Thinking about a slip requires intervening on our own behalf. Ever since Pavlov studied conditioned responses in rats and dogs, science has uncovered what many sensed but never articulated, we are all creatures of habit. By ringing bells with intermittent rewards or punishments, he caused his lab animals to run towards anticipated pleasures like foodContinue reading “Avoiding Onramps to a Slip”
Category Archives: recovery
Talking the Talk vs Walking the Walk
Those of us who are traveling on the road to recovery are fortunate to have found new directions and purpose. However, just because we have undertaken the task of turning our lives around does not mean that our efforts will be rewarded easily or that obstacles and pitfalls will magically disappear once we have madeContinue reading “Talking the Talk vs Walking the Walk”
Getting Back On The Wagon
When we are new in recovery, we attempt to resolve to give up our addictive behavior. Good intentions are a good place to start, but for most of us promises like this are easier made than kept. The road to recovery is full of speed bumps. It should come as no surprise how many ofContinue reading “Getting Back On The Wagon”
Am I A Cucumber Or A Pickle?
Many of us who have succumbed to out-of-control addictive behavior eventually hit a bottom where the pain we created overruled whatever temporary pleasure we received from our hopelessly repetitive misguided actions. We were faced with a choice whether to return for another dose of the hair of the dog that bit us or seek help. Continue reading “Am I A Cucumber Or A Pickle?”
Immediate vs Delayed Gratification
I used to get a kick when I’d see a poster hanging in front of a desk of a local print and copy store that portrayed a worker laughing hysterically at a customer “YOU WANT IT WHEN?” That must be how Higher Power feels when we seek immediate answers to our desires. The spoiled childContinue reading “Immediate vs Delayed Gratification”
Euphoric Recall Is A Trap
Many addicts find during the first few months of recovery that they begin to feel welcome relief from the desperation and depression their self-destructive lifestyle had brought them. This is no surprise because after hitting bottom, it seems the only one way to go is up. A period of sustained abstinence from what led usContinue reading “Euphoric Recall Is A Trap”
Isolation Is A Killer
Although most addicts have parts of their personalities that are extroverted, when we are caught in the throes of addiction, we go through long periods avoiding people and social interaction. This isolated life style is self-perpetuating, making us feel less than others, unworthy of validation from partners, friends, family, and society in general. This leads usContinue reading “Isolation Is A Killer”
Why Taking Inventory of Our Shortcomings Is So Important
It has been said that confession is good for the soul. It seems that every religion and spiritual practice has a venue for admitting mistakes and asking for forgiveness. Catholics practice weekly confession. Protestant congregations each have their own variation of this. Jews atone once a year on Yom Kippur. Muslims have a similar day of atonement called Ashura. Buddhists meditateContinue reading “Why Taking Inventory of Our Shortcomings Is So Important”
It’s OK To Ask For Help
When we are in the throes of addiction we can get caught in perplexing conflict. On one hand, we know we need help, but on the other, we are afraid to ask for it. Overcome with guilt and shame, we resist making ourselves vulnerable and will do anything to keep from giving up control. Yet it isContinue reading “It’s OK To Ask For Help”
Recovery Is For Those Who Want It, Not Need It
I was participating in a group discussion about recovery and co-dependency when a woman suggested that recovery is for those who want it, not those who need it. This immediately rang true for me. We’d been exploring how many of us had become preoccupied with trying to improve someone else’s behavior, wishing and hoping they’d change toContinue reading “Recovery Is For Those Who Want It, Not Need It”
DAVID CAT COHEN In Recovery blogs 