Addiction & Substance Use

Kiss me, I’m Sober!

By Jessica Pottorff / March 18, 2023

Why do we drink on St. Patrick’s Day? Saint Patrick was born in the fifth century in Roman Britain. When he was 16 he was captured and brought to Ireland, where he was enslaved for six year. Eventually, he escaped back to Britain, where he became a priest and years later, he went back to Ireland and brought Christianity to the region with him. He passed away on March 17th , 461, and Voila!, the date became St. Patrick’s Day. Legend says that Saint Patrick liked to have a drink from time to time- but funnily enough, that’s not the reason people drink on this holiday. Instead, it’s because the celebration falls in the middle of Lent, a 40-day period when Christians focus on charity, fasting, and prayer. Lent’s restrictions are suspended for St. Patrick’s Day, so people have historically eaten (and drank) to their heart’s content to celebrate the holiday.

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Close up image of woman's hands holding pencil and writing in a notebook- one word writen: "grateful". All around notebook are candles, pumpkins, and fall gourdes. Words on yellow box "Practicing gratitude in recovery"

Practicing Gratitude in Recovery

By Jessica Pottorff / November 9, 2022

With Thanksgiving this month, I wanted to focus on what it means to be grateful, to have an “attitude of gratitude”, and how that can help us in our recovery- whether from drugs, alcohol, or from mental health issues. Being grateful for where you are in this very moment means stopping right where you are and saying thank you; it means recognizing the good things in your life instead of focusing on the negative. Read more on how and why gratitude can help you in recovery.

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26 Addiction Books

26 Outstanding Books about Addiction and Healing

By Jessica Pottorff / August 26, 2022

Addiction – It’s not a dirty word. Let’s talk about it. Let’s learn about it. Let’s de-stigmatize it. Let’s understand and empathize with the person who struggles with it. Let’s put a face to it so that when we see it, we do not see just an issue but a whole person that was created…

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Photo of a mom and child consoling each other. Text that reads, If not mom, then who?

If Not You Mom, Then Who?

By Jessica Pottorff / May 18, 2022

When a child, adolescent, or young adult is struggling with an addiction or a mental health issue, parents usually feel the need to jump in and fix the problem. While addiction is a family sickness, it seems that mothers are the most impacted by their son or daughter’s substance abuse or untreated mental health. Let’s look at how being compassionate can not only help you but also your child.

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7 Wellness, Nutrition and Health Books

7 Wellness Books To Transform Your Health

By New Life Counseling / May 9, 2022

Wellness and nutrition should be a balanced approach that focuses on what feels good to your body and what is good for your health. Being in charge of your health and well-being not only benefits you physically but mentally too. If you are struggling to break some of your eating habits or are wanting to…

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White background with words in the center that read Learn to Shift your Attitude and Combat Guilt & Shame.

Shame, Guilt, & Your Mental Health

By Jessica Pottorff / September 1, 2021

Do you know the difference between embarrassment, humiliation, guilt, and shame and the lasting damage they could create? Learn how to shift your attitude and actions toward combating shame and guilt.

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pink background with 3 large tropical leaves along bottom edge. Image of text message box with a message from "your therapist" that says "Take a deep breath and listen to me. Each part of your life has value and needs special attention. You can't compare it to another person's. Though a diagnosis can impact your life, it doesn't have to be who you are."

Your Diagnosis: A Letter From A Counselor

By Emilie LeLaCheur / May 20, 2021

As a counselor, I get a wide variety of people that need to talk through situational stress, relationship problems, grief and loss, patterns of behavior, trauma and all that comes with it. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to take the opportunity to share three things to keep in mind if you…

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pink background with blue and black triangles with the words Use, Misuse, Abuse, and Addiction on the triangles.

6 Myths About Addiction

By Emilie LeLaCheur / March 31, 2021

Many people don’t understand addiction and substance abuse or dependency. They think those who struggle with addiction must lack moral substance or willpower. In reality, breaking the cycle of addiction takes far more than an iron will or even a desire to quit. Addictive substances and behaviors quite literally alter the chemistry of the brain…

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Eating disorder awareness month with tshirt design "body beauty" with pink watercolor flowers. Blue and green bar at the bottom with more text

Eating Disorder Awareness Month

By New Life Counseling / February 17, 2021

February is National Eating Disorder Awareness and Screening Month, and it’s our mission to provide education, awareness, and empowerment to the 30 million Americans suffering from an eating disorder along with their loved ones. Eating disorders (EDs) are complicated and often misunderstood illnesses that impact people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It helps to…

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