Author name: Patricia Pike

“I can see clearly now the rain has gone; I can see all the obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind, going to be a bright sunshiny day.” Johnny Nash (1972) Life is messy. Daily we are confronted and bombarded with millions of choices. The chaos of life can […]

Grief can be the price we pay for loving. There are many different circumstances that one might need to grieve, such as processing a breakup, drug of choice, friendship or change in life. This could be processing a breakup, drug of choice, friendship, change in life or much more. No matter what, it is a

Most everyone in the recovery field has heard of the Stages of Change. These mirror the stages of addiction recovery. These stages of recovery are what most people consider recovery to be. Keep in mind that each person experiences these steps in their own unique way. While their behaviors may manifest differently, advancing forward in

Facing recovery from addiction is grueling. Getting started, finding the inner strength and motivation to pursue sobriety can be a daunting task. Being honest with oneself is hard and humbling. The first thing you must do is admit to yourself, “I am an Addict.” Overcoming an addiction is a challenge. Addiction is a disease, and

Early recovery from addiction is difficult. One of the most beneficial things a person who is new in recovery can do is get regular exercise. There are many benefits in having good health hygiene and routine. For one, exercise reduces stress, as well as boredom. Stress can be very triggering. Exercise reduces the stress hormone

There is a strong bond that connects trauma and addiction. Many people struggling with addiction have underlying trauma issues. If they don’t, they have at some point experienced trauma during their addiction. Recovery and therapeutic interventions can assist those individuals who have substance use disorders learn new ways to replace unhealthy behavior patterns and coping

Almost two years of Zoom meetings and calls has led to an unofficial diagnosis of “Zoom Dysmorphia.” The use of front facing cameras has impacted how people are looking at their own faces, causing additional scrutiny of their appearance. For some entire workdays are being held virtually with face-to-face meetings. Not only do they have

How to deal with stressful situations People in recovery often deal with a variety of stressors such as classic triggers, problems in the workplace or cravings to use. It is how you handle it that matters. If handled improperly these stressors can lead down a dark road and potentially to relapse. It is important to

Making amends can often be one of the most difficult steps when one is seeking to live a life in recovery. First one must identify what they have done to cause harm to others and thoroughly apologize. The apology is not always accepted on the first or second try and at times may never be.

The effects on the families dealing with a loved one’s untreated mental health issues. When a family member is struggling with a mental health disorder, it usually affects more than just that individual, particularly the individual’s family. Families can be totally at a loss of how to best help their loved one. Education not only