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....
When I took my Recovery Coach training, one of the things that stuck with me the most, is a discussion we had on the theory of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Without going too far down the proverbial rabbit hole, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a model that places the...
The Holiday Season is in full swing and New Year’s Eve is fast approaching. Hopefully everyone was able to enjoy a safe and sober holiday with family, friends and loved ones. Whatever your experience may have been, just know that today is a brand-new day and with...
I heard something awhile back from someone I admire in my recovery. He said, “pain is the fertilizer for spiritual growth.” Think about that for a second and let it sink in. What that means to me is, no matter how hard things get, how hopeless it seems or how dire the...
Feel the chill in the air? The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. The remnants of hollowed out Jack O’ Lanterns, being swapped out for pine comb wreaths. Gobble Gobble! Thanksgiving conjures up warm and fuzzy feelings for most. The thought of reuniting with family...
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...
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....
