Articles By

Shannon M

Shannon M

What Do Cross Addiction and Cross Dependence Mean?

Substituting one addiction for another is known as cross addiction, cross dependence or addiction interaction discorder. It occurs when the substitute has more or less the same properties as the replaced addiction—a common example is unhealthy eating patterns that emerge when giving up alcohol.
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Stages of Sexual Addiction: Breaking The Cycle

In this article, we will discuss the stages of sex addiction and learn how to break the continuous cycle of sexual addiction.
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Meditation Symbols: Spiritual Meaning For Your Yoga Routine

Meditation is the practice of quieting our minds and accessing our energy centers. There are many different paths to reaching a meditative state. To help get us to that quiet place, some use everyday items like stones, images, and symbols.
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Saints’ Prayers for Drug Addictions and Recovery 

Praying to Saints, those that have passed on before us, is a practice in many churches, most famously in the catholic faith. The saints symbolize hope and can be a powerful intercessor for addicted people. 
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Best Sober Vacation Ideas and Destinations (Alcohol-free)

Alcohol-free vacations can do wonders for your mental health. But how easy is it to stay sober when you are on vacation with your party mode on? It's easy, and you can achieve this goal by choosing a sober vacation destination.
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Anorexia Nervosa

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are complex and challenging mental health conditions. These two conditions have revealed a striking connection in recent years in many individuals. 
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Does Cocaine, or Other Illegal Drugs, Cause Hair Loss?

Cocaine is a potent stimulant drug, and chronic use of cocaine can cause long-term side effects. Does cocaine cause hair loss? Does the damage go away? Can you reverse the damage? Does your hair ever go back to its healthy stage? Let’s see how cocaine can cause damage to your hair and what can bring back the shine you always had.
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What is Body Checking? (Eating Disorders)

Body checking encompasses various activities related to obsessive thoughts about the body’s shape, body’s weight, and size.
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Inspirational Eating Disorder Quotes for Recovery

Here are some eating disorder recovery quotes for those suffering from eating disorders. These are healthy eating quotes that can give you an unexpected laugh and help you with your recovery process. 
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Powerful Symbols & Tattoos to Celebrate Recovery

For many people who are or have been on the path to sobriety, tattoos serve as powerful representations of their successes. They serve as a reminder of a person’s commitment to a life free from addiction.
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Clothing Fashion Brands with Mental Health Awareness

Fashion brands have evolved beyond mere apparel providers. They can now actively engage in raising awareness on essential social issues. Clothing is common to all genders and ages. So, if clothing brands take the initiative to talk about something, they are more likely to reach a wider audience.
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Novena Prayers for Alcoholism and Addiction

A simple prayer is enough to call upon God for His divine help. However, the catholic school of thought has a more precise method of prayer known as the Novena.
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Bible Verses For Healing Trauma (Comforting Scriptures)

Trauma manifests in various forms for different people. Bad experiences can affect us in different ways, impacting us emotionally, physically, financially, and beyond. The trauma that we suffer as a consequence of these experiences can often leave us distraught and hopeless. Such a state requires a source of comfort and peace that we can always turn to.
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Empowering Body Dysmorphia and Body Image Quotes

Struggling with your body image is something everyone goes through at some point in their lives. According to research published by the National Institute Of Health, about 20-40% of women struggle with some form of dissatisfaction with their bodies. At the same time, 10-30% of men report to have similar struggles.
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Nar-Anon Quotes & Slogans for Family of Addicts

One such example is Nar-Anon meetings and the words resonating from Nar-Anon family groups. These words act like a faithful hand guiding individuals through these challenging times. These simple phrases, found within the Nar-Anon Blue Book, often provide inexpressible comfort to those seeking solace amidst the chaos of addiction's impact on their lives.
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What is the Difference Between Being Sober vs Drunk

The difference between being sober versus drunk lies in more than behavior changes. Being sober means not consuming any alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
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Intracacies of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD symptoms can vary widely among people, but there are a few commonalities you should be aware of; OCD typically involves specific patterns of obsessions and compulsions. You might be wondering, what exactly is an obsession and a compulsion? 
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Suboxone vs Subutex Use During Pregnancy (Opioid Treatment)

Subutex, or buprenorphine treatment, works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, similar to other opioids. However, its unique property as a partial agonist means it produces a milder opioid effect, reducing the risk of opioid dependence. By stimulating some receptors and blocking others, Subutex helps alleviate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing individuals to focus on their recovery.
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Personality Disorder vs Mood Disorders (Key Differences)

Mood disorders and personality disorders are two distinct categories of mental health conditions that impact a person's life. While they have some common symptoms and characteristics, they are fundamentally different as to what causes them, how they present, and their treatment approaches. 
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How to Overcome Masturbation Addiction through Jesus Christ

With the advent of social media and easy access to explicit materials, single young and married men succumb to sexual urges and masturbation addiction. In this piece, we will break down these urges and the effects sexual immorality has on a faithful Christian life. 
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About Suboxone Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Suboxone is emerging as a valuable tool in the treatment of opioid addiction. Its formulation, a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, helps to address different aspects of addiction.
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Best Retreats for Family Therapy Vacations

Family vacations allow loved ones to reconnect and spend time together. It takes them away from the hustle of work, routine, and chores and brings them together in a place meant for relaxation and rekindling.
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24-Hour Sobriety Chip in Alcoholics Anonymous

Receiving this sobriety token, or desire chip, serves as a daily reminder of the promise you made to reclaim your life and make better choices, one day at a time. And if you have accomplished that, even for a short period of time, for now, you should know you have what it takes to keep going!
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About Alcoholics Anonymous (Purpose Meetings Steps)

AA is a fellowship of men and women whose primary purpose is to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. They conduct meetings where they share their personal experiences and success stories. The idea is to provide a healthy and supportive environment for alcoholics that is conducive to their recovery and gives them a sense of belonging.
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Symptoms of PMO Addiction (Porn Masturbation Orgasm)

PMO refers to porn, masturbation, and orgasm. In the digital age with easy access, porn addiction, also known as PMO addiction, is emerging as a major problem. This problem appears to be affecting a significant number of individuals worldwide.
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Leaving A Drug Addict Boyfriend

Living with a drug addict boyfriend can be daunting and emotionally draining. Especially when you have no experience dealing with substance use disorder and addictive behavior.
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Love Addiction vs Love Avoidance (Relationship Addiction)

Love is in the air! Maybe not literally, but it is all around us. In the novels we read, the movies we watch, our favorite tv shows, and even the local newspaper with marriage announcement photos and “love is love” posters.
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Signs and Symptoms of Vicodin Addiction and Abuse

Recognizing the signs of Vicodin addiction is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment. This article explores the red flags that may indicate Vicodin addiction, with insight and guidance to enable individuals and their loved ones to take the necessary steps toward prevention and recovery.
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Can You Be Addicted to Emotional Pain?

Drug addiction is something concrete and physical. We have evidence of our substance abuse in the physical act of taking a drink, snorting a line, shooting up, or inhaling a substance.
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What is NyQuil abuse and addiction?

NyQuil, available in caplet and liquid form, is one of many over-the-counter cold medications for common cold symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, fever, and headache. Some people take NyQuil as a sleep medication.
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Celebrate Your Sobriety Anniversary with a Party

A sober milestone commemorates how much time has passed between the present moment and the date of the addict’s last drug or the alcoholic’s last drink of alcoholic beverages. In reality, we celebrate a new sober milestone on a daily basis when we wake up sober.
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Can Sober Alcoholics Drink Non-alcoholic Beer?

As more and more non-alcoholic beverage options hit the market in recent years and advertising on social media seems to be multiplying images of bottles of non-alcoholic beer, those with alcohol addiction are asking themselves whether it is a good idea to sip these nonalcoholic drinks in social situations or whether the best thing would be to abstain completely from such drinks.
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Sober Cruise Vacations for Sober Singles (Alcohol-Free)

Travelers all across the world enjoy going on cruises. Millions book cruises each year. So what happens if you're sober from alcohol and want to go on a cruise where it's typically free to drink any alcoholic drink you wish?
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How To Enjoy Living a Sober Life

Sobriety can feel absolutely frightening. It can also be a challenge in those first days of recovery. In today's culture, it feels like not drinking means being alone and dull. I remember in early sobriety, and I thought all my fun was over! Being sober was lame. I was a bore now.
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Examples of AA Fourth Step Moral Inventory (Guide)

Some people fear the action of the fourth step inventory. Even though this is referred to as a fearless moral inventory, it can be scary. In many people's experience, the fourth step brings peace and calmness when complete.
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How Long Until I’m Sober

We know that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States came into the New Year just like they do any other New Year – with their hands around a glass bottle during a night of heavy drinking, and never the wiser that they may have an alcohol addiction.
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How Does Alcohol Abuse Differ From Alcoholism?

There is a fine–and not-so-fine–line between alcohol dependence (or “alcoholism” or “alcohol abuse”) and heavy drinking or excessive alcohol consumption. For those of us wondering whether we have a drinking problem, it is hard to distinguish whether our binge drinking–which is often culturally celebrated and acceptable in the United States–is evidence of alcohol misuse or just good American fun.
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Sobriety Anniversary Wishes for Cards and Gifts

If you have a friend or family member celebrating a sobriety anniversary, you might not know what to say to them or if you should give them a gift. Do you know where they celebrate their sober birthday in their addiction recovery program?
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How Long Does it Take to Sober Up From Alcohol?

The different factors that determine how long alcohol will stay in your system include: Individual’s age Individual’s weight What they’ve ingested Medications they have taken, and The overall health of the individual’s liver
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K2/Spice (Synthetic Marijuana) Addiction- Signs

K2 is a synthetic cannabinoid product consisting of a certain kind of plant material sprayed with a type of synthetic cannabinoid, which happens to be very similar to THC
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What Are The Stages of Addiction? (Recovery and Treatment)

A substance abuse disorder does not just happen in an instant. It is a chronic disease that develops over time and is not the first time someone uses addictive substances. There are various models of the different stages of drug addiction and alcohol abuse.
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Symptoms of Addiction to Percocet (Abuse Treatment Effects)

Percocet is a very popular prescription painkiller in the United States. It is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. This post looks at the signs of addiction to Percocet.
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AA Step 10 and 11 Questions (Personal Inventory Guide)

Working steps 10 & 11? These probing questions will help with this step inventory and help to work these steps at a deeper level.
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Step 1 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Worksheet and Guide

This first step worksheet is a series of questions to be reflected on to help you decide whether it is time to start a new life and change to a life of sobriety.
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Step 7 AA Worksheet (Humbly Asked Him to Remove Our Shortcomings)

Step 7: This is the point in the program where we humble ourselves and ask our Higher Power as we see our Higher Power to be to remove all our defects of character.
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84 Life Journey Inspirational Quotes and Sayings

Life is as they say a journey and we should aim to enjoy the ride. Quotes can be a motivation to take a journey or a guide to the journey. Life is an interior journey, and we choose the paths that we follow.
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48 Best One Year Sober and Addiction Recovery Quotes (with images)

Are you one year sober? Here are some quotes with images that might help you remember the achievement of one year sobriety.
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What is a High Functioning Alcoholic? (Signs Treatment Warnings)

If you have ever heard of a functional alcoholic, then you might be left wondering what it means. We think of an alcoholic as someone who has totally lost control of their life. They’ve probably lost their job or family members. So, how can we have a term that calls an alcoholic functional? What an oxymoron, right?
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51 Inspiring Quotes for Recovering Alcoholics and Addicts (With Images)

To people who are in recovery from substance abuse, nothing is more inspiring than someone else in recovery, but inspirational quotes are also a great source of help. Here are some great addiction recovery quotes to keep us going in the right direction, each with a little observation after them just to provide some food for thought.
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The Full Serenity Prayer (Long Version): Your Daily Compass Through Recovery

The full version Serenity Prayer gives hope and calmness. Every member of Alcoholics Anonymous knows the short version Serenity Prayer. Many know it is part of a longer prayer, but few know the full version of the Serenity Prayer.
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51 United States Alcohol and Alcoholism Statistics (2022)

Alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder is widely studied and recorded in the United States This article looks at the broad picture of alcoholism in the country. In other posts, we drill down on specific elements of the issue in relation to various groups and other areas of alcoholism and recovery.
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Sober Bachelorette Party Ideas (Awesome Fun Without Alcohol)

There are many reasons to have an alcohol-free bachelorette party. These range from respect for religious choice to in our case avoiding substance abuse. So, let’s imagine that you are organizing a party for your best friend who is a sober person and look at some great ideas for the special day.
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25 Best Songs about Sobriety and Addiction Recovery

Songs about substance abuse disorders and recovery are fantastic gifts. For those of us who have the diseases of alcohol addiction and /or drug addiction, they are stories that show someone gets us.
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Inspiring And Powerful Quotes For Those Who Love Recovering Alcoholics And Addicts

If you are stuck in active addiction and have tried everything but a 12-step program, try it out for yourself. We do recover.
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227- Marty C- These Are The Steps We Took

227- Marty C- These Are The Steps We Took Marty C 00:00 For anybody who is listening to this podcast ...
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Step 2 AA Worksheet

What would it mean to you to be restored to sanity? Wow. This is a huge question. It defines how we envisage our future. It defines the better life that we will strive for.
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Step 10 AA Worksheet (Alcoholics Anonymous)

The step 10 AA worksheet is designed to help the user perform a fearless moral inventory as part of their daily practices. It is essentially a checklist of negative thoughts that you might have had during the day and why.
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Step 9 AA Worksheet (Alcoholics Anonymous)

Here is the Step 9 AA Worksheet of Alcoholics Anonymous. A full description of the 9th step and how to work the 9th step of AA is provided. A free download PDF.
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What are the 12 Steps of Al-anon Family Groups?

Al-Anon was created to support family members of alcoholics. One of the tragedies of alcoholism is that it is not only the alcoholic’s life that becomes unmanageable but the lives of the families of alcoholics as well.
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Big Book Promises With Every Step: (Alcoholics Anonymous)

Alcoholics Anonymous is all about promises. Not all are stated directly. Some are implied but are still very real. They exist at each stage of the 12-step program, As AA members know, these promises are achievable.
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The 3rd Step Prayer of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)

The third step of Alcoholics Anonymous requires each person wanting to make “a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” (W, Bill, 2002, p. 59)
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10th (Tenth) Step Prayer and Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

We’re at the beginning of the final three steps of the twelve-step program and this step says Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
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What is the Fifth Step Prayer? – A Guide to Step 5 of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Fifth Step Prayer Higher Power, My inventory has shown me who I am, Yet I ask for Your help In admitting my wrongs to another person and to You Assure me, & be with me, in this Step, For without this step I cannot progress in my recovery With Your help, I can do this. Amen
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Alcoholics Anonymous History – Who Founded AA? How Did It Begin?

It all started when two people, Bill Wilson, a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Robert Smith, a surgeon from Akron, OH, who were both battling alcoholism met for the first time.
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How Long Are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings? FAQ’s and What to Expect

“How long does this thing last?” I hated the fact that I needed to be there and wanted to be away from the meeting as soon as possible.
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How To Chair An Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meeting and What to Expect

Are you about to chair an AA meeting and don’t know where to start? Perhaps this is your first time chairing a meeting, and you want to make sure it goes well?
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Transcript: 202- Father Bill W- Part 2

202- Father Bill W- Part 2 Father Bill W 00:00 She will get back to what was wrong inside of ...
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What Happens At An AA Meeting?

AA meetings are typically located in community centers, an extended building of church, or other buildings across the world. There will be a room where the meeting is held, usually with chairs or couches for meeting participants to sit.
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Transcript: 201- Father Bill W- Part 1

Father Bill W 00:00 I was either gonna go to Australia and just stay drunk for the rest of my ...
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How to Find a Sponsor In AA?

There are lots of 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, that will highly recommend that members of the ...
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Best Books On Meditation And Mindfulness

Want to learn more about meditation and mindfulness in recovery? We have books on the subjects for you to explore.
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17 Best Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Books

Over the years, I have referenced many books on sobriety, and I’d like to share with you some of my favorites. I have personally read each one and given you my insights.
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The Center of Alcoholics Anonymous

From my earliest days in A.A., I have enjoyed listening to alcoholics tell their stories. Back in October of 1989, I attended a young people’s conference in Arkansas. I was less than a week sober and had been attending meetings around Fayetteville, Arkansas for three or four months. I listened to every story that weekend and was hooked from then on.
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Am I Powerless Over Alcohol?

In beginning this journey of sharing my thoughts on Sober Speak episodes, I went back through the shows, trying to recall which guest speakers resonated with me the most. I haven’t heard all the shows, nor all the speakers. But the dozens of speakers that I have heard were all amazing.
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