Making the decision to enter a substance abuse treatment is a big step in a person’s life. This is a time to focus on yourself; your needs and what it will take to get things back on track for future success. It can also be an unsettling prospect for many people. Continue reading
July Fourth is known as Independence Day because of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but you can also use this as a great opportunity to celebrate your independence as well. Continue reading
If you have successfully completed a rehab program, congratulations! You are well on your way to living a fulfilling, sober life. However, the journey away from addiction and into recovery still isn’t over. To give yourself the best possible chance at success, there are certain types of people that you should do your best to steer clear of. Continue reading
Father’s Day is coming up soon, falling on June 18 this year. Of course, you’ll want to show the loving father in your life just how much you truly care. If you or your father is in sober living, you’ll have to be creative in finding ways to celebrate that don’t involve the traditional standbys of alcohol and other potentially dangerous indulgences. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Continue reading
Summer has arrived, and for many, that means it’s time to plan some vacation time. Whether you’re newly sober or have been in recovery for some time, traveling without alcohol and drugs might still be a challenge. As with everything else in recovery, you don’t have to figure this one out on your own. Here are some tips for planning the ultimate safe and sober vacation this summer. Not able to leave on vacation. This is the perfect coffee table book. With nearly 700 pages of fun facts, pictures, and fascinating sobriety! A terrific book to look at the most amazing pictures of places traveled by a sober traveler. http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2607.html Continue reading
If there are two things that don’t belong together, it’s loneliness and recovery. For many of us, a profound sense of being alone drove us to the depths of addiction, which is where we eventually found recovery and a new way to live. Still, many who are just out of sober living or new in recovery find making friends a challenge. Not only are sober friends important to your recovery, but the fellowship that you find will be a great source of support and strength in the future. Continue reading
Memorial Day is often heralded as the unofficial beginning of summer, as it comes near the end of the school year and as the days are beginning to lengthen and warm. The holiday also brings a welcome break from the traditional work week, and brings a wide range of community events, cookouts and firework displays. It is important to remember, however, the true reason for this national holiday, and to take the time to respect the history of service and sacrifice that is the focal point of Memorial Day, which is why the team at My 12 Step Store is proud to present the following information. Continue reading
When you made the decision to enter rehab or sober living, your loved ones probably jumped for joy. Likely there was a talk of getting the “old you” back and putting this addiction business in the past. There is a common perception that people walk out of rehab and rejoin the world with no lingering issues. This, unfortunately, isn’t the reality.
Not only is rehab a difficult experience for most of us, but life after these transformative weeks or months can be a challenge as well. When you leave a rehab facility behind, you are also walking away from a safe space of sorts. For some of us, it almost feels like walking away from college and then trying to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can set yourself up for success as you begin this exciting new chapter in your recovery.
It is important to take the time to build a support system in recovery as well as outside of recovery. Having friends and access to a strong fellowship is vital to building a lasting recovery program. Most people join a local 12-step group and meet members of those groups. This is one of the best ways to begin building a support system and meeting some new friends with similar goals.
Speaking of goals now is a great time to take a look at what you were doing with your life during your addiction and decide if that was really the right path for you. As recovery allows you to become the truest version of yourself, some of these choices will become crystal clear. Hazelden publishes a workbook http://www.my12stepstore.com/A-Guide-to-the-Big-Books-Design-for-Living-with-a-Higher-Power.html that is excellent for goal oriented people.
One of the great things about recovery and sober living is that you’ll find the energy to try new things. Those new friends that you’ve met will be great partners for some of these activities, but you can also explore the world on your own. Take up painting, running or even simple walks on the beach.
Early recovery is the best time to practice gratitude for all of the gifts that you’ve been given. Take some time each day to celebrate such things as your health, your basic needs being met, and your relationships. Not only will you have new friends, but you will also have the opportunity to work on and repair relationships with loved ones.
Early recovery is a time of growth and exploration. Take the time each day to meditate on the gifts that recovery has provided and worked on strengthening your program. For additional reading, check out our Hazeleden, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services published books personal growth and daily meditation books.
There are many important relationships throughout your life, but when you’re on the road to recovery your sponsor can serve as your confessor, your friend, your mentor and even in some ways as a parental figure. Your sponsor is primarily responsible for helping you work the Twelve Steps, and is often one of the most rewarding relationships that you will develop along your road to addiction recovery. Continue reading
Celebrating Mother’s Day isn’t just for your own Mom, it can be for a special friend who is a mom or even someone who is like a mom to you, but may not be your mom. Families are an important form of support during the recovery journey. So, on Mother’s Day, show your mom how much she means to you and how grateful you are for her love and support during this difficult time. Or how much you love and support her recovery journey. http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2563.html Continue reading
