Revival Magazine June 2016

FREE YOUR
SPIRIT
Harbor Village Recovery

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Submit your personal recovery stories, recovery essays, self-help articles, studies on addiction,
poetry, artwork, and anything else you can think of related to addiction and recovery! We'll help tell
your story to the world and get published in print and online. You will receive publishing credits and a
chance to guest blog for our website. Feel free to submit multiple entries. Please inform us if the work
submitted has been published elsewhere.
To submit your work visit harborvillageflorida.com/magazine-submission-form or mail this sheet with
your submissions to the Writing Department at Harbor Village: 1515 NW 167th, Suite 300, Miami
Gardens, FL 33169
Direct all questions and online submissions to editors@HarborVillageFlorida.com.
First & Last Name:
Pen Name, If Applicable:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Mailing Address:
Type of Work Submitted:
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Short Bio:
"It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done."
Nelson Mandela

04
Track Marks &
Scars: Mementos of
Shame, or Triumph?
15 Beyond Addiction:
Discovering Self Worth
Debunking the Myth of
Rock Bottom
04
Table of Contents
08
23
17
15
33 23
31
Getting a Job After
Rehab: Careers VS Jobs
Answers To My New Life
01 Editor's Note
02 Michael Boland: 16 Years
Sober & Counting
5 Keys to Overcoming
Adversity
12
7 Questions You Need to
Ask Your Therapist
10
08 Which Addiction Treatment
Program Is Right for You?
31
Using Plants for Recovery
17
21
10 Ways to Beat Urges in
Early Recovery
33
26
Sober, Single, & Ready
to Mingle!
49
Embracing Self
Actualization for
Recovery
25
47
A Guide to the First Year
in Recovery
4 Things You Can Do
About Addicts Not
Getting Treatment
5 Fentanyl quick Facts53
7 Flakka Facts You Need
to Know
53
Issue 01 | June 2016
23

Masthead
Eric Brandman
Tiffany Holley
Ramses Ibarrola
Jessica Rae Pulver-Adell
Editor In Chief
Managing Editor
Editorial Assistant
Editor & Layout
Web Developer
Contributing Writer
Editorial Assistant
Audrey Wilmot
Alondra Wilson
Brianna Delpech
Editor Alexandrea Holder

Editor's Note
Hello all, and thank you for taking the time to read this first edition of Revival: The Addiction
and Self-Discovery Magazine. This project has been a labor of love, driven by the earnest desire
to spread hope, awareness, and encouragement to a community that is often neglected and
underappreciated.
In our June 2016 edition, we focus on new beginnings; that is exactly what this is: a new
addition to Harbor Village’s repertoire of venues through which we can reach you. We are
beyond excited to have this new magazine because it offers us a chance to connect with our
audience in a way that was not yet been explored. We truly hope that our work serves to inspire,
invigorate, and motivate the spirit, helping to keep your feet firmly on the path of sobriety- or
perhaps, helped you to make those very first steps.
Revival caters to people in all stages of recovery, as well as those indirectly affected by
substance abuse: family members, friends, spouses, children, and more. We understand that
while there are limited resources for people with substance abuse disorders, there are even less
resources for the important people who make up their support system. You all have our eternal
gratitude for everything you have done and will continue to do in the battle to end addiction-
both in our personal lives and in the lives of others.
With the ever-growing epidemic of substance abuse affecting all areas of the United States, it
is more important now than ever to stand as a supporter- a beacon of hope- and to be heard.
Through Revival we are providing more than a resource for information and advice; we are
establishing a platform through which your story and your voice can be heard. Revival is open to
submissions of all kinds: true stories of addiction and addiction recovery, poetry, and short
stories (which address the topics of substance abuse and mental health disorders), visual arts,
and creative works. If you have a story within you, the world needs to hear it. Let us help you
speak out.
Email editors@HarborVillageFlorida.com directly.
Written by Alexandrea Holder, Editor
REVIVAL: THE ADDICTION & SELF DISCOVERY MAGAZINE
PAGE 01

MICHAEL
BOLAND: 16 YEARS
SOBER &
COUNTING
By Alexandrea Holder
Born in New Jersey, Michael found himself
addicted to drugs and alcohol at an early age, a
habit he kept for 26 years. He’s known the
exhilarating highs and debilitating lows of
addiction. Eventually he found himself 1,500
miles from his hometown, low on resources, and
with no idea where to turn for help. Despite a
lack of family support and his seemingly
hopeless state, he finally gained the moment of
clarity he needed to find sobriety. After 57
attempts at dozens of treatment centers, he
arrived in Florida and today he has succeeded in
breaking the addiction cycle and has been sober
for 16 years.
When asked what lead to his recovery, Michael
had this to say:
N O M A D I C | 2 4
T H E R E C O V E R Y C O R N E R
The Recovery Corner
MIKE BOLAND IS THE ULTIMATE
EXAMPLE OF HOW REDEMPTION,
RECOVERY, AND DEDICATION CAN
TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE.
“I was done, I just didn’t want to feel the way I was
feeling anymore. So I walked in with my arms raised
and I said ‘I surrender, tell me what I need to do cuz
I’ve got no clue.’ I was 1,500 miles from home. I had
$300 and an unsupportive family. I didn’t want to feel
that way anymore, so I had no choice. I had to do what
I had to do.”
2

After his recovery, Michael Boland decided
to turn his personal struggles into a tool to
inspire and help others change their lives.
Michael is now Harbor Village’s Chief
Operating Officer; he entered the substance
abuse rehabilitation industry to help those in his
former position. Michael credits his personal
experience with addiction as a bridge between
himself and those in recovery:
N O M A D I C | 2 4
“I know them a little bit better than they think I
do. I’m a recovering addict- I haven’t used, but
I’m still a recovering addict. I’m just as close to
using as the person sitting on the other side of my
desk. I’m just trying a little harder. When people
suffering from a substance abuse disorder come
into a detox facility, they’re coming in under the
influence of something.
“We’re going to medically monitor them through
the withdrawal process. They’re a little bit more
vulnerable on that side, we just try to turn them
around and get them to understand who they are
in that diseased state of mind is not really who
they are.
“We want them to understand there’s nothing so
drastic in your life that is worth using again.”
Michael’s advice to those considering treatment
through Harbor Village or any rehabilitation
facility?
“You have to keep the want. Keep the want
before the need. If you can continue to figure
out how to get high, why can’t you figure out
how to not get high? The stopping is easy,
everybody stops at some point. To stay stopped
is the hard part.”
MICHAEL BOLAND'S WORK WITH
HARBOR VILLAGE
As Michael Boland is the Chief Operating
Officer of Harbor Village. Michael Boland is
responsible for the overall supervision and
support of the staff and clients undergoing
rehabilitation. His duties include deescalating
conflicts, ensuring the safety of all persons
present at the facility, and coordinating events
and trips for clients. Clients are taken to the gym
five days a week, given access to a gaming and
entertainment system, and provided the
opportunity to attend sporting events, concerts
at the American Airlines Arena, the BB&T
Center, and weekend beach trips. ◼
J U N E 2 0 1 623

ANSWERS
TO MY NEW
LIFE
By Audrey Wilmot
Written October 3rd, 1994
I am here and I feel so
alone,
I've never been so far from
home.
I've never traveled so far
back,
To learn a new way to get
on track.
I'm breaking it down,
And building it up.
Even though at times it's
rough.
And like a chameleon I'll
shed my skin.
And I'll free that tortured
child within.
Then I'll spread my wings
and learn to fly,
While shedding those tears
trapped deep inside.
I'll learn those skills that I
have lacked,
While slaying that monkey
on my back.
I'll learn to pray to God
above,
Knowing he will exchange
my tears for love.
And then I'll climb that
mountain to see,
That God has blessed me
with sobriety.
Dedicated
to those
who helped
me, to find
me, and to
find a
whole new
way of life
clean and
sober. I
thank you
all.
4

With no formal writing experience I am
stumbling along. But there’s one thing I learned
early on in recovery: that when I am lost or
struggling there is one I may turn to, and that
one is God.
I took my first drink at six, which was given
to me by an adult in my family. I remember it
tasted like peppermint. I danced and twirled and
laughed and then got sick.
The next time I drank I was 15, and I got as
drunk as any one person could possibly have
gotten and it was great.
I took my first drug at 15: pot and Seconal. It
was a immediate escape from all the things in
my life that I was trying to escape. I continued
down this path, and by 16 I met and fell in love
with my now husband.
We have been married now for 39 and a
half years.
In 1986 I found Crystal meth, and it was
immediately my drug of No Return, as they say.
It did amazing things for me: my home was
clean, dinner was on the table, and the little ones
were as happy as can be. But as time went on
the home and the dinners and husband and even
kids became less and less important. I was no
longer Superwoman (at least in my mind).
Meth was beginning to rob me of my life,
my happiness, my self esteem, my family, and
performing my daily duties meant less and less
every day. As with most meth addicts, in time I
was unable to support my habit and turned to
crime.
HI MY NAME IS AUDREY
AND THIS IS MY STORY.
And this is where my story takes on a
whirlwind of twist and turns.
After using and drinking hard for 20 years I
found myself in and out of handcuffs. For the
most part this was little to no deterrent to me and
my quest to get and use more drugs.
By this time everything, including my health,
had gone to crap. I was covered in meth sores,
teeth were rotting out of my head, and the law
was after me at every turn. Yet I continued to do
what addicts do. . . at some point I realized I
was an IV junkie.
Hope was pretty much gone by this time.
My family hated me, and who could blame
them?
I survived overdoses only to go back out
right after. I survived my liver shutting down
only to start right up after being released from
the hospital. Nothing stopped me, that is, until
the last night I used meth.
That night was like every other night: years
and years of me alone, talking to myself, doing
the last of my dope and having to find more. It
was a never ending circle. But this night the
loneliness was crippling and I cried out for the
creator or God or someone to help me:
I was a thief and liar and a
horrible wife and mother.
J U N E 2 0 1 6
5

Just Help Me Stop.
I did the last of my stuff and headed out to
score one more time. . . how many times have
we asked “God Help me," followed by
“Just.
One.
More.
Time.”
Well that night my life fell apart I found
myself in cuffs, and I wasn’t able to get out this
time. I was going to jail and looking at Prison
time.
For me it was time. Time to stop, time to
listen, time to accept the help so many had
offered and I refused. I could go on and on
about the legalities of it all, but I chose not to,
since this is a public forum. But what I can say
is my journey started Sept 6th 1994.
I was ordered to rehab and after 36 days I
ran away and was violated. Again I needed a
blessing and it came. I was given outpatient
rehab for two years, and went to three meetings
a day- complied to mandatory drug testing for
five years and served five years probation.
In this time I learned I was worth recovery–
and one day at a time I could stop, if I listened
and applied the message I was learning. I trusted
God. I surrendered, and I got a sponsor. I started
working the steps. I found freedom, and in time
I found me, the me that was always there, but
was lost in the drugs and alcohol.
That Judge, who almost threw the keys away
on me, gave me my one, two, and five year
tokens.
I do everything I need for me to keep me
clean and sober. I know there is a Higher Power,
and it is not me. I have gotten my life back, my
freedom, and my health (for the most part),
back. I have been blessed with the love and
respect of my husband and kids.
Above all I have my dignity and self respect
back.
I have nothing to hide anymore because I
stay in the Perimeters of HOW, (Honest Open-
Mindedness Willingness) and God, Good
Orderly Direction.
And I do this to the best of my ability on a
daily basis, one day at a time. I reach out, I help
others. I give away what was so freely given to
me. And by God’s grace I have been clean and
sober since September 6th, 1994.
I just celebrated my 21st Sobriety Re-
Birthday, and I have a life better than anything I
could have ever dreamed of.
But I never, ever forget,
“But By the Grace Of God Go!”
(The photo is of me before recovery, and now
21 yrs later. My sobriety birthday is September
6th, 1994.) ◼
I'm free.
Audrey Wilmot
R E V I V A L | H A R B O R V I L L A G E
6

RECOVERY
ADVICE
What you need to know for the journey forward from the experts at
J U N E 2 0 1 6

WHICH ADDICTION TREATMENT
PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
The bottom line: to treat the disease of
addiction, rehabilitation is absolutely necessary. I
emphasize the word disease because that’s what
addiction is: both a quantifiable, neurological, and
physical condition. Morosely, addiction’s medical
status is largely overlooked by the public– and
instead of treated as the medical condition it is,
addiction is regarded as a lack of willpower or
morality.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Long term substance abuse eventually turns into
substance use disorders. Without treatment,
continued use of addictive substances changes brain
chemistry and alters DNA. Addiction literally strips
drug and alcohol addicts of their ability to function
normally, and creates insatiable, physical urges to use
addictive substances.
Here’s a brief overview of the stages of treatment.
It might be time to seriously consider going to
treatment, or helping your loved ones prepare for
rehab.
Detox: The short form of “detoxification,” often
referred to as “inpatient medical detox,” is the first
step of rehabilitation. During detox patients (we often
refer to them as “clients”) undergo their first
separation from the drugs they are addicted to. The
process typically lasts from seven to ten days
depending on the severity of addiction.
During detox, nurses and doctors monitor patients
and treat them for the symptoms of withdrawal.
Withdrawal happens when someone who is addicted
to a substance is no longer taking their drug of
choice- it often results in sickness including nausea,
body shakes, aches and pain, depression, anxiety, and
other unpleasantries.
The main goal of detoxification is to safely help
patients through the withdrawal process- as specific
drugs (like alcohol) withdrawal symptoms can be
fatal. Clients are often hesitant about going to
withdrawal because they don’t want to get sick.
Detox emphasizes patient care and continual support.
Medically assisted drug treatment is sometimes used
to help the withdrawal process ease along, as opposed
to shocking the body into sickness.
By: Jessica Rae Pulver-Adell
8

Residential Rehabilitation (or treatment): The
second stage of treatment for drug and alcohol
addiction, clients stay for 30-90 days in a treatment
facility learning how to cope without their drug of
choice. They address the underlying causes of
addiction through therapy and group therapy to
understand the disease and overcome traumas; scars
from sexual abuse, domestic violence, and the loss of
a loved one are some of the most prevalent.
Many treat depression and anxiety during
treatment. During the course of inpatient rehab.
clients will usually have access to amenities which
may include a pool, gourmet food, facility events,
special therapies, like horse (equine) therapy,
gardening, meditation, yoga, acupuncture- and similar
holistic and “fun” things to do.
Outpatient Rehabilitation (or treatment): The
third stage of drug and alcohol addiction treatment,
during outpatient treatment clients live in their own
homes, but come back for therapy at their treatment
facilities 3-6 days a week, depending on their level of
dependency. The goal of outpatient treatment is to
help clients transition back into normal living and
apply everything they’ve learned in residential
rehabilitation to real-world circumstances. During
therapy clients continue to address the underlying
causes of addiction, but may also express difficulties
they are experiencing living outside of the treatment
facility.
Some clients skip inpatient rehabilitation because
they cannot take off of work, because they have
obligations to school, or because they cannot leave
their children/families. Other times, outpatient rehab
is better suited to treat clients who are merely abusing
substances- but are not physically addicted to them.
Partial Hospitalization Programs: This
treatment is centered around catering to patients who
are addicted and have untreated psychological
conditions like clinical depression, PTSD, chronic
anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality
disorder, and similar psychological conditions. A
common term used interchangeably with partial
hospitalization is co-occurring treatment.
Sober Living Communities: As opposed to
transitioning to independent living immediately after
inpatient rehab, many choose to become residents in a
sober living community, where other people in
recovery live along with a therapist, or other
addiction professional. No drugs or
alcohol are permitted within mini communities.
During residency clients go back to work, continue to
refine their life skills, and continue therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: The main form
of therapy used during drug and alcohol addiction
treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. The goal of
CBT is to address the problems addiction stems from
and to change clients’ ways of thinking and reacting
to emotional and environmental stimuli acting as
triggers to use addictive substances.
WE CAN ANSWER
ALL OF YOUR
QUESTIONS.
WE'RE EXPERTS IN
ADDICTION
TREATMENT &
RECOVERY.
GIVE US A CALL!
(866)500-7928
J U N E 2 0 1 6
9

QUESTIONS
YOU NEED TO
ASK YOUR
THERAPIST
didn’t quite benefit from therapy in my late teens
because I did not play an active part in my own
recovery. I expected my (lovely) therapist to do all of
the work. Sadly, therapy just doesn’t work that way.
You must be open to dig deep into your psyche to
uproot the source of unrest manifesting dangerous
behaviors in your life.
It doesn’t matter what you’re going to therapy for;
whether it’s addiction, self harm, anxiety, or
depression, you must use your time to soul search, and
relinquish the poisons you speak to yourself. You are
the key to your own therapy. Your therapist is a guide,
leading you to the doors of self-forgiveness and
healing. One of the key essentials to achieving
this: ask your therapist.
I
7
Asking questions is the ultimate way of
understanding yourself and prompting
reflection.
However, in my personal experience,
going to therapy unprepared actually hurt me
more than it helped. Instead of remedying
instances of self harm, dredging up the
emotions I kept bottled up hit me like a truck,
leading to more self-abuse.
Before you go to therapy, make sure you
have an arsenal of coping mechanisms to
shield yourself from triggering emotions.
Many going to therapy, who are not in a 24
hour treatment facility, turn back to their self
destructive behaviors- and that’s the opposite
of what we want. Make sure your first few
sessions establish healthy coping skills.
A NOTE ABOUT
GOING TO THERAPY
BY: JESSICA RAE PULVER-ADELL
10

Tell your therapist about your worries with
succumbing to old wounds ripped raw again. He or
she will adjust their treatment to keep in tempo
with your personal development. The more you
trust, communicate, and ask your therapist
questions, the more effective your treatment will
be.
If your therapist doesn’t ask about why you
perpetuate these behaviors, help her by giving some
backstory into your life that was perhaps glazed
over- or only mentioned in passing. Therapists are
just as human as we are, and may need you to give
more of yourself, which will let them know how to
approach you.
SEVEN QUESTIONS TO
ASK YOUR THERAPIST
1. How Do I Change My
Behavior?
This one’s a no-brainer. I completely goofed
and didn’t even bother to ask! Your therapist isn’t
going to have all the answers, but they’ll certainly
suggest alternative means of coping. Changing
one’s behavior is no simple feat, yet the process is
aided in the understanding of the underlying roots
of your behavior and substance use disorder. Go a
step further and ask how you can begin
implementing these tactics into your everyday life.
It’s easy to say “don’t sweat the small stuff,” but
what are the steps in adopting that philosophy?
2. What Is the Root of My
Problem(s)?
Allow your therapist to delve deep and uproot
those things you would rather keep secret. Recovery
is not supposed to be easy; once you accept that,
you’re better off than most on your journey to
sobriety and self-acceptance. The things driving you
to harm yourself, whether that is physically or
emotionally must be addressed at all costs. That is,
if you genuinely want to change your life.
3. How Do I Change
the Way I Think?
In turn with changing your behavior, to
change the way you think about life-situations
will require you to remain mindful. Many do this
by embracing the philosophies of mindful
meditation. Try to explain why you don’t like
the way you think; quantify these flaws, and
make a plan to rectify them. Tell your therapist
what you want. Do you want to think positively,
be more determined, or conscious of other
people’s feelings? Make your goals tangible so
the “How does that make you feel”
talk falls away to action and the development
of critical life skills.
Maybe you’ve realized you are far too
critical of others. Or perhaps you are quick to
anger. All of the small details tell your
therapist more than you think- she may be
able to identify a latent psychological disorder
that has yet to be addressed.
I can attest to this. Explaining the abysmal
emptiness and outbursts I often felt for no
logical reason lead to my diagnosis of
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). I am
undergoing treatment, and I have never felt
better! I railed against going to therapy or a
doctor for so long, I lashed out at the people I
love the most, and made my life exhaustively
difficult to manage.
Conversely, do not simply tell your
therapist you “feel depressed.” That’s a great
starting point, but what makes you depressed?
Is there anything you can identify as triggers,
or is your depression a continual presence?
What emotions force you to use? Why do you
use? If you haven’t given these questions a lot
of thought, therapy is an excellent place to
start.
Hit the thrift shop. No one says
redecorating your house or wardrobe has
to be expensive. Grab something old and
DIY it into something new! There’s not
much on the internet you can’t find with
step by step instructions to refinish, paint,
or completely transform anything.
Revitalizing your life must not end in
therapy- you must take an active role in
your entire life. You can download our
free mini eBook guide on How to Change
Your Environment.
harborvillageflorida.com/ebooks
4. What Is Stopping Me
from Recovering?
Identifying roadblocks, physical or otherwise, is
crucial in helping you shed harmful behaviors. If
you don’t quite understand the obstacles thwarting
your attempts to make lasting changes in your life,
go through the motions with your therapist, and see
what answers you can unravel from the strings of
your life.
5. How Can I Change My
Home Life to Help Me?
We forget how important our environments
are in our emotional development. Don’t set
yourself up for failure when you return home and
the state of your environment is stagnating your
recovery. That means if your house is incredibly
messy, strewn with drug paraphernalia, or
mementos of behaviors you want to banish
forever- get in gear and get rid of everything that
doesn’t play an active role in your recovery.
Ditch dingy clothes, or ones you associate with
negative feelings in place of new ones. Add new
polished furnishing or striking decorative pieces
to your house, while making an internal promise
to pursue recovery wholeheartedly.
6. What Should I Focus
on Instead?
Don’t forget to play to your strengths!
Explore what you love, or what you’d love
to accomplish. Your therapist will help you
outline steps to achieve your lifelong- and
short term- ambitions. Don’t knock their
suggestions either. If she suggests
volunteering somewhere, at least give it a
shot a couple of times. If you can’t think of
anything in particular you want to
accomplish, make a bucket list of things
you want to do before you leave this Earth.
Even if your list has “write a bestseller,”
“travel to Japan,” “or become an Emmy-
winning actor,” there are plenty of mini
steps and goals you can take to slowly
achieve your ambitions. Never discourage
yourself from doing something you have a
passion for. Passion will keep you alive.
Passion prevents relapse and sets your
focus on something larger than drugs or
alcohol. Your passions will help you
reclaim your life.
7. How Do I Stop
Using?
Although no quick fix will help you
in the long run, arm yourself with
information on how to immediately arrest
detrimental behavior. Having solutions
and ways to cease troubling behavior is
crucial, especially if it is life threatening;
do not neglect to soul search and find true
solutions on how to remedy the emotions
catalyzing your substance use. One of the
best ways to start your journey in
stopping, is to talk to your therapist. ■
J U N E 2 0 1 611

TRACK MARKS & SCARS:
MEMENTOS OF SHAME,
OR TRIUMPH?
e all have scars. Some more than
others. Scars aren’t an inherently heinous
blemish- some are acquired innocently; I
venture to say many are. But then there
are deep scars, akin to gnaw marks upon
flesh. So deep they are an eternal hue of
violet, crimson, or cream. Sometimes I
hide my scars. But those who know of
them aren’t fooled. People I meet would
never suspect I struggled for years with
self mutilation.
Because I triumphed over it.
For years I hid my scars- my cuts- any
physical remnants of what I kept secret.
Because I was ashamed. I didn’t want to
answer questions. I didn’t want to be
judged. My skin became a prison of
continual scrutiny. Eventually the layers
of clothes peeled away while my skin
sewed itself back together. I decided I
didn’t want to hide my scars anymore.
W
I worked through horrors of
generations before my existence; the
stories of my parent’s lineage. I swam
through mires of unending guilt for the
opportunities bestowed to me others will
never taste. I removed each thorn lodged
in my gut from every rejection- real, or
perceived. I have let go of my childhood
blanket, and accepted not every person I
care about can stay forever. I waved
goodbye to those who couldn’t.
Despite self-odium, self-harm, and
continual inward beration of myself, I
have survived; more than survived: I am
happy. My scars are beacons for
someone else who is hiding their own.
They are a vehicle of change to those
trembling in the shadows of themselves
who need someone to talk to.
The thing about cutters is, we always
find each other. No one can quite
understand the blissful bile of meeting
skin to glass. Just like no one, but those
who have, can imagine the euphoria of
sticking a needle in your veins until they
collapse; we bands of misfits inevitably
cross paths.
I am proud of them.
12

We all have scars. But some of them are
called track marks.
And they are beautiful.
Every needle mark, every inch of
dilapidated skin tells the story of your
past- and your life today. You are an
indomitable spirit giving light and hope to
those who cannot yet find their way. You
are a living, breathing work of
impossibilities; your inherent art is a
personal one, reflective of your fractured
past; yet ever present is the undercurrent
of transformation. From the dark days to
blessed moments of today, and
burgeoning tomorrows brimming with the
light of blessing, you are an instrument of
salvation.
Your scars remind you of who you
are- not painted as the failure you
purported yourself to be, but of your
character now. Of your triumphs today.
Despite layers of skin melted away, you
survived. And you are blooming. Your
will is eternal, as are the marks on your
arms, legs, feet, stomach, chest, and heart.
Your scars remind others recovery is
possible. When people look to you they
will not shun or debase, they will see
someone with a blistered past, struck with
awe and wonder of how you attained your
future from the dredges of nothing. You
will forever inspire those to unfurl
themselves from doubt, and as you once
did, reach beyond the void to grasp those
dreams thought forever lost. ■
YOUR SCARS
ARE BEAUTIFUL.
AND SO ARE
YOU.
J U N E 2 0 1 613

BEYOND
ADDICTION:
DISCOVERING
SELF WORTH
Why do we think it’s wrong to love ourselves? Is
it because we are taught over-indulgence in the
self is selfish? If we love ourselves are we
narcissists? That’s what the selfie phenomenon is,
isn’t it? Let us first begin with self love as a
notion of selfishness; if we are to love those
around us and become an instrumental facet of
their lives productively, wholly, and positively,
we must first encase our essence in self love.
Without a clear sense, and acceptance, of self, we
are unable to render the true worth of ourselves
unto others because we lack a fundamental
understanding of who we are.
When we abnegate self-love, it is because we
are afraid to face who we are. Self hatred is not
inherent from birth, it is learned over measures of
time where we are exposed to our weaknesses,
shunned for them, and made to feel
inadequate. Whether this inadequacy stems from
our loved one’s expectations of us, or our own
inner dialogue,
SELF AWARENESS IS BOTH THE
EXECUTIONER AND SAVIOR OF SELF
WORTH.
self worth is impacted by our self talk, and the
influence of others- whether we acknowledge it or
not.
Should you choose to speak poison to
yourself, and demean every achievement you have
fought so hard to accomplish, you will never see
yourself in the light of reality. You will continue
to abase and deject your self-worth for the sake of
insecurity-- a state which you feel more
comfortable in, as opposed to the strength of self-
assurance.
“What if I’m not good enough?” “What have I
done to earn the love of anyone?” “Why would
anyone love someone as useless as I am?” These
thoughts are pernicious, and will destroy your
recovery. Finding self worth is an absolutely
necessary component of preventing relapse.
BEYOND ADDICTION: DISCOVERING
SELF WORTH
J U N E 2 0 1 6
15

For those who have never
struggled with substance abuse,
recovery seems as simple as
abstaining from using drugs or
drinking. This is supported by
the idea that substance abuse is a
choice and that those who suffer
from addiction simply do not
want to stop using their chosen
substance. This is simply not
true.
Evidence shows that
addiction causes physical and
chemical changes in the brain.
These changes can effect
anything from fine motor skills
to personality traits to the ability
to feel happiness and pleasure.
Once one begins to understand
these very real and serious
physical changes brought on by
addiction, one is more easily able
to understand that addiction goes
beyond simply enjoying drinking
or drug use.
In the same sense, one must
understand that substance abuse
recovery works much the same
way. Therapists, doctors, nurses,
and behavioral tech staff
members are not simply here to
stop you from getting high or
drunk; they are part of a team
whose main objective is
repairing the psychological
damages caused by substance
abuse disorders. When one is
under the control of an addicted
mind, priorities change; positive
reinforcement in substance use
leads the mind to affiliate drugs
and alcohol with pleasure or, at
the very least, an escape from
stresses and pain.
This is only the beginning of
addiction, as soon physical
demands and urges take over as
the driving factor behind
continued use of illicit
Nothing could be
from the truth than th
takes a special type o
fortitude to recognize
when drugs and alco
become a problem; it
more tenacity to give
over to the help whic
rehab.
The idea that peop
recovery must be we
logical sense, either.
to open one’s self in
revitalization require
from a quiet inner str
many people don’t re
have. Through intens
therapies and self-rea
people in recovery re
lives on a foundation
newfound strength an
Accepting the too
learns in rehab and u
remain on a sober pa
build self-confidence
self-worth. Though n
truly walk your journ
leaning on those with
teach appropriate, he
mechanisms is not w
is the first step to lea
without the crutches
abuse.
Don’t allow stigm
trap you in a life of m
suffering. There is no
or cowardly in seekin
accepting the help yo
live a happier, more
Allowing others to d
quality of life based
misinformed assump
only lead to more tro
heartache and misery
This particular myth is
usually the result of frustrations
caused by an unsuccessful
attempt at rehab. Feeling as
though you have ‘failed’ in
addiction recovery is definitely
discouraging, but lashing out at
rehabilitation services in a whole
is a reaction to those tumultuous
feelings, not a reflection of
rehab. The most common causes
of unsuccessful recovery
attempts are:
experiences in rehab. Again,
this isn’t a reflection of
addiction recovery as a whole;
what this means is the
methods used were ineffective
in that particular case.
Substance abuse recovery is
not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ deal;
everyone has different causes
for the disorder and different
methods which work in their
favor. That one is uneffective
does not necessarily reflect
poorly on that rehab, just as it
does not mean you will never
succeed. Chronic diseases
require individualized care
and continuous work;
sometimes hiccups are simply
a part of the journey.
Relapse happens. It doesn’t
have to, but if it does, know
that it is for no other reason
than that addiction is a
devious, deceptive creature.
Recovery is a continuous
battle- one that may get easier
as the days go by, but a
continuous battle none the
less. The upside is you don’t
have to do it alone. Don’t let a
few myths keep you from
getting the help you need in
order to live the life you
deserve.
For those who have never
struggled with substance abuse,
recovery seems as simple as
abstaining from using drugs or
drinking. This is supported by
the idea that substance abuse is a
choice and that those who suffer
from addiction simply do not
substance. This is simply not
true.
Evidence shows that
addiction causes physical and
chemical changes in the brain.
These changes can effect
anything from fine motor skills
to personality traits to the ability
to feel happiness and pleasure.
Once one begins to understand
these very real and serious
physical changes brought on by
addiction, one is more easily able
to understand that addiction goes
beyond simply enjoying drinking
or drug use.
In the same sense, one must
understand that substance abuse
recovery works much the same
way. Therapists, doctors, nurses,
and behavioral tech staff
members are not simply here to
stop you from getting high or
drunk; they are part of a team
whose main objective is
repairing the psychological
damages caused by substance
abuse disorders. When one is
under the control of an addicted
mind, priorities change; positive
reinforcement in substance use
leads the mind to affiliate drugs
and alcohol with pleasure or, at
the very least, an escape from
stresses and pain.
addiction, as soon physical
demands and urges take over as
the driving factor behind
Nothing cou
from the truth t
takes a special t
fortitude to reco
when drugs and
become a probl
more tenacity to
over to the help
rehab.
The idea tha
recovery must b
logical sense, e
to open one’s se
revitalization re
from a quiet inn
many people do
have. Through
therapies and se
people in recov
lives on a found
newfound stren
Accepting th
learns in rehab
remain on a sob
build self-confi
self-worth. Tho
truly walk your
leaning on thos
teach appropria
mechanisms is
is the first step
without the cru
abuse.
Don’t allow
trap you in a lif
suffering. There
or cowardly in
accepting the h
live a happier, m
Allowing other
quality of life b
misinformed as
only lead to mo
heartache and m
This particular myth is
usually the result of frustrations
caused by an unsuccessful
attempt at rehab. Feeling as
though you have ‘failed’ in
addiction recovery is definitely
discouraging, but lashing out at
rehabilitation services in a whole
is a reaction to those tumultuous
feelings, not a reflection of
rehab. The most common causes
of unsuccessful recovery
attempts are:
experiences in rehab. Again,
this isn’t a reflection of
addiction recovery as a whole;
what this means is the
methods used were ineffective
in that particular case.
Substance abuse recovery is
not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ deal;
everyone has different causes
for the disorder and different
methods which work in their
favor. That one is uneffective
does not necessarily reflect
poorly on that rehab, just as it
does not mean you will never
succeed. Chronic diseases
require individualized care
and continuous work;
sometimes hiccups are simply
a part of the journey.
Relapse happens. It doesn’t
have to, but if it does, know
that it is for no other reason
than that addiction is a
devious, deceptive creature.
Recovery is a continuous
battle- one that may get easier
as the days go by, but a
continuous battle none the
less. The upside is you don’t
have to do it alone. Don’t let a
few myths keep you from
getting the help you need in
order to live the life you
deserve.
Let yourself feel. Internalizing your emotions
allows them to fester and poison your mind and
physical health. Let go of your inhibitions and
express yourself openly, honestly, and loudly.
Scream if it helps. Get everything out. The world
is far too wide and full of possibilities to secret
your feelings. We are blind to the many crevices
and keyholes our thoughts seep into, opening an
entire world of wonderment and self-fulfillment.
When you take care of the inside, the outside will
follow. To breach the surface, you must face your
inner demons and purge them. Don’t expect this
process to be accomplished overnight. You must
prepare for this transformation and have a solid
foundation in methods to cope, or you expose
yourself to the possibility of relapse. When
unearthing deep-seeded emotions you must be
ready to address the undeniable urges to use.
Neglecting to ready yourself to whether the tides
puts your entire recovery in danger.
Identifying roadblocks, physical or otherwise, is
crucial in helping you shed harmful behaviors. If
you don’t quite understand the obstacles thwarting
your attempts to make lasting changes in your life,
go through the motions with your therapist, and see
what answers you find,
Drug and alcohol addiction treatment isn’t
simply attending rehab; you must “work the
steps,” embrace new perspectives of reality, and
permit yourself to love.
The most difficult person to know is yourself.
The evanescent nature of human beings demands
a continual flux of sentiment, perspective, and
thoughts. How are we to acknowledge when we
truly know ourselves? Accept the self is an ever-
changing entity. You are not bound by your
feelings of today, tomorrow, or days to come.
Your free will mandates you to choose who you
want to be, and who you will become. You define
self. Your perception of self does not define
you.
“Stop believing your thoughts. Step back and
think to yourself, ‘does believing this thought
bring me joy? Does it add to my life?” That one’s
from our very own David Zatz, one of many
instrumental therapists here at Harbor Vilage.
You’ve been wrong before- we all have. Is it so
farfetched your thoughts are betraying you?
Take a deep breath and hug yourself. None of
that half hugging! Caress your face, run your hands
along your arms. Accept your physical body. Know
you are entitled to feel, to be comforted, and to be
acknowledged. By others, and above all: by
yourself. Don’t rush the process, take your time and
enjoy the experience. Take note of the feelings that
arise. You may cry, laugh, or feel nothing at first.
Give this a try for a few days and see what comes
of it.
Defining the Self
1
14 Things to Say to
Yourself Everyday
3 Steps to Letting Go of
Self-Hatred
I create safe sacred space wherever I roam.
Where I am, I am home.
I am as beautiful as the people around me. I
am strong, independent, and capable of
making the changes I want to see.
I am worthy of my love and self respect. I
will remember to love myself.
I will embrace those around me and accept
their love.
I will take responsibility for the energy I
contribute to this room. I am brimmed with
happiness and eternal joy!
I am blessed for the people in my life, and I
will work to share in theirs.
The things I do not like will melt away when
my mind is set to purpose.
I can achieve anything I set my mind to. My
will is stronger than my fears.
I embrace the universal love at my continual
disposal, and channel benevolence inward.
(For pet owners) I will love myself as (insert
pet name here) does. For
I am loved by her without ulterior motives
.
I am the master of my own fate, and I choose
to Live.
I will tackle every obstacle before me, and it
shall fall under my might.
I have the power to construct the reality I’ve
always dreamed of. Nothing is lost or out of
reach.
I am beautiful. I am love. I will give love and
receive in kind. I am a new beginning.
Take an honest look at your negative self talk.
Would you speak to your loved ones the way you
speak to yourself? Reevaluate feats you’ve
accomplished which were easily brushed aside. Are
they truly meaningless? Did they bring you
happiness, demonstrate an ability you possess, or
help someone? Your accomplishments do not have
to be grand spectacles; they are a measure both of
the spectacular and everyday wonders of kindness,
joy, creativity, an alternative perspective,
knowledge shared, and minute essences of what
makes you unique.
2
3
16

Rock bottom: the fabled, magical
point of epiphany where the mist clears
away and one opens their eyes to see
how damaging substance abuse can be
to one’s physical and mental health as
well as to their relationships with family
members, friends, colleagues, and
others. In the movies, it’s often depicted
as this great, big, dramatic thing: there’s
screaming, tears, and usually glass
thrown against a wall or drugs dumped
into the toilet. Typically at this point a
concerned loved one enters the scene
with comforting words and the scene
cuts into a montage of the (dramatized)
detox and rehabilitation process.
As poignant as those movie scenes
can be- and a few get very close to
reality- they play into a dangerous belief
that recovery is a simple matter of
waking up one day and quitting. Those
of us who have walked the path to
sobriety know it is rarely so simple. The
road to recovery is littered with
obstacles, pitfalls, and setbacks- and
that’s okay. Unfortunately, stigmas,
stereotypes, and misinformation can
lead to dangerous misconceptions,
especially when it comes to “rock
bottom.”
While it is true that true recovery
from substance abuse can not take
place before we are ready to commit
to it, the “rock bottom” concept is
flawed on two fronts: it implies that
one needs to hit “rock bottom” in order
to recover, and it allots for deniability
for people who have substance abuse
disorders but do not display classic,
stereotypical signs and symptoms.
BY: ALEXANDREA HOLDER
LIES WE
TELL OURSELVES
ABOUT ADDICTIONDEBUNKING THE
MYTH OF ROCK
BOTTOM
J U N E 2 0 1 617

1) What if this doesn’t work?
2) If I fail, does that mean it’s all
over?
3) Does this mean I’m broken?
4) Are people going to judge me for
needing to go to rehab?
5) How am I supposed to rebuild
after this?
6) How am I supposed to cope with
life if I can’t drink/do drugs
anymore?
8) Can I really live without my
addiction?
Detox is Going to Be
Long and Painful
The pain can be unbearable,
even fatal.; it’s the kind of
thing anyone would avoid at all
costs.
But that’s exactly why you
should turn to rehab for help.
Medically-assisted detox
programs use medication to
temper the effects of
withdrawal while the body
purges itself of the toxins of
illicit substances. Today there is
no reason to suffer through the
pain of abstinence withdrawal
Let’s be frank for a moment:
committing to going to rehab is
terrifying. The anxieties
associated with entering rehab
are enough to make anyone
second guess their decision:
On top of that, the people in
your social circle may impede
your recovery. Rather they are
enablers supporting the idea that
you’re “not one of those people
who need rehab” or those who
have not yet been successful in
their own attempts at sobriety,
venting frustrations about their
struggles in rehab, listening to
others can keep you from a
healthier, sober life.
There are myths which float
through the circles of people
addled with substance abuse and
dependency disorders. These
stories of the horrors and
atrocities awaiting those who
enter rehab are more than gossip;
in their frustration and
disgruntlement, those who
perpetuate stories are not only
crippling their own recoveries,
but effectively thwarting others’
attempts to leave addiction
behind.
Don’t let the stories obstruct
your growth and renewal. Here
are 5 busted myths you’ve been
told about going to rehab.
Perhaps one of the leading
causes of hesitation in seeking
addiction recovery services is
fear of a painful, drawn out
detoxification process. When
under the influence of a
substance abuse disorder, one
becomes intimately aware of the
physical effects of withdrawal.
Lapses in drug use or alcohol
lead to a number of symptoms
such as chills, muscle spasms
and aches- and more serious
health effects.
symptoms. Though some who
oppose the detoxification
method- claiming it extends
addiction- are unfounded. Non-
addictive medications which
produce no
high are used over the
shortest period of time to
aid the body in weening off
of the addictive substance.
Medical assistance through
the withdrawal process
makes it easier than ever to
return to a life of sobriety.
Nothing could be farther
from the truth than this myth! It
takes a special type of inner
fortitude to recognize and admit
when drugs and alcohol have
become a problem; it takes even
more tenacity to give yourself
over to the help which awaits in
rehab.
The idea that people in
recovery must be weak makes no
logical sense, either. The ability
to open one’s self in the way true
revitalization requires stems
from a quiet inner strength which
many people don’t realize they
have. Through intensive
therapies and self-realization,
people in recovery rebuild their
lives on a foundation of
newfound strength and resolve.
Accepting the tools one
learns in rehab and using them to
remain on a sober path helps
build self-confidence and bolster
self-worth. Though no one can
truly walk your journey for you,
leaning on those with the skills to
teach appropriate, healthy coping
mechanisms is not weakness; it
is the first step to learning to live
without the crutches of substance
abuse.
Don’t allow stigmatization to
trap you in a life of misery and
suffering. There is nothing weak
or cowardly in seeking and
accepting the help you need to
live a happier, more peaceful life.
Allowing others to dictate your
quality of life based on
misinformed assumptions will
only lead to more trouble and
heartache and misery.
Rehab and Therapy is
For Weak People
You Don’t Need
Rehab- Addiction
Recovery is as
Simple as Quitting

For those who have never struggled
with substance abuse, recovery seems as
simple as abstaining from using drugs or
drinking. This is supported by the idea
substance abuse is a choice and those
who suffer from addiction simply do not
substance. This is simply not true.
Evidence shows addiction causes
physical and chemical changes in the
brain. These changes can effect anything
from fine motor skills to personality
traits to the ability to feel happiness and
pleasure. Once one begins to understand
these very real and serious physical
changes brought on by addiction, one is
more easily able to understand that
addiction goes beyond simply enjoying
drinking or drug use.
Substance abuse recovery works
much the same way. Therapists, doctors,
nurses, and behavioral tech staff
members are not simply here to stop you
from getting high or drunk; they are part
of a team whose main objective is
repairing the psychological damages
caused by substance abuse disorders.
When one is under the control of an
addicted mind, priorities change;
positive reinforcement in substance use
leads the mind to affiliate drugs and
alcohol with pleasure or, at the very
least, an escape from stresses and pain.
addiction, as soon physical demands
and urges take over as the driving factor
behind continued use of illicit substances. In
detox the objective is to break those physical
ties to the addictive substance; rehab is for
severing the psychological ties and
reaffirming new, positive ones. Cognitive
behavioral therapies work by reteaching the
proper way of coping with life’s stresses and
distresses without the aid of drugs or alcohol.
This particular myth is usually the result
of frustrations caused by an unsuccessful
attempt at rehab. Feeling as though you have
‘failed’ in addiction recovery is definitely
discouraging, but lashing out at rehabilitation
services in a whole is a reaction to those
tumultuous feelings, not a reflection of rehab.
The most common causes of unsuccessful
recovery attempts are:
Being closed to
therapy attempts
Not taking the process seriously
A breakdown in communication
Testing one’s boundaries
concerning substance use
Not being ready to fully
relinquish your addiction
Lack of thorough exploration
of triggers
and underlying causes
Straying from
treatment programs
Leaving rehab too early
Expectations that rehab is a cure
Be that as it may, this is in no way
discounting some people truly do have
horrible experiences in rehab. Again, this
isn’t a reflection of addiction recovery as
a whole; what this means is the methods
used were ineffective in that particular
case. Substance abuse recovery is not a
‘one-size-fits-all’ deal; everyone has
different causes for the disorder and
different methods which work in their
favor. That one is ineffective does not
necessarily reflect poorly on that rehab,
just as it does not mean you will never
succeed. Chronic diseases require
individualized care and continuous work;
sometimes hiccups are simply a part of
the journey.
Relapse happens. It doesn’t have to,
but if it does, know that it is for no other
reason than that addiction is a devious,
deceptive creature. Recovery is a
continuous battle- one that may get easier
as the days go by, but a continuous battle
none the less. The upside is you don’t
have to do it alone. Don’t let a few myths
keep you from getting the help you need
in order to live the life you deserve. ■
Rehab Doesn’t Fix Anything,
All They Care About is Money
J U N E 2 0 1 619

SOBRIETY
TIPS

PLANTS REDUCE
ANXIETY, PROMOTE
HAPPINESS, AND
DECREASE PAIN
study focusing on patients
recovering from abdominal surgery
published by the Department of
Horticulture produced significant
insights into our relationship with the
plant world. Before you roll your eyes
because you haven’t undergone
abdominal surgery, give the results a
read:
“Patients in hospital rooms with plants
and flowers had significantly fewer
intakes of postoperative analgesics,
more positive physiological responses
evidenced by lower systolic blood
pressure and heart rate, lower ratings of
pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more
positive feelings and higher
satisfaction about their rooms,”
This is huge– and not just for patient
A
USING PLANTS
FOR RECOVERY
settings. From this study we can
conclude anyone attempting to taper
off of, or abstain from analgesics-
including opioids, local anesthetics
paracetamol, and NSAIDs- will benefit
from the presence of flowering plants
and foliage. Those with depression or
anxiety will benefit from spending
more time around plants.
Introducing plant friends into your
everyday life is simple! If you have a
brown thumb, and kill every plant like
my mother, try succulents. They
flower and are super drought resistant.
You can plant many succulents in one
planter, or buy pretty hanging
terrariums, which are popular right
now. You can also consider a
philodendron- which can survive in a
mason jar of water just fine.
For the adventurous I recommend:
Ferns
Roses
Air Plants
Small shrubs
African Violet
Forget-Me-Nots
Strawberry Begonia
Herbs (practical and beautiful)
Orchids (May be difficult to grow for
beginners.) ■
J U N E 2 0 1 6
21

ating and sobriety: it’s a touchy
subject, controversial, even, to some.
One school of thought is that recovery
and the early days of sobriety is too
shaky a time to seek out or form new
romantic bonds. People in early
recovery are vulnerable to
manipulation and coercion; they may
subconsciously invite coercion,
manipulation, and, consequently,
relapse. Some experts in the field
recommend staying away from dating
for the first year of recovery, if not
longer.
Personally? I tend to lean more
toward the other school of thought.
Navigating the world of dating is tough
enough, but it can be a dangerous slope
for people in recovery. That of course
D
SOBER,
SINGLE, AND
READY TO
MINGLE!
doesn’t mean it’s impossible! It
requires a lot of self-awareness and
prioritization of one’s sobriety over all
else. Being sober doesn’t mean you
have to be single forever; if you want
to navigate the world of dating while
sober safely, keep these tips in mind.
NEVER COMPROMISE
YOUR RECOVERY
This is number one for a reason. There
is absolutely nothing and no one worth
compromising your sobriety for;
anyone who would tell you otherwise
is not someone you need in your life.
If you choose to date during the
recovery stage of your new sober life,
it’s important to be mindful of their
lifestyle in relation to yours. While
you cannot control another’s behavior,
you can decide what you will and will
not allow to happen in your presence.
For people in recovery and
committed to living a sober life, that
includes use of alcohol and drugs. It
may be tempting to permit such
behavior in favor of gaining a
companion, doing so is nothing more
than inviting the devil of addiction
back into your life. Empathy and
compassion may lead you to believe
you can facilitate recovery in your love
interest, but deep down you know
better than anyone: no one can force
sobriety onto someone who is not
ready to accept it.
TAKE THINGS SLOW
23

Once you determine that your romantic interest
is someone who is worthy of pursuing, it’s
important to take things slowly. As a person in
recovery, you are rediscovering not only the world,
but yourself. In such a time of vulnerabbility, it’s
easy to be manipulated and molded by outside
forces. This is why it can be dangerous to rush into
a relationship while in recovery from substance
abuse; getting swept up in what can be
overwhelming emotions is an easy way to find
yourself once again struggling with substance
abuse.
Through rehab and continued therapies, you
can learn positive means of coping with life, but if
you do not employ these new mechanisms, facing
difficult situations which can arise in a relationship
can cripple your sobriety. Drama, jealousy, and
infatuation stir up urges and temptation to fall back
on a familiar remedy. Don’t do it. You are only
setting yourself up for further troubles and relapse.
It’s important to be upfront with your partner.
Explain that you need things to process slowly
because of your journey. Hiding your past or your
current journey of sobriety will do nothing but
complicate things in the long run- besides, you
have nothing to be ashamed of. You are a warrior,
fighting a battle which thousands succumb to each
year.
Just as important as it is to take things slow,
you have to be continuously mindful
of whether the relationship is working in your best
interest. Knowing when to walk away from a
situation which has become toxic or unsavory is
key to maintaining your sober journey. This isn’t
something unique to people in recovery; healthy
dating is based on knowing when to call it quits.
However, people in early recovery may
subconsciously invite manipulators and other
unpleasant characters in their vulnerability. Many
people in recovery carry guilt or issues of self-
esteem and self-worth which must be worked
through in therapy; in these states of mind, people
may allow treatment and behaviors which are not
normally acceptable, perhaps even abusive. By
remaining conscious of one’s self and mindful of
the state of the relationship, one may stay ahead of
possible downfalls and protect one’s self from the
emotional fallout.
That’s not to say you have to bail at the first
sign of trouble. Relationships are all about working
together and finding common ground; both parties
are expected to compromise, offer support, and
grow with each other. The difference lies
when the balance shifts in favor of one or the
other party. While this can be easily remedied,
when it becomes clear that the dominant party
is unwilling to bring back the balance, it’s
time to walk away. Controlling, manipulative,
and abusive behavior in order to maintain
dominance should not be tolerated. Any
relationship which makes you fear for your
safety or damages your sense of self is not one
which you should continue to nurture. Get out
before it’s too late.
Don’t be afraid to be single. Learn to be happy
on your own; you don’t need a relationship to feel
complete. Codependency and emotional
manipulation can lead into dangerous waters that
may end in relapse, abuse, and other potential
problems. Besides, substance abuse recovery is a
time for getting in tuned with yourself and
rediscovering what it is that makes you unique and
beautiful. Find ways to make yourself happy before
you begin looking for happiness in someone else.
KNOW WHEN TO
WALK AWAY
REMAINING SINGLE
IS OKAY, TOO!
Spend this time to travel, try new
foods, activities, and hobbies. Go on
the trip you’ve always dreamed of, go
back to school, take on a creative
project, or take steps toward starting
your dream business. Focus on
improving yourself, and the person
who is meant to be in your life will
come along in good time. Remaining
single during early recovery doesn’t
mean you have to be alone. Making
friends and re-establish old friendships
can help to fill your days with joy and
happiness just as much as any
romantic entanglement. Show your
supporters you appreciate them with
dinner, personalized gifts, or just some
genuine, quality time together.
Rather you decide to pursue
romance or go solo for a while, ensure
that your number one priority is being
the best version of yourself possible-
sober. ■

5 KEYS TO
OVERCOMING
ADVERSITY
dversity naturally sounds like
a bad thing, but an opportunity to
overcome a difficult situation can
actually be a valuable gift, say
experts.
“Times of adversity are
simply stepping-stones to live a
better life,” says Coach Michael
Taylor, author of the new book,
“Adversity is Your Greatest
Ally.” “They’re neither good nor
bad until you choose to label
them.”
Born in the projects, a victim
of child abuse and, a high school
dropout, Taylor was well-
acquainted with hardship in
childhood, and has been no
stranger to it in adulthood. His
new book details his journey to
success and happiness, offering
advice to others seeking to do the
same.
While Taylor cites success
stories of notable scientists,
artists and entertainers like Albert
Einstein, Jay Z, and Oprah
Winfrey as examples of those
who surmounted life’s hurdles,
he firmly believes anyone with
the right attitude and habits can
make an upward leap. Here,
Taylor offers five keys he says
are needed to overcome
adversity.
• You must be willing to take
responsibility for your life: You
can’t blame your parents, where
you were born, or the color of
your skin. You can’t blame lack
of education, an ex-spouse, or
BY: STATEPOINT
your age. Decide that you’re
going to take 100 percent
responsibility for your life and
make it happen.
• You must be willing to leave
your comfort zone: Fear is a
choice. You can choose to let it
keep you from accomplishing
your goals, or you can feel the
fear and do it anyway. Learn to
become comfortable with being
uncomfortable if you truly want
to accomplish extraordinary
things.
• You must commit to growth:
Upgrading your inner software
means that you’re willing to
look at the subconscious beliefs
that may be limiting your
potential. Read books and take
classes that provide you with the
knowledge and support to
accomplish goals and feel better
about yourself. The key is
committing to never-ending
improvement.
• You must develop a positive
attitude: If you’re truly
committed to turning your
adversities into allies, it is
necessary to develop a positive
attitude. A negative attitude
makes life’s challenges difficult
to overcome.
• You must discover your unique
gifts: Everyone has special gifts
and talents. When expressed, you
will find your true purpose in life.
If you’ve forgotten what yours
are or have given up on sharing
them with the world, rest assured
they are within you. Gifts are not
necessarily something you do;
they are primarily about who you
are. For example, being loving
and caring is a gift. Being
intelligent and analytical is also a
gift.
With patience and
persistence, you can turn the
page on a challenging chapter in
your life and write your own
story. ■
A
J U N E 2 0 1 625

Graduating from rehabilitation is one of the
biggest milestones in your life. Congratulations! If
you’re not quite there yet, don’t worry, we believe
in you, and as long as you hold fast to
your aspirations and make every day count, you’ll
reach your ultimate goals!
Getting back into the workforce can be a catch
22: you need a job for financial stability- and
hopefully joy and intellectual engagement.
Without a solid resume or references, landing a
position can be difficult. Considering the sea of
competition you’re up against, you need to have
excellent credentials and solid references who will
vouch for you.
Stop right there!
Even if you don’t have a solid resume, there’s
no reason why you can’t position yourself to learn
new skills in a short period of time and rack up
resume fodder for applicable experience.
If you think continuing education is holding
you back- principally because you don’t have a
degree- there are ways to learn many of the
fundamental skills you’ll need for free online with
certified courses (some even give certificates).
Pursuing college is ideal, but don’t worry if it
takes you a bit to get to that point. All work is
honorable, even if you’re working in a fast food
chain, you should feel proud of yourself for
putting one foot in front of the other to get you
closer to your dreams.
Sometimes you can’t be picky. Even if you
have to work in retail or food (and you really hate
it), you’re not stuck there forever. As long as you
keep making steps towards pursuing your dream
job, you can do it! Yes, dream jobs do exist, and
yes, they are absolutely attainable at any point
in your life.
You’re never too old, too young, or too whatever-
else to do absolutely everything you want in this
life.
Getting a job after rehab is easy with our pro
resume building tips and tricks.
GETTING A JOB AFTER REHAB:
CAREERS VS JOBS
26

Don’t settle for a long-term job when you can
focus on nurturing a career path! Here’s the
thing people get wrong: jobs aren’t limited to fast
food or retail. Sometimes these job turn into
professions and lucrative careers- like moving up
to the corporate office. Other times, retail jobs and
fast food gigs are just that, where one stays on the
line for many years when they may not want to.
Employment in offices, physician practices,
business management, and other lucrative
positions are just jobs too. Their nature doesn’t
necessarily make them careers.
The difference between a job and career has
no actual grounding in job type, but the quality
of your life.
Many would disagree with me, but here’s my
take: one’s career should be fulfilling, enriching
quality of life by doing something beloved. Jobs
are simply a paycheck. You may of course have a
respectable position which pays well, but if you’re
going to an office, or a service line everyday, or
out in the field, and you’re miserable, you’re doing
it wrong.
We need money to survive, yes. “Money isn’t
everything” is largely applicable to those who
don’t live paycheck to paycheck. But for the rest
of us, our jobs must sustain a measure of both
fulfillment and income.
If you love waitressing, and that is your
career– you be the best darn waitress to ever live!
But if you’re a waitress, and you’d rather be doing
anything else, take steps to get the heck out of
there. Easier said than done, right? Many of us
don’t have the opportunity to rely on our families
to support us through a career change.
How then do you manage to make the switch?
One of the most common ways would be to apply
for career opportunities while remaining at your
present workplace. If you don’t have the resume to
compete with others in the field, I have three
pieces of advice for you:
Apply anyway, you may be surprised what a
well crafted cover letter can do for you.
Go to school and continue your education- lots
of financial aid is available.
Use your off hours to glean resume fodder.
Choosing a Career
VS a Job
When I worked at Subway, I enjoyed my
job. In fact, I love Subway. I give all my
money to Subway. If I’m on a date, I want to
go to Subway– not a restaurant. You get the
picture. Despite my eternal love for veggie
delights, I only worked at Subway for six
months. I decided to leave for two reasons: I
did not want to become complacent and I
wanted to pursue my career as a writer- and
not just write on the side. I wanted writing to
be my foremost source of income.
And now it is.
Leaving the stability of my job was nerve
racking, and I didn’t want to do it initially.
Admittedly, as you can imagine, I wasn’t
making very much at subway anyway! But my
first paid writing gig? I literally wrote for
pennies. Fortunately, I was able to move along
relatively quickly and started getting real
work. I was lucky enough to have the support
of my loved ones while I transitioned from
Subway to writing.
For those who lack this support, no one
has the right to judge whether or not you’re
“doing enough.” Bills need to be paid, and
sometimes that means you have to stay at a job
longer than you’d prefer. There’s absolutely
no shame in that, and don’t let anyone else
convince you otherwise.
Even if they’re your loved ones.
That being said, never become
complacent, but do not jeopardize your well
being because you were pressured into it.
(That includes your psychological health too.)
You can take mini steps everyday to get to
where you want to be. Keep them in the
forefront of your mind and say,
“I won’t be here forever.”
Getting a job after rehab is an achievement
you need to celebrate, no matter how big or
small. This will give you the motivation to
keep going!
So, how’d I go from hobby writer to
paid professional? With a lot of work and
ignoring naysayers.
I was fortunate to have many of the
writing skills I use everyday- but that
wasn’t enough for real-world applications
and professional expectations. I didn’t
have the resume clout for an actual “job,”
but I did have the verve and dedication to
land several internships at the same time.
(It certainly helped I was heavily involved
with all of my local college’s
publications.)
Resume Building Tip #1:
Revolve your extracurriculars around your
ultimate career objective. Volunteer and
get involved any way you can. Your
experience is certainly applicable.
Resume Building Tip #2:
Apply for remote internships on
internships.com if you don’t have the time
to go to a physical location.
Resume Building Tip #3
Volunteer at applicable conventions,
conferences, community events, or
anywhere which serves as a stepping stone
for your career of choice.
Search Craigslist for “gigs-” and don’t
forget to take advantage of looking in
other states for opportunities too. Just
click the telecommute filter, and you’ll be
able to do whatever you want straight
from home.
Get certified! If you want to be a graphic
designer, why not take a photoshop
course?
Become involved in your local
community, utilize Facebook and social
media, use flyers, and word of mouth to
offer your services as pro bono work. This
way you’ll get working experience and
testimonials vouching for your services.
Use LinkedIn! The largest professional
social media network ever. Join groups
with similar interests and get advice from
people on the inside.
Go to relevant Meetup Groups to build
meaningful relationships with
professionals in the industry you want to
work in. ■
Making the Switch: Where
to Get “Resume Fodder”
8 Pro Resume Building
Tips for Getting a Job
After Rehab
J U N E 2 0 1 627

Oh the all-too-familiar peril of getting
great references!
If you have previous job experience
you can rely on, you probably have a
manager or co-worker to vouch for your
work ethic. That’s great! But for those
of us who aren’t so lucky, and who are
just coming out of treatment, finding
references can seem impossible. But I
promise you, if you follow our resume
building tips- especially in regards to
volunteer opportunities, community
engagement, and internships-
you’ll earn sparkling reviews from each
avenue.
Don’t forget to ask your favorite
therapist, case manager, or program
director from your facility for a letter of
recommendation. They know you better
than most, and have seen your
transformation first hand. If you’re
feeling shy about asking for references,
check out these templates and customize
them to your heart’s desire.
Trust me, if you tell them about your
adventures of getting a job after rehab,
they’ll be more than pleased to help. ■
Making the Switch:
Where to Get “Resume
Fodder”

The rate of Flakka use in Florida rose above
cocaine use in 2014. Here’s an excerpt from “The
Dethorning: Has Flakka Overtaken Cocaine in
Florida’s Drug Scene?
According to Business Insider, Broward County has
reported that synthetic drugs, mainly flakka, have
surpassed cocaine as the most common drug found in
crime-lab reports. Detective Schwartz stated that it’s
the first time he can recall that any drug has
surpassed cocaine. Broward County crime labs
reported that synthetic drugs accounted for 34
percent of drug seizures, and cocaine was just behind
at 30 percent. Broward County has already reported
over 275 flakka-related incidents as of May this year.
3. Flakka May be More
Addictive than Cocaine
Yup. Flakka makes users insanely aggressive,
irritable, and irrational. Have you seen the video of
the guy high on flakka attacking the car?
4. Flakka Makes You Attack Cars
Because flakka raises the body’s internal
temperature, those high on flakka are prone to
stripping, and then doing drastic, unbelievable,
strange things.
Just because flakka is only $5, doesn’t mean you
should trade your entire life for one bout of manic
insanity. Why would you want that? You don’t want
that. Keep your clothes on. Don’t attack cars. Don’t
set your body on fire.
Yes, there’s treatment for that. Flakka is one of
the most addictive synthetic substances. Akin to any
other drug (including alcohol), the full gauntlet of
treatment is necessary to break both the physical and
psychological addiction to flakka.
There you have it. Two drugs you should never
touch, or two drugs you should stop touching.
We can help.
7. Flakka Addiction
Treatment Is a Thing
5. Flakka Undresses You, without
Permission
6. $5 Flakka Is Not
Worth an Entire Life of Misery
We're Here
Day & Night
(866)500-7928
54

SELF
DISCOVERY

EMBRACING SELF
ACTUALIZATION FOR
RECOVERY
By Jessica Rae Pulver-Adell
Achieving self actualization is the driving
force facilitating successes in overcoming
addiction. Our ambitions are realized when we
embrace the concept of self actualization; the
pursuit of manifesting all in which we may
become. It is not enough to simply pursue our
desires, we must strive to fulfill them
vigorously and with our entire being, if we are
to truly reanimate ourselves.
Holistic medicine is meant to draw upon the
underlying springs of revitalization inherent to
you, seizing upon the dreams you have always
wanted to accomplish. Setting goals to fulfill the
passions of your heart is one approach to
bringing about the change of recovery. Holistic
healing sets in motion the energy you release
into the universe, and helps the mind and body
connect with the etheric energies entwining us
together. It is through this universal tether we
are enabled to be all that we can. We are unable
to attain self actualization should our hearts
remain closed to those around us, and more
importantly, ourselves.
N O M A D I C | 2 4S E L F D I S C O V E R Y
“WHAT A MAN CAN BE, HE MUST BE.”
ABRAHAM MASLOW
EXCEPT FROM HOLISTIC HEALING FOR
ADDICTION
J U N E 2 0 1 631

We frequently stand in the way of our
own achievements or accomplishments,
undermining our victories, and discrediting
personal strengths. Holistic medicine helps to
restore balance internally by celebrating the
individuals we are- despite behaviors which
may force us into insatiable guilt or shame.
By letting go of the past we are able to forge
on to create the future we were destined to
have. This is not to say achieving self
actualization is not possible without the
assistance of holistic healing. Alternative
medicine is a means in which one may
venture to harmonize the song of his heart.
Alternative medicine gives us an
immediate means to recognize our own
spirits as worthy of existence. It is common
among those struggling with substance use
disorders to feel dejected, displaced, and
shunned within the walls of their own bodies.
Holistic healing dismantles our inner self
hatred, allowing us to focus on constructing
realities we may derive pride from.
Entrapping oneself to the tombs of regret
or self-odium serves only to cement
addiction. These are the inner feeling which
most commonly usurp one’s ability to
overcome addiction. Razing the firmament of
self-hatred, we block any means of
progressing beyond our current states. To
achieve self actualization one must embrace
the powers of transformation, he must bask
with the radiance of inner knowing, and be
prepared to seek the balming words his soul
is meant to hear; if not from his own lips,
than those of others. (Perhaps in therapy or
rehabilitation.)
When we have liberated ourselves from the
pernicious thoughts and ideas equating our
sense of worth to dirt, we can truly fulfill
ourselves. For innumerable reasons we hold
ourselves back, some inhibitions are within our
control- and yet we erroneously attribute
ourselves as the harbinger of fell circumstance.
Some of the many feelings and emotions
barring us from achieving success in all things,
including recovery, stem from the inability to:
derive worth of our actions, the fear of success,
guilt others around you will not also succeed in
their wants, the belief one’s socioeconomic
status forever limits their ability to change
their environment, the belief it is too late to
pursue the desires one has harbored since star-
struck childhood, or the seeming improbability
of success.
Akin to addiction, there are as many doors
leading to substance use disorders, as there are
reasons we intentionally sabotage ourselves
from embracing our birthrights we are to
achieve on Earth. The absence of these
intimate sources of pain do not in any way
make your plight less worthy than others. ■
32

12 MONTHS
TO CHANGE
YOUR LIFE!
A
GUIDE
TO THE
IN
First Year
REcovery
J U N E 2 0 1 633

Committing to life-altering changes is
terrifying; there’s the constant, haunting fear of
failure, coupled with anxiety brought on by
stepping out of one’s comfort zone and into the
unknown. Too often we allow those roadblocks
to convince us that change is an impossibility, a
pipe dream best abandoned or forgotten. When
the life-altering change in question is
overcoming addiction, the disease itself can
turn our own minds against us, lying and
manipulating us into believing sobriety is a
torturous thing to be avoided at all cost.
It’s wrong.
The greatest gift you can give yourself is
that of a second chance. Allow yourself to heal,
to become whole once again, with a bright and
limitless future at your feet.
That being said, navigating the world while
newly sober can be difficult and overwhelming;
without the proper guidance one may
unintentionally fall into a discouraging cycle of
relapse and recovery. Don’t worry- help is
available. With our guide to the first year in
recovery, you can get the most out of your
brand new lease on life.
For some people living with substance
abuse disorders, crossing the threshold
between recognizing the need for treatment
and getting into a rehabilitation program is an
imposing task in and of itself. Driven by
desperation, one may impulsively enroll in the
first program available, which can be a
mistake. Recovery is not a one-size fits all
process, and not all facilities that offer
rehabilitation are created equal. It’s important
to take the time to research your options and
determine what methods of treatment best
serve your needs- just not too much time.
What kind of accreditation does the facility
have? What insurance companies are
accepted? Is assistance finding an insurance
company available? Do they offer flexible self-
payment options? Does the facility offer both
detox and rehab? What method of
detoxification do they employ? Is it co-ed or
gender specific? LGBTQ+ friendly? Do they
offer a support network following treatment?
Will your treatment be personalized your
individual needs?
“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a
matter of choice. It is not a thing to be
waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”
-William Jennings Bryan
MONTH ONE
Get Into Treatment & Set Your Goals
Ask the important
questions
34

Is the staff certified and capable of tending
to your medical needs? Does the facility offer
assistance with external situations such as legal
issues, family counseling, and housing
solutions? Is the treatment program offered by
the facility faith-based and is that important to
you? Is assistance with transportation
available? Can you schedule a tour prior to
enrollment?
Talk to consultants available at your
potential rehab center about what you can
expect during treatment. They can help
determine what course of treatment will best
suit your needs, whether that means the
structured guidance of inpatient treatment, extra
care through a partial hospitalization program,
or a bit more freedom with outpatient treatment
options. Be sure to discuss therapy options and
amenities. Knowing what lies ahead before you
begin treatment helps you prepare,
so you’re not blindsided and increase your
chance of success.
Once you have selected the right
rehabilitation facility for you, set goals for
yourself. Beyond being rid of the awful,
clinging demon of addiction, what else do you
want to achieve while in recovery? From
completing your education to fulfilling your
wildest dreams, it can all be within your grasp
if you focus and work continuously toward it!
The sober path is yours to guide in the right
direction.
Begin by compiling a list of goals, then
break down that list into smaller tasks to
complete in order to make those dreams a
reality. It’s perfectly okay to start off with
small things like getting into a healthy daily
routine.
Completing treatment and following up with
your aftercare plan.
You completed your rehabilitation
program- congratulations! It is an
accomplishment you should absolutely be
proud of. Now is the time to begin learning
how to employ the skills you’ve acquired
while in rehab. Perhaps the most important one
to focus on in the first few months after
leaving the center is to cleanse your life of
negative people and environments which can
lead to relapse.
While you may be tempted to test your
new resolve and push limits, that is unadvised;
it is the quickest and most common cause of
relapse. Instead, take the time to explore what
remains of your old life to uncover the
potential triggers and pitfalls before they
become a problem.
MONTH two
Create Your Support Team
The perfect goal
to begin with?
J U N E 2 0 1 635

Do not frequent the same places you did
when actively using. Whether that means
avoiding the street where you once acquired
drugs or no longer visiting the locations where
you partied, steering clear of those physical
triggers of cravings is the perfect place to start
when it comes to reorganizing your life.
From there, take a close look at the people
in your life and truly consider if they will
enhance or diminish your new sober life. This
step may seem especially trying, as ending
relationships is rarely an easy thing, but in this
situation it may be a necessity. Your sobriety is
more important than any toxic relationship- and
yes, that does include family members,
spouses, and lovers.
To teach you a bit more about identifying
people who may damage your recovery, here is
a brief excerpt from chapter one of our eBook
It Takes a Village: Finding the Right Support
System in Addiction Recovery.
One of the obvious factors
in whether someone should remain in one’s
social circle during rehabilitation is their status
as an active user of addictive substances.
However, what they fail to realize is that
relationships formed among circles of people
involved in drug use and drinking are often
powerful and significant in the understanding
and support one draws from such a relationship.
To the mind under the
influence of addiction, the only people who
truly “get it” are others in similar situations.
And there is some truth in this mentality-
camaraderie based in common life experiences
provide some of our strongest bonds.
However, if the people with whom one has
formed these bonds are not ready to seek
addiction recovery themselves, they are not
likely to be effective members of a support
system throughout the recovery process and
beyond. Moreover, the sad reality is one
cannot convince someone who is not ready to
leave behind a life of addiction. Though
substance abuse does not automatically dictate
someone is a bad person, the risks of relapse
affiliated with continuing to associate with
active substance abusers are not worth
maintaining the relationship. Anyone who
would risk your progress and self-
improvement for their own addiction is not in a
position to be supportive.
Addiction is selfish. Substance abuse
disorders drive people to place the addictive
substance to which they are dependent above
all else. Though someone suffering under the
affects of addiction are often completely cons
cious of the fact that the illicit substance has
taken over their lives and disrupted their
priorities, the influence of a drug or alcohol on
the addicted mind prevent one from correcting
the problem. Physical and psychological urges
necessitate- the addicted mind- that all other
priorities come second. This includes
sustenance, shelter, and even one’s personal
safety.
to people not dealing
with addiction
36

Substance abuse and exposure to dangerous
activities go hand-in-hand. From seedy
locations and shady characters, to potentially
deadly means of obtaining money to sustain the
habit, to blaring hazards of shared needles and
unprotected sex- there’s danger at every turn in
the subculture of substance abuse.
People and places that put your personal
safety in jeopardy or that cause anxiety and
discomfort are okay to walk away from- in fact,
it’s highly encouraged. Don’t put your recovery
at risk to prove you are ‘still cool’ or to test
your strength of will and determination. Even
the briefest encounter with triggering
experiences can completely derail one’s sober
path.
If people in your circle of close friends,
family members, or loved ones consciously and
continuously lead you into situations that are
detrimental to your needs, you must know
when to distance yourself. Stress and emotional
distress are leading causes of relapse in early
recovery, and thus undue triggers to these
feelings put you at unnecessary risk. Though it
is impossible to completely avoid stress, people
who perpetuate drama and contention in the
lives of others may end up impeding your quest
for improvement.
Anyone who is verbally, physically, or
emotionally abusive has no place in your new
life. Belittlement should not be tolerated in any
form; past indiscretions do not validate
mistreatment. This includes:
Derogatory comments about one’s struggles
with addiction.
Voicing doubts about the success of one’s
redemption.
Threats of physical violence or other
retribution.
Misplaced blame for events not within one’s
control.
Threats of abandonment as leverage.
Abuse can escalate existing issues with
substance abuse as well as catalyze new
problems with alcohol, heroin, or other illicit
drugs. Belief that mistreatment is somehow
deserved or warranted contributes to an
underlying conviction of worthlessness and
burden. Through hard work and faith in the
drug and alcohol rehabilitation process, one can
revive one’s self-esteem and confidence; do not
allow others to destroy that which you have
earned.
Ending these toxic relationships will
increase your chance of successful recovery.
Unfortunately toxic, destructive relationships
are often founded on powerful emotional ties
rooted in co-dependency or insecurities. What
looks like love is nothing more than fear,
mimicking devotion and passion. Toxic
relationships form when fear plants the idea
that though a relationship is not necessarily
good, it is better than being alone. This thought
leads many to staying in destructive situations
much longer than they should; for an
unfortunate portion of the population it can lead
to deadly consequences. J U N E 2 0 1 637

People who do not actively support your
decision to live a sober life have to go, too.
While they are not fundamentally bad people,
the recovery process is deeply personal, leaving
you vulnerable and exposed. During the low
points in the recovery process, one needs all the
support one can get, leaving no room for people
not dedicated to assisting in what ways they
can. People in the middleground simply don’t
fit the bill.
Consider this: if there was a medical
emergency, would the person in question be
someone you rely on to act in your honor? With
the threat of relapse and overdose ever
looming, the reality is one day that could very
well be the case. The people in your support
team should be people you trust to pull you
back from the edge; people capable of
potentially saving your life.
Your path of sobriety is yours to walk and
yours alone. While others may accompany you
on your journey, they simply cannot do it for
you. Take the time to focus on yourself and
make your recovery a priority in life. Do not
allow others and extenuating situations to
compromise your sobriety.
MONTH three
Focus On Yourself
Making yourself a priority is incredibly
important to you're long-term success. In
recovery we must relearn our self-worth and
value; we must relearn how to treat ourselves
with the kindness and respect we deserve. That
can mean the simple things, like establishing a
hygiene routine, eating better foods, and
regulating our sleep schedules. Other things
may be a bit more trying- overcoming other
negative habits such as self-harm, healing from
eating disorders, and learning to live well with
co-occurring mental health disorders.
Focusing on yourself includes taking time
to carefully consider your future. What are
some of the goals you laid out for yourself at
the beginning of this process? How can you
make them happen? Now is the time to look
into schools and vocational programs, learn
about improving your credit or what it takes to
expunge a criminal record. While most goals
your set for yourself will not be accomplished
overnight (or even within your first year in
recovery), keeping them in mind and
determining the parameters for your future will
help to keep you on track. If you need to, make
lists of your plans and keep a journal that is
specifically designated for chronicling your
progress. Whenever you feel discouraged or
stuck, take a moment to review your plans and
get your head back in the game.
38

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Ultimately, placing yourself and your
sobriety as a priority will help to set up the
remainder of your first year sober. Don’t let
petty distractions interfere with what is well on
its way to being the best year of your life.
Maybe you began thinking about your
education in the third month of your journey-
now is the time to implement those plans! Not
only will furthering your education benefit your
financial situation (statistics show that the more
educated one is, the more money one makes),
but earning your GED or taking courses in the
field of your choice can do wonders for
building confidence and self-esteem. You may
be surprised at just how far you can go with a
little hard work and dedication.
Not ready to fully commit to the college
life? That’s okay, too! Start slowly with only
one or two courses, or try your hand at online
learning. If you want to avoid the hassle of
enrolling and class registration altogether, you
can also look into self-guided courses; a bit of
research online can go a long way when it
comes to self-education. YouTube, Reddit, and
other instructional platforms are available for
beginning your journey of expanding your
knowledge.
MONTH Four
Learn Something New
Learning something new isn’t limited to
taking traditional courses! If you play an
instrument, try learning a new song by heart.
More inclined to visual arts? Try out a new
technique or new medium. Even if you’ve
never done an artistic thing in your life, it’s
never too late to try your hand in it; there are
even businesses like Color Me Mine which
allow complete novices to enjoy the relaxing
fun of making your own art.
Fitness is another wonderful area to expand
your knowledge! Updating your repertoire of
effective exercise regimens, healthy diets, and
fun outdoor activities can be useful for pulling
one’s self out of a low point and avoiding
relapse. Physical activity is a natural mood
booster, relieving stress and producing
endorphins while improving your overall
health. Test out pilates, hot yoga, or tabata
interval training to see what works best for you
without overtaxing your body. The challenge of
it and feeling of accomplishment that comes
with your improved fitness will be rewarding
and encouraging.
Religion may not be for everyone, but
connecting with your spirit and spirituality can
help quell sudden triggers and urges.
Spirituality calms flustered nerves and provides
the strength you need to remain steadfast in
challenging moments.
MONTH Five
Connect With Your Spirit
40

Here’s another excerpt from our eBook,
Holistic Healing for Addiction:
Although holistic healing is not a religious
pursuit, discovering spirituality translates into
the acceptance of living for a purpose and
fulfilling a higher calling. Finding spirituality
helps you interject meaning into our life, which
may not have been readily apparent. There are
many reasons we lose sight of the fact we are a
part of something larger than ourselves,
whether we find this to be true in our social
relations with the people and nations around us,
or in a religious sense, where we are all
ultimately connected to each other. Our
emotional health and wellbeing hinges on the
acceptance, and practice of spirituality
augmenting one’s chances of recovering from
addiction more readily- while preventing
relapse. Once we find our purpose in this life,
we focus on taking steps to achieving it, as
opposed to continually medicating ourselves
for the emptiness.
There comes a time where getting high is
no longer about the euphoria of one’s substance
of choice- it almost always starts out with the
intention of numbing some other pain, and
slowly maligns our biology and psyche. Your
new state of normality lies within the innermost
regions of yourself that is not yet accessible if
you have not awakened
Spirituality Is a
Necessity to recovery
your inner purpose. The ultimate ends of this
text is to give you actionable solutions to
employ in your everyday life to achieve
emotional, psychological, and spiritual well
being.
But what is spirituality?
Spirituality is our innermost sense of
purpose, balance, and an affinity for the
energies in motion around us. When we are in
sync with our spirituality we are able to flow
freely through all means of existence, and bear
the hurdles life throws at us in grace and
acceptance, allowing us to spin misfortune into
unexpected treasure. When we rail against the
tides of spirituality, every obstacle threatens to
render our ability to cope asunder, that we may
bow and break under the weight of emotional
insufficiency.
The tribulations of life have left many
stranded from themselves, sneering at the
thought of spirituality- weary of hope, they
easily forsake it in lieu of simple survival.
When we are tapped into our fight or flight
instincts, we will not spare the time necessary
to establish muses that will substantiate our
souls. We simply keep on pushing on. But this
is not enough to shed the brambles of addiction,
because largely, abusing addictive substances
become the mechanism in which life is made
bearable. Yet this feigned reality conflicts with
the medical assurance substance use disorders
J U N E 2 0 1 6
41

foment permanent physical and psychological
degradation, the development of several
cancers, psychiatric disorders, overdose, and
death.
Overcoming addiction then transmutes
from a means of coping with everyday survival,
to literally surviving. But we must do more than
survive to reap the benefits of this Earth. Our
potential is the single most compelling
indwelling source of recovery. When we take
our potential into the foremost of our minds, the
sheer excitement elicited from the things we
were born with a proclivity, enliven our spirits
and make us remember what it is to be in
control of the course of our lives.
Month six of your first year in recovery
marks your halfway point in the first year of
your sober life! That’s about 183 days- isn’t
that amazing? I’m willing to bet there were
days when you couldn’t even imagine getting to
where you are now, yet here you are! You
should be incredibly proud of yourself!
Make some time this month to reflect on
your accomplishments thus far in your recovery
journey. Beyond maintaining your sobriety,
even the small goals you’ve met during this
time are worthy of celebrating. Revisit that list
you made in month one to see exactly how far
you’ve come and to help you adjust your focus
MONTH Six
Reflect on Accomplishments
on those goals that have yet to be
accomplished.
If you didn’t quite meet all your goals for
the first six months of recovery, don’t be too
hard on yourself- this isn’t a race. As long as
you are continuously working to improve
yourself, each day is a success. Reconsider
your approach: set deadlines for your goals,
utilize goal tracking apps to stay on course, and
don’t be afraid to ask for help. Letting your
family and friends know about your intentions
for motivation, advice, and encouragement.
Addiction and substance abuse disorders
can drive us to do and say things we would
never fathom otherwise. The disease hijacks the
mind, overtaking our priorities and damaging
our relationships with family, friends, and
colleagues. In early recovery, it is important to
make peace with the past, including the damage
caused to our interpersonal relationships.
To do that, we must first determine which
relationships can be salvaged and which are
best to let go. As discussed in month two, we
must be mindful of who we invite into our
lives; sometimes it is more beneficial to leave
certain bridges unmended. While you may wish
to gain closure with a final conversation, do not
place yourself in a hostile situation for the sake
of the past. Understand that in some cases,
MONTH Seven
Mend Broken Relationships
42

Revival Magazine June 2016

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