Healthy Boundaries By creating distance is one of the healthiest ways I can protect myself and foster my growth without compromising my values. It’s not about being controlling; it’s about honouring my needs. Boundaries, whether physical, emotional, or material, allow me to build a solid foundation for long-term well-being and self-respect. Fostering Healthy RelationshipsBoundaries are the foundation of healthy relationships. They help you communicate your needs clearly and avoid enabling behaviours, co-dependency, or manipulation, creating more balanced and respectful interactions. Encouraging AccountabilityIn recovery, setting boundaries holds you and others accountable. For instance, maintaining distance from people or situations tied to old habits helps you stay aligned with your goals.                        …

There have been countless moments in my recovery when I’ve felt stuck, as though I were trapped in an endless loop, going around in circles. I’d catch myself slipping into the same familiar patterns, repeating old habits, and reacting to the same triggers that once held me captive. It was frustrating, even disheartening at times, to see myself standing on the brink of these cycles yet again. But something shifted when I realized the significance of what was happening. I could see those patterns. I could recognize the old habits and triggers. With that awareness, I discovered something even more powerful: I had the tools and the ability to break…

How-To From Surviving to Thriving Professional SupportI’ve found that working with qualified professionals is incredibly helpful. Whether I’m exploring therapy approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), or trauma-informed counseling, having a trained guide allows me to process my emotions in a safe environment. In addition, staying consistent with my medical or addiction care team helps me monitor my progress and tailor my treatment plan when needed. Peer Support GroupsConnecting with others who share similar experiences has been invaluable. In these groups, I feel both validated and understood, which helps to reduce isolation. Listening to others’ journeys and sharing my own struggles and triumphs also…

Resentment is the number one offender, wreaking havoc on the lives of those struggling with substance use and addictive behaviors. When you let myself get stuck in resentment, the chances of recovering from addiction diminish significantly. Resentment often feels like a wave of anger, bitterness, or dissatisfaction when we believe we’ve been wronged, treated unfairly, or disrespected. This emotion usually stems from a perceived injustice or insult, sometimes something as small as a look, and it has a way of lingering, festering over time. The more we hold onto it, the more it fuels negative feelings toward the person or situation we believe caused my pain. Recognizing this pattern is…