Whether you're on it, off it, or somewhere in between
Sobriety isn’t about what you’re missing; it’s about what you’re gaining. Deciding to get sober at a young age can feel like you’re choosing the road less traveled, especially when everyone around you seems to be in party mode. But here’s the thing: that road less traveled? It’s paved with some incredible benefits that can […]
As the little sister to an enormous Phish fan, I have been dragged to many Phish shows. Like many diehard fans, she has followed the band all around the country, clocking in over 80 shows in the past 25 years. Due to my sister’s undying love and devotion to the band, I have come to […]
For anyone with alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking can feel like a daunting prospect. While early recovery can be uncomfortable and it may seem like progress is slow, the healing begins as soon as the drink is put down. Aside from heavy hitters like lower risk of cancer, heart, and liver disease (and for some, […]
When we first come into recovery, whether by way of rehab, counseling, or a 12-step group, many of us are inundated with new experiences. Our days may be filled with therapy, support group meetings, and other activities designed to show us a new way to live. But as we learn to integrate these techniques into […]
On my two-year sober anniversary, I received a text from my buddy that read: “Your sobriety helps more people than you will ever know.” I thanked him, said “yeah right” to myself, and forgot about it. But a bit later on, I realized he might be right. And that’s because since I got sober, I […]
“Radical Acceptance is the willingness to experience ourselves and our lives as it is.” – From Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, Ph.D. Back in 2011, when I was in my second rehab and freaking out over being there, an addiction counselor told me to practice acceptance. “Acceptance is the answer to all of your problems […]
Social anxiety is more than shyness — it’s a mental health condition that can seriously affect a person’s ability to interact with others. This can make addiction recovery challenging, especially when so many programs emphasize social interaction and fellowship as a means to long-term sobriety. For me, this was a big problem.[…]
As a person in recovery, practicing gratitude is a key part of my daily life. It has to be — otherwise, I start to slowly slip back into a self-centered, self-pitying, reckless way of thinking that if left unchecked, will most likely lead me back to the easy-out comfort of my former best friend, vodka. […]
The Wagon loves a good recovery story. Here are five of my favorite, totally random celebrity recovery stories that you may not have heard — yet! Adam Clayton, U2 Adam Clayton, the bassist for U2, has been outspoken about his mental health struggles and history with alcoholism. […]
I hate winter. Especially once January hits, and we’ve got three long months ahead and nothing but freezing forecasts and deceptive wind chills. I get blue. Really blue. Like a lot of us do: Seasonal Affective Disorder is in the DSM and while I may suffer from a touch of it, I think most of […]
Today, I am two years sober. That’s two full years without a hangover, drunk crying, causing a scene, puking in the shower, picking fights with people, passing out at parties, hiding drinks, doing cocaine, drunk driving, and many other horrifying nightmares. […]