with ADHD from relapsing (SM Sarkis, 2015). So, what's the alternative? Think of it as swapping out the tightrope for a balance beam - still challenging, but with a little less risk. One approach is to focus on personal recovery, which isn't just about m...

  Recovery Roulette: Navigating the Lonesome Road with a Wink and a Smile.  In the dimly lit corridors of recovery, where echoes of past follies linger like the faint smell of disinfectant, one may find themselves meandering a bit too solitarily. It’s the kind of solitude where you’ve memorized every crack in the ceiling because, let’s face it, it’s become your new Netflix. But here’s the kicker: being alone in recovery is like trying to tickle yourself – it’s possible, but it’s weird, and you’ll look ridiculous doing it. Now, why is flying solo on this turbulent journey not recommended? Picture this: You’re the lone wolf, howling at the moon, but the only response is the unsettling silence of your own echo. It’s not just the lack of a return howl that’s concerning; it’s the fact that isolation can lead to a mental tango with your own shadows. In the absence of a support system, your brain becomes a playground for the ghosts of Addictions Past. But do we recover alone? Techn...

Navigating Life's Challenges in Recovery: A Personal Journey Life, as we know, is often unpredictable and full of challenges that test our resolve, our patience, and our ability to stay true to the principles we’ve worked so hard to uphold. As a counselor and someone who is in recovery, I've learned that the path to healing and growth is not a straight line but a winding road with its fair share of hurdles. Today, I faced one such hurdle – a personal setback that reverberated through the core of my parental instincts. I had high hopes for my son, who is autistic, to join a charter school that specializes in nurturing children like him. Unfortunately, he was not accepted; the reason given was that he did not "buy into" the program sufficiently. That news hit me like a ton of bricks. It brought forth a whirlwind of emotions — anger, hurt, and an intense urge to spring into action, to fix what seemed so unjustly broken. My hustler mind kicked into high gear, searching fo...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT as those in the know call it, has become a beacon of hope in the bleak and often puzzling world of addiction recovery. Now, before you envision a group of addicts sitting around cross-legged chanting mantras about feelings and healing, let me assure you it's less about singing "Kumbaya" and more about rewiring the noggin for sober living. So, what is this miraculous CBT? Imagine your brain as a somewhat moody teenager – occasionally cooperative but prone to tantrums and bad decisions. CBT is like the cool aunt or uncle that swoops in with wisdom and quirky life hacks that gradually teach the teen how to cope without throwing a fit every time it doesn’t get its way – or in our case, every time it craves a fix. Let's dive into the day-to-day grind for John Doe on his quest for sobriety. After admitting that he’s been on better dates than the ones with his addiction, old Johnny decides to give CBT a whirl. His therapist is no ordinary...

 When Service Becomes a Battle: Honoring and Helping Our Veterans Facing Addiction As the tender hues of dawn brush the sky this Memorial Day weekend, a somber reflection falls upon us. It’s a time not merely to ignite barbecue grills or revel in the bliss of a long weekend—it’s a time to pay homage to those who’ve drenched the soil with their sweat, tears, and blood for our nation's call. Yet, amidst the valor we remember, lies a silent battle that rages on—the struggle with addiction that afflicts many veterans who have served with honor. It is crucial—now more than ever—to tear down the all-too-common misbelief that addiction signifies a lack of willpower. Addiction does not discriminate; it is a relentless force that can besiege anyone, including our most revered soldiers. Their sacrifice for our freedom earns them respect, independent of the personal wars they wage post-service—a fight for normalcy, a fight against an unseen foe: addiction. These men and women who once stood f...

 Staying Sober Over Memorial Day Weekend: A Guide to Navigating the Booze-Infested Waters Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and we all know what that means: a three-day marathon of barbecues, beach outings, and, for many, a relentless onslaught of alcoholic temptations. But fear not, my clear-headed compadres, for I bring you a survival guide packed with tips and tricks to keep you as sober as a judge in a kombucha brewery. Tip #1: Unleash Your Inner Mixologist Who says sober has to be synonymous with boring? It’s time to give those cocktails a run for their money with some craft mocktails. Grab some fresh fruit, a muddle stick (or just the back of a spoon if you’re not fancy), and let your imagination run wild. Make your non-alcoholic concoction so delicious that even your booze-guzzling friends will want a sip – just watch them squirm when you tell them it's virgin. Tip #2: Become the Grill Master Distract yourself from the sea of beer cans by taking charge of the grill. Not only ...

Ah, PAWS—the unwanted pet that no former addict wants to adopt. Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is like the hangover that didn’t get the memo the party ended weeks, months, or even years ago. It's the kind of guest that overstays its welcome, bringing along a suitcase filled with mood swings, anxiety, and a whole host of other delightful surprises. Now, don't be fooled into thinking this is just a case of the Mondays that can be cured with a strong cup of coffee. PAWS can be a major party crasher for those trying to maintain sobriety. These symptoms are sneaky; they can come and go without warning, making the individual feel like they're on a never-ending emotional rollercoaster. Healthcare professionals are like the bouncers at this unruly party, working hard to detect and manage these persistent symptoms. You see, PAWS can be the major cause of relapse among those addicted to psychoactive substances because, as it turns out, completing acute withdrawal is about as much a g...

Embracing the Monotony: The Unspoken Thrill of Boredom in Addiction Recovery Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling, counting the not-so-elusive popcorn texture, and wondering if this is what sobriety is all about? Welcome to the exclusive club of the bored-in-recovery, where the punchline is that there's no punchline, and the drinks are, well, non-alcoholic. The Existential Dread of the Sober Calendar Let's face it, addiction recovery's social calendar isn't exactly brimming with bacchanalian feasts. There’s an irony so rich here, you could spread it on toast: we spend our time in the throes of addiction craving moments of clarity, and once we get clean, we yearn for the haze to stave off the boredom. Why, you ask, is boredom such a feared beast in the world of recovery? Is it because we've replaced our nightly pub crawls with spirited debates on whether chamomile or peppermint is the more spiritually enlightening tea? Possibly. But the true fear lies ...

 Walking the Tightrope: The Highs and Lows of Being a Recovering Addict Turned Substance Abuse Counselor Welcome to the twisted carnival of life, where the ride operator is also the one who's been stuck on the roller coaster the longest. In the big top of addiction recovery, some of us not only survive the ride but also sign up to operate it for others. That's right, I'm talking about the recovering addicts who don the cap of substance abuse counselors. Buckle up, folks; it's going to be a bumpy ride. Pro: Been There, Done That, Got the Emotional Baggage to Prove It As a recovering addict turned counselor, you've got street cred that can't be bought, even on the darkest corners of your past. You've navigated the labyrinth of addiction, slayed your personal demons, and now you're back with a map for others. Your scars are like badges of honor, and your war stories? Well, they're more captivating than any reality TV show. Con: Constantly Dancing with Y...

Embracing the Darkness: A Wickedly Humorous Take on Harm Reduction in Addiction Recovery Welcome, brave souls, to the shadowy alleyways of addiction recovery, where the concept of harm reduction lurks like a misunderstood phantom, often shrouded in controversy. Let's shine a flickering candle on the subject and explore this pragmatic approach that, dare we say, makes a bit too much sense for comfort. A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down, Right? Imagine, if you will, a world where Little Red Riding Hood befriends the Big Bad Wolf to learn how to better avoid other predators. This is the essence of harm reduction – working with the beast, rather than slaying it outright. Harm reduction is the Mary Poppins of addiction recovery; instead of preaching abstinence with a stern look, it doles out practical advice with a cheeky wink. The Methadone Mixer: Party or Treatment? Methadone clinics, now there's a party you didn't expect to attend, right? These bustling hubs of so...

 Top 3 Myths About Addiction Recovery: Busting Them with a Smile Addiction recovery, a journey as arduous as climbing Mount Everest backwards and blindfolded, has its fair share of misconceptions. Let's put on our myth-busting capes (complete with a flashy “M” for Myth-breaker, obviously) and tackle the side-splitting fables that swirl around this noble quest for sobriety. Myth #1: You Can Recover Alone – Just Grow a Willpower Beard! Ah, the Lone Ranger of sobriety, striding into the sunset with nothing but their steely resolve! Who needs support when you have a willpower so mighty it could bench press your addiction like a feather? Newsflash: Recovery isn’t a spaghetti western. Growing a Gandalf-esque beard of sheer tenacity is certainly visually impressive, but let's face facts – Frodo didn’t toss the ring into Mount Doom solo. He had a whole fellowship! Likewise, support from friends, family, professionals, and fellow recoverers can mean the difference between "one day ...

 Finding Balance in the Circus of Early Recovery: An Act Not for the Faint of Heart Let's be honest, shall we? Early recovery is like being an unpaid intern at the circus. You're expected to juggle flaming swords (a.k.a. life, work, home, school, kids, and your own well-being) without a single lesson on how not to get burned. You're thrust into the center ring, where the spotlight shines mercilessly on your trembling hands as you try to keep those metaphorical plates of responsibility spinning atop wobbly sticks. You were probably better prepared for a zombie apocalypse than this high-wire act of balance. The crowd – your family, friends, colleagues – watches with bated breath, popcorn in hand, ready for the inevitable crash and burn. And let's not forget your personal ringmaster: Recovery itself, cracking its whip with reminders of routine check-ins and support group meetings. "You’ve slept three hours tonight! Excellent! Now walk this tightrope over a pit of all ...