That first month can be a tough one. While using, Friday night's (everynight's) entertainment was as easy as opening a bottle. Now, we actually have to do things.

How to have fun, not feel ridiculous and stay sober in that tough first month.

Making the decision to get help takes you closer than anything else you'll ever do to getting sober and getting better; but even once you've decided that you need residential drug or alcohol rehab treatment, you still have an enormous availability of choice as to where to get it, and thus a difficult decision. For people wanting a quick transition into rehab and into a better life, the many options available brings unwanted stress into an already difficult time. The deciding factors may include location, price, philosophies, and probably also treatments offered; and when evaluating the last of those, it's easy to wonder how important seemingly frivolous programs such as yoga or meditation really are to your likelihood of recovery. After all, wouldn’t your time be better spent in therapy?

Overconfidence has been the end of too many happy recoveries. Don't let it kill yours - remember what those drinking and drugging days were really like.

There is truth to the AA mantra "One day at a time" but sometimes one day, one whole day without drinking or using, feels far too long.

One minute at a time? Sounds silly, but it can work.

Your mind is racing, stuck on thoughts and cravings of another drink, or another hit, and relapse at this rate is just around the corner.

You need to put the brakes on that runaway-train mind of yours, and get yourself back into a place of peace, and maybe even happiness. Forget About One Day at a Time – Think One Second at a Time!

Now, I am not a Buddhist, but I have found certain easy to learn meditation techniques to be extremely helpful, and I have learned to respect the wisdom embodied in many of their practices.

Maybe meditation will do as much for you as it does for me. It's free, you can do it right now, and it might bring you some peace. Why not try it?