Stress does not always end when the stressful situation is over. Explore what it means to complete the stress cycle, why the body can stay activated, and practical ways to support recovery through movement, breathing, connection, grounding and gentle end-of-day transitions.

“Take a deep breath.” It is usually offered with the best intentions. Sometimes it helps enormously. At other times, you are sitting there with your chest tight, your thoughts racing and somebody encouraging you to breathe while you wonder whether they have noticed that breathing is already part of the problem. Perhaps you have tried meditation and spent the entire time wanting to leave the room. Perhaps counting things you can see feels useful on one day and irritating on an

There are moments in recovery when our reactions seem to arrive before we have had a chance to think. Somebody’s tone changes and we immediately become defensive. A difficult conversation leaves us wanting to escape. We agree to something we do not want because disappointing another person feels unbearable. We receive an upsetting message and suddenly find ourselves unable to move, speak or decide what to do next. Later, when the intensity has passed, we may look back and won

When emotions, cravings or triggers feel overwhelming, the urge to react can seem immediate. Explore practical DBT-informed skills that can help you pause, regulate, check the facts and choose a response that supports your recovery, wellbeing and the life you are building.

Your body often knows you’re struggling before your mind has found the words. Explore how stress, emotional overload and recovery challenges can appear as physical signals, and learn to respond with curiosity, compassion and practical care.

Triggers matter in recovery, but they are only part of the picture. This post explores the connection between triggers and relapse risk, and how recognising when you are under-resourced can help you respond with greater awareness, choice and support.

Cravings can feel urgent, convincing and overwhelming — but they are not commands. Learn how mindfulness, curiosity and practical recovery tools can help you understand what a craving is telling you and create more space between urge and action.

Managing triggers in recovery can be challenging! Learning to effectively manager triggers is an important part of sustainable recovery...

"I'm not afraid of dying; I just don't want to be there when it happens," is a Woody Allen quote I recall hearing someone use in a matric...

Sobriety and recovery are not the same thing. Clean time and wellness are different. Being clean and sober doesn't necessarily equate to...

I am committed to my work as a coach; supporting my clients in their recoveries from substance use and addiction disorders. I strive to...

Are you out there doing your own personal work? Or sitting on the sidelines running commentary while others show up and do theirs?

There seems to be an idea that 13 is an unlucky number and even after reading the history.com article "What's So Unlucky About the Number 13?" I am not really 100% sure why. But we all have our things, and I for one, have plenty of them. But that's a story for another day. For me the 01-01-2021 marked 13 years of sobriety and abstinence from the recreational use of habit-forming substances. What that means is that I don't drink and I don't use drugs for fun anymore. But unlik

...And it's also been a very challenging year for anyway courageous enough to be starting their recovery process.