Articles
How Alcohol Affects Mental Health
If you have been experiencing changes to your mental health following periods of drinking, it’s important to understand how alcohol affects mental health and the impact it can have on your well-being. Drinking moderate amounts regularly or drinking excessively at any...
Is Nitrous Oxide Dangerous?
The rising use of nitrous oxide as a party drug while also being commonly administered by dental and medical professionals may lead some people to consider it harmless. If used for recreational purposes, it can pose serious threats to your health and well-being. Let’s...
Meth Effects on Your Body and Brain
Meth is a powerful stimulant drug that can have devastating effects on the body and brain when abused. The short-term and long-term meth effects on the body and brain are severe and can lead to life-threatening consequences. In this article, we'll explain the dangers...
Growing Through Steps 10, 11 & 12
By: Jerry Green | Recovery Services Manager I have heard Steps 10 and 11 referred to as the maintenance steps. For me, they are growth steps. As I begin to live in Steps 10, 11, and 12, my relationship with my Higher Power starts to strengthen. The daily rituals come...
Five Healthy Ways to Deal with Anger
Anger is a normal human emotion, but it can be destructive if it's not managed in a healthy way. If you struggle to control your anger, know you're not alone. There are some effective techniques you can use to help you calm down and constructively deal with anger....
Benzodiazepine Risks and Side Effects
Benzodiazepines might be prescribed by your doctor but they don't come without risks or side effects. Untreated benzodiazepine misuse can affect every aspect of a man’s life: career, physical health, mental health, relationships, and sex life. If you’re using a form...
Acting
Jerry Green | Recovery Services Manager Acting my way into a conscious awareness of the presence of my Creator seemed to me, at first, to be not only hypocritical but also just about the stupidest thing I had ever heard. But I had no choice. I was beaten down by...
What is Dry January?
Dry January is an annual challenge that takes place in the month of January when people choose to avoid alcohol after a long holiday season of drinking. It may be part of a New Year’s resolution or some other commitment to living a healthier life. While starting...
Is Marijuana Harmful to Your Health?
If you use marijuana, you may think it's generally safe or that frequent use is not harmful. Unfortunately, there are risks involved with cannabis consumption that most people may not be unaware of. In this article, we take a look at marijuana use and how it may...
Humility vs. Humiliation
Jerry Green | Recovery Services Manager I pray that each of us finds Humility but that none of us are humiliated. The difference, of course, is that humiliation is created by humans to raise their own egos. True Humility comes from understanding that without...
Give Yourself the Gift of a Sober Holiday
A first sober holiday can feel daunting to people in recovery. Spending time in settings where drinking was customary in the past can illicit feelings of resentment and fear. Also, being offered alcoholic beverages or feeling compelled to explain why you’re not...
Love = Action
Jerry Green, Recovery Services Manager The drunk sipping out of his bottle behind the store, the homeless woman on the street corner, the hungry children in a run-down apartment parking lot, the addict detoxing in the jail cell, the significant other at home worrying...
Principled Actions vs. Emotional Actions
By Jerry Green, Recovery Services Manager My thoughts are, at times, crazy. Crazy thoughts, without rhyme or reason. Sometimes they are literally horrible thoughts, mean thoughts, selfish thoughts. Today, I understand that. Today I know that is my disease,...
Emerge. Evolve. Lead. Podcast. – Scott Vandenburg, MA, MBA, LPC, LCDC
Scott Vandenburg, MA, MBA, LPC, LCDC, Executive Director for Origins' South Padre Island programs, was a recent guest on the Emerge. Evolve. Lead. Podcast. The Emerge. Evolve. Lead. Podcast is for people in recovery from addiction who want to be better leaders....
Staff Spotlight – Ira Slaid
Ira Slaid - DIRECTOR OF RECOVERY CARE Ira started working with Origins in 2017 as an on-call driver. He next served as a Recovery Advocate, Recovery Advocate Supervisor, and Recovery Advocate Manager before moving into the Director of Recovery Care position in August...
Addiction Treatment Center – Barriers and Myths
Making a plan to get an addiction treatment center never works if you don’t actually follow the plan. Good intentions aren’t enough to start recovery. You may have a variety of reasons that have kept you from facing your substance use disorder. Some of your reasons...
98 Burn
Jerry Green | Recovery Services Manager Page 98 of the Big Book says, "burn the idea into the consciousness of everyone that they can get well regardless of anyone." Whatever or whoever I put ahead of this spiritual program of action, I will lose. I have seen this...
Anxiety and Addiction in Men
Men living with addiction and anxiety may not realize the connection between the two. Over time, untreated addiction and anxiety can contribute to significant personal issues, including relationship problems, health issues, and financial crises. Let’s look at some...
“If Only” and “What If”
Jerry Green | Recovery Services Manager Two main symptoms of the disease of alcoholism/addiction in my life were the "if only" and "what if" symptoms. The "if only" part of this deal was really an endless quest for happiness. It started as a small child for me. If...
What Alcohol Does to Your Body?
You know that drinking isn't great for your health, but do you know just how bad it can be, do you know what alcohol does to your body? Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States and can lead to a wide variety...