Mastering Sobriety: The 3 Pillars to Sustain Your Recovery Journey
We're diving deep into something that many of us encounter on this journey – the moments when staying sober feels like an uphill battle. I'm here to shed light on three crucial factors that can make all the difference, inspiring you to stay strong in your commitment to recovery.

1. Cultivating the Right Mindset:
"Your thoughts have the power to shape your reality, even the ones you keep to yourself."

Let's start with mindset – an element that holds immense sway over our emotions and actions. It's crucial to remember that the stories we tell ourselves matter profoundly. Negative self-talk can unknowingly drag us down, keeping us trapped in the cycle of addiction. What's the antidote? It's all about challenging those automatic negative thought processes. When you catch yourself focusing solely on the struggles, try to see the full picture. Yes, there are challenges, but there's also progress –...

Russell Brand: a name that resonates not only in the realms of entertainment and comedy but also in the world of recovery and wisdom. With his multifaceted roles as an actor, comedian, intellectual, poet, author, influencer, and teacher, Brand has transcended his past struggles to become an influential figure in the sphere of recovery. In this blog post, we delve into the profound insights that Russell Brand offers on recovery, exploring how he embodies the principles he preaches and the invaluable lessons we can glean from his journey.

1. Walking the Walk of Recovery: Russell Brand isn't just a speaker of recovery principles; he's a living embodiment of them. His personal transformation from a "hopeless, hapless, ridiculous drug addict" to an empowered and contributing member of society underscores the potency of recovery. Through his journey, Brand reveals that recovery isn't solely about abstaining from substances; it's about embracing one's authentic self and discovering the...

Unmasking Relapse Triggers: Tackling the Sneaky Thought
Let's dig into something that often derails recovery—a deceptive thought that leads to relapse. Join me as we dissect this thought, understand its implications, and arm ourselves with strategies to overcome it.

**1. The Common Factor: The Deprivation Thought:**
Let's cut to the chase. After years of working with individuals like you, I've pinpointed a recurring pattern. Relapse often stems from a simple, seemingly harmless idea: the feeling of being deprived. It's that voice that says life is unfair, you're not getting what you deserve, and it's enough to push you towards relapse. Recognizing and addressing this thought is key in your battle against relapse.

**2. Unveiling Its Forms:**
This thought wears many disguises. One version is the "it's not fair" mindset, where you focus on imbalances in your life. Then there's the more intense "that's not right" variation, ramping up feelings of injustice. You might encounter the...

Addiction cunningly entices even the best individuals, leading them astray with false promises, trickery, and delusion. However, addiction will lose control over you once you comprehend these deceitful tactics and see through the smoke and mirrors. You will regain the driver's seat in your own life.

For those new to this channel, I'm Amber Hollingsworth, and I'm dedicated to helping you understand the science and psychology of addiction so that you can stay ahead of it. Today, we will uncover some sneaky and tricky thoughts you must know.

Addiction will deceive you into believing that engaging in addictive behaviors will improve your life. For instance, if it's alcohol, you might convince yourself that it makes you more relaxed, friendly, and pleasant. If it's marijuana, you might believe it enhances your creativity and intrigues you. Or if it's gambling, you may think it will help you provide more for your family by winning a significant sum. Can you see how deceptive this is?

It...

Navigating Relationships with Loved Ones Struggling with Addiction: Expert Advice

Question 1: How do I kindly tell my 31-year-old son in Tennessee that he is not welcome to visit until he can demonstrate that he's not just looking for a new place to live?

Answer: When faced with a situation like this, it's essential to approach the conversation with kindness and understanding. Consider the reasons behind your hesitation to have your son visit – whether it's concerned about him moving back in, causing conflicts, or substance abuse issues. If he asks to visit, you can suggest meeting somewhere neutral, like dinner, to avoid potential complications. If he directly asks to come and stay with you, express your love and support but kindly explain that living together might not be the best option for your relationship. Encourage him to come up with an alternative plan.

Question 2: Recently, my son said adamantly that he would rather commit suicide than go through detox; he uses...

Reclaiming our lives as parents with children in recovery.

We discussed the need to change our parenting roles to help our children recover from addiction. Today, we will delve into redefining our parenting and adopting a new approach that fosters independence, growth, and empowerment for our children and ourselves. This journey will require grit, determination, and a willingness to let go of our old parenting habits. So, let's explore how we can achieve this and find joy and pride in our parenting and personal lives.

The Unthinkable: Letting Go

One of the most challenging aspects of redefining our parenting role is accepting that we cannot protect our children from the world. As they embark on their recovery journey, we must understand that they must learn to navigate life independently. This can be particularly difficult for parents of children with addictions, as we may have to let go sooner than other parents whose children are in their mid-twenties.

To foster our children's...

Parenting children with addiction can be an incredibly challenging and emotionally taxing experience. As a parent, it's natural to question why you need to change and adapt to the situation. However, understanding the need for personal growth and transformation is crucial for your well-being and your child's recovery journey.

We'll explore the importance of change, parents' internal struggles, and the stages of parenting children with addiction. We'll also discuss the significance of joining a supportive community like the Positive Parenting Group to navigate this journey effectively. So, let's dive in!

Embracing Change for Emotional Well-being

Many parents wonder why they should change when their child struggles with addiction. But the truth is, resisting change only perpetuates negative emotions like anger, sadness, resentment, and grief. It's essential to recognize that your well-being and emotional state are just as important.

By embracing change, you have the opportunity to...

In any relationship, setting boundaries and maintaining healthy dynamics can be challenging. Sometimes, partners and spouses unintentionally self-sabotage their relationships without even realizing it. Let's highlight the four common ways individuals may unknowingly undermine their relationships and provides guidance on avoiding these pitfalls. By recognizing and understanding these behaviors, you can make conscious choices to foster healthier connections with your partner.

1. The Difference Between Requests and Boundaries: One common mistake people make is confusing requests with boundaries. A request is simply asking someone to do or not do something, like asking your partner to pass the salt or not to drive the kids when they've been drinking. It's essential to recognize that these are just requests and not boundaries. When requests are not followed, it can lead to frustration and a sense of violated boundaries. Understanding the distinction between requests and boundaries is...

Is Alcohol Causing Issues in Your Marriage? How to Stop Obsessing About Your Spouse's Drinking

Alcohol can be a challenging issue in a marriage. Suppose you have frequent conversations that turn into arguments about your spouse's drinking, and you're constantly obsessing about how much they drink or whether they're drinking at all. In that case, it's natural to be concerned. However, healthier ways exist to address this problem and stop obsessing about your spouse's drinking.

When one person in a relationship develops an alcohol use disorder, it affects both partners and creates problems for everyone involved. The worry and preoccupation of suspecting your spouse have an alcohol problem can lead to behaviors like spying, checking, questioning, and even smell checking. Unfortunately, you often don't get the truth when you ask your spouse about their drinking.

This preoccupation with finding the truth becomes a vicious cycle. You become focused on proving a problem while your spouse...