If you were at the Willingway Homecoming this weekend, you might have picked up a set of Recovery Zone System wristbands. The Recovery Zone System, featured in The Recovery Book, guides you through your recovery journey, and helps you to know what issues you should focus on at any one time. The wristbands serve as a handy reminder of where you are.
Here’s a post on how to use them.
We are thrilled to announce that The Recovery Book just won an Outstanding Book Award from the American Society of Journalists and Authors!
If you have a medical or dental procedure planned, you’ll need to be extra vigilant about your recovery. Taking any mood-altering medications before, during or after your procedure can put you at high risk for a relapse.
In The Recovery Book, we suggest you return to the Red Zone and ramp up your recovery program at such times. (Read more about the Recovery Zone System in our Quick Start Guide post.) You should also talk with your doctor or dentist about medications before the day of your procedure.
The “Dear Doctor” letter below can help you to broach the topic. Print it out and take it with you to an appointment; use the information to start a conversation. Be honest with your health care provider, and enlist their help in your efforts to avoid relapse.
The Dear Doctor letter below was originally written by staff at Willingway Hospital; it … Read more...
“The Recovery Book is absolutely the Bible of addiction recovery. There is so much great information and resources in these pages. But most of all, you will find hope in these pages as well.”
— Dawn Clancy, host of “Growing Up Chaotic”
Dawn recently interviewed Dr. Al. Give a listen to the show. (And please share with a friend!)
Getting and staying sober is the first priority when someone gets into recovery. But most soon learn that recovery is about so much more. Here are some basic truths about living in recovery.
Recovery is a way of life. Recovery is about building and enjoying a better life for yourself in sobriety. It’s about finding and developing loving relationships, solid friendships, strong community ties, satisfying work, and invigorating play. It’s about spending your life in good health and good spirits. It’s about living a good life steeped in the culture of recovery.
Recovery is about healing. Over time you’ll notice that your body is healing. Even better, your brain will be healing as well. Addiction hijacked your brain, making it very hard for you to make good choices. As you focus your thoughts and actions on sobriety and recovery, your cravings will disappear and your thoughts will … Read more...
It seems there has been an increase in the number of heroin users. Why?
Heroin use is indeed on the rise. Between 2002 and 2012, the number of people who abused or were dependent on heroin more than doubled, from 214,000 to 467,000 (another 202,000 had used heroin at least once in that year).
It’s a complex issue, but in large part it goes back to the misuse of prescription painkillers in recent years. These drugs became so much easier to get—legally and illegally—and many people were getting hooked on them. In recent years, the number of people abusing or dependent on painkillers rose from 1.4 to 2.1 million. Many people then found that prescription painkillers were too expensive to buy on the street, or found that their supply dried up, and turned to heroin, which is cheaper and easy to find. We’ve been left with a full-blown heroin epidemic … Read more...
