I was born into a regular family and always felt that my real troubles did not start until high school. I found it hard to fit in and was bullied,…
Author: Addictions UK
Recovery Capital
What is Recovery Capital? Every so often there is a buzzword that is attached to recovery, ‘Recovery Capital’ is one of those. However, unlike other buzzwords that seem to serve…
Free Yourself from Regret
6 Sure-Shot Steps To Turn Negative Emotions Into Positive Action We have all felt sometimes that life would have been better if we had taken a different path. If only…
Harm Reduction or Abstinence – which is better in Addiction Treatment?
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…
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,…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
Tobacco Takes Your Breath Away
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day There was a time when smoking was very much a part of typical daily life. People smoked everywhere: in planes, ships, cinemas, offices…
Your Work-from-Home Employees Are at Risk of Burn Out – How You Can Help
When the work commute is mere seconds to your computer and there’s no need to wear trousers and shoes, you may think there’s much less stress. However, you may now…
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…