Category: Life Skills

  • Sober in AA on the Camino de Santiago

    Sober in AA on the Camino de Santiago

    I was just three years sober when I thought it was a great idea to take a month and walk the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain; more specifically the French Way Camino.  I have no idea why, but it never occurred to me that I would be going for a month without going to an…

  • Can Mindfulness Training Help to Treat Alcoholism

    If there’s a bigger challenge than making a person quit drinking, then it’s certainly preventing a relapse. The data from the 80s used to show a grim image: the early studies of generic inpatient programs found that 80 to 90% of alcoholics relapsed in the first year after treatment when relapse was defined as a…

  • Is Fear the Root of Addiction and Alcoholism?

    Is Fear the Root of Addiction and Alcoholism?

    One big-boned, but faint-hearted boy’s existence was riddled with fear and worry, as he was often bullied by other boys. All until this idea occurred to his best friend – if the boy drank some of the magic potion that made the adults in their village invincible, that might give him the courage to fight…

  • Is Practice the Answer to all Confidence Issues?

    Is Practice the Answer to all Confidence Issues?

    I am currently reading Pure Sport: Practical Sport Psychology. The chapter that I am currently reading and was looking forward to is on relaxation – because I am so relaxed… (How many do you know in AA who are?) In the middle of the chapter the authors cover dealing with the lack of confidence in…

  • The Psychology of Addiction and Recovery

    The Psychology of Addiction and Recovery

    Addiction is more complex than people think. Any psychologist, like FPS, will tell you that there are physical and psychological components of addiction. It is important to focus on both components of addiction when it comes to overcoming addiction. A lot of people just look at the physical, and not the psychological. The psychological component…