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Friendships in Recovery | Celebrating National Friendship Day
The first Sunday in August is designated as National Friendship Day. This year, the day will be observed this coming Sunday, August 1. Celebrating National Friendship Day involves understanding the importance of a positive support network, including your friendships in recovery from addiction. Good friends can make a huge...
AA Sponsorship | What Do AA Sponsors Do?
While some organizations require you to have a sponsor to join, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) encourages sponsorship as a way to succeed in your recovery from alcohol addiction. It is not a requirement to have a sponsor to participate in AA meetings. AA sponsorship works in a way that is...
PTSD Awareness Day: Understanding PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can affect anyone who has been through a life threatening or emotionally disturbing experience. Part of the officially designated month for focusing on understanding PTSD, PTSD Awareness Day is June 27. Official Recognition PTSD Awareness Day came about as a result of a...
Men’s Health Month: Addiction and Mental Health
June is Men’s Health Month, with Men’s Health Week being celebrated from June 14 through June 20 this year. Although we usually think about physical health during this time, it’s important to focus on other areas as well. Addiction and mental health are also very important aspects of men’s...
Mental Health Awareness Month | Mental Illness and Addiction
Knowing that you are not alone can be a critical aspect of getting the help you need for mental illness or an addiction. During Mental Health Awareness Month, it is important to understand more about the connection between mental illness and addiction. For your mental and physical health, it...
Prescription Drug Disposal Locations in Austin, TX
When you have prescription drugs in your home that you no longer use or need, you may be wondering how to safely dispose of them. You don’t want others to get hold of the medications and misuse them. You also don’t want anyone else getting the information off the...
Recovering from COVID-19 and Addiction
A year after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, the end may be in sight. Vaccines have been proven effective against the virus and are becoming available to virtually every adult in the US. For people who continue to struggle with the challenges of recovering from COVID-19 and addiction, there...
Observing Alcohol Awareness Month in Recovery
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. When you’re in recovery from an addiction to alcohol, you probably are well aware of the problems it can cause you and your family. When observing Alcohol Awareness Month in recovery, you can help spread the word about alcohol’s impact on a person’s mental...
When Are AA Meetings Going to Be In-Person Again?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, go to school, and attend support group meetings. While restrictions were almost immediately put into place at the beginning of the pandemic that basically eliminated the opportunity to meet in person, some of those restrictions are beginning to ease. More...
Revolutionary Women in Addiction Treatment | Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the many accomplishments that women have made throughout the years. There have been a number of revolutionary women in addiction treatment, who have been instrumental in research as well as in bringing the facts of addiction to light. Three...
How to Stop Enabling Your Addicted Loved One
When your loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it is natural for you to want to help them. You see them struggling, often being challenged with even the simplest of everyday tasks. While helping may seem a positive thing for you to do, when the help crosses...
Sober February Events in Austin, Texas
It may be the middle of winter, but the weather continues to be delightful in Austin, Texas. With average temperatures in the mid-60s, it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy yourself. As you maintain your recovery, there are a number of sober February events in Austin, Texas,...
Sans Bar: Austin Sober Bar Helps People in Recovery to Connect
When you’re in recovery, you still want to have fun and enjoy social events. Of course, the pandemic has made that a little more challenging. Even during normal times, though, it can prove difficult to socialize with other people in a sober setting. Now there is an Austin sober...
Austin Sobering Center Serves as an Alternative to Jail
When someone in Austin is arrested for intoxication, they have typically been taken to jail. In 2018, a new center was established to help people sober up in a safe environment rather than having to spend the night in jail. Today, the Austin Sobering Center serves as an alternative...
The Dangers of Denial | When It’s Time to Seek Help
It’s easy to think that people who have a substance use disorder should just get help to overcome their addiction. When you are the one going through the addiction, however, it can be a struggle to even admit that you need that help. There are many physical and mental...
Virtual, Sober Holiday Events in Austin, Texas
Drive-thru and virtual activities are the safest way to celebrate the holidays this year. Holiday events in Austin include plenty of opportunities to see amazing holiday light displays, take in some of the classic holiday traditions, and even purchase locally made gifts while staying socially distanced. The range of...
National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week | Texas Resources
The week of November 15-22 has been designated as National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. Organizers plan this annual program for people to “come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness.” The number of people experiencing hunger and homelessness is increasing across...
Austin Addiction Treatment for Veterans | Military Treatment Centers
Veterans Day is observed on the 11th day of the 11th month, November 11, to commemorate the day that fighting ceased between the Allied nations and Germany at the end of World War I. Each year, we take the time to thank our veterans for their service and their...
Austin Wellness Resources for Early Recovery
Making the decision to seek help for an addiction to drugs or alcohol is an important first step toward recovery. When you want to stop using these substances, you need professional treatment to guide you through a safe detox process. However, stopping the use of drugs or alcohol is...
The Value of Naloxone Trainings | Narcan Trainings in Austin, TX
Knowing how to use a life-saving medication can make a significant difference when someone is showing signs of an opioid overdose. The value of naloxone trainings is seen in the results when the drug is properly administered. Proper training is needed, of course, to ensure that the naloxone, also...
Fall Austin Events | Fall Fun in Texas | National Recovery Month
September marks the beginning of fall, meaning cooler weather and fun events are here! September is also National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate your success in recovery. There are many ways to enjoy fall Austin events, while staying true to your sobriety. While some events and activities may...
Protecting Your Sobriety Over Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day was first celebrated in 1882 in New York City. In 1894, the first Monday in September was officially designated as a national holiday. The day is intended to be dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. More recently, the Labor Day weekend has meant...
Life After Addiction: What to Expect
Recovery from addiction is a lifelong process. You are finally free from the control that drugs or alcohol have had on your life, and now you must direct your energies toward your life after addiction. What to expect in that life depends on a number of steps you can...
Sober, Socially Distanced Activities in Austin
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering if you can still enjoy everything that Austin has to offer, especially when you are also in recovery. Austin, the Texas state capital, is full of fascinating sites and points of interest you can experience safely. So, there are plenty of...
How Long Does It Take to Go Through the 12 Steps of AA?
Twelve-step programs have helped alcoholics as well as people addicted to drugs overcome their addiction since the mid-1950s. Developed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) co-founder Bill Wilson, the 12 steps can lead you to a successful recovery from your addiction. The first question you may have, though, is how long...
Sober 4th of July Celebrations in Austin, Texas
Independence Day is usually a time of gathering with friends and family, watching fireworks, and having a fun celebration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, things have changed just a bit. You can still find lots of ways to celebrate and have fun, of course. There are also a lot of...
Life Skills for Young Adults in Addiction Recovery
Young adulthood is typically a time to learn essential life skills such as how to handle finances and manage a job search. When the young adult is focused almost entirely on where and how to get the next supply of drugs or alcohol, though, those life skills become a...
Process Addictions Explained | Introduction to Behavioral Addictions
When you think of addiction, the first thing you probably think of is an addiction to substances such as drugs or alcohol. There are other kinds of addiction that can be equally challenging and devastating. For example, a process addiction is an addiction to a particular type of behavior....
Tips to Improve Your Mental Health During Self-Quarantine
After several months of staying home, social distancing, and avoiding contact with others, you are probably a little frustrated and anxious. Your feelings are totally understandable, under the circumstances. Many people are experiencing these same challenges. As we wrap up Mental Health Month, let’s take a look at some...
Observing Mental Health Month: Austin Resources for Mental Health Care
Mental Health Month has landed, appropriately, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. More people are experiencing stress, anxiety, and other daily challenges to their mental health while obeying orders to stay at home and maintain social distances from other people. Many businesses continue to be closed, as Austin’s...
Coronavirus: How to Prepare, Not Panic, During an Outbreak
The coronavirus pandemic has everyone naturally concerned about their health and safety. Different people, of course, react differently to the virus, its effects, and the new restrictions under which they are living now. In the time of an outbreak or any crisis, it is always better to prepare than...
COVID-19 Resources for People in Addiction Recovery
Addiction recovery must continue to be a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it may be challenging to access treatment in person, there are other options available for you. It will help you to learn more about COVID-19 resources for people in addiction recovery, so you’ll be able to...
Spotlight: Clean and Sober World Series
“It’s possible to have fun while staying clean and sober.” That is the message conveyed by the directors of the Clean and Sober National Softball Association (CSNSA) as they encourage ball players to enjoy the game and the competition without drugs or alcohol. CSNSA events and the culminating Clean...
The Daring Way | Brené Brown | Austin Area Workshops
There are many innovative and effective approaches to addiction and recovery in the Austin area. Addiction treatment often focuses on vulnerability, being open to emotions and honesty. In addiction, people tend to be more closed off and secretive. It is important for the person addicted to drugs or alcohol...
The History of the 12 Steps
An affluent man from Rhode Island, a religious movement called the Oxford Group, a New York stockbroker, an Akron surgeon, and Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung all had a hand in the development of the fellowship now known as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Today the organization estimates its membership at over...
Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Program
Acknowledging that you need an addiction treatment program is a great first step. For the next step, knowing what to look for in a program can make a significant difference in the success of your recovery. If you are not able to attend sessions because of the location or...
New to Sobriety? A Beginner’s Guide to Staying Strong in Recovery
Recovering from an addiction can be scary. You are entering a new phase in your life, one in which you cannot depend on drugs or alcohol to numb pain or to give you energy to get through your day. The beginning of sobriety is also a very rewarding phase...
Nutrition and Addiction | How Your Diet Affects Your Recovery
Addiction can affect physical health in many ways. Not eating well, eating too much, and metabolic disruptions can affect your nutrition when you are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Likewise, your diet affects your recovery efforts in a positive way by contributing to your physical and mental recovery. Challenges in...
How to Prevent Holiday Relapses
No one is immune to the stresses of the holidays. When you’re doing your best to maintain your sobriety, you’ll be facing additional challenges during this typically jolly time of year. If you’re wondering how to prevent holiday relapses, then congratulations: you’re already planning to avoid with potential setbacks,...
8 Tips for Helping Your Loved One Stay Sober
Everyone wants the best for their loved ones. When the people we care about struggle, it’s in our nature to want to help. If you’re concerned about helping your loved one stay sober, then there are a few ways you can assist them in their journey while also being...
How to Recognize Binge Drinking
One out of every six American adults binge drinks at least four times a month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call binge drinking the most common, costly and deadly pattern of excessive alcohol use in the U.S. Many mistakenly assume that binge drinking is a more innocent form...
When High-Functioning Alcoholics Hit Their Tipping Point
Nearly 20 percent of alcoholics are “highly functional.” That means they have good jobs, a large circle of friends and, in some cases, an overall fulfilling life. Because a high-functioning alcoholic might feel as though drinking isn’t affecting their life, they often deny that they have a problem. However, excessive...
October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
Most people who have a substance use disorder started using drugs or alcohol before age 18. Preventing drug and alcohol use by young people could greatly decrease their chances of suffering from addiction. October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, and it is a valuable opportunity to start the...
8 Signs Your Loved One Has Relapsed
Many people mistakenly think of a relapse as a singular occurrence. They might assume it happens when someone in recovery randomly experiences a craving that leads to substance or alcohol use. Relapses are rarely this simple. A relapse can unfold over varying lengths of time. A person in recovery might...
In Addiction and Recovery, You Are Never Alone
The need to connect with others is hard-wired into all of us. People need relationships to feel complete and, when they feel deprived of them, they suffer dearly. Isolation and loneliness are leading causes of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Substances place a barrier between us and our loved...
The Role that Sponsors Play in 12-Step Programs
A 12-step program offers vital tools to help people begin the journey of recovery. People with substance use disorders have relied on these programs since the 1930s, and their staying power is a testament to their effectiveness. 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are effective for several reasons, one of...
Caution: Holiday Madness Ahead
Holidays can be huge triggers for recovering alcoholics and addicts, regardless of how many years you have been sober. Family dynamics alone can be enough to “drive one to drink” but add all the festive trimmings and you potentially have a recipe for disaster. Recovery is much more than...
What’s New on SoberAustin? Opioid Recovery Page
November 2, 2018- Austin, Texas- An Opioid Recovery page has been added under the Recovery tab including a brief description, links for local treatment and recovery providers, support organizations, and a 12-page guide for parents and families.
It’s Sober Austin’s 10 Year Anniversary !
In 2007, I launched SoberAustin.com with the goal of providing a comprehensive website for the Austin community on the prevention, treatment and ongoing recovery from the disease of alcoholism, drug addiction and related mental health issues.
