Primarily, there are two addiction treatment strategies available for drug addicts and alcoholics – harm reduction and abstinence. Proponents of both these methods claim high success rates by quoting medical…
Author: Addictions UK
Lessons Learnt in Recovery from Addiction
In an active Addiction, many of us caused significant harms. The lies and broken promises meant we often hurt others when their only crime was to love us. Those who…
How to Achieve Happiness with Acceptance
Most of us fail to see reality. We see things as we believe them to be, or wish them to be. Examples are all around us. Whether it’s religious beliefs,…
What’s your purpose in life?
We are all born and start our journey in life towards inexorable and inevitable termination. The years between birth and death is the period we have goals with or without…
From Pride to Humility
One of the main characteristics of an alcoholic or addict is his self-centeredness. He or she is full of pride, though there may be little he can be proud of….
Life is a terminal disease
Life is full of change. Ever-changing, never still. Change is the only constant. Youth comes and goes; beauty and pleasure are transitory. The sun, nature, matter – all are in…
My journey into meditation
Ways to develop, practise and reasons to be patient. Meditation and I have never gone hand in hand. I’ve often been closed-minded and reluctant to build it into my daily…
My Journey from Addiction to Recovery
Sometime in July 2011, I attended my first Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting. Up until that point I had always claimed I could get clean whenever I wanted, just as long…
The Impact of Addiction and Recovery on Financial Insecurity
For most individuals in active addiction, the ability to adequately manage their finances is an almost impossible task. They are no strangers to financial insecurity. Addiction is a progressive illness:…
7 Ways to Find Real Freedom
Ancient Indian Yogic philosophy identified five Kleshas or ‘afflictions’: Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (egoism), Raga (attachment), Dvesa (aversion or hatred), and Abinivesah (clinging to life and fear of death). Some of…
Is Social Media Harmful?
Social media is now part of our lives. It includes popular sites such a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok. There are concerns about its impact on our lives, especially…
Caution! Be Careful in Selecting Professional Addiction Treatment Providers
Beware when using Third-Party Referral Agents while choosing professional help for your addiction treatment requirements. Addictions UK is one of the leading agencies in offering a range of home-based non-residential addiction…
Life in Recovery: Is it Boring?
One of my biggest fears about quitting addiction was that I would be perceived as boring, or my life in recovery would be dull. Speaking to many of my recovery…
Fareshare and Addictions North East Food and Provisions
Addictions North East with the help of the County Durham Community Foundation, The Ballinger Trust, the Greggs Foundation and Addictions UK distribute food and Provisions to service users in County…
7 Types of Freedom in Addiction Recovery
Addiction is a trap. The addict is robbed of any real choices – he or she has to drink or drug. They have no freedom from their compulsions, obsessive thoughts…
The Trouble with Resentments
Holding on to grievances, often may seem justified, but is it worth it and who does it harm? I am sure we can all relate to finding certain people in…
Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Who remembers the 80’s? A time for spandex fashion, mobile phones like bricks and outrageously voluminous hairstyles? You may think, why are you asking me this? Well, who remembers a…
Alcoholism in the UK
If you feel you are in trouble with your drinking, or your consumption of alcohol has reached a point where it troubles you or your loved ones, you may be…
Messages of Madness: The Power of Denial in Addiction
Denial gives powerful messages of madness to the person in addiction. Such messages tend to fuel addictions – alcohol, drugs or behavioural. They are also the primary triggers for relapse….
HALTT – a Self-care Tool in Addiction Recovery
I recall being in a treatment centre some years back. It was early in my attempts at recovery. I was waiting to be seen by a medical professional and sat…
Food and Wellbeing: What’s the connection?
Today, the world is faster, and we always seem on-the-go dashing from task to task. Finding time to eat adequately in between can often be a hard task. Despite being…
Adult Children of Alcoholics: Does the hurt ever heal?
The term “adult child of alcoholic” (ACOA) first came out around 1980, to describe the multitudes of “children” trapped in adult bodies. These individuals were in a constant state of…
Talking to Someone in Recovery Need Not be Difficult
Having a loved one in recovery who lives with addiction can raise several questions. It is normal to be curious and to want to know about their journey, to better…
Addiction: Denial and Recovery
It is often so frustrating for the family of an addict or alcoholic to convince him or her to seek treatment for their condition. For the family, it can be…
Cultural Factors in Addiction Treatment
Each one of us is unique. This uniqueness is born of a multitude of factors, such as our place of birth and upbringing, the schools we attend, the friends we…
Home Detox Programme
Many people would prefer to be treated at home for any illness and we know that this is particularly true of people…