Recently we were talking with a friend, a writer, busy on a number of projects. Charlie Harrow knows his stuff, in between his writing projects he had started developing reflective pieces on his experience with alcohol, alcoholism, recovery and more. He kindly passed these on and so will contribute to Continue Reading
alcoholism
Should I say (or should you know?)
It seems the biggest obstacle to stopping drinking (or using drugs) is still based in shame and stigma. Broadly the shame appears to be along the line of thinking that suggests if we have a problem we should be able to solve it ourselves, so if we can’t we try Continue Reading
TO SOBRIETY AND BEYOND
As the (No)Buzz Lightyear”s that are the heroes of Dry January consider their missions into to sobriety and beyond (Parched March anyone?), we thought we would highlight some relatively new approaches in the recovery universe. The 12 Step fellowships work for a lot of people. They will continue working for Continue Reading
SUPPORT RECOVERY
The Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC) are at it again. One of our favourite recovery organisations in the world have announced yet another initiative to support recovery wherever you are. A free recovery workbook, free to everyone. Just click here and download the pdf. The SRC’s innovative ideas and practices deserve Continue Reading
SOBER AND SUCCESSFUL
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
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