Downward Spiral to Downward Facing Dog My Story: My journey with substance abuse disorder was in a sharp downward spiral from the beginning. After hundreds of attempts to stop or moderate, and a couple of hospitalizations including a stay in a psych ward, I landed...
At THRIVE, we believe that there are multiple pathways to recovery. There is no one right way or wrong way. Every individual is unique. What might work for one person, might not work for another. If you have ever spent any time at THRIVE, you would be hard pressed to...
I have never seen nor read Game of Thrones, but I have been around enough office water coolers to recognize the catchphrase, “Winter is coming!” Good ole Ned Stark might have been a bit dramatic, but with good reason. The North was coming off a 9-year long summer and...
Substance use disorder can be extremely debilitating and even deadly when left untreated. Turn on the local news and you can see just how devastating it has been to our community. Combine a mental health condition with SUD and you have an even more lethal combination....
One of my pet peeves is when someone starts off a blog post by stating the definition of a word to set up an anecdote. My apologies in advance. Webster’s online dictionary defines the word gratitude as, “the state of being grateful: THANKFULNESS.” When I was newly...
If you listen carefully, you can hear Cupid groan as he dusts off his 2724-year-old quiver. It is the time of year for overpriced roses, gift certificates to the local nail salon and those horrible chalky heart-shaped candies with Valentines proverbs printed on them....
So much of my life I lived with self-doubt, constantly searching outward for my value. I’d figuratively hand myself over to people in my life hoping they’d give me my worthiness. It makes me sad for that girl. Being in an unhealthy marriage and then the introduction...
When someone mentions the word Van, where does your mind go? As a child of the 70’s and self-proclaimed cartoon connoisseur, I would have to say, the iconic Scooby Doo van, AKA, the Mystery Machine. This vintage piece of 70's nostalgia was driven by the dreamy,...
It is hard for me to articulate in words just how grateful I am to be sober. It is not because sobriety made it possible for me to find a meaningful profession. Or that getting sober saved my marriage. Or even that being sober got me into the best shape of my life....
The Power of Perception I've been living with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I recall having terrible nightmares. I used to have this one recurring dream about a little girl in a sundress walking through a field of sunflowers. It was a...
Depression For $200 Announcer: "THIS IS JEOPARDY!" Announcer: "Today's contestant is a middle-aged male that works in the human services industry. He is happily married with two daughters and lives with the co-occurring conditions, substance use disorder and...
