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…
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…
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…
Maintaining Your Sober Community Immediately After Leaving Your Sober Facility
Leaving a sober facility can be both exciting and daunting. Healing enough to be able to set out on your own is a major accomplishment and a giant stride in your recovery process. Maintaining a sober lifestyle outside of the support and understanding of your…
6 Things You Learn After Becoming Sober
The journey to sobriety can be long and hard. However, when you reach that goal, you may realize how different and more fulfilling your sober life is. There is no denying that overcoming addiction offers some important life lessons. If you are just starting out…
The Difference Between Enabling and Supporting Your Child Struggling With Addiction
Realizing your child is struggling with addiction can be an extremely painful experience for any parent. You desperately want your child to stop using drugs or drinking alcohol. However, if you are like most parents, you also love them unconditionally and don’t want to see…
I Know There’s a Mental Health Problem. Now What?
Roughly one in every eight people has a mental health issue of some kind, and numbers are rising. From additional pressures in everyday life to navigating a global pandemic, mental health issues have increased substantially in recent years. When it comes to treating a mental…
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.