What is “successful” anyway? The long time sober and successful writer James Lee Burke puts some words into character Dave Robicheaux’s mouth,”there is no possession more valuable than a sober sunrise”, and that is a pretty good mark of “success” to start from. Plenty of addicts and alcoholics achieve success Continue Reading
ALCOHOL FREE
You might not expect to find a piece on Dry January on an addiction recovery site, although you will certainly see it covered across all other traditional and social media. The first “official” campaign seems to have started in 2012 in the UK. Alcohol Concern, a leading UK charity encouraged Continue Reading
STAY SOBER AT CHRISTMAS
If you are new to recovery, the question of how to stay sober at Christmas can seem overwhelming. We all need help and support to at any time of the year. In the “party season” life can provide enough connection for the most committed extrovert and more than plenty for Continue Reading
CONSEQUENCES OF THE CREATIVE CURSE
A great many creatives fear recovery from addiction might mean an end to their artistic achievements. Alcoholism and addiction have been see by many as the creative curse. That said alcoholic writers probably write (or wrote) just as well sober as drunk, and as South African playwright Continue Reading
READING FOR RECOVERY (II)
In a previous post we wrote about the importance of reading in the recovery process, so when we saw the words reading for recovery in a New York Times book review headline we were intrigued. The review was for a collection of excerpts, poems and quotes gathered together in Out Continue Reading
CAN A “MIRACLE PILL” CURE ALCOHOLISM?
The “miracle pill”, baclofen has been on our radar for some time. Originally designed and widely used to treat muscle spasms it has been hailed by some as the cure for alcoholism. Like other harm reduction medications it has both supporters and detractors, but this new study from the Nederland Continue Reading
SOCIAL PRESSURES – WHAT’S YOUR POISON?
“Alcohol is a big element of our social interactions (in the UK at least) so not drinking, or stopping drinking, is normally met with criticism or mockery, which we want to avoid, even at a subconscious level. It can be extremely powerful, this social influence. If you’re allergic to alcohol, you’ve likely Continue Reading
ADDICTION TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PATHWAYS
When it comes to addiction the never-ending debate about “disease model” or brain disease, moral failing or trauma reaction causes a lot of confusion. The continued disagreements around the “causes”of addiction and the efficacy of addiction treatment, 12 Step programs, faith based solutions, medication and therapy models just add to Continue Reading
ONLINE AND ON THE MOVE – RECOVERY IS MOBILE
The ongoing accessibility offered by smart phone apps is enhancing all kinds of activities and experience, and an addiction recovery app can ensure you are not left out of this technological tsunami of opportunities. Of course accessing web sites on the move is convenient and helpful, but dedicated apps are Continue Reading
Visions of Peace – Visions of Recovery
A review of The Peacemaker, a new documentary by James Demo. Anyone who has experience of 12 Step based Recovery will have heard the oft repeated lament, ‘if only the whole World did the Steps things would be so much better.’ At ORA we always emphasize two things. Firstly, most Continue Reading