By Logan Freeman, person in recovery What is mental illness stigma? In relation to mental illness, stigma is when someone is marked or discredited somehow, or reduced from being a whole person to being a stereotype or labeled as a collection of symptoms or a diagnosis (e.g. ‘psychotic’). The meaning of the word stigma is … Continued
Family is something that we all have…some good and some not so much! When you are dealing with a dysfunctional family as a child, you can take one a role in order to survive. Here are four of the roles that children take on to cope and deal with the negative and unhealthy family environment. … Continued
I attempted outpatient counselling and therapy before checking myself into my first treatment centre in 2008. I had a wonderful experience, met incredible people, and still have fond memories and connections. After a very short time back at home (72 hours), I relapsed, and remained in active addiction until my second treatment stay in 2009.
If you have a spare moment today, use it to create a self-care action plan based on your needs and desires. Too often, self-care gets described as a face mask and a glass of wine. The truth is, self-care is the combination of healthy activities you can do to reduce your stress, improve your mood, … Continued
“Coronavirus can stir up all sorts of feelings, like fear, anxiety or stress. A little stress can be helpful. It can be the motivator that keeps us self-isolating or washing our hands. But constant or high levels of stress can negatively affect our mental and physical health. Taking care of the mind is always important, … Continued
The recovery community, in my experience, can be a welcoming and tolerant place, as prescribed by our principles and traditions — ” the only requirement for membership is a desire…” — with a focus on our similarities rather than our differences. My quintessential moment in recovery (the moment the light went on) came while listening … Continued
“My plan was to have my new daughter, breastfeed her to health, and then do all of those I loved a favour, and, well, check out early so to speak. Luckily, my daughter was born healthy and as I kept my promise of keeping her fed, I would begin to sketch while I was … Continued
“Most of these people gave up playing God because they came to believe there is a God – and so of course they accept that they can’t possibly be Him. Perfectly logical. You can do it for the simple reason that it just doesn’t work. That’s enough, isn’t it? Maybe it’s time to say … Continued
by P.C. I have my list for Step 8 from my Step 4 inventory. This step holds me accountable to the harms I have caused others. Step 8 awakens me to clarity. I have heard a common phrase in the rooms for years: “What is your part?” and I was asked to consider, could it … Continued
by Tony A. It had taken me a couple of rounds of the steps before I was really honest enough to work Step 8 with the intention that I believe it is asking of me. When I was brand new to my step work and came to Steps 8 and 9, I immediately balked and … Continued
