Addiction Blog
OTR’s Free Support Group for Families of Addicts
The families of addicts and alcoholics are often deeply affected by their loved one’s addiction. Wanting your family member to get sober, not knowing how to help them, and not knowing what to do to support their recovery can be a harrowing experience. Oftentimes,...
Relapse Prevention Planning for Addiction Recovery
Relapse is an unfortunately common problem for addicts and alcoholics new in recovery. Our disease is cunning, baffling, and powerful, and sometimes the temptation can overtake us. Relapse is not failure, you will always be welcomed back with open arms. As with...
Sober Activities & Things to Do In Portland, Oregon
One of the first things many alcoholics think in early sobriety is “how will I have fun while I’m sober?” Never mind how miserable we were before we decided to get into the program, drugs and alcohol were such a major part of our lives that we simply can’t imagine...
LGBTQ+ Addiction Treatment: OTR’s Safe Rehab Environment
Being LGBTQ+ can add an extra layer of complication to someone new in recovery or in the throes of addiction. While society has made great strides, there are still several unique challenges LGBTQ+ people face. Large sections of society continue to harbor homophobic...
Going Out Sober: How to Socialize Without Drugs & Alcohol
Socializing While Sober 101 “How do I socialize without drugs and alcohol?” One of the big questions for most people who are new in sobriety is exactly that, how will I handle socializing without any form of drugs or alcohol? ...
Early Sobriety Dating— Should You Date While in Recovery?
Early Sobriety Dating — Should You Date While In recovery? So many aspects of our lives are affected by addiction. The negative impact that substance use can have on our personal relationships is heartbreaking and can push us further into dependency. From our...
Avoiding Addiction Triggers During the Holiday Season
Tis’ the season! Holiday seasons can be notorious for instigating relapse. Whether you do or do not get along with your family, it can be a difficult time. Some people have very dysfunctional families and are prone to illicit strong emotional responses. Unhealthy...
Staying Sober After COVID Lockdown in a Post-Pandemic World
The COVID-19 pandemic affected all aspects of our lives. From work, to family and friends, to our daily routines, we all had to find new ways to adjust. The lockdowns that defined much of 2020 had major implications for those of us seeking to achieve or maintain...
What It’s Like to Detox from Ketamine: Symptoms & Timeline
Ketamine, or “Special K,” is legally used as an anesthetic in the medical treatment of animals for its tranquilizing effect. It causes human users to dissociate from their environment, and often results in psychedelic or hallucinogenic symptoms as well. Ketamine is...
Shame and Addiction: How to Overcome Shame and Free Yourself
Written By: Kenneth A. Hand, B.A. “If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.” –Abraham Maslow Substance use disorder (SUD) affects over 1.1 billion people worldwide (Pinel,...