Most of us are – or should be – in recovery from living in the fast lane.  I would submit that our fast-paced lives are, in fact, a manifestation of our addiction to the rush of our own adrenalin.

Based on over thirty years in the trenches as a wellness professional and counselor, John Newport, Ph.D. shares the missing dimension in recovery and the reason why the majority of people battling alcoholism and drug addiction fail to reap the full benefits of recovery and optimal health: They don’t adopt a wellness-oriented lifestyle.

Just as I believe that following our central purpose is the royal road to health and longevity, I also believe that it forms an essential cornerstone for effective sobriety maintenance.

Unhealthy lifestyle patterns can set the stage for relapse. Fortunately, the converse is also true, as a growing body of evidence suggests that a wellness-oriented lifestyle can make a significant contribution to relapse prevention.

Unquestionably, efficiency is a virtue that is highly valued in our culture. Yet if we are not careful, we end up destroying our serenity (and risking our sobriety) by sacrificing on the altar of efficiency the things in life that are truly most important.

Many (if not most) people with addictive disorders crave excitement, and feel a need to live on the edge all the time - even after they have entered into recovery.

The health enhancement benefits of regular vigorous exercise are legend.. allowing us to release accumulated stresses and promoting increased vitality and well-being. Equally important are the benefits associated with regular exercise in promoting long term sobriety maintenance.

In terms of stress management, the Serenity Prayer says it all! I became intimately familiar with the power of the Serenity Prayer one morning a little over 10 years ago, when I was at an extremely stressful juncture in my life.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. There are special issues that often confront single people in the process of recovery.

Integrating a wellness-oriented lifestyle with working one’s chosen recovery program enhances the quality of sobriety enjoyed by persons recovering from addictive disorders.