When you devote your days to helping others in harm’s way or at risk of being harmed, you may be unaware of the impact the job is having on your mental health and overall well-being. The evidence shows a significant number of cases of substance abuse among men and...

How long have you been living with an alcoholic? If you’re here right now, it’s likely been more time than you want to think about. You’ve seen the harm it’s done to your relationship, to your family, and even to your health and well-being. While we often discuss the...

An older parent’s use of prescription drugs is something their adult children may be aware of, especially if they see each other regularly, but it’s not necessarily a regular topic of conversation. That’s one reason seeing potential misuse of medication—one taken by...

By Joanna Ahern, Alumni Care Coordinator, Hanley Center at Origins Acceptance is a topic that is discussed a lot in the rooms. In sobriety, there is a need to accept others and certain situations as they are rather than I want them to be. Yet the idea of acceptance...

Bart Ross, Recovery & Alumni Services Coordinator  I'm writing this remembering the holidays when I first got sober. My birthday is in October, and then November starts the holiday season. I got sober in June, and when October came around, I started thinking the...

A married couple in their 50s—we’ll call Jack and Linda—were empty nesters as their grown children no longer lived at home or even close to home. Jack worked full-time in sales, and Linda only worked occasionally and began to have daily glasses of wine at home by...

Niki T - Hanley Alum The most notable family tradition for me and my family for a long time was my absence.  I was in active addiction and the holidays for me were just another monotonous day, no different than any other, where I had to focus on what I needed to do to...

The long holiday season can present additional challenges for someone struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. It’s likely you’re spending more time with family members and may not have the coping strategies to handle the pressures of being around them sober,...