Why Does Jaywalker Allow Our Clients to Interact With the Community?
One stereotype of recovery centers is that they are places where people hide to get better. People view recovery as a time where a person with addiction sequesters themself from society for treatment. The fear is that interacting with “regular people” will only tempt the person with addiction. However, the truth is that isolation from […]
Why Is Service So Important in 12-Step Programs?
Service is a word used often in 12-Step spaces, but what does it really mean? Service is a concept we embrace in our programs at Jaywalker Lodge. We think of service when we interact with our local community in Carbondale, but we also consider what it means to serve the recovery community at large. Here […]
Do I Need to Believe in God to Succeed in AA?
One of the potential barriers for those who attend 12-Step meetings is how spirituality is defined. People might have experienced issues in the past that might make them apprehensive about participating in AA or opening up to the 12-Steps. Others might feel like they aren’t being genuine if they feel like they have to hide […]
Can I Really Be Addicted to the Internet?
The internet is an important tool today, but is there such a thing as too much internet consumption? Is that just something people say because they’re afraid of new things, or is there some truth to the idea that you can have too much time online? Internet addiction is a controversial matter among medical professionals. […]
One Day at At a Time: The Classic Cliche and Why It Works
When they try to stop drinking or using drugs, many people find that they say “never again” only to slip up some time later. For some people, saying “never again” is a trigger in and of itself, and we suddenly panic at the thought of going the rest of our lives sober. This causes some […]
The Dangers of Kratom Use
Many people who are struggling with substance abuse turn to anecdotal evidence to help them with their recovery. One of the more popular substitutes for those struggling with opiate addiction is kratom. Some laud it as a healthy, habit-free alternative to opiates like Oxycontin and heroin. Many claim that kratom is a safer alternative, both […]
Recognizing the Rut: Escaping the Throes of a Depressive Episode
For those of us that suffer from depression or depressive episodes, recognizing when they are starting to affect our day-to-day lives in tangible ways can help us overcome them. If we start to notice that our living spaces are becoming dirtier or that we are ignoring our hygiene routines, calling out of work more often, […]
Relationships and Recovery: Maintaining Sobriety After a Breakup
Breakups can be devastating for anyone. For those who struggle with a substance use disorder, maintaining sobriety after a relationship ends can be a major challenge. Intense emotions such as jealousy, insecurity, and uncertainty can all be potential triggers. However, it’s very important that we do not give in to the negative emotions that are […]
On the Mend and Making Amends: The Step Nine Struggle
Making amends can be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable. How do we navigate potentially opening old wounds with old friends and family members? For many, this step can seem counterintuitive to growth in recovery. However, it is a necessary part of the process of working the steps. Step Nine allows us to let go of our […]
Newfound Sobriety and Loneliness: How We Can Build Better and Healthier Friendships
Shortly after we enter recovery, it can seem like we’ve lost a lot of friends in the process. Our “party” groups, the people we associated with, and the environments that we spent time in suddenly become triggers to avoid. However, it is important to remember that these friendships were built on the house of cards […]
