I’ll never forget the day my friend Martin told me he just got diagnosed with cancer. As I sat sad and stupefied across from him over coffee I silently mused over the possibility that this charming old wise man may leave us way too soon. His erudition and idiosyncratic views of life are legendary. He …

There are many aspects that can be helpful in moving us from addictive thinking and behavior to recovery. In this article, I would like to focus on two aspects that have become important in my recovery journey as well as in those of a number of people I know. They are: making choices and being …

The Phoenix · Tiny Solutions Give Homes to the Homeless What does it take for people living on the streets to find a place to call home? The prevailing model in government and social service agencies for addressing homelessness is a “housing first” approach. Get the person out of the elements and into a safe …

We are approaching the traditional time of year when we give gratitude for what we have in our lives. Given the last couple of years, you might be forgiven for thinking, “What do I have to be grateful for? How can I be happy as the pandemic continues to rage?” In a chaotic, consumer-driven, unpredictable …

My first calls for help weren’t loud enough – given the deserted condo grounds three stories below. No tracks in the snow. Not even a bird or squirrel in the oak trees outside the screen. The sun was low, showing streaks on the sliding glass door that had closed with a solid, unmistakable click. I …

For many, the holiday season is a time of cheer, generosity and bonding with family. For some, it’s a series of triggers that can threaten their recovery and mental health. A recent study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness showed that for 64% of people with mental illness, the holidays make their conditions worse. …

Here are our book recommendations from the November / December 2021 issue. Please let us know if you have any books you’d like us to include in future issues. We may earn a commission via some of the links on this page, at no cost to you. Thank you for helping to support the website. …

We feature an expert in the mental health and substance use disorder field to answer questions. This issue we talk to Michaelene Colestock of ANEW Chemical Health Services and Spence Specialties LLC about women in recovery who have children.  Q: What are some of the specific struggles that women have related to substance use disorder …

He who falls in love with himself will have no rivals. — Benjamin Franklin Please pardon me for talking about a very grim topic—the epidemic of narcissism in our culture. I’m doing this to give hope, validation and power to the partners of self-centered people and for all of us to work on this major …

The Phoenix · In Gratitude “The root of joy is gratefulness…It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” ― Brother David Steindl-Rast I enter this season of gratitude—starting with the Thanksgiving holiday followed by our various spiritual celebrations of hope—with much for which to be grateful. I recognize a cornucopia …