Tag: relapse prevention
Let’s look at some science to see why addiction blinds its victims so much, and how flexing your memory muscles could help you to avoid relapse. Human beings often fall into a trap of preferring instant gratification over long-term benefits. We tend to choose things…
The Betrayal Brigade The first time I ever went into detox after spewing up bile for a week, as a welcome home present, my old friends treated me to a shandy down the local pub. “No more triple-brandies for you,” they tutted playfully, as the…
So you’ve found yourself drinking or using drugs again? Or perhaps you haven’t reached that stage yet, but all the red flags are waving, and it seems to be only a matter of time before you pick up a drink or drug. Or maybe you’re…
Whether you’ve already been clean and sober for a while or are just starting on your recovery journey, you need a strong plan in place. Staying sober can be just as difficult as getting sober in the first place. Here are five tips to help…
A study conducted at the University of Cambridge has shown that working on memories could help prevent relapses in addicts. Scientists believe that they can break down the memory triggers that cause cravings for drugs and alcohol in addicts, thereby making them less likely to…
Cross-addiction is common in recovery. It’s very frustrating to have quit a substance or behaviour you were hopelessly addicted to, only to find another addiction takes its place. Understanding the role of dopamine in addiction, and learning to balance it, can help you stop cross-addiction…
Recovering addicts can never take sobriety for granted. Staying clean and sober can require work, especially during challenging times. But what if, in the midst of difficulties, you don’t have access to your recovery tools? Lockdown and isolation can be especially painful if you don’t…
Just like the song by the late, great Amy Winehouse, when I was told to go to rehab, I also said “No, no, no.” In fact, I used much stronger terms than that. Something more along the lines of “Not on your effin’ life!” I…
