Fear. Like it or not, many of our lives are ruled by it. Fear of not getting what we want, or fear of losing what we have, has spurred countless questionable decisions for so many of us. In our modern society, many of us live...

Smartphones – and the wonders of information and distraction they contain – are powerful tools that were supposed to make our lives better. In theory, having the world at your fingertips and the ability to instantly connect with people everywhere is helpful. Yet, more and...

Turns out, “tough love” isn’t so loving. For generations, as a culture, we prized a stiff-upper-lip ethos that celebrated toughing it out, never complaining and never explaining. This stern, rather ruthless approach to self-improvement seemed like the surest way to self-discipline ourselves through challenging times...

To start, let us say this: if you are new to recovery and just getting your life in order, first things first. In this case, recovering from substance abuse or alcoholism should be a top-shelf priority. But if you’ve been around a little while, and...

Every year around this time, the drumbeat of self-improvement begins. We are going to hit the gym 5 days a week, cut out processed foods, re-commit to personal growth, or finally write that memoir. You name it, someone’s committed to it one January. Nevertheless, most...

It’s a tale as old as time: braving the holidays with families that are less than, say “perfect.” Perhaps yours is so far from perfect they might be considered positively dysfunctional. Maybe there is a history of alcoholism or mental health struggles, or maybe they...

In this segment of our video series, Dr. Carl Schwartz discusses what is so unique about Scottsdale Providence Recovery Center. The tailored experience offered to each individual offers a powerful recipe for healing. Learn more or find treatment at our website www.scottsdaleprovidence.com Scottsdale Providence Recovery...

This Thanksgiving, why not give the holiday some added meaning and connect to something deeper? More than just a feel-good platitude, numerous studies have been published over the last decade singing the praises of gratitude for improving everything from mental well-being to physical health and...

What is Neurofeedback Therapy? Neurofeedback is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention that has a number of benefits. It uses technology to re-train the brain to function optimally and helps people become more adaptive, resilient, and efficient. Neurofeedback therapy has been effective in treating a wide range...

Newly sober? Long-sober but still suffering? The holidays can be a mixed bag. Maybe you’re dreading them because they’ve long been associated with drinking and using. Maybe you’ve got a tough family and are expecting conflicts and drama. Or maybe you are among the countless...

Have you been noticing a bit of malaise creeping in as fall rolls around? If so, you’re not alone. But is it more than just a case of the blues? It could be signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Read on to find out…. About 5%...

School After Recovery Many of us who have recovered from alcoholism or drug abuse reach a point when we are struck by a strong urge to rebuild our lives and make up for time lost. For some, this leads to a decision to go back...

Getting ready to leave treatment and feeling unsure about your next steps? Are you wondering if a sober living home is right for you? Leaving the safety of treatment can be scary! Most people will be faced with returning to their jobs, families, and friends...

By now, you don’t need to be convinced that exercise is good for you. You’ve probably heard it is the single greatest thing you can do for your overall health and longevity; that it can help you look better, sleep better, and feel better. But...

How you start the day matters. We believe that taking some time first thing in the morning to be intentional about the day ahead can completely change the flow and texture of your experience. And although we are part of a culture that “optimizes” everything...

In the US, nearly 1 in 5 adults live with mental illness, and according to researchers, almost two-thirds of those affected never seek help. This May, we are honoring national Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those experiencing anxiety,...

A recently released report indicates that mental health worldwide continues to be on a downward trend. The Mental Health Million Project of Sapien Labs last week issued its second report that compiled data from over 34 countries. All over the world, it found a continued...

If you are just starting out on what is, hopefully, a lifelong journey of recovery, it might seem like tough going. We get it and have been there. Early recovery can be marked by anxiety, depression, regret, and fear about the future. Not to mention...

When I stumbled into a 12-step program in my twenties, in an effort to salvage what was left of my life, I found myself overrun by feelings of panic, remorse, and general anxiety. I sought out help because I was tired of feeling broken and...

Let’s be honest—choosing the right treatment center for the right length of time can make the difference between life and death for someone struggling with addiction. And figuring out how long you should stay for the best chance of success can be confusing! Here are...

For many in the recovery community, developing a spiritual life has been an absolute necessity to find some peace and sanity. Most of us have found that once we put down the drink, drugs, or behavior that’s been holding us back, we are in desperate...

As we’ve written about before on this blog, America is in the midst of an overdose epidemic of epic proportions – and it seems to be getting progressively worse. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) just released their annual statistics on the country’s overdose deaths,...

There is no denying it – it’s been a rough year. 2020 began with tense political division, followed by a terrifying virus pandemic, economic downturn, and some of the greatest social unrest our country has witnessed in decades. The world has been turned on its...

For many of us, when we enter recovery from substance abuse, we have it drilled into our heads that we must avoid isolation at all costs. People regularly tell us that isolation is the enemy, and will put on us the road to relapse. So,...

In these crazy times, how can we deal with feelings of overwhelm and panic without our old ways of coping? How do we learn to show up to whatever comes with grace and calm? Many of us in recovery—especially early recovery—have been overcome with intense...

2020 has arrived! And if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’ve probably got some New Year’s motivation and maybe even a resolution or two. To be sure, making big goals around the New Year is almost a cliché, even though most of us...

Welcome to November, when those throughout the recovery community celebrate Gratitude Month! More than just a hollow reminder to be more thankful, gratitude is a principal that many claim is key to a happy, contented recovery. Unsurprisingly, recovering addicts and alcoholics weren’t the first to...

As the fall months roll in, our bodies recognize it. The days get shorter, the weather gets cooler, and the whole world seems to take on a “back to work” feel. Maybe this has to do with back to school schedules, but even for those...

Welcome to the second in our two-part series on life after treatment! You’ve heard it said before: treatment is just the beginning. When our bodies and minds have been pummeled and warped by addiction, rebuilding takes time. Most people discoverer that even once clean and...

So, you are ready to leave treatment and head out into the world. Now what? Welcome the first installment of our three-part series on Life After Treatment. Here, we offer tools, tips, and tricks for thriving out in the world, beyond the safe confines of...

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It is connection.” A chilling thought occurred to me the other day: there was a time, near the end of my drinking career, that if some horrible circumstance were to befall me and I died suddenly—that it would...

This is about learning to live comfortably sober. If we are going to stay sober for the long haul, most of us have to find a way to live happily and comfortably in this world without alcohol, drugs, or anything else to take the edge...

So often, around the New Year, we as a society collectively get inspired to do some self-improvement. We make ambitious goals that often fall by the wayside weeks after they were so committedly made. Often, when aiming for greater “wellness” – the much-hyped buzzword of...

The holiday season can be hell. It can also be an opportunity for joy, connection, and wonder. For people in recovery, the holidays often come with some extra challenges—stress, expectations, family, commitments, and booze everywhere. It can be tough to weather this whirlwind with any...

By Christina Rock Mindfulness. We hear this word thrown around with astonishing frequency—so much so that it seems like becoming more mindful can be a panacea for anything that ails us. What does it mean though, and how exactly do you practice mindfulness? Being mindful...