by Lisa Nixon | Dec 9, 2020 | Addiction & Substance Use, Authors, Community Member, Intentions & Guiding Principles, Radical Self Love, Recovering Out Loud
All I want for the holidays is donations to the SHE RECOVERS Foundation. Here’s why: They’re lifesavers! I could leave it at that, but I hope you read on to hear how they truly changed the trajectory of my life. If you’re glad that I am alive today, you have SHE RECOVERS to thank for it.
by Lisa Nixon | Nov 25, 2020 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Intentions & Guiding Principles, Recovering Out Loud
As a Director of a Fortune 500 Company, I felt like I would rather die than get help for my drinking. I really feared that my career would be over if I sought the help I needed. Instead, as a result of connecting with and receiving support from the SHE RECOVERS® community, everything in my life has improved significantly. Now, it’s my turn to give back to this lifeline organization.
by Lisa Nixon | Nov 24, 2020 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Recovering Out Loud
Recovery IS empowering. You can own your story. You can have a life you never dreamed possible. SHE RECOVERS® and my recovery path have both given my life new meaning. I no longer feel isolated, alone, and afraid. I have rich and restorative friendships. I have love and self-acceptance. I have a purpose. I feel real joy, connection, and gratitude.
by BoutiqueByDesign | Nov 27, 2019 | Addiction & Substance Use, Recovery Pathways & Resources
Genes, Addiction, & Personality (GAP) Study SHE RECOVERS® is proud to share our support and recruitment effort for VCU’s “The Genes, Addiction, and Personality” (GAP) study. As a person in long term recovery who also just happens to be a (former) researcher... by Dawn Nickel | Aug 26, 2019 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Dawn Nickel, Drugs, Holistic Recovery, Recovering Out Loud, Recovery Support
First of all – and this is an important point – I am one of you. For the past thirty years I’ve attended and been involved with a twelve-step recovery program for people who struggle with addiction. I’ve probably attended thousands of meetings, done years’ worth of... by Erin W | May 31, 2019 | Addiction & Substance Use, Codependency & Relationships, Erin W, Recovering Out Loud
The anthropologist Margaret Meade famously said everyone has three marriages, even if it’s to the same person. Whether we desire it or not, marriages evolve.
by Erin W | Nov 10, 2018 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Co-Addiction, Codependency & Relationships, Drugs, Erin W, Intentions & Guiding Principles, Recovering Out Loud, Spirituality & Mindfulness
Just as there are many paths to recovery, there are many paths to loving someone who is in active addiction. I am aware of the tactics often used in this situation: codependence, enabling, tough love, rock bottom. I am not offering an opinion on which path to take. Instead I am just sharing the story of my own family.
by Erin W | Oct 28, 2018 | Authors, Erin W, Radical Self Love, Recovering Out Loud, Work
These are my three favorite words of encouragement. These words have seen me out of dark places and moments of uncertainty. These words bring me back to my center.
by Erin W | Aug 25, 2018 | Codependency & Relationships, Mothers of High Needs Children, Radical Self Love, Work
Single mothers make magic happen every day while the world remains unimpressed and forever worshipping at the altar of “rugged individualism,” an altar that inherently excludes mothers who are always a plus-one package.
by Erin W | Jul 8, 2018 | Alcohol, Codependency & Relationships, Radical Self Love, Women 50+
Botox was like a shot of tequila for my face – it artificially and temporarily smoothed out my external edges. But now my outsides most definitely do not match my insides. My face displays a false calm while my mind continues to buzz. Serenity eludes me.
by Blog Admin | Apr 21, 2018 | Addiction & Substance Use, Authors, Community Member, Radical Self Love, Spirituality & Mindfulness, Work
I’ve come to know and believe that each of us has a soul message that only we can share, and if we don’t discover this message, the world misses out on a beautiful offering.
by Erin W | Feb 16, 2018 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Co-Addiction, Drugs, Erin W, Radical Self Love, Recovering Out Loud
When we over identify with certain aspects of shared stories, we miss out on the connections we need.
by Erin W | Jan 29, 2018 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Codependency & Relationships, Erin W, Radical Self Love, Recovery Pathways & Resources
We need understanding. We need grace. These things are harder to find than they should be in our culture that insists on easy answers to black and white questions. Meanwhile, we are all living – and dying – in complex shades of gray.
by Erin W | Jan 5, 2018 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Co-Addiction, Drugs, Erin W, Recovery Pathways & Resources, Sex & Love, Work
Change really is hard at first. That is why we resist it. This is the first in a three-part series that looks at what we need once we decide to do the work change requires.
by Erin W | Dec 3, 2017 | Abuse, Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Codependency & Relationships, Erin W, Trauma
The truth pattern of recovery goes like this: First we have a Moment of Clarity. Then we have our Rock Bottom Years. Then we enter the Acceptance Phase. And finally Gratitude finds us.
by Erin W | Nov 26, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Codependency & Relationships, Erin W, Radical Self Love
Last time I hid my sobriety like I had hidden my drinking. Sobriety made me feel different and changed. And I did not want to be changed. I wanted everything to stay the same – especially my relationships.
by Erin W | Nov 18, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Drugs, Erin W, Radical Self Love, Spirituality & Mindfulness
Weed felt like an integral part of Rebecca’s identity. She swore she never wanted to quit – but underneath she was scared that she couldn’t.
by Erin W | Nov 4, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Drugs, Erin W
Please help us welcome Erin W. who will be writing for and managing our She Recovers blog. She is amazing. Read on and see for yourself. ~Dawn~ The Reasons It started with Baby #1. I like a routine; a schedule. And I read that babies do, too. So every night at... by Blog Admin | Jul 22, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Recovering Out Loud, Recovery Pathways & Resources, Work
Guest Blog Post by Lucy Rocca Exactly six years ago, I drank my last alcoholic drink. It was a bottle of strong cider (I didn’t even like cider but had found it lurking in my fridge), and I consumed it on top of the three bottles of wine that I’d been working my way... by Blog Admin | Jun 28, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Authors, Codependency & Relationships, Erin W, Radical Self Love, Work
Guest Blog Post by Caroline McGraw Oh honey, I know what you’re like. You are a driven, high-achieving woman trying so very hard to be perfect. You have a staggering helping of responsibilities on your plate. You’re the conscientious planner, the purposeful... by Blog Admin | Jun 8, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Recovery Pathways & Resources
GUEST POST BY CAROLINE BLACK Most of us recovering from addiction are open to the idea of accessing extra help. Regardless of whether we need constant or occasional help, having access to innovative resources and tools can only be a good thing. If you need help... by Blog Admin | May 17, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Drugs, Radical Self Love, Spirituality & Mindfulness
Relapse is common in early recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. Many long-term alcoholics and drug addicts fail the first time they attempt to quit. This is because the intense cravings experienced by substance abusers are actually due to changes in brain chemistry.... by Blog Admin | May 17, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Radical Self Love, Recovering Out Loud, Recovery Pathways & Resources, Work
I felt the crack split slowly beneath my feet as it gave way and I plunged into the deep freezing water. Grab my camera! I shouted as the weight of my wool coat got heavy and my body began to sink into the lake. I looked up at my friend Rae standing just a few feet... by Blog Admin | May 2, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Authors, Community Member, Radical Self Love, Recovery Pathways & Resources, Spirituality & Mindfulness
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Will Durant (American Philosopher and Historian) “Habit is the intersection of knowledge (what to do), skill (how to do), and desire (want to do).” – Stephen Covey (The 7... by Blog Admin | Mar 12, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Coach & Teacher Contributions, Drugs, Kelly Fitzgerald Junco, Radical Self Love
Years ago when I heard people got massages, or went to meditation, or took a “me” day I would scoff. How do they have time or money to do that? Seems like a complete waste of time to me. No one takes bubble baths in their 20s. Sure a massage might be nice, but it’s a... by Blog Admin | Feb 12, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Codependency & Relationships, Community Member, Drugs, Recovering Out Loud, Spirituality & Mindfulness
No matter how far down the road to recovery I go, I find myself from time to time, in a hole. Or, I notice that I am acting out in behaviors that are unhelpful to me. When these things become apparent to me I nearly always discover it’s because my balance is... by Blog Admin | Jan 13, 2017 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Drugs, Recovery Pathways & Resources
After hitting her rock bottom in 2002, Sarah Roberts went on a personal and inward journey towards health and fitness to heal herself from the trauma of alcohol addiction. In 2015, she launched her blog, SarahTalksFood.com, as a way to share her story and help others who struggle to know that they are not alone. Sarah is the author of the book The 28 Day Kick The Sugar Challenge, where she helps readers develop a healthier relationship with food and with themselves using tools, recipes, and strategies that lead them towards greater self-trust, self-respect and self-love.
by Dawn Nickel | Dec 13, 2016 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Co-Addiction, Codependency & Relationships, Drugs, Recovering Out Loud
Today is my 25th wedding anniversary. Just writing that blows my mind. About 27 years ago I walked into a marathon meeting at a 12 step convention being held for recovering addicts in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) and a male voice from the corner of the room said “Hey, I know you.” I had about 3 weeks clean at the time and as many of you recovering types know, being recognized by people in your early recovery can be more than slightly freaking scary.
by Blog Admin | Dec 11, 2016 | Addiction & Substance Use, Alcohol, Authors, Community Member, Recovery Pathways & Resources
Susie Hopson-Blum is an owner, founder and Director of Admissions of New Method Wellness Treatment Center, a premier dual diagnosis treatment center. In long term recovery herself (28 years), Hopson-Blum’s experience managing and directing a behavioral health treatment facility began in 2006 when she opened a sober living house, Sober Pacific Living. As clients continued to come in the door with a passion for treatment and recovery, Hopson-Blum used her professional expertise and personal experience to create New Method Wellness, a substance abuse treatment center that takes a holistic approach to recovery.
by Blog Admin | Dec 9, 2016 | Addiction & Substance Use, Authors, Community Member, Drugs
It’s probably true that when most of us think about people addicted to drugs, the pictures that pop up are of younger or middle-aged persons, not seniors. Indeed, most people and service agencies focus on addiction as experienced by the younger generations. Often, older addicts are neglected or even ignored. Yet, according to a recent study at the Gerontological Society of America, there was a 78% increase in the number of emergency health visits among older adults who abused prescription or illicit drugs between 2006 and 2012. Abuse of opioids accounted for around 11% of this figure. The study was carried out among over 71,000 seniors, with more than 50% aged 65 to 74 years. According to researchers, almost half of the emergency room visits came from people 75 years and above.
