It’s no secret that recovering from addiction is a process, and some of the world’s most popular celebrities have also struggled with substance abuse. Here are a few recovery quotes to serve as motivation: 1)  “I wouldn’t have been able to have access to myself or other people, or even been able to take in other people if I hadn’t changed my life … I never would have been able to take care of my father the way I did when he was sick.”— Bradley Cooper A renowned American actor and filmmaker, Bradley Cooper has been sober for more than 15 years and has helped many prominent celebrities in t ..read more

If you’ve recently transitioned into a sober lifestyle, the holiday season can bring upon certain anxieties. It is normal to feel nervous or pressured when around substances, but it is important to remember to say strong and know that there are people and resources around who can help you. Below are a few different ways to help you in your road to recovery. Plan ahead of the day If you know a big holiday party is coming up, make sure to plan in advance how you will attend. Potential options include being the sober driver, bringing a sober companion, paying close attention to relapse triggers ..read more

After undergoing intensive treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, sometimes long term support isn’t available. When individuals in recovery have an abrupt transition from rehab into day-to-day life, they experience new hurdles managing their sobriety alone. Long term support with recovery could come in aftercare, follow-ups, alumni services, or continued therapy. Sober living homes are a positive environment that offers peer support and can act as the “gap” between inpatient care and life at home. With the structure that sober living communities provide in combination with their built-in su ..read more

Navigating the world of dating is tough. From mixed signals to heartbreak, there’s a lot to consider before jumping into the pool of potential suitors. For those recovering from addiction, the process of dating can be even more complicated due to worries surrounding temptation and relapse. If you’re practicing sober living and interested in dating again, don’t stress too much. Dating while staying sober is entirely possible. Just make sure to keep a few essential things in mind. Put Your Sobriety First As a general rule of thumb, most experts agree that those who are in the process of recoveri ..read more

Recovering from addiction is never easy. It’s an ongoing process that requires a level of introspection that can stir up uncomfortable emotions. One of the most powerful emotions those recovering from addiction may suffer from is that of shame. Addiction & The Source of Shame Several things can cause feelings of shame. Perhaps you’re feeling shameful about things done while grappling with addiction. Or maybe the shame you’re feeling stems from the events that led to your addiction in the first place. Whatever the cause, overcoming shame is necessary to ensure a successful and sustained rec ..read more

This is a completely unprecedented time in history. COVID-19 has shifted our way of life and challenged our own fragility. As the world migrated inside in order to shield themselves from the virus, it presented many untold consequences and challenges. Namely, sobriety. With isolation, depression, and loneliness seeping in as quarantine carries on, the more likely addiction relapse is to occur.  Maintaining sobriety is difficult, to begin with. Introducing other problematic elements such as isolation makes temptation inevitable. Nevertheless, there are ways to combat these relapse triggers ..read more

Recognizing the warning signs of addiction isn’t as easy as you might think. When it comes to loved loves, we like to think a change in behavior and appearance would never go unnoticed, but that’s not always the case. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the initial signs of addiction often go unnoticed more times than not. Knowing the warning signs in advance is critical to avoid missing the initial indicators of addiction. Stairway to Freedom, a network of sober living housing in Chicago, has put together a list of some general signs of addiction as well as a few substance related ad ..read more

Recovering addiction patients just want to return to normal, but they often feel like friends and family are walking on eggshells creating an environment with added stress and anxiety. Intentions are usually in the right place, but often develop an uncomfortable environment for recovering addicts. Stairway to Freedom, a sober living community in Chicago, knows you just want to help, so here are tools from professionals and advice on how to help a recovering family or friend. Educate Yourself on the Recovery Process Coming into a situation educated and prepared is the best thing you can do for ..read more

You’ve taken the first giant step and completed rehab to get your life back on track, but now that it’s back to the real world what do you do now? To succeed with a clean life after rehab, it’s important to get back into a normal routine. Gaining a sense of normalcy all starts with finding a new job and while that might sound like an impossible task, there are plenty of job opportunities for recovering addicts. Get your job search started on the right foot with these steps for finding employment after rehab. Continue reading below…   Utilize Your Resources You are not alone in finding em ..read more

While many look forward to holiday parties and end of the year celebrations, this time of year can be extremely stressful if you’re a recovering alcoholic. It can be difficult to integrate back into social events and holidays amplify your challenge to stay sober with open bars and alcohol everywhere you look. You know that staying sober takes effort, patience, and skills to combat difficult situations. So preparation is going to be key as you embark on this holiday season. These tips can help you avoid relapse and come out on the other side even stronger. Should You Go? Initially, recovering a ..read more