Cali Sober: What Does It Mean & How Does It Impact Your Recovery
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
You may have seen singer Demi Lovato in the headlines recently after an interview with CBS Sunday Morning. In this interview Demi Lovato candidly referred to herself as “California sober.” This has caused quite the stir within recovery communities, with some going as far as invalidating her recovery and claiming that she is threatening the lives of others.  So, what is “Cali sober” and why is the recovery community getting so fired up about it? Demi Lovato: What Does California Sober Mean? In this recent interview, Lovato reflected on her recovery and her near fatal overdose ..read more
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Mental Health and Recovery Resources for BIPOC
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
Some mental health disorders disproportionately impact people of color, especially among substance use disorders. Despite these disparities, mental health resources are not always centered towards people of color and their needs. In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting specific Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) resources that provide mental health support, as well as calling attention to some of the healthcare disparities that people of color face. What is Black History Month? Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is held every ..read more
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Everything You Need to Know About Habit Change in Recovery
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
Article for Tempest, published January 13, 2021 No, it’s not just you: Many of us are breathing a huge sigh of relief that the dumpster fire of 2020 is finally in the rearview mirror (even though 2021 isn’t off to a great start). But as with any new year, while we’re currently caught up in the promise of a fresh start and setting our resolutions, we need to set realistic expectations for ourselves.  One common resolution is improving one’s health — whether that’s losing weight, getting fit, committing to a Dry January, or the seemingly simple act of trying to make or break a habit ..read more
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The Best Online Recovery Meetings To Keep You Sober At Home
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
When we are thinking of recovery meetings, we often conjure up an image of a church basement, a circle of chairs, pots of strong black coffee, and welcoming faces. But that image doesn’t necessarily depict the vast array of recovery resources that are available today. In recent years we’ve seen a far-reaching expansion of recovery pathways and supports, all geared toward making recovery more accessible. Whether you want to attend a meeting in person, get support from online communities, or attend meetings virtually, there is an option to suit your needs. We see this in the huge expansion of r ..read more
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How Substance Use Disorder Masked My Complex PTSD
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
When I finally arrived in recovery, at 32 years old, I quickly discovered that the depression I’d had for years didn’t go away when I stopped drinking. The relief I felt was only temporary. I couldn’t understand why, unlike my peers, I was so exhausted in recovery — why I couldn’t settle, and why I felt like I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions almost every day.  It turned out that my substance use disorder had been masking an underlying condition: Complex trauma.  I attended AA for five years. I did all of the things suggested: I got a sponsor, I worked t ..read more
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What Do I Do if I Want to Leave AA?
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
I left AA when I reached five years sober. It didn’t make sense to me to stay, given the other expansive changes I had made in my life. I had just recently relocated to the U.S. to pursue a writing career. While leaving AA wasn’t the easiest decision I’ve made for my recovery, it was certainly the best.  What made leaving so difficult is that the act itself challenged the belief system I had built my recovery on, and I was terrified of what that meant for my recovery and my friendships. Three and a half years later, however, I’ve never felt more empowered and secure i ..read more
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Recovery is Not Synonymous with AA
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
As National Recovery Month comes to a close, there is no better time to challenge a long-held and systemic belief about recovery: that recovery is synonymous with AA. Yet, the ideological lens through which we, as a society and institutionally, view recovery — our medical profession, judicial system, and medical boards — is that the doctrine of AA is the only solution to substance use disorders. However, it is an option that doesn’t meet the needs of those disproportionately affected by substance use disorders. Our drug courts direct people to a 12-step program as an ..read more
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How Recovery Can Help You Find Your Purpose in Life
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
While the initial goal of sobriety is to stop a destructive relationship with alcohol, the effects are far more wide-ranging. Recovery causes a cascade of improvements to life: Your physical health improves, you’ll enhance your mental health, you learn how to have healthy relationships and maintain boundaries, you expand your coping strategies, and your life (and job) prospects will improve. The effects can be pretty profound.  But it doesn’t happen all at once. Recovery takes time. You don’t suddenly wake up and discover what you were destined to do now that you’ve stopped drinking ..read more
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Why Do People in Recovery Struggle to Have Fun?
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
Getting sober is the single best decision many of us in recovery have made. However, removing a destructive coping mechanism turns your whole world upside down. You’re left sifting through the remnants of your life: Taking stock and figuring out what to keep, what to work on, and how to live a life without having to numb your emotions every day.  What used to bring you joy or excitement might no longer be available for you. You have to learn how to live life — and have fun — without substances and in many cases, without the same people that you used to surround yourself with and places y ..read more
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I Outgrew AA and Still Stayed Sober — It’s More Common Than You Think
Liv's Recovery Kitchen
by Olivia Pennelle
2y ago
Recovery is not synonymous with Alcoholics Anonymous. While it is one of the most widely accessible and free pathways of recovery — and most commonly known by people who are not part of the recovery community — it is not representative of the entire recovery landscape. Several recovery paths exist. These may include holistic pathways, clinical interventions, or support groups alternative to AA. Some individuals have no formal recovery support at all and still successfully resolve an alcohol or drug problem. In fact, a leading study showed that just over half of those who recove ..read more
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