If you’re a parent, substance abuse and addiction can take a severe toll on your parenting abilities and your relationship with your kids. In recovery, regaining your children’s trust and strengthening that bond is likely to be one of your top priorities. While each situation is unique, strengthening your relationship with your kids requires the…
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Making it to one year sober requires many different ingredients: willpower, honesty, support, commitment, self-empowerment, and — possibly most of all — boundaries. For first responders, attributes like willpower and commitment are already part of the job. But after devoting their lives to helping others and working as a tight-knit team to survive, learning how…
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Let’s say there is a first responder named Jim who has worked hard to lead a sober lifestyle. He has gone through withdrawal, treatment, counseling, sponsorship, and even sought extended recovery through sobriety-focused group meetings. Months have passed since he committed to his sobriety. Work feels normal. Life almost feels normal. Why then, does Jim’s…
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Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric condition that affects those who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Some causes of PTSD include child abuse, a serious accident, assault, natural disaster, or exposure to severe violence. Having a loved one with PTSD can be painful and frustrating, and many spouses and family members…
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There is a great deal of discussion surrounding the end of intimate relationships. There is not, however, nearly as much information available to people who wish to end a friendship that is no longer adding value to their life. While breaking up with an intimate partner usually involves the same series of steps and changing…
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Marriages are a frequent casualty of addiction. Maintaining a healthy relationship is impossible in active addiction because substance abuse takes priority over family responsibilities and the emotional needs of a spouse. Many marriages will not survive a battle with addiction. For those that do, there is usually a long road of hard work and healing…
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Addiction wreaks havoc on every aspect of life including personal relationships. Repairing relationships that were damaged due to substance abuse is difficult and complex, and will require the cooperation and willingness of both parties. However, if you believe there is hope for rebuilding a relationship with a friend, spouse, or family member, there are certain…
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