Perhaps one of the most difficult situations a person can experience is seeing a loved one go through an addiction, no matter what the substance is. Human nature leads this person to do whatever they can to help the addict, which sometimes leads to enabling them to continue abusing their addiction and returning to this family member in any time of need because they know they will help them. This not only creates codependency in the addict which hinders recovery, but this can actually create codependency throughout the family itself.

This person who always helps the addict is the stereotypical caretaker, or as previously implied, the enabler. He or she writes off all actions with a reason, making excuses and never truly allowing responsibility. Because of this, addiction and recovery issues are never spoken of and is perhaps the main reason when addiction is not cured.

Unbeknown to the members, family roles such as this are created largely because of the situation ...

As Thanksgiving begins the traditional holiday season, it is also a time that both the joys and sorrows of struggling with recovery are very much on our minds here at The Recovery Place.

Being in a positive place in your recovery means that you may be looking forward to sharing Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays with more excitement and anticipation, than you have felt for many years. At The Recovery Place we share your joy! Once again (or for the first time) experiencing how these traditions deepen our connections to life and to our loved ones, can be overwhelming in its intensity.

Even positive stress, like those of a busy holiday season, can have a negative impact on feelings and emotions. Focusing on the strides you’ve made in your recovery is essential. Remember to avoid any negative triggers and keep your “relapse avoidance” plan readily available. Celebrate yourself and all of the hard work you have done to regain control ...

An amazing gift to the 12 Step recovery community is about to be launched via iTunes. ann-e is a peer to peer application which brings people in recovery together via a safe and secure communication method. The ann-e iPhone Application is a high utility tool making use of the simple concept – Together we can do what we could never do alone.

Addiction can be seen as a disease of isolation and the ann-e app provides a vehicle for a safe and anonymous way to stay connected with other recovering addicts, no matter where you are. Whether you’ve missed your plane and are stranded in LAX, at a conference in Las Vegas, walking down the aisle of a big box store, or in your own backyard, there is someone not far from you who will understand and anonymously support you to do the next right thing.

The concept for the ...

The human brain, though a mighty organ, uses shortcuts. It does so out of necessity, and you can generally assume that at any one time, the brain is trying to use as little energy as possible. One way it preserves energy is by limiting its sensory input (what your senses take in) and therefore streamlining its depiction of the world "out there." For instance, try to remember back when you were very young, and learning for the first time what a "carrot" was -- if you examine it at all, you'll find it is a terribly complex process. If you had never seen one before, your brain would first have to a) take in as much sensory data about it as possible, and b) analyze the data and then form a hazy conception of what a carrot is. The next time you "experienced" a carrot, your brain would go through the same process, but this time it could compare this experience with ...

Intervention 180 is a group of interventionists, counselors and various addiction professionals, dedicated to helping families and companies in crisis as a result of addiction. They provide services such as: addiction intervention, drug intervention, sober mentoring, post treatment monitoring, missing persons location and more. Family Interventions and Addiction Interventions are a method of motivating individuals and their families, to seek help and change. All services are specifically tailored to the family or organization. Intervention 180 is known nationally and provides services anywhere in the world. If you know someone suffering from any type of addiction or mental illness, please take the time to review the services they offer. If you have questions about addiction intervention or any of their other services call their toll free number at 888-435-7960. All calls and e-mails are strictly confidential and inquiry calls are free.

We just stumbled upon this article about pitchman Billy Mays who recently died suddenly of heart failure. What tragic news it is to find that drugs, once again, played a part in another celebrities death!

"Hyperactive pitchman Billy Mays used cocaine days before his heart attack - and it killed him, officials said Friday.

Mays, 50, suffered from heart disease but his drug use contributed to his June 28 death, the Hillsborough County medical examiner said..."

Read more at: Cocaine killed TV pitchman Billy Mays, autopsy finds

We found Gwen from TwelveBeads on our Twitter page and just had to post this website here on our blog for everyone to see. TwelveBeads has some stunningly beautiful jewelry specifically for recovering addicts.

The site is packed with Twelve Step Prayer Beads, Recovery Jewelery and has some really interesting information about prayer beads and their use. So when you have a moment pop over to her website, this jewelry is perfect for gifts for family members or even to spoil yourself! Also check out Gwens Twitter page!

This is a great article about how many addicts today are very much functional. They "can hold a job, manage their funds and even maintain a family life". The positive side of this is that "many functional addicts have and will seek rehabilitation and begin their own road to recovery".

Take a look at this great article on the The Baltimore Sun website: Not all addicts incapacitated

The Recovery Place has made an amazing new friend over Twitter. We would like to invite everyone to visit their website and Twitter page. Here is a little excerpt from their website:

"Changing Lives Foundation is committed to bringing to the public clear and concise information on substance abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism and compulsive behaviors. Perhaps more importantly, we focus on how individuals and families recover from these problems."

Please send us any feedback you have. We would love to hear from you!

Beyonce had a great 2008. The singer and actress is making every effort to see that 2009 is a hit too, and has already started this year off with a philanthropic bang.

Miss Knowles recently made a $4 million donation to a Drug Rehab center - the entire paycheck received for last months Sony release Cadillac Records with Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright (as Muddy Waters).Beyonce plays legendary blues singer Etta James, which tells the story of her life of addiction. Her generous donation was inspired by a visit to the center last year for film research. Upon hearing the life stories of the women struggling to reform in the center, Beyonce was moved to tears.