The Gift of Gratitude ![]()
It’s easy to take things for granted. When I was a victim of addiction, I didn’t appreciate anything. Even though I lived in one of the most beautiful places in…
Donna MarksJune 2, 2025
Five Myths About Alcohol ![]()
It’s fine to have a drink every so often. Right? How else would you relax after a tough day at work or feel comfortable at a social gathering? Plus, even…
Donna MarksJune 3, 2024
Humor and Addiction Recovery ![]()
Addiction is a serious illness, no doubt about it. It’s the number one physical and mental health problem, and it’s getting worse, not better. There seems to be a correlation…
Donna MarksFebruary 26, 2024
Three Differences Between Abstinence and Sobriety ![]()
Lots of people get sober or stop other bad habits, but very few maintain lifetime sobriety. Being sober isn’t just about abstaining from something. It’s about transforming from an individual…
Donna MarksJanuary 7, 2024
The Three Cs of Successful Therapy ![]()
Some people have misperceptions about therapy and treatment. They go for help because they’re in pain but tend to stop as soon as the pain subsides. But pain is a…
Donna MarksJuly 9, 2023
What does freedom from addiction mean to you? ![]()
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence declared America as a country free from rule by Great Britain. Freedom sounds like a wonderful thing. Right? But if this were…
Donna MarksJuly 3, 2023
Three Differences Between Enabling and Disabling ![]()
With the disease of addiction, enabling is considered a bad thing – it’s called codependency. They make excuses, rescue, cover-up, and otherwise protect the impaired person from the consequences of…
Donna MarksJanuary 26, 2023
Three Differences Between Addictive Feelings & Genuine Love ![]()
For example, “I love chocolate cake, cigarettes, gambling, romance, sex, shopping, sugar, work,” and so on. What they’re really saying is that they love the way these things make them…
Donna MarksOctober 17, 2022
Why Trying to Escape Your Feelings Keeps You Trapped in Them ![]()
When I quit smoking over thirty years ago, I felt a lot of anger. I thought it was because I missed cigarettes so much, part of the “grieving process.” But…
Donna MarksOctober 10, 2022
How to Stay Out of Your Way for A Successful Recovery ![]()
After more than three decades of working with families suffering from addiction, it’s pretty easy to identify the winners from the losers. I’m not being critical. Winning and losing aren’t…
Donna MarksAugust 29, 2022
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