Relapse is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign you’re human and a work in progress. Sometimes, life throws unexpected curveballs at you when you’re trying to keep it together. Whether you’re fresh out of rehab or you’ve been rockin’ your recovery for years, relapse prevention is an ongoing, never-quite-complete mission—like laundry or waiting for the next season of your favorite show. I’m looking at you, RHOSLC!

But don’t panic! Just because relapse is common doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. With practical strategies and a solid support system, you can learn to recognize the red flags, handle setbacks like a pro, and keep moving forward.

Let’s continue to talk about triggers. No, not the kind that set off alarm bells—though some days, urges and stress can feel just as explosive. I mean the sneaky dudes that can send you down a rabbit hole of old habits. (Here are the first , second, third and fourth posts in my series about triggers.)  

The good news? You’ve got a secret weapon in your arsenal: self-care. I mean the real, nitty-gritty self-care that helps keep your mind and body in check, so you can stay ahead of your triggers instead of scrambling after they hit.

Addiction—whether it involves substances, behaviors, or habits—can feel like an uphill battle. The urges, the triggers, the relentless pull to give in... it’s overwhelming, like trying to diet while trapped in a bakery. But understanding the mechanics of addiction, specifically recognizing and managing urges, can empower you on the road to recovery. Let’s break it down and explore practical ways to address these challenges. As always, with a touch of humor.

Welcome back my Superstars! Have you ever been blindsided by a trigger? One moment you’re fine, and the next, you’re spiraling into a sea of emotions. I’ve been there, and today I’m sharing how to stay grounded when those moments hit.

I’m continuing with the trigger series with my third installment on triggers. (Here are the first and second posts).

Happy holidays, Superstars! Today, I’m sharing the companion workbook to last week’s blog post about emotional and outside triggers in addiction recovery. My apologies for not posting sooner. It took longer to create than I anticipated. I hope you find it helpful.

On a side note, I’m spending time with family over the next few weeks. I have podcasts scheduled through New Year’s Eve but may not have time for further blog posts or podcasts until mid-January. I’ll continue the series upon my return. I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season and stays safe!

Hello, my Superstars! Today, I’m doing the second installment of my series on triggers. We’ll focus on emotional and outside triggers in addiction recovery. Knowing and understanding our triggers can help us maintain our sobriety and develop successful coping strategies. I’ll also include an in-depth workbook on Monday to help you identify and manage your emotional and outside triggers. You can find part one here.

When you’re in the recovery and healing world, you’re going to hear the word “trigger” all the time. Unfortunately, it’s one of those words that’s also become overused on social media. That doesn’t mean it’s lost validity in our space, though. In fact, identifying our triggers is a crucial part of our recovery and healing process. I understand how overwhelming this can feel, so be gentle with yourself as you’re learning about and understanding your triggers. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be doing a series on triggers. This is part one.

The holidays are right around the corner—like days away. For some of us, holidays are a great opportunity to connect with loved ones, whether family, friends, or both. For others, it means navigating being around people and situations that trigger us. We need to learn ways to handle those triggers so we don't have anxiety that may lead us to a setback in our recovery or healing.