The following is an interview I participated in on IdeaMarketers.com for National Recovery Month.

September is National Recovery Month. A month dedicated to the message that recovery from alcohol or drug abuse is possible. There are many people who live with the secret that they have an alcoholic in their family. These same people struggle with questions on what they can do to help their partner and family.

More on National Recovery Month: Is There Help for My Alcoholic Partner?

Dr. Neill Neill

I am delighted to see my friend Bill Urell's latest post on addiction recovery, "7 Great Tips To Help You In Early Drug Addiction Recovery." It would be good to reread Bill's article right away any time you notice yourself with any of what I call "The Big  Four Relapse Warning Signs."

Keep up the good work Bill.

Dr. Neill Neill, Registered Psychologist and Diplomate, Comprehensive Energy Psychology, maintains an active psychology and life-coaching practice on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. He is a member of the treatment team at Sunshine Coast Health Centre, an alcohol and drug treatment center for men. His goal is to help you to help yourself to a better life. http://www.neillneill.com

Awareness is key to building a healthy, meaningful and fulfilling life after rehab. You need to be alert and aware to spot the early warning signs of relapse into addiction and take whatever action is necessary to maintain your recovery. Watch for what I like to call, "The Big Four Relapse Warning Signs."

If any one of them sneaks back into your life, take it as a warning to redouble your resolve to stay the course of your recovery.

More on After Drug or Alcohol Rehab: Four Relapse Warning Signs

Dr. Neill Neill

My regular readers will know that I write articles on a variety of subjects in practical psychology, including alcoholism.  I have a particular interest in the well-being of families of alcoholics and other addicts. I am such a family member myself.

I came across a new website today called Addiction Recovery Basics by Bill Urell, who works with people recovering from addictions. Check it out. He has good articles on chemical dependency, 12-step, and the depression that so often accompanies substance-abuse and recovery.

I expect that over time our writings will complement each other.

On a personal note, there are a few parallels between us, although I may be a bit longer in the tooth than Bill. Just before Christmas I was honored with a cake for 30 years of sobriety at the alcohol and drug treatment center where I am the consulting psychologist.

Bill says he bought a convertible. I bought a motorcycle last year. (Is this a male thing or a stage-of-life thing?)

Anyway Bill, congratulations on your new internet venture!

Neill

Dr. Neill Neill, Registered Psychologist, maintains an active psychology and life-coaching practice on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. He is a member of the treatment team at Sunshine Coast Health Centre, an alcohol and drug treatment center for men. Visit http://www.neillneill.com for articles and commentary.