That desire to help and to be of service can become its own addictive behavior pattern. And then I get to start asking myself an honest question. Can I be compassionately honest? Is it my agenda, or is it my loved one's agenda? When there's more than two people involved, there could be multiple agendas that are at play. And am I able to have that sort of challenging, authentic, open conversation around what are the creative solutions that we're looking for?

Those who’ve experienced the holidays as a sober person will likely attest that alcohol and substances are synonymous with American holidays. Beer, liquor, wine, and champagne are casually served at corporate events, holiday parties, family dinners and given as gifts. With so many people participating, those who can’t participate may feel a sense of exclusion, obligation or some other social pressure.

The process of getting help for a loved one, no matter your means, can be daunting. If you have no previous experience seeking rehabilitative services, there is a lot of self-education required to make sure you understand the process. Most of us have heard of drug interventions or have seen them in television and movies. But one of the key roles in a successful intervention is performed by someone other than the interventionist. And today that’s what we’re going to discuss. What is a sober transport?

We all know that urinalysis tests can be maddeningly inconclusive or worse still - easily cheated. Recovery Allies is thrilled to announce our new Urinalysis testing program that solves these problems and provides our clients the peace of mind of knowing that our results are accurate.

Sobriety is a daunting prospect for anyone making the decision to give up their substance(s) of choice. Once we get past the obstacles of our physical dependency and begin to treat our emotional triggers, we are often left with feelings of loss, shame, mourning, and guilt. Reflection is unavoidable.It is necessary for growth and healing. Maintaining a healthy sense of self-compassion is vital when doing so.

In our journeys through life, some of us may experience a period of time, however long, that we struggle with our use of alcohol or drugs. We may feel overly drawn to substances in times of stress or grief, which is somewhat common. However, some may feel this struggle in times that they consider normal and today we’ll be talking about some key warning signs.

Though it is natural to reflect or project intention in order to learn and achieve, many people struggle to fully connect to the present moment. There are a multitude of reasons a person may experience this struggle. But even the most balanced of us can become overly fixated on the past or fret for the future from time to time.

Substance abuse disorder and mental health challenges are vast and vexing issues to many with a loved one caught in their throes. Over time, it is extremely common for those supporting someone in active addiction to begin adapting to their patterns and creating “solutions” for the challenges their dilemma presents.

The holiday season is a magic time to many, with family and friends sharing special moments and gifts together. This year, in the wake of COVID-19 and the worldwide response to it, the holidays will be very different for millions everywhere. The large gatherings that typically define our holiday celebrations have been rightfully discouraged in order to responsibly combat the spread of coronavirus.

Sobriety, to one suffering from substance abuse disorder, is almost always an overwhelming proposition. To imagine the world without the “support” of substances may seem impossible to the person of concern. But beyond the comfort of the substances themselves, the fear of what sobriety is and how it feels on a daily basis can keep many from engaging.

As the world remains indoors and the grim news regarding the COVID-19 health crisis continues to roll in, it is generally safe to assume that many people feel higher levels of anxiety, depression, and grief. Many people live alone without anyone else to directly interact with. Those in recovery know that the forced isolation combined with the uncertainty around COVID-19 can be a perfect cocktail for relapse.

ARISE® Interventions introduces the addicted person and the family to a new life of recovery and healing. When ARISE® interventions are initiated, families and their person of concern are all given the same information simultaneously. There are no secrets, there are no sidebars. There is no blame, shame or guilt. There is no confrontation. This is designed towards getting the addicted loved one into treatment with the least possible effort through a loving, compassionate and non-blaming approach.

We have watched along with the rest of the world as Cornavirus and COVID-19 have swept across the globe. Recovery Allies wishes everyone a safe, peaceful retreat as we hunker down and avoid public spaces as much as possible. Recovery Allies is open and accepting new clients. In light of this public health crisis, we have instituted preventative measures to preserve the health of our clients, our staff, and the public at large. We are committed to administering services, limiting ours and our clients’ risk of exposure, and providing resources for those in need of virtual assistance.

For those that suffer from substance abuse disorder, utilizing the services of a sober coach can be life changing. A sober coach (also known as a recovery Mentor) is traditionally someone hired by the person of concern, their family, or a friend, to help determine the best course of action to help the person of concern achieve and maintain sobriety. There are many sober coaches who work in a variety of different disciplines, so it is recommended that anyone looking to hire a recovery coach do some research ahead of time.

New Year’s is a holiday loaded with implications for sufferers of substance abuse disorder. The societal focus on drinking, partying and overstimulation on NYE can feel isolating to those trying to maintain their sobriety. Further, the belief that a new year equals some kind of need for massive change can cause confusion, depression, and possible relapse among those who are already on a sober path.

Harm reduction is a topic that has made its way to the forefront of many discussions in the field of recovery over the last few years. It is a loaded topic with many having strong opinions for and against it. We’ll be discussing the basic tenants of harm reduction and share our thoughts on its effectiveness.

We explore the methods of ARISE® intervention to dispel some of the myths many have been exposed to through popular media such as the show Intervention.

September is National Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month and we’ve compiled some stories of people helping their communities combat addiction, foster recovery and identify key issues.

Drawing boundaries to protect yourself from temptation is an essential part of early sobriety. We talk about why and how to do so and start a path to a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t rush to clean up the past in early sobriety. Read this list of tips before trying to make amends.