Author: Brook McKenzie, LCDC

long-stay treatment

Why Long-Stay Treatment Helps Chronic Relapse

The thought of inpatient or residential treatment can bring all kinds of thoughts to our minds. Whether we’ve experienced an inpatient stay or we’re coming up on our first, the idea of picking up and living in a random place with random people can be jarring and frightening, but the

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7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Psychotherapy

Why Am I an Addict?

If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, why are you like that?  What is the cause and why have you become someone who cannot stay stopped? Is it genetic or caused by living with a family member who is addicted to drugs and alcohol? Is it trauma?  Is it

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Fear and Recovery

When Fear Crops Up in Recovery

Fear is one of those human traits that naturally arises from life.  Fear is everywhere. It’s in work, relationships, money, parenting. I can either choose to do nothing, and the fear of not acting overwhelms me. Or, I can make a decision, and then I’m overwhelmed with impending doom for

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Anxiety: What to Do When Panic Sets In

Feeling nervous about an experience or upcoming event is normal. Nervousness is the fire inside pushing us to try new things and enact new experiences. Our nerves tell us something is new, exciting, and a little scary because it’s unknown. But what happens when that feeling of nervousness extends beyond

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Finding Equilibrium

Finding Equilibrium: What to Expect During Recovery

When it comes to getting clean and sober, you always hear stories, opinions, and suggestions surrounding mental health, but what about our physical health? How do we focus on the thing that is keeping us alive? Our bodies are truly magical, and we see the real magic after we have

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Recovery Is a Full-Time Job

Recovery Is a Full-Time Job

When we talk about our recovery journey, everyone’s story will be different, but one thing that rings true for everyone is that recovery is a process that begs our full attention. Think about it this way: you can’t be a little pregnant in the same way you can’t be a

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