If you are a regular reader of this blog, you may have noticed that we like to dip into pop culture, history, the arts, and more to help us explain important ideas related to substance use disorders, treatment, and the recovery journey.
In this entry, we are going to return to a few of those ideas and cultural connections—and then link you back to the original entries if you are looking for more information.
Let’s start with sports.
Recovery is Not a Competition—But Sports Can Be a Good Metaphor
Sports are, of course, a major part of American culture. So it probably is not too surprising that we have turned to the world of sports a few times to discuss recovery. After all, sports like soccer and baseball can teach us about, for example, the necessity of having a good team around you to support your sobriety.
Meanwhile, elite athletes—like Muhammed Ali—can offer a sharp perspective on accomplishing your goals. And that includes your primary goal of staying sober over time.
To read our sports coverage, click on these links:
Recovery Pointers from the Soccer Pitch
Here’s the (Sobriety) Pitch. Don’t Strike Out.
Muhammed Ali’s Six Core Principles & Recovery
This Recovery Information Should Be Music to Your Ears
Neuroplasticity—which is the fancy word for the fact that you can develop new, more useful pathways in your brain after regaining your sobriety—is a wonderful thing. It means that you can do the work and find success in your recovery. To explore and explain that concept, we turned to the Broadway musical Pippin, which, among other things, finds its main character working to stay “On the Right Track.”
In a separate entry, we looked at some thoughts on jazz from the great trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis and considered how those ideas might be applied to your recovery journey. The key ideas of creativity, communication, and communication were at the heart of the discussion.
To read some blog entries that hit all the right notes, click on these links:
A Lesson in Neuroplasticity from an Unexpected Source: The Broadway Musical Pippin
Improvise Inside the Form: Jazz as a Metaphor for Recovery
We Got a Little Inventive for These Thoughts on Resilience
A person in recovery from a substance use disorder needs “bouncebackability.” That is, they need to develop the resilience necessary to overcome or come back from challenges. That resilience might take the form of weathering a storm of cravings, or it might take the form of getting yourself back into treatment after experiencing a relapse. We took a look at resilience with the help of some quotes by famed inventor Thomas Edison.
And since we’re talking about quotes, we used the words of some other famous folks to talk about facing down challenges in recovery.
If you want to check out some quotable wisdom, click these links:
Shining a Light Bulb on Resilience with Help from Thomas Edison
Words of Wisdom: Quotes About Facing Challenges and Avoiding Excuses
Sobriety is No Laughing Matter—But Laughter Can Help
The sitcom Mom featured a group of friends, all of whom were in recovery from substance use disorders. We highly recommend the show as an accurate—if hilarious—portrayal of the ups and downs of recovery. (We should note that the show does depict relapses and other struggles that might make some viewers uncomfortable.)
In another entry, we wrote about the ways in which laughter can support your mental health and your ongoing sobriety. We made suggestions for seeking out more humor and joy in your day to day life.
If you would enjoy a good chuckle, click these links:
Support from a Sitcom: How Mom Gets Recovery Right
This Actually Is a Laughing Matter – Laughter Supports Your Sobriety
Reclaim Your Sobriety at French Creek Recovery Center
Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, French Creek Recovery Center is dedicated to the project of helping people regain and maintain their sobriety. We will see you through medically supervised detoxification so that you can weather the challenges of withdrawal in a safe space. We will provide individual and group therapy sessions in a rehabilitation program that can also address co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and more. And we will continue to support you as your recovery journey gets underway with our continuum of care, which includes programs for French Creek alumni and access to the resources and community provided by the CaredFor app.
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, the time to get help is always right now. At French Creek Recovery Center, you can count on personalized care grounded in evidence and provided by professionals with experience, expertise, and plenty of empathy. Let us help you take back control of your life.