An AA sponsor is someone who takes you through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Ideally, they follow the steps as outlined in the Big Book. Here’s what an AA sponsor does, why you need one, and what to stay on guard for. What an AA Sponsor Does While a sponsor’s primary job is to take you through the 12 steps, there are other things…
Is Xanax an opioid? The short answer is no — Xanax is not an opioid; Xanax / Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine. What’s the difference? Benzodiazepines (Like Xanax) vs. Opioids Benzos and opioids / opiates are two very different classes of drugs that affect your mind and body in different ways. What Benzodiazepines Are Like Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a class of drugs that include Xanax, Valium,…
In AA Step 12 says, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” When we think of step 12 in AA, we often think of the first part of the step — service, carrying the message, helping other alcoholics, sponsorship — but there’s much more to it…
Step 11 in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is about much more than a single prayer, though the 11th step prayers are pretty solid. The 11th step in AA says, “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” If you’ve already learned how…
Is Kratom addictive? In my experience, it is. Here’s everything you need to know about Kratom addiction. What Is Kratom? Kratom is “Mitragyna Speciosa,” an addictive plant from Southeast Asia. The leaves on the plant contain chemicals that produce mind-altering effects similar to opioids. The leaves of this plant are dried then ground down into a green powder commercialized as Kratom. Kratom is legal to…
If you’re wondering how to stop bad habits and addictions, I’m here to help. When it comes to overcoming drug addiction, eating disorder, alcohol addiction, or any other addiction or bad habit, there are many things to consider. What are habitual addictions? We often don’t think about the way we do drugs—or any addiction—and how we create a ritual or routine to go along with…
A methadone clinic is a place where you can get methadone at a low cost, with the goal of controlling your opiate addiction (usually to keep you off of heroin, OxyContin, or hydrocodone). The truth about methadone clinics is that they’re far worse than they seem to be. What Is Methadone? Methadone is an opioid; however, it works a bit differently than heroin and narcotic…
Is Tramadol addictive? This is the million dollar question. Anyone who’s used narcotics recreationally will tell you flat out, “Yes, Tramadol is addictive.” However, the medical profession and people who’ve never abused drugs have varying opinions on the subject. And that’s just it—they have opinions, not experience. Tramadol may be seen as having a lesser potential for dependence than oxycodone simply because it’s a schedule…
If you’ve read my meth addiction story, then you’ll know I’m especially qualified to talk about the subject of withdrawal symptoms from meth. Withdrawal from meth? That’s right! For many years I was under the impression that the worse substances to withdraw from were alcohol, benzos, and opiates. I mean what could be worse than going through withdrawal from a 2-year, everyday heroin addiction? Nothing……
In AA step 10 is the beginning of the “maintenance” steps. In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, step 10 reads: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” Step 10 should begin while we’re working through our amends in step 9. You don’t have to wait until you’ve completed all your amends to begin step 10. In fact, it…