After more than 30 years in the trenches as a drug and alcohol addiction counselor, I can tell you that perhaps that most important thing you and I can do to help addicts in recovery is "tough love." If we try to soften, protect them from, or help them avoid the natural consequences of their [...]

One of the Most Sacred Days of the Year Yesterday we celebrated Memorial Day, which means a much anticipated 3-day weekend that occurs every year right around the end of school and the start of summer. It means camping, BBQs, yard work and family get-togethers. But for many, it means a whole lot more than [...]

Mother's Day was yesterday and a real mix of emotions for addicted mothers. At Action Recovery, we find great satisfaction in helping people from all walks of life break free from addiction, and some of our greatest joy comes when we help addicted mothers escape the hell of addiction and reclaim their lives for themselves [...]

Hi, this is Rick Visser. In my 30 plus years as a substance abuse counselor, I have often heard professionals and recovering addicts express the belief that drug and alcohol addiction are primarily about people running away from, avoiding and self-medicating the stress, pain and pressures of life. While I believe that this most certainly [...]

As a drug and alcohol rehab program, it's our daily privilege and opportunity to work hand-in-hand with those who struggle with drug addiction. In virtually ever case, those in recovery have multiple friends and/or family members who have died from an overdose. With drug use comes the all-too-familiar and tragic reality of OD death. A [...]

So, one of the BIG questions that often comes up with drug and alcohol addiction is, "When do you know you've hit rock bottom and you're ready to get into rehab?" After 30 years as a drug and alcohol addiction counselor, I will tell you that "rock bottom" is different for everyone. For some, all [...]

Love is in the air! With Valentines Day around the corner "love is in the air." But love can take many different forms, even the face of addiction. You may be wondering, what does "love addiction" have to do with Action Recovery Group, a drug and alcohol rehab facility???  One of the things that can [...]

"Why can't he just stop using?“ "Why won’t she change?” These are common questions/frustrations felt by those who love and care about individuals suffering with alcohol or drug addiction. The consequences of substance abuse are immense, yet the addict often doesn't want to recognize "life out of control" as a compelling enough reason to change. [...]

Here's an excerpt from a great article on setting a "Reverse New Year's Resolution," or "How to Stay Clean and Sober"— . . . if you approach it on a moment-to-moment basis, with head down and vision focused on the here and now, lasting sobriety can be achieved, one tiny piece at a time. Only [...]

We all know that the holidays can be a time of ups and downs emotionally. We can feel loneliness,excitement, anxiety, happiness, sadness and joy—all one right after the other! It can be like an emotional roller coaster ride! The worst part is the these "holiday blues" can make us more vulnerable to drug and alcohol [...]