It can feel like it’s impossible to celebrate holidays sober. There is a lot of external pressure to imbibe. Every party, event, and holiday activity seem to include alcohol. In some circles, other substances are also plentiful. Sometimes friends and co-workers innocently offer you a drink. On the other hand, [...]
Alcohol recovery means dealing with your emotional pain instead of numbing it. When you’re drowning in pain, alcohol can seem like a reasonable option. It’s common, after all, to drink after a funeral or hit the bar after a breakup. Alcohol is for many—not just alcoholics—a way to escape from [...]
Substance abuse and addiction begin with pain. Emotional pain may come because of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Relationships and personal setbacks can lead also to emotional pain. Plus, traumatic memories may haunt us, causing emotional pain. Instead of seeking help to manage these problems, we may try [...]
