Kharl

Twelve Step Recovery focuses on having a vital spiritual experience as a means of achieving and maintaining sobriety. From these experience, we have dramatic changes in our perception and reactions to life. There are two types of spiritual experiences that people have as a result of the Twelve Steps: the immediate and the gradual, or … Read more

Early recovery can feel like it will never end. Working toward that first full year of sobriety is one of the most challenging yet most rewarding things you will ever do in your lifetime. Every single day of that year you will watch magnificent transformations take place. Your entire life is going to change, from … Read more

One of the things you’ll hear often from people who have recovered from addiction is that, while they were still “using” they believed they were living their life to the fullest. Drugs and alcohol change the way our brain functions, leading us to perceive the world around us differently. For many people, just feeling something … Read more

Relapse is unfortunately common in recovery. However, the idea that relapse is “part of the process” is false. It is entirely possible for one to never have to experience relapse as a part of the journey to permanent sobriety. Relapse does not mean failure and is a common part of many individual’s recovery stories, but … Read more

Flakka, also known as alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone or desmethylpyrovalerone, is a synthetic cathinone. Synthetic cathinones, or “bath salts,” are human-made chemicals that are chemically similar to the khat plant, a shrub grown in East Africa and Arabia. People chew the leaves of the khat plant for its stimulating effect, but synthetic cathinones vary greatly from natural cathinones … Read more

The Twelve Step Recovery program extends beyond simply not using drugs or alcohol. It is a guide for living that delivers happiness, joyousness, and freedom to those who apply it to their lives. If we are to overcome our fears and live in a state of spiritual fitness, we must practice the principles of recovery … Read more

In early sobriety, even discussing drugs or tell “war stories” about using can cause cravings. We have a tendency to forget about all the pain and suffering of our addiction and remember only the good feelings associated with drug or alcohol use. Conversations about drug use and discussing the seemingly positive aspects of intoxication can … Read more

Molly, the street name for MDMA, has recently gained prominence in the media due its ability to treat certain mental health disorders such as PTSD. However, MDMA is still often taken recreationally with severe and sometimes lethal consequences. Both its clinical significance and its potential dangers are due to the powerful ways that MDMA affects … Read more

Salvia is a plant native to South and Central America used by the Mazatec Indians in traditional ceremonies. Its active ingredient—salvia divinorum—is among the most potent psychoactive drugs that occur naturally. The substance triggers dizziness, confusion, intense visions, and a sense of disconnection from reality. While the effects of this drug are usually short-lived, they … Read more

Seeking help for substance use or mental health challenges can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to balance everyday responsibilities like work, school, or family. For individuals who need structured support but don’t require 24-hour care, an IOP (intensive outpatient program) provides a path to sustained recovery. IOPs deliver flexible and effective treatment that fits into … Read more