Addiction – Depression — Navigating the Holidays and Celebrations

Addiction – depression — for those who grapple with either or both, the holidays and celebrations can feel overwhelming. The following is a guest post by Sarah “Pink” Welch, an Addiction Specialist, founder of H.O.P.E.S. Life Coaching, blogger and co-creator of the Blog Talk Radio Program, The Lemonade Stand. As Sarah describes her work, “Life…

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Secondhand Drinking is Not About Prohibition

Secondhand drinking was the topic of my recent lecture with Stanford Medical students. During discussion, one student questioned using the term Secondhand Drinking – a term meant to invoke thoughts similar to those we have when we hear the term, Secondhand Smoke. In the case of secondhand smoke, the effort was to stop smoking to…

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Thanksgiving and Gratitude in Hard Times

Gratitude – it is often an illusive feeling, let alone concept to practice – especially when times are difficult. Yet consciously looking for that which one can be grateful can be life changing – especially for those living with the family disease of addiction. The following is a guest post by Darlene Lancer, a Licensed…

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Recovery Coaching Explained

As Cathy Taughinbaugh explains, recovery coaching can be fore the addicted person or the family members, such as parents, who love them. Cathy Taughinbaugh is a Life and Recovery Coach, former teacher and mother of a crystal meth addict who has been in recovery for over 7 years. She writes on addiction, recovery and treatment…

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How Prescription Medications Can Lead to Harder Drugs

Prescription medications — just because they are medication prescribed by a doctor does not necessarily make them safe. The following is a guest post by Art Coburn, founder of HeroinAddictionHelpGuide.com. Art is a recovering addict and his goal is to “help others and let them know that they too can get clean and sober.” He…

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Shame: The Core of Addiction and Codependency

Shame is a crippling emotion for codependents and addict | alcoholics.  It is at the core of their role in the family disease of addiction, and it is what can keep them from getting the help they need to change their lives. The following is a guest post by Darlene Lancer, a Licensed Marriage and…

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Forgiveness – So Important to Recovery, But How?

Forgiveness is such an important step to moving forward in one’s recovery from addiction or secondhand drinking (codependency). But sometimes the pain, shame, blame and stigma of what was done or said when the disease was active makes it a difficult to imagine, let alone do. The following is a guest post by Sandy Brewer,…

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Technology for Sobriety & Recovery

Recovery and technology make a powerful combo. Just ask Jan Parker! The following guest post is from Jan Parker, Editorial Director and Co-Creator of the Android and iPhone app called Today’s Step: Recovery. Jan has been sober since 1984 and is passionate, supportive and encouraging about the changes that happen in one’s life when we…

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