Articles
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...
Addiction in the Workplace: Signs and Symptoms
The effects of addiction in the workplace can be devastating to employees, their families, and businesses. For example, substance use disorders can lead to decreased productivity, increased absences, thefts, and even accidents in the workplace. In this blog post, we...
Fun Activities to Keep You Healthy in Recovery
As someone recovering from substance use disorder, it can be hard to know what activities to do that are both fun and recovery-friendly. When you are in recovery, it is important to find ways to have fun and enjoy life. This is a crucial part of the healing process....
Spirituality
Jerry Green | Alumni Services Liaison For me, spirituality is a set of actions. It has far more to do with the actions I take, rather than what I think, feel, or believe in any given moment. My thoughts are not always correct, especially my reactive thoughts. When I...
How to Learn Problem Solving Skills in Addiction Recovery
Getting sober is only one problem to solve in addiction recovery. It may be why people who start treatment only focused on quitting drug use or drinking have trouble maintaining their sobriety. Problem solving skills are valuable tools to learn and develop during...
How to Deal with My Husband’s Addiction
Seeing your spouse's drinking or drug use affect every member of the family for years can leave you feeling helpless. While the responsibility to end a partner's substance use isn't yours, reducing the harm to you and your children is within your reach. In this blog...
Unchanged
Jerry Green | Alumni Services Liaison I have been going through some ups and downs lately. Nothing major, just changes. My wife reminds me all the time that no matter what the problem is, the answer is always the same. And it is. The Solution to my problems today, big...
Signs of Depression in Men
Sudden behavior changes in the men in your life could be signs of a shift in their mental health. These signs may reveal that a friend, family member, or coworker needs help for depression or even both depression and addiction. Your role as a support system can only...
Just Do It
Jerry Green | Alumni Services Liaison Taking the actions "suggested" in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous work. Every time! If this is our experience, then why do so many of us fail to take them on a regular basis? It is because we either fail to "REALize" (becomes...
How Does Detox Work
Detoxification is a crucial first step for anyone with a substance use disorder to begin long-term recovery work. Still, you may need detox and not know exactly how it works. Without knowledge of its process, you may be unaware of the risks of attempting to detox in...
Why Understanding Meth Addiction for the Non-User is Crucial for Friends and Family
The physical transformation of meth users is well documented. It’s likely you’ve seen before and after photos of people who regularly use the drug. What may be unknown to you is how meth addiction affects how a person feels and thinks. Today, let’s talk about what...
A New Year: Being Spiritually Awake Changes Everything
Jerry Green | Alumni Services Liaison A New Year is upon us! What a time for rebirth, renewal, and a glorious opportunity to serve others. I must remember that this is not about making resolutions and resolving to do better. This New Year is about asking my Higher...
Working the Steps
Jerry Green | Alumni Services Liaison There has been a misconception for years in our fellowship concerning the working of the Steps. Many people say it takes years to get sick, and it will take you years to get well. But this is not true. It is documented repeatedly...
The Season
By Jerry Green | Alumni Services Liaison The holiday season is upon us. For a struggling alcoholic or addict, this season can be especially hard. Not only does the guilt and shame of a life of taking, rather than giving, increase, so does our grandiose thinking. We...