Recovering from addiction, whether it was alcohol, drugs, or something else, can feel isolating. Maybe you did the 12-step program or received inpatient treatment, but you’re wondering what’s next. These addiction recovery blogs have personal stories, professional advice, and online communities that can help you find the next step in your recovery.
1. Addiction Center Blog
The Addiction Center is an informational web guide on all things addiction, from alcohol to drugs and more. Their content is curated by a team of researchers and journalists to provide accurate and necessary information on how to deal with a loved one’s addiction, whether you might be addicted to something, and how to navigate to the next steps.
Their recent blog on the rise of alcohol sales during the pandemic is a stark reminder of how stress can lead to alcohol abuse. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 13% of Americans used alcohol or drugs to deal with pandemic-related stressors,” Suzette Gomez writes. “Those under lockdown or quarantine increased their heavy alcohol use from 21.0% (in March) to 40.7% (in September). The surge in alcohol use has the scientific and health community highly concerned.”
2. Sobercity
Community is key when it comes to recovery, and that’s exactly what Sobercity is. Perfect for those in recovery or sober-curious, this network connects readers with others online to create a community of healing and connection when sobriety can feel particularly isolating.
Start with their blog on the importance of mental health during sobriety. “Taking care of your mental health is a multidisciplinary mindset,” they write. “First, it’s a continuous way of being- you don’t just reach this pivotal destination of ‘optimal well-being.’ Instead, just like you choose to make positive decisions for your physical health each day, the same philosophy applies to your mental health.”
3. Practical Recovery Blog
Practical Recovery is an addiction resource and treatment center that relies heavily on self-empowerment and personalized care to meet the needs of their clients. Most of their blog is written by Tom Horvath, Ph.D., who writes frequently on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT focuses on giving a patient distress tolerance techniques, which can affect how a patient responds to stress, and in turn, how they may deal with addiction.
His piece on radical acceptance illuminates this further: “Life is worth living even if it can be painful. DBT distress tolerance skills are designed to help us get through a crisis, but these tools benefit from practice in advance. These skills can help us accept the discomfort or pain that occurs in a crisis while preventing that discomfort or pain from rising to the level of suffering.”
4. American Addiction Centers
This rehab network spans the country and is made up of physicians, registered nurses, licensed marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Whether you’re looking for a treatment option near you or want to learn more information before diving in, the blog is a good place to start, as their piece on how to reduce stress drinking (a common theme in light of COVID-19):
“There’s no doubt about it — the pandemic has caused havoc in our lives… People are contending with these matters the best they can, often keeping feelings suppressed and to themselves. This is “quiet stress” and, as American Addiction Centers (AAC) points out, “it can contribute to a range of different illnesses, such as addiction, lowered immunity and heart disease.’”
5. Sober Mommies
This mommy blog is a little different – founder Julie Maida is writing on recovery and mental health, all while creating a safe, supportive space for women to explore sober motherhood on their terms. Guest writers share personal stories like picking up good dental hygiene again after recovering from alcoholism, tips for a sober summer, and more.
6. Last Call
Nancy Carr started blogging after years of alcohol and drug abuse led her to two DUIs. Now she writes books and blogs about her experiences, like this reflection on 17 years of sobriety.
“I like to think of the Winston Churchill quote, “If you are going through hell, keep going!” That became my mantra, along with the Glennon Doyle one, “We can do hard things.” And time – doesn’t time heal us? It has. But so has the work,” she writes.
7. Cathy Taughinbaugh
Taughinbaugh is a coach who specializes in helping parents whose children are suffering from addiction. Her approach isn’t just for the children; it’s for the whole family. “My mission is to give you the clarity, courage, and tools you need to stop all the chaos and start helping your child find recovery,” she writes. Blog topics include what it means to “detach with love,” engaging with a disconnected teen, and more.
8. Understanding Addiction
Neuroscientist Marc Lewis, Ph.D., dives into a better understanding of addiction through his work and his blog. His piece on shame and addiction shows how understanding how the brain works gives us a better understanding of what is going on in a person’s brain. “
The addict’s shame is so wounding because of lost connections with caring, loving others. So what’s left? How can we be soothed? IFS [Internal Family System] is all about establishing and reinforcing connections within us. The theory points to a calm, empathic center in each of us.”
9. It’s a Lush Life
Allison Hudson, recovering alcoholic, argues that sober is the new black. She began writing after losing her brother to a drug overdose and checked herself into a treatment center weeks later. Now, 7 years sober, she’s blogging on recovery, loved ones, and pushing forward.
“I remember that day—this day 7 years ago, she writes in 2019. “I remember it like it was yesterday. It was my first sober day in years. I was hungover and miserable but I had this tiny ounce of hope that maybe my life could be different.”
10. She Recovers
The She Recovers Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects women in recovery to empower them and find healing from substance abuse. They have online events, coaching, resources, even yoga classes, but we appreciate their blog too. This piece on the importance of LGBTQIA+-friendly recovery is especially important.
“As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I can speak to how the intersection of my own identities has influenced my quality of life, my multidimensional experiences, my navigation of my mental and physical health, and my relationship to substance use disorders,” contributor Elizabeth A. Stanard writes.
11. Fit Recovery
Jim found recovery from alcoholism by staying fit – and with the help of many, many sober friends. “Originally I hadn’t planned on concentrating so much on the recovery part of my life as the fitness but the two have ended up converging and it has turned out that the fitness helps with the recovery a lot more than I initially thought,” he writes. Now, he bikes, hikes, swims and does other physical activities as a recovering alcoholic.
While he actively blogs about cycling events in his area and upcoming events he’s training for, his Alcoholic Recovery page is a great place to start for those wanting to learn more about the intersection between fitness and recovery.
12. UnPickled
Jean’s blog is a play on the concept of pickling; once you pickle something, you can’t change it back. Once you’re an alcoholic, you never stop being one. “On my first day of sobriety, I chose the name “UnPickled” for this blog to indicate that I was changed in a way that couldn’t be entirely undone,” she writes.
Jean blogged her sobriety in real-time, starting with her first day. “I haven’t gone four days without a drink in over ten years. Stay tuned. This should be interesting.” If you’re looking to feel a little less alone on your recovery, UnPickled is a good place to start.
13. Growing Up Chaotic
This one is for those who grew up in chaotic homes – ones riddled with alcohol abuse, drug addictions, or violence. Dawn Clancy grew up in all of this, vowing to break free from her traumatic childhood and find healing.
She blogged about her experiences to create a place for others to talk about them as well. While it seems the blog hasn’t been updated in some time, there’s still plenty of good reads, like this post about how you can always recover or this one on breaking the cycle of dysfunction.
14. Sober Courage
Sober Courage is written by Magz Kunicki, who struggled to “drink like a normal person.” “I have never imagined that I would develop an addiction to alcohol; it definitely was not my childhood dream! And it was quite devastating to realize that no matter what I tried, I could not control my drinking. Once I put alcohol in my body, I never knew what would actually happen,’ she writes.
Now she uses her platform to destigmatize recovery and let anyone who comes on to her blog know just how brave they are to start their recovery.
15. A Hangover-Free Life
This blog and resource guide is a compassionate companion to all stages of recovery, whether you’re considering quitting or need help remaining alcohol-free. There’s plenty to dive into here, but we like this post on drinking guilt and shame.
“What I didn’t fully choose was the addiction created by the substance to go on drinking to the point of total blackout guilt-making antics, and no memories to attach the guilt to therefore leaving me with an overwhelming sense of shame. And then I would drink to forget the shame compounding the problem. Shame, drink, shame, lather, rinse, repeat.”
When to See a Therapist
Recovery looks different for everyone, and you may need a therapist or counselor at different stages in your journey. A trained therapist can help you make sense of your emotions and encourage your recovery with healthy coping mechanisms. Find a therapist in your area today.
