Lisa Hann, Author at Sober Nation Sober Nation

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Signs of Substance Abuse

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Family Resources

What are the Signs of Substance Abuse? There is no definitive way to identify substance abuse. There isn’t a certain amount of substance use or official list of circumstances that signifies abuse. Substance use varies greatly between abusers. The main characteristic of substance abuse, however, is consequence. When a person is unable to stop using substances (drugs or...Read more...

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What is Addiction? – What are Some Things to Look for?

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Addiction Facts

What is Addiction? There’s one thing we all know for sure about addiction – it’s not a good thing. While most people have a sense of what it is, many don’t know exactly what “addiction” means. In today’s society we hear more about addiction than ever before; it’s a hot, mainstream topic. When people think about addiction, they have a very negative...Read more...

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Ten Ways to Combat Your Negative Thoughts and Think Positively Instead

Monday, May 20th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Family Resources

Negative thoughts are poison. In life, negative thoughts can hold us back and diminish our happiness. In recovery, they can lead to relapse. Anyone who’s relapsed will tell you that a boatload of negative thoughts preceded their relapses – that “stinkin’ thinkin’.” Our negative thoughts are our own mental distortions, and they’re choices. Make a...Read more...

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The Debate over Medical Marijuana – Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Saturday, May 18th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Addiction Facts

Currently one of the hottest topics in society and public policy right now is medical marijuana. In the U.S., it’s only been a few years since medical marijuana has gained wider acceptance and since some starts started to legalize it. Some states have even legalized recreational marijuana, but we’ll leave that for another debate. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)...Read more...

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“Protecting” Ourselves – 20 Common Defense Mechanisms We Use

Thursday, May 16th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Relationships in Recovery

It’s human instinct to protect ourselves. We often put up defenses in order to shield ourselves from painful realities, especially during active addiction. In recovery, we use defenses, too, when we’re hiding from our true selves or trying to prevent others from getting close to us. We use defenses when we don’t want to face our feelings or the real motivations...Read more...

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What is an Alcoholic?

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Alcohol Addiction

What is an Alcoholic? – Signs to Look For The most concrete definition of “alcoholic” is someone who suffers alcoholism, and alcoholism is a form of the chronic brain disease of addiction. There is a difference between an alcoholic, someone who abuses alcohol, and a casual drinker. How can you tell when someone’s crossed the line and become an alcoholic? An...Read more...

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How to Get Sober – Tips and Advice

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Alcohol & Addiction Treatment

When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, you’re far from your “right” state of mind. When you’re stuck in the devastating cycle of addiction, it only gets increasingly harder to get out. You want to quit, but you don’t know how to get sober. Despite how bad your life as an addict is, it’s familiar, and everything else is terrifying. The decision about how...Read more...

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Choosing a Treatment Center: Effective Treatment Principles to Identify and Questions to Ask

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Alcohol & Addiction Treatment

Choosing a Treatment Center I’m not here to recommend any one treatment center over another. I don’t pretend to know where the best place to receive help for substance abuse is. There are so many different ways to evaluate a treatment center that it’s nearly impossible to come to any definite conclusion, and everyone will have a different opinion. There is such a...Read more...

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What to Do After a Relapse – The “Morning” After

Monday, May 13th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Relapse Prevention

What to do After a Relapse In recovery, “relapse” is that awful seven-letter word that we all fear will bring our lives crashing down. But here’s the truth about relapse: it doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. However, there aren’t many resources that help you decide what to do after a relapse. Relapses certainly can lead to very bad things and last...Read more...

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Emotional Sobriety: Keeping Your Emotions Stable in Recovery

Friday, May 10th, 2013 by Lisa Hann • Family Resources

In the beginning, the focus is on physical sobriety. When an addict decides to quit using, they need to put aside their emotions, and the only thing they need to worry about is not picking up. As their body adjusts to functioning without drugs or alcohol, they can slowly begin to concentrate on what’s most essential to their recovery: Emotional Sobriety. What is...Read more...