Codependency in active addiction is the mortal enemy of recovery. Reliance on others for your self-worth, financial security, and mental health is a recipe for disaster, especially when substance abuse becomes part of the equation. Codependency leaves us vulnerable to malicious and manipulative people who seek to take advantage of...

It’s noble to want, in your own pursuit of, to turn back and offer your hand in support to others on the same path. Many people who have committed to a life free from illicit substances wish to spread that enlightening and powerful experience with others. Becoming a recovery sponsor...

There’s no more important component to success in long-term recovery than personal accountability. Blame shifting and finger pointing only inhibits growth and stalls your journey, increasing your risk of relapse. Too often we stand in our own way, falsely believing we are powerless to change our situations or improve our...

Having support through your recovery journey is important. Unfortunately not everyone has a strong family or friend network to fall back on to provide that support. Thankfully there are some places within the recovery community where you can always find acceptance, love, and encouragement- even if you can’t physically reach...

Being on the other side of addiction and in recovery is a powerful and inspiring experience. When your eyes are truly opened to how dedication and commitment can change your life, wanting others to experience it as well is only natural. But what happens when they refuse? People are often...

You often hear that recovery is a road you have to walk alone, but that’s not strictly true. Yes, you and only you can put in the work to get you to your recovery goals, but the company you keep along the way is important. We’ve already talked about toxic...

As the moderator of many of Harbor Village’s social media, I often find myself fielding through a slew of comments and messages in which we are accused of a great many things. Usually those accusations include things like just wanting to fill beds for insurance money, taking payouts from pharmacies,...

The end of another week is here! Hopefully it was a good, productive week both in your recovery and in other facets of your life. If it wasn’t, and you found yourself struggling to stay committed to sobriety this week that’s okay, too- we all have difficult days. Just because...

If you were asked ‘what are you grateful for today?’ what would your answer be? Something generic that you didn’t put any thought into, most likely. While, yes, waking up each morning is always something to be grateful for- as are your family members and friends. But putting real thought...

I was about 8 or 9 years old when I first realized the man who stood at the end of my street was a drug dealer. I remember being warned to stay away from him and never, ever talk to him. Throughout my childhood I’d seen the many ways drug...