How to Build Self-Esteem in Addiction Recovery
How can you build self esteem after addiction? Olivia Pennelle explains how journaling helped her build her self esteem in recovery.
Olivia Pennelle
Olivia Pennelle (Liv) has a masters in clinical social work from Portland State University. She is a mental health therapist, writer, and human activist. Her writing has appeared in STAT News, Insider, Filter Magazine, Ravishly, The Temper, and Shondaland. She is the founder of Liv’s Recovery Kitchen, Life After 12-Step Recovery, and Tera Collaborations. She lives near Portland, Oregon. Follow her on Instagram @Livwritesrecovery and @teracollaborations
How Do You Define Recovery?
What is recovery? If addiction recovery is self-defined, why do we so often consider abstinence the only definition of recovery?
Suicide Isn’t An Invitation For Speculation
Every time I read yet another article about the suicides of Anthony Bourdain, or Kate Spade — or anyone else who tragically took their life — it stings.
Is Being Of Service Vital To Addiction Recovery?
We’re often told that the act of service is a crucial aspect of our recovery; it’s referred to as a pillar of sustainable recovery. But what should service look like?
How To Cope With Difficult Life Situations In Recovery
Dealing with trauma is tough. It’s more than tough, it’s heartbreakingly challenging and it shakes the foundation of your recovery.
Coping With Dental Pain In Addiction Recovery
How can we handle dental pain in sobriety? Olivia Pennelle from Liv’s Recovery Kitchen talks about making the decision to take pain meds to handle her pain from extensive dental work.
These 3 Smoothies Are Your Sobriety Self-Care Secret Weapons
Let’s talk smoothies! They can be a powerhouse of nutrients to fuel your day and having them regularly in sobriety has a whole host of benefits.
How To Get Sober Alone
Can you get sober alone, without 12-step or other support groups? What’s more, some people recover with no method at all—contrary to popular belief. A recent study examining the pathways of recovery shatters the myth that you need to maintain a program of recovery to stay sober.
March Is National Nutrition Month, The Perfect Time To Focus On Nutrition In Addiction Recovery
March is National Nutrition Month. As a person recovering from a disordered relationship with food, I’m a big fan of making more mindful choices and this is a perfect opportunity to take stock of some powerful tools you can use to enhance your recovery.
It’s Time To Quit Smoking: The Final Frontier Of Addiction Recovery
Why do we celebrate quitting drugs, but never talk about quitting smoking? Smoking in recovery is a paradox: I’d chosen to stop harming myself with drugs and alcohol and find recovery, yet I was slowly killing myself by smoking.
Taking Opiates For Migraines Fueled My Drug Addiction
From my very first codeine tablet, I was hooked. That warm fuzzy feeling permeated my body and my migraine—caused by severe dehydration and four bottles of wine the night before—almost vanished into thin air. I was transported to this almost memory-foam-type-fluffy-cloud.
Why Exercise Is Your Best Stress Outlet for the Holidays
For anyone in recovery, exercise is your friend—especially over the holidays. I know that the last thing most people feel like doing at the end of the year is expending more energy; it’s a time we’re winding down and taking some much needed time out.
Self Care Strategies for Eating Disorder Recovery During the Holidays
Learning to care for ourselves isn’t easy, especially if we have spent years abusing our body with disordered eating. Even though we may have stopped harming ourselves, the process of recovery goes beyond stopping that behavior—we need to learn how to take care of our needs.
What My Eating Disorder Looked Like
I’ll never forget the first time I discovered that food could help me escape; I was around six years old.
Why You WANT To Eat Well In Early Recovery
Eating healthy foods might not be the first thing on your mind early addiction recovery. But it can make a huge difference.
Addiction At Work: You Don’t Have To Be Jobless To Hit Rock Bottom
The stereotype of an addict—a homeless man living on the street—is wholly outdated and inaccurate. Addiction is rife in the workplace.
