Girl Restarted – What It’s Like to be Out of Rehab and Back to College
Apartness is such a common thread in the stories of alcoholics and addicts. It seems to plague us; the feeling of being an utter misfit, of not belonging and having to pump ourselves full of booze just to feel a part of things. I don’t ever remember feeling comfortable anywhere. I was squirmy and […]
Getting Self-Esteem (I’m Not Much, But I’m All I Think About)
Mirrors I used to love looking in mirrors. As a child, I’d frown, make funny faces and would see just how far I could cross my eyes. I inspected myself—the gap in my two front chompers, the length of my hair, the way my eyebrows almost met. As I grew up, I found […]
What is Recovery? We Asked the Experts – Women in Rehab.
There is no “correct” answer to the question, “What is recovery?”. In fact, the definition of addiction recovery is so subjective, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) uses 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery and a “working definition”. It reminds me of the pirate Barbossa, in The Pirates of the Caribbean. When […]
Mummies’ Night Out – Booze Soaked World
I went out with a bunch of girlfriends last night. A big group of us mummies hitting the town for dinner and a comedy show. Pretty unusual for me to be out and about in town – let alone on a Wednesday night! – but yes it definitely happened. Walking through town I […]
Crying in Rehab – The Emotional Thaw
It’s springtime in Michigan. Early yet – the trees are budding, but there is still snow on the ground in places where the sun doesn’t reach. We all tiptoe around, hoping it isn’t a false spring, but knowing there will probably be at least one more “surprise” snow storm between the Ides of March and […]
50 Things I Love About Sobriety (Don’t Even Get Me Started…)
Yes, I love just about everything associated with sobriety (even though, being a grownup can be a little difficult at times…). Let me count the ways. I love: The mornings My hair, nails and skin Having a memory Not being afraid or regretful of what I remember… The free time No bags under my […]
Screening and Assessment in Addiction Treatment
There are two familiar terms in the addiction treatment field – “screening” and “assessment”. But do most people seeking treatment know the differences between these two processes? Or why screening and assessment are so important to the diagnosis and development of specific treatment recommendations? Screening, and assessment can also enhance positive recovery outcomes. […]
