Tag: Addiction Advice

Creativity has long been associated with drugs and alcohol. Writers are especially known to drink and musicians are especially known to use drugs. And drink. If creative pursuits are especially important to you, either professionally or recreationally, the belief that you need drugs or alcohol to be creative can be an impediment to recovery. Fortunately, […]

Alcohol is often described as a social lubricant, when it’s really more of a social anaesthetic. It gives you temporary relief from the anxiety associated with social interaction but it doesn’t do anything to improve those interactions. In fact, it does the opposite. It’s hard to listen and participate in a meaningful conversation if you […]

We often call alcohol a social lubricant. It makes us less self-conscious and more willing to open up to others, and we believe this leads to deeper relationships. People trying to get sober often worry that by giving up alcohol, they will also be giving up social connection. This is especially true for people who […]

Published June 2025. Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave addiction treatment or finish a support group meeting, it’s a daily commitment. Thankfully, today’s technology offers powerful tools to help you stay on track. Whether you’re looking for peer support, motivational boosts, sharing milestones or structured routines, there’s an app to support your journey. Here are […]

At the beginning, recovery can seem daunting. Basically, you’re saying that you will never again do this thing that you can’t seem to stop doing for even one day. Once you start detox, and feel the pain of withdrawal, you know it won’t be easy and there’s still a long way to go. It’s natural […]

Survivor’s guilt is a pitfall many people face in recovery. If you decide to get help, you still likely have friends and acquaintances who still use. If you get sober, you will likely become friends with others in recovery. Statistically, some of these people are likely to relapse, possibly with tragic results. It’s not uncommon […]

Gambling addiction is a serious problem. People who normally responsible get into all sorts of financial, and sometimes, legal trouble when their gambling gets out of control. In recent years, researchers have discovered that gambling addiction is similar to drug addiction in several significant ways. The most important is probably the dopamine produced in the […]

For most people, video games are a harmless diversion. They play for an hour to two when they don’t have anything else to do or to relax at the end of the day. As with anything though, spending too much time playing video games can negatively affect your life. There are some reliable signs that […]

If you gamble regularly, the question, ‘Why is gambling addictive?’ probably seems absurd. Gambling is addictive because it’s fun and exciting. But plenty of things are fun and exciting without being addictive. What is it about gambling that is so compelling that otherwise responsible people will spend all their savings then steal money to gamble […]

Sharing your experiences with addiction and recovery is a cornerstone of 12 Step programmes. It allows you to tell others your story and let them know they aren’t alone. It helps you get clarity on your challenges and applause for your victories. It keeps you honest when your thinking goes astray. It can also be […]

Sharing at meetings is an important part of recovery. Sharing makes you feel more like part of the group, creating a sense of mutual support. It allows you to get feedback on your problems so you don’t get lost in delusional thinking. It helps you feel better and get some clarity on your problems. Sharing […]