Utilizing Post-Traumatic Growth to Transcend Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues
As they say, trauma is the nightmares faced while awake, and it takes tremendous effort and perseverance to overcome and transcend, especially when compounding that with mental health and substance abuse issues. Post-traumatic growth empowers individuals to focus on self-improvement after experiencing life’s difficulties. Let’s…
What is “Weaponizing Mental Health?”
Weaponizing mental health is a common “defense” for doing something immoral or unethical when struggling with mental health issues, such as addiction. Sometimes, people may try to avoid accountability by using a mental health issue to justify their behaviors. While mental health issues are real and may…
How To Navigate Sobriety With a Family Who Likes to Drink
Similar to heart disease or diabetes, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a genetically distinguished condition. These genetic markers create a greater sensitivity to intoxication, increased tolerance, and alcohol-related organ damage. Often the environment plays little to no role in the onset of AUD. For example, a…
5 Lesser Known Facts About Drugs and Alcohol
March 20th through the 26th is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW), an annual, week-long event that began in 2010 to help spread awareness about drugs and alcohol. Participants share the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and how addiction to these substances impacts the…
How Can I Stay Sober When I Live in a Party Town?
When you’re sober, feeling like there is pressure to party in the place you live can create a stressful environment. Even if it seems like you have to drink if you live in a party town and that “everyone is doing it,†there are always…
This is How Dry January Can Kickstart Your Sobriety Journey
Over the past few years, there’s been lots of talk about the potential benefits of a Dry January. Whether you want to improve your sleep, regulate your blood sugar, or need to save back up some of the money you spent on gifts, giving Dry…
Sober Trends in 2023: What Everyone in Recovery Should Know in the New Year
The state of mental health and substance abuse recovery is constantly evolving. Not that long ago, there was a heavy stigma surrounding anyone who struggled in these areas. Today, many communities and families are more understanding and are putting in the work to help reduce…
Not Home for the Holidays? How to Create a Cheerful Sober Living Experience
The holiday season is typically filled with family and loved ones. However, if you are living in a sober living facility, your plans may not include a trip home. This may lead to feelings of sadness or depression as you long to be with your…
What Is the Johnson Intervention and Should I Use It for My Loved One?
An intervention is when you confront a loved one about how their substance use has affected you and everyone they love. Many families choose to have an intervention when a loved one’s substance use has become destructive or addictive. The goal of an intervention is…
What Does It Look Like to Be Off Meth After One Year?
November is National Meth Awareness Day, an opportunity to educate the public about the lasting effects of methamphetamine abuse. The goal of this initiative is to increase awareness and eradicate its use. Other than cocaine, meth is the leading cause of overdose deaths involving substances…
Author – Chris Howard
Chris Howard is the Founder and Director of Ethos Recovery. He has a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and has served as a community advocate/mentor for men and women in recovery since 2010.