In this episode of the Forest Fires, Addiction, Recovery & Redemption podcast we will be discussing why some of us seem preprogrammed to run away from difficult or painful situations and how this avoidance can have severe consequences on our mental health, our physical wellbeing, our relationships and our recovery.

To err is human; to forgive, divine. We have all heard this phrase at some point in our lives and most of us would agree with it. However, forgiveness isn't always as easy as it sounds, especially when it comes to forgiving ourselves. In this episode of the Forest Fires, Addiction, Recovery & Redemption podcast we discuss why forgiveness is so important to our recovery and to our overall mental health. We will also be discussing how to make forgiveness a part of our daily lives and our daily program of recovery.

In this episode of the Forest Fires, Addiction, Recovery & Redemption podcast we're talking about what a victim mentality really is and what it isn’t. We'll also discuss how dangerous a victim mindset can be and how we can protect ourselves and our recoveries from falling into the trap of self-pity.

In this special edition of the Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery & Redemption Podcast we take a moment to observe National and International Overdose Awareness Day. Join me as we honor those we have lost, support the friends, families, loved ones and communities of those affected and discuss the urgency and importance of combating substance use disorders, as well as the stigma that continues to surround them.

We have all heard that being a part of a recovery community is a good thing, but we may not always know why. In this week's episode we move past the slogans and sayings and get to the evolutionary and practical reasons why being a part of a community isn't just a good suggestion for those of us in recovery, but an essential need of all human beings.

In active addiction and throughout recovery, our thoughts can feel like an enemy out to get us, and our brains like a labyrinth of confusion and self-deception.

In this episode of Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery & Redemption we'll discuss how overthinking, and our rationalizations can sabotage even our best recovery attempts.

We'll also discuss strategies to break free from this mental maze and empower us to reclaim and protect our recovery.

How can society simultaneously glamorize the use of alcohol and drugs while stigmatizing those who struggle with substance use disorders and seek recovery? Join me in this episode of Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery and Redemption, as we try and answer this question and discuss the complicated relationship that American society has with substances, addiction and recovery.

What is sobriety? what does it mean to be sober? Is sobriety the total abstinence from all substances? Can I truly be sober if I'm taking mental health medications, or if I smoke or if I vape? While these may seem to be easy to answer questions, they lead to a great deal of frustration and confusion for many members of the recovery community, especially for those just getting started. In this episode of Forest Fires, Addiction Recovery and Redemption, we take a deep dive into what it means to be sober.