The following was written by Chris, a Riverside Recovery alumnus, and has been lightly edited for web format. My drinking career was a slow-growing process, which took many years to turn me into the ‘blackout artist’ whose spouse walked out on. I went from weekend partying and wearing being the last one standing as a […]
Category: Resource Center
Dealing With Boredom in Recovery: Tips to Stay Engaged and Inspired
Early sobriety can be strangely quiet. The chaos is gone, the phone isn’t ringing like it used to, and the hours can feel wider than they used to be. Many people are surprised by how common boredom in recovery is, and how loud it can get. Boredom isn’t a character flaw; it’s a signal. Your […]
How to Achieve Emotional Sobriety After Addiction
Getting sober is a life-changing milestone, but staying sober, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, is where the real work begins. For many people, putting down the substance is only the first step. Learning how to live with your feelings, face hard moments, and stay steady without falling apart is what emotional sobriety is all about. What […]
Sean’s Addiction Recovery Story: Six Years of Sobriety
The following was written by Sean, a Riverside Recovery alumnus, and has been lightly edited for web format. A Decade of Struggle Before Treatment I got sober on March 13th, 2019. I finally took my mom’s advice and went to treatment for the first, and God willing, hopefully only time. The offer had been there […]
Overdose Awareness: Signs of Overdose and What to Do
In 2023 alone, more than 105,000 people in the U.S. died from a drug-involved overdose. It’s a staggering number that reflects the growing urgency for overdose awareness and education. Whether it’s a loved one struggling with addiction or an accidental combination of substances, being able to recognize the signs of overdose and knowing how to […]
Depression After Getting Sober: Why It Happens and How to Thrive
For many people, getting sober feels like crossing a finish line. You’ve put in the work, overcome withdrawal, and finally stepped away from the destructive cycle of addiction. So why can it feel like life gets harder, not easier, after sobriety? Depression after getting sober is a very real and common experience. It doesn’t mean […]
Chaz’s Story: Addiction Recovery, Sobriety and Service
The following was written by Chaz, a Riverside Recovery alumnus, and has been lightly edited for web format. As a child, I was raised in an environment plagued by alcohol, drugs, mental illness, abuse, and death. At the age of 18, I believed escaping my trauma by leaving the United Kingdom and relocating to the […]
What Is a Dry Drunk? When Sobriety Doesn’t Mean Recovery
When someone stops drinking, it’s easy to assume the hardest part is behind them. But sobriety is about more than simply putting down the bottle. Without addressing the underlying emotional, mental, and behavioral patterns that fueled addiction, a person may fall into what’s often called a dry drunk state. A “dry drunk” describes someone who […]
The Joy on the Other Side: Lindsey’s Story of Recovery and Self-discovery
The following was written by Lindsey, a Riverside Recovery alumnus, and has been lightly edited for web format. My sobriety date is August 1, 2021. My life was upside down due to being an alcoholic and having bipolar disorder. I was making poor decisions left and right. My friends and family deserted me due to […]
Why “Hitting Rock Bottom” Isn’t Required to Start Recovery
There’s a myth that holds too many people back from getting help: the idea that you have to hit rock bottom before you’re “ready” for recovery. You’ve probably heard it before. Maybe you’ve even said it about yourself or a loved one. “They’re not ready.” “They haven’t hit bottom yet.” “It’s not that bad.” But […]