Sparks - What recovery is really about

Recently, I have noticed in my psychotherapy practice, how many people started using substances to manage their moods. Substance use and abuse is mood altering. They often started this method of managing their moods at an early age, usually in their early teens.

Recovery is not so much about abstinence or harm reduction as it is about how to managy dysphoric moods without chemicals. This is a psychological problem, a social problem, and a spiritual problem.

Can I be happy and enjoy life without chemicals? Yes.

How can I be happy and enjoy life without chemicals? Everyone has to work this out for themselves. It can be done, but it has to do with learning how to live life and this takes months and years, not days and weeks.

Sparks

Today I am starting a new category on this blog I am entitling "Sparks". Sparks are ideas that I have that at some point I might want to expand on.

Orginally I was going to call this category, "Passing thoughts" but I found upon reflection that this phrase trivialized the importance of the ideas, and then I thought of "glimpses" but that implies that there is something there to be perceived below the surface which, while true, leaves out the creative element. So, I have settled on "Sparks" which are ideas that catch my notice and which, if dwelled upon, might be fanned into flame. I hope that you will enjoy the Sparks as they appear on this blog.