Fear of Inadequacy – Is Good Enough, Good Enough?
Inadequacy. A feeling we “aren’t supposed” to have as competent, put-together adults. An emotion I’m certainly barred from as an advice-wheeling expert-in-the-room, right? Growing up, we’re told to approach all things with confidence. We’re expected to push through doubt, advised to hide our insecurities. And while confidence is an important skill to master, it’s […]
Families and SUDs – Are You Care Taking or Care Giving?
You are a family member of someone with a substance use disorder (SUD). And that special person has finally entered treatment for their SUD. You have been following all the recommended steps for family members of folks with SUDs. You’re even feeling pretty good about things now. When suddenly, it hits you. Do I really […]
Judy Garland & the Pervasive Stigma of Addiction
Updated 1/2/25 In the movie Judy, there was a moment toward the end of the film when I thought to myself, Oh, for God’s sake – why doesn’t she get her act together? While a thousand ticket holders waited at a venue in London to hear her sing, Judy Garland was drinking in her […]
Walking Through an Empty House/New Life in Recovery
In the span of six days, I moved house and purchased a new vehicle. I’m still rummaging through boxes for socks and toothpaste, eating off paper plates. I drive a Forester now, which may as well be a truck compared to my old subcompact. And in the midst of all of this rapid change, I’ve […]
Opinion Rae Green: Funding for Opioid Crisis Not Enough
Recent headlines, including an article in Crain’s Detroit Business reported that Michigan will receive about $35 million in new federal funding this year through the State Opioid Response Grant. Funding is being provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to “track opioid deaths and […]
Sober Grocery Shopping (Without the Anxiety)
Sober Grocery Shopping – imagine this… You have been having a great day. You didn’t hit traffic that made you want to roll down the windows and scream. Your boss was pleasant this morning. You even planned a special meal the kids can eat for dinner – Zucchini Raviolis. (Yes, sometimes they can be tricked […]
The Legacy of Inter-Generational Addiction and Recovery
I was re-reading my last article on controlling behaviors, and thoughts about the inter-generational aspects of addiction kept coming to mind. Because so many people raised in families where there is addiction present, grow into adulthood and connect with people who have substance use disorders (SUDs). Inter-Generational Addiction and Recovery According to the National […]
Recovery Nutrition – The Rundown on Not Feeling Run Down
When someone begins treatment for a substance use disorder, “recovery nutrition” is not at the top of their priority list. The importance of nutrition often gets lost in the process of attending counseling sessions, finding local meetings, adjusting to new environments, and doing the exhausting work of forming better habits in every area of […]
Angry & DUI – Should I Call the Police?
If you live with someone who drinks or drugs too much, the following scenario should be familiar. The argument begins (as it always does) about mid-way between sobriety and your loved one’s peak inebriation and ends in DUI. It may start because of a missed milestone or unbecoming behavior in public. It may erupt […]
Family Member Recovery – Reactions and Responses
In my article, When Loved Ones Enable Addictive Disease,I discussed the idea of family member recovery and battling a person vs. the disease of addiction. I said, “When we battle an addictive disease process, we engage in purposeful and strategic behaviors to disrupt the process of the addictive disease progression.” Referring to family member […]
