welcome to bad bitch recovery ♡

working on our auras health | fitness | mindfulness | gratitude | patience | sobriety | holistic therapy stay balanced and radiate what you want to receive Drink from the well of yourself and begin again ♡

[badbitchrecovery]

🤎

[badbitchrecovery]

Flu / Cold Season </3

When Flu and Cold Season come's around we all try to stay healthy. Tea has for a very long time been considered a unreal cold remedy and treatment for the worst symptoms of both Flu and Cold. All types of teas with Turmeric, Ginger, Lemon, Honey, always seem to be the best remedies. I came down with a nasty cold and thought It best I post my favorite teas that soothe sore throats . . . lets get Into It!

Bronco Tea

THIS TEA IS A MUST! When you are sick with a sore throat, drink this! I always add half a lemon and a tablespoon of honey to a 6.0 ounce cup full of Bronco Tea. Continue taking throughout the day, as much as needed! My mother always gave me this as a child and continue to take It today. I've given this to countless friends and all swear by It to. . . Do not sleep on this!

Ginger Tea

Ginger Tea has many benefits and we must also get into the many benefits Ginger Carrie’s! From upset stomach, nausea, detox cleanse, even a rejuvenating reset, Ginger Tea Is a must In daily routine. When treating the cold and flu Ginger Is effective because It contains analgesic, antipyretic, and antibacterial properties, which are Increased by the honey, turmeric and lemon. This helps to reduce cold and flu symptoms quickly. Every few days or once a week Incorporate Immunity shots to your morning routine too boost your Immunity. You can find Immunity shots In Jamba Juice or Juice It Up, but best If made at home!

To a blender add:

3 pieces of ginger

3 pieces of turmeric

1 lemon

1 tsp cayenne

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

500ml of coconut water (or filtered water)

Blend until fully combined than pour through a nut milk bag or mesh colander to separate the liquid from the pulp. You may also do this In a juicer and won't need to separate the liquid and pulp.

Echinacea Tea

Evidence has shown that Echinacea stimulates Immune activity to shorten bacterial Infections and viruses. Very much like Green Tea, Echinacea Is high In antioxidants. This beautiful flower reduces the risk of getting a cold and cough by 58% If taken as a supplement. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that help strengthen your Immune system and shorten your flu and cold symptoms.

Brewing yourself a nice warm cup of tea certainly Is a tasty way to get better and healthy.

There are plenty of different teas In the market but drinking the right tea may help you recover fast. Hand pick them carefully and google Is just a pant pocket away. Stay healthy, sober, happy and always SAFE. <3

[badbitchrecovery]

Body - Brain Connection

Been on a hiatus, but I'm back! Had quite of an eventful year full of plenty of up's & plenty of down's. . But without further ado, let's get back to it. ♡

Currently I've been reading "The Body Keeps The Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.. I read a certain excerpt that I couldn't quite let go, when an organism Is stuck on survival mode.

“We'll do anything to make these awful visceral sensations go away, whether it is clinging desperately to another human being, rendering ourselves insensible with drugs or alcohol, or taking a knife to the skin to replace overwhelming emotions with definable sensations.

How many mental health problems, from drug addiction to self-injurious behavior, start as attempts to cope with the unbearable physical pain of our emotions? If Darwin was right, the solution requires finding ways to help people alter the inner sensory landscape of their bodies.

Until recently, this bidirectional communication between body and mind was largely ignored by Western science, even as it had long been central to traditional healing practices in many other parts of the world, notably in India and China. Today it is transforming our understanding of trauma and recovery.”

I really connected with this & thought I'd share. This year really tested me & lapsed In the worst way possible. . But It's never the end of the world.

When starting this account I had a vision to have girls In Orange County / Los Angeles California to meet up & have an extraordinary time while doing activities that benefit US WOMEN going through recovery & finding a safe haven for all to gather, share, express, & accept.

Let's all bear with our physical pain of our emotions & continue with our recovery with self love, patience, & gratitude.

I'm glad to be back.

Sending all my love, Bad Bitch Recovery. ♡

[badbitchrecovery]

[badbitchrecovery]

Cross Addiction </3

Cross-dependency and Cross-tolerance are two different things. When the same or similar effects Is achieved from one drug to another It Is called Cross-tolerance. Cross-dependency Is when a person who has become addicted to a certain drug uses a different drug, and alleviates the dependency of the former drug. An example of Cross-dependency Is a person that drinks alcoholically for years. A friend introduces them to methamphetamines and that person stops drinking all together and takes up an addiction to methamphetamines. This is a great example of a person becoming cross dependent. This may be because we addicts have different brain chemistry and they are hypersensitive to another different substance.

Tolerance and dependence happen In an individual after long term, chronic use of any mind or mood altering substance. To explain tolerance in short, we could say that more of the drug is needed to achieve the same effect. Tolerance and dependence develop as certain cells chemically and structurally change to counter act the effects of the drugs.

Dependence is the continued use of a drug or chemical that in endplay produces a tolerance to that drug or chemical. There is two parts to dependence, physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence is grouped by tolerance and withdrawal. When we use drugs or alcohol for a time our bodies will develop a physical dependency to those drugs. With certain drugs without getting a medical detox can be fatal (alcohol, Xanax, Ativan, etc. . ). Psychological dependence results in things such as cravings, irritability, insomnia, depression, etc. . . our brains never forget the reward for administering a certain drug and it is those rewards that lead to psychological dependence. When drugs are introduced to the brain they stimulate the release of dopamine from receptors in the brain. When these receptors are stimulated it produces the feelings of excitement and pleasure. When we use continually our receptors become hyper activated and the body will make changes to adjust to the chemical to protect the body. The brain itself will turn off certain parts of the brain and therefore turn off some of the receptors. What this does is counter act the effect of the drug, which then results In our tolerance to that drug. As the brain continues to shut off parts of the brain that are stimulated the person will need to administer more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect, thus creating a tolerance.

If you are chemically dependent:

Be sure to tell your doctor that you are chemically dependent before accepting any prescription

Avoid using appetite suppressants, sleeping pills, or cough syrups.

Abstain from using alcohol or "recreational drugs". This includes beer, wine, marijuana, cocaine, along with being moderate about eating and exercise.

Spend time with others who are recovering from chemical dependency and follow the spiritual path of your choice.

[badbitchrecovery]

Stinking Thinking </3

What people believe will have an Impact on how they behave. Suffering negative thoughts all the time Is bad for people. Such debates can cripple the human spirit. It can lead to depression and stops people from getting the most out of life. To much negativity can be especially jeopardizing for us Individuals who have managed to escape our addiction. Everyone occasionally will feel stinking thinking, but If It occurs regularly It can be harmful.

Stinking thinking can be defined to any type of negativity. It Is wildly used term In 12 Step groups where It Is referred to as people who have regressed to old patterns and old motives of thinking. This Is a unwanted state of affairs because If we return to thinking like an addict then It won't be long before we follow this with action. It Is possible for us addicts to think our way out of recovery and back to active addiction.

Types of Stinking Thinking:

Resenting other people

Self-centeredness

Blaming other people

Feeling superior to everyone else

Bitterness about the past

Feeling Inferior to everyone else

Grandiosity

Blowing things out of proportion

Being overly pessimistic

Ill-will towards strangers

Focus on the faults of other people

Viewing the world In black and white

Always attributing negative motives behind the actions of others

. . . and the list goes on, did you Identify with any one of these?

This pattern of thinking Is dangerous to people for many reasons. One it usually means that people are looking outside for the source of their problems when the real culprit is themselves. Secondly It means that life may feel unsatisfactory and those of us who are In recovery from addiction will be far more likely to relapse If we experience negative thoughts. Next this type of negative thinking leads to conflict and prevents us from meaningfully connect with other people. Lastly, those who think this way will cause more stress In our lives, If we blow even the smallest problem out of proportion It can mean personal suffering.

Stinking Thinking and the relapse process come hand In hand. Individuals who relapse after a period of sobriety will tend to experience a number events before picking back up and using drugs and alcohol. This Is referred to as the relapse process.

There Is a number of actions to avoid Stinking Thinking. One of many Is people don't even realize they have slipped Into It to begin with. It Is therefore necessary for addicts to keep track of their thinking to observe for any persistent patterns of negative thinking. A great method for helping us addicts to become more aware of our thoughts Is through mediation practice and journaling. Mindfulness in particular can be a fantastic technique for allowing us to have greater awareness of our thinking process. Gratitude and positive thinking are an effective way to counterbalance an excess of negative thoughts as well.

Those of us who are recovering from addiction should seek help If we are feeling constantly negative. This Is often a sign that something Is going wrong, and If we don't take the proper actions could lead to relapse.

[badbitchrecovery]

Recovery Skills <3

The consequences of alcoholism and addiction usually result In an experience of great shame and loss. Learning and practicing new coping strategies and skills rather than falling back to our use of chemical substances is the progressive but therapeutic solution. How do you practice these skills you may ask? Well for starters establishing and practicing boundaries with friends and associates at work, school, and recreation to protect your recovery. We must also be responsible for our actions and feelings. We find ways to be of service to others and "give back". Lastly we take action that are consistently responsible and caring for others.

Think of activities which would be most useful for you to start practicing. Journaling, meditation, mirror and breath work, yoga, whatever brings your mind at bay.

Three quick breath interventions:

For Our Body: To Release Physical Tension

The Falling Out Breath

Fill your lungs with a deep Inhale.

Take another sip of air at the top of your Inhale.

Exhale with a big sigh. MAKE IT AUDIBLE.

For Our Mind: To Increase Mindfulness

The Box Breath

Inhale for four counts.

Hold for four counts.

Exhale for four counts.

Hold for four counts.

For Our Spirit: To Calm Nervous System

The Emptying Breath

Inhale three counts.

Exhale six counts.

Attached I made different layouts to print so you can start journaling today . . . . <3

I hope these tools help you find different strategies so we all don't face a relapse. Hold yourself accountable and with integrity.

[badbitchrecovery]

Meditation <3

I wanted to share this hilarious meditation. Excuse the language but I believe we all deserve a good laugh In the morning. . . So play this tomorrow morning or whenever you are feeling some type of way! I'm sure you can put five minutes aside In the morning for yourself and meditate. Hope this helps someone and makes their morning a little brighter.

[badbitchrecovery]

Openness & Willingness <3

When coming to terms with our addiction(s) we need to do so In a non judgmental manner. Being open minded In recovery has It's benefits and Is a crucial tool for people who are recovering from addiction. A arrogant alcoholic will think they have all the answers, but that thinking never got them anywhere and back to drinking they went. In recovery a new way of thinking Is required. The benefits of open-mindedness are countless. You gain the ability to live life honestly and see the world In color, have greater ease building friendships, freedom, and you gain liberation by being vulnerable enough to admit not having all the answers. Yes, that's right, we don't have all the answers (tough thing to swallow right?). But by doing this not only do we, as a person admit our limitations but we are also accepting that such lack of knowledge Is okay.

There are dangers to approaching sobriety with a closed mind and could ultimately put our recovery In jeopardy. If people are to closed minded to recovery It's possible to develop dry drunk syndrome, they remain abstinent from alcohol and drugs but In many ways their behavior Is much the same as it was when they were addicted. An Individual could also easily get stuck In their recovery. When facing challenges they are unwilling to admit they need help and don't have the resources to over come it. With that there can be no further progress in sobriety and the individual is likely to relapse back Into their addiction.

Most are not naturally open-minded and Is something that most have to work at. To be more open-minded in addiction recovery we need to get out of the habit of automatically refusing other's suggestions. It's good that we question our own opinions and beliefs. When we become sober, we are often taken by surprise that our former beliefs are Ill-Informed. Being open-minded means that we have to come to terms with leaving our comfort zone and seek knowledge. It can be helpful for some of us to deliberately position ourselves where our current opinions and views are challenged. If the opposing view is correct then there can be no threat, right? Of course, the objective isn't to go start arguments, so It Is best to conduct such projects when one Is more established In sobriety.

Honesty Is one the most respected of moral characteristics. Who are you as a person without your word? Most of us tell white lies from time to time and that's not entirely bad. But honesty In active addiction Is crucial In order to rebuild a new life. We need to not only be truthful with others, but most Importantly ourselves. The most damaging of all will be the lies that we tell ourselves.

We all rely on denial In order to keep abusing our favorite chemicals. With honesty It finally leads us Into recovery, and It's honesty that keeps us there. It Is easy to slip into the habit of lying and the problem with that Is long term consequences of dishonesty are usually negative. Us addicts tend to lie without even realizing it. We are so self deluded that we are unable to see the truth. Dishonesty In recovery Is dangerous because It Is a common sign of relapse. It could be our very selves that keep us trapped in addiction when we let self deception to once again take a hold of our lives. If we continue to be dishonest our healing will never take place and if we do not value honesty then we will not put much effort into living a life that Is built upon it.

Participation Is willingness, action, and commitment. Willingness Is showing up to recovery, Including all activities that recovery entails. Therapy, 12 step meetings, support groups, and events within the recovery community. Willingness Is showing up for ourselves.

Openness and willingness can be the path that leads to long term sobriety and a new life.

[badbitchrecovery]

Daily / Weekly Planner <3

What's up!

I touched on previous posts the Importance of having a daily routine of rituals. Scheduling our day carefully and managing our behavior throughout our recovery can give us a sense of control and this better helps us manage daily life stresses and build up our confidence!

Attached are some Daily, Weekly planners and notes that you can print and start to plan your days accordingly . . and remember, stick to It!

[badbitchrecovery]

Urge Surfing <3

How's It going?

This video does wonders In showing us the benefits of Urge Surfing!

What Is Urge Surfing you may ask? Well It's a walk-through meant to help someone become aware of these urges without giving In to them. Urges are feelings of deep craving for something specific. This mental technique Is meant to observe and experience these urges without truly engaging In It. Psychologist Dr. Alan Marlatt developed the concept to help in addiction recovery. This technique analogizes a urge to a wave In the ocean. Waves can be heavy and powerful, but tend to pass quickly. So just like an urge, both are strong but usually doesn't last a long time. With this video It teaches you to Imagine urge surfing as you, a surfer, rides the wave of an urge(s).

Urge Surfing Is very similar to mindfulness meditation. The point of meditation Is to observe your breath, thoughts and feelings when you feel them wander. You want to observe these thoughts without frustration and judgment. You are practicing to be present for which that Is the only thing we can control, what we do now. This makes our thoughts less powerful and reduces stress.

Urge Surfing could be used for pretty much any to all addictions. Urge Surfing can be effective for addiction treatment since It Is a operative way to control harmful Impulses.

[badbitchrecovery]

Toxic Shame <3

How Is everyone today?

I wanted to touch onto the topic of toxic shame . . . What does "shame" feel like to you and how Is It different from "guilt"?

Shame Is similar to guilt except shame Is a feeling and guilt Is the act of. Many of us In recovery feel both and then feel a deep remorse of our past active addiction(s). Addiction happens for many reasons, but can be fueled by mental Illness, trauma, environment and upbringing, secrets, and low self esteem. All these factors function together to disconnect us from ourselves and the world around us, causing us addicts to turn to substances like Alcohol and drugs for alleviation. Toxic shame Is a Intense feeling that can run over time and make addiction worse. Additionally it further disassociates us Individuals from the world around them and aids to create a pattern of secrecy, pain, and addiction.

Guilt Is a common emotion or feeling that closely every human experiences at many points In life. It may sound very similar to toxic shame, but there Is a difference between the two. Guilt Is when we know we have done something dishonest and feel bad about it. Guilt can only be alleviated by admitting where we have been wrong and taking the steps to correct It.

Toxic shame Is distinguishable because It has to do with our Identity. Guilt Is knowing you've done wrong and been dishonest while toxic shame Is believing that you, as a person, are wrong and bad. It's believing we have a key flaw In our nature. Toxic shame can arise from trauma or patterns of behavior over time. It can show Itself In a number of ways. More than often, addicts experience this type of shame and want to distance ourselves from others, as we feel Isolated and alone regarding our addiction(s) experiences. This Is extremely harmful to our recovery efforts, as support Is what truly gives us addicts the motivation to continue with treatment and staying committed to sobriety. It Is best to try hard to Identify toxic shame In our lives so that It may be addressed throughout treatment. We need to develop healthy thought patterns that can successfully motivate our recovery efforts.

Toxic shame reveals us addicts a skewed Image of ourselves that furthers us Into seeking comfort In substances. Feeling this constant shame can develop other Issues Including anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. When dealing with these Issues It can cause us to develop codependent behaviors. It Is necessary for us to deal with toxic shame for it helps unpack negative beliefs about ourselves and forming a new, positive self Image to help promote a healthy recovery.

There's many ways to work through our past trauma and events:

Practicing self care

Therapy (Individual, group, or holistic)

Find a recovery / support group

Being honest with our emotions with trusted / safe people

Journaling and meditation

LOVE YOURSELF. DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU GET BETTER! BEGIN NOW, AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN!

Here's some tips on How to Love Yourself:

Stop all criticism

Don't scare yourself

Be gentle, kind, and patient

Be kind to your mind

Praise yourself

Support yourself

Be loving to your negatives

Take care of your body

Mirror work

Speak some positive affirmations, the pain we feel remembering will get better and can't get any worse than the pain we felt by knowing and not remembering.

[hclib]

New on the National Register of Historic Places: Alano Society of Minneapolis Clubhouse, 2218 1st Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn.

Originally the home of wealthy industrialist John Washburn, the residence, built in 1887, was acquired by the Alano Society of Minneapolis, the state’s first chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), in 1942. The building was used for local AA meetings, regional events, and talks from notable speakers. It also acted as an information hub for AA chapters in the greater Minneapolis area. The property is located within the locally designated Washburn Fair-Oaks Historic District. The building is still in use today by the Alano Society of Minneapolis, making it the oldest continuously operating Alano Club at a single location in the world. Learn more about the history of the Alano Society and its clubhouse.

The Alano Society of Minneapolis Clubhouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 13, 2021. See more photos from the nomination.

Photo and building permit index card from the Hennepin County Library Digital Collections.

[badbitchrecovery]

What's up bad bitches!

Today I wanted to go over more ingredients for recovery, In learning how to Identify TRIGGERS.

Triggers can come In various forms and It Is Important to be able to identify which form cause these cravings. Triggers could be people, objects, feelings, and could also be sensory, like a smell that triggers you. Your brain associates the triggers with substance use. One trigger can cause you to gravitate toward relapse. When a trigger arrives the thought comes second, the craving comes third, and lastly we are out using and back into the mess we were so desperately trying to recover from.

When triggers happen many seem to think they have the losing end of the argument. This Is when you need to fight! You must come up with many reasons to stay abstinent. Your mind Is looking for any possible excuse to use again. You are looking for relapse justification.

The only way to be certain that a thought won't lead to a relapse is to stop the thought BEFORE it leads to a craving (Easier said then done right? I totally feel you on that). Putting a stop to the thought when It first begins prevents it from building into an uncontrollable craving. It Is crucial to do it as soon as you realize you are thinking about using. Try to deter your mind, take a shower, exercise, meditate, journal, whatever helps to stop the thought from progressing to craving.

Many don't realize you relapse mentally before you do physically. Recovery is more than not using drugs and alcohol. The next step is not starting again. Often you'll notice behaviors and patterns return before the substance use, so learning to recognize the beginning of a relapse can help people in recovery stop the process before they start using again.

Addiction

↓

Treatment

↓

Recovery

↓

Addictive Behavior

Addictive Thinking

Emotional Buildup

↓

This can go one of two ways:

Relapse Prevention

↓

2. Continued Recovery

OR

No Relapse Prevention

↓

2. Relapse

Addictive behaviors are things that addicted people do to obtain drugs or alcohol, cover up substance abuse, or as part of abusing. Stealing, lying, being unreliable, and acting compulsively are some types of addictive behaviors. When the behaviors reappear, people In recovery should Identify the trigger and should be alerted that relapse will soon follow If they do not intervene.

Addictive thinking means having thoughts that make substance use seem okay. Some examples would be telling yourself you can handle one drink, or even rewarding yourself after a hard days of work, you need a break. THATS ADDICTIVE THINKING.

What Is emotional buildup? Some feelings simply just don't go away and seem very unbearable. Some feelings that can build up are boredom, anxiety, loneliness, sexual frustration, irritability, and depression. As a addict It Is important to take action as soon as you recognize the danger signs.

Take the time to list actions that might help you prevent relapse and stick to it! With substance abuse it is very important to keep yourself busy. Scheduling your time every single day will help you achieve and maintain abstinence. Your schedule Is your structure and support as you continue functioning In the world. When you jot down your schedule you will be doing what you think you should be doing instead of what you feel like doing. Follow your schedule and try not to make any changes. If you can schedule a 24 hour period and follow it, you are on your way to gaining control of your life. If you can't, you may need to seek a higher level of care as a start.

[badbitchrecovery]

Acceptance <3

"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some face of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes. Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” He forgot to mention that I was the chief critic. I was always able to see the flaw in every person, every situation. And I was always glad to point it out, because I knew you wanted perfection, just as I did. A.A. and acceptance have taught me that there is a bit of good in the worst of us and a bit of bad in the best of us; that we are all children of God and we each have a right to be here. When I complain about me or about you, I am complaining about God’s handiwork. I am saying that I know better than God. For years I was sure the worst thing that could happen to a nice guy like me would be that I would turn out to be an alcoholic. Today I find it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. This proves I don’t know what’s good for me. And if I don’t know what’s good for me, then I don’t know what’s good or bad for you or for anyone. So I’m better off if I don’t give advice, don’t figure I know what’s best, and just accept life on life’s terms, as it is today – especially my own life, as it actually is. Before A.A. I judged myself by my intentions, while the world was judging me by my actions."

This Is from the story Acceptance was the answer in the Fourth Edition Big Book. I chose this excerpt for my first post since It always stood out to me and It never quit made sense. I was confused on how someone could possibly be happy to be an alcoholic! But now that I've allowed myself to slow down and step back, I now understand. Most of us left trails of destruction in our use and hurt anyone that got in our way. Even though we don't wake up already a butterfly, admittance Is the first step to liberating our damaged soul . . . at least for me It did. Checking myself into IOP treatment I now see the benefits of me admitting for I didn't know what was good for myself. Positive benefits and opportunities have been provided by sobriety.

I am Tiffany Johnson and welcome to my journey and like so many others I'm a alcoholic and I'm happy you've all made the first steps to your recovery. I hope this blog helps my fellow brothers and sisters In their own personal journey's with sobriety. You, me, US all aren't alone in our addiction(s) and that this disease that has taken over us doesn't define us, not one bit!

Lets show the world who we really are!

[badbitchrecovery]

If you're ever scared you're a bad person remember that bad people don't care about being better.

[badbitchrecovery]

♡

I am open to the new & changing. Every moment presents a wonderful opportunity to become more of who I am. I flow with life easily & effortlessly.