Recovery with a Sense of Humor

AA Rule 62 — “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously” — is an informal yet enduring principle within Alcoholics Anonymous. Though not part of the official Twelve Steps or Twelve Traditions, it reflects a core recovery value: humility. Originally coined to ease tension during early group conflicts, Rule 62 reminds members that ego, pride, and … Read more

Food & Shopping Addiction

Understanding food and shopping addiction requires looking beyond behavior to the psychological, neurological, and social factors driving compulsion. While eating and purchasing are normal activities, they can become unhealthy coping strategies for stress, trauma, or low self-worth. Both activate the brain’s reward system, reinforcing cycles of craving and temporary relief followed by guilt. Over time, … Read more

Stage an Intervention Safely

Staging an intervention can be a life-changing moment for someone struggling with addiction or destructive behaviors. However, it is a delicate process that requires careful planning, emotional regulation, and professional support. If done poorly, interventions can cause emotional harm, escalate conflict, or further damage relationships. For an intervention to be effective, it must be conducted … Read more

Understanding the 3 C’s of Al-Anon

The 3 C’s of Al-Anon Family Groups—You didn’t Cause it, You can’t Control it, and You can’t Cure it—form a foundational philosophy for families and loved ones affected by addiction. These principles were developed to help individuals detach from misplaced guilt, excessive responsibility, and the emotional exhaustion that often accompanies supporting someone with a substance … Read more

Early Recovery: The First 30 Days

The first 30 days after stopping substance use represent one of the most critical and vulnerable stages of recovery. During this period, the body begins to detoxify, and the brain starts adjusting to the absence of substances that previously altered its reward and stress systems. Individuals may experience physical withdrawal symptoms, emotional instability, cravings, and … Read more

Addiction versus Mental Disorder

Addiction and mental health disorders are closely related yet distinct conditions that significantly impact an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Addiction, often referred to clinically as a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), is characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences and involves measurable changes in brain structure and function. Mental health disorders, such as depression, … Read more

Stars Who Fought Addiction Battle

Talking openly about addiction takes courage, especially for celebrities who usually have their private struggles publicized every day. I’ve seen how putting tough moments out there can make a difference for regular people, simply by showing that even the rich and famous can feel lost or overwhelmed by addiction. When stars step up and share … Read more

Addiction: Signs to Seek Help

If you check out mental health resources or advice columns, you’ll notice the focus often falls on classic warning signs, like feeling sad all the time or having trouble getting out of bed. But sometimes the signals that you might need extra help are more unexpected. These uncommon signs hide in plain sight and don’t … Read more

Bone Health During Recovery

If you’re curious about the connection between bone health and addiction, you’re not alone. This is an area that deserves more attention because the link is real, and understanding it can make a huge difference for those working on recovery or supporting someone who is. I’m going to break down what’s really important when it … Read more

Sugar Sabotaging Your Recovery

Sugar is everywhere these days, even in places you might not expect. For people dealing with addictive behaviors, sugar can quietly sneak into the mix, sometimes making the entire recovery process even tougher. It hides out in snacks, drinks, comfort foods, and even so-called healthy options. So, I’m going to break down how sugar might … Read more