By Jennifer McDougall Recovering from addiction is about more than just breaking free from substance abuse—it’s about mending the damage it has caused in your life, particularly in your relationships. Healing broken relationships during recovery is a vital step toward lasting sobriety and personal growth. While challenging, this journey offersContinue Reading

How to Practice Mindfulness

By Jennifer McDougall Being mindful means being aware and accepting of the present moment, your experiences, and sensations. It’s this therapeutic practice that helps ease your mind and body of anxiety, tension, cravings, and emotions. After eight weeks of practicing and training your mind and body to be mindful, studiesContinue Reading

“When people who believe themselves to be addicts or alcoholics come under great stress or trauma, they mentally give themselves permission to drink or use drugs as a remedy.” ― Chris Prentiss, The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure “Every person in the AA program who’s successful is living proof that heContinue Reading

By Jennifer McDougall Addiction (defined as a state characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences) generally begins with the desire to escape—pain, loss, heartache, rejection, discomfort, anxiety, chemical imbalances in the brain, and depression. When drugs and alcohol are consumed they affect how the brain operates andContinue Reading

By Jennifer McDougall Witnessing a loved one spiral out of control is heart-wrenching. The person you once knew has become angry, unstable, and quite possibly irresponsible. We know that you want to help them as best as you can. Without forcing them into rehab, it’s better if they see the choice asContinue Reading

By Jennifer McDougall Self-destructive behavior can be subtle, yet it has a profound impact on the lives of those who engage in it—and the people around them. Whether it’s you or someone close to you, recognizing these behaviors is the first step toward healing and change. Often, those exhibiting self-destructiveContinue Reading

By Jennifer McDougall Self-sabotage is a complex phenomenon that manifests in various mental, emotional, or physical forms. It’s a term that encapsulates the idea that certain destructive actions are directed at oneself. This behavior often stems from a place of self-infliction, though it might not always be apparent to theContinue Reading