Jen Smith's Blog

Journal entries from my early recovery I came across an old journal that I kept in early recovery at the request of a mentor. I haven’t seen this is nearly fifteen years. I found it quite interesting. I’m filled with gratitude that I don’t have to live in  despair anymore, that I’ve found a new way […]

The post Early Recovery Journal Entries appeared first on Jen Smith.

Not drinking in Cuba, by Jen Smith. I went to Cuba and I didn’t drink. Woo Hoo! The mojitos were free flowing everywhere. Sexy Latino bartenders expertly combined the Cuban rum, sugarcane, lime juice and basil, topped with a citrus garnish and sometimes adding the forever loved umbrella. At least, I think it’s made with […]

The post Not Drinking in Cuba appeared first on Jen Smith.

Written by Alex Pareene, senior editor at Deadspin. Blame white people. Blame white men in particular, but reserve plenty of blame for white women. Blame old people, too. Blame rich people, as always. Blame the public at large for Donald fucking Trump getting more votes than Donald Duck. Democracy enacts the will of the public; this […]

The post Fuck Everything and Blame Everyone appeared first on Jen Smith.

by Jen Smith. Myself, my honey and two other couples were milling around on a street corner in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was hot, but enjoyably hot, at least for me. I really can’t speak for the others, although no one was complaining about it so that was a good sign. Across the […]

The post Caribbean Recovery. appeared first on Jen Smith.

I honor these kids for their courage to speek up about addiction in there town and in their life. By DEBORAH BECKER and SHANNON DOOLING BOSTON With many high schoolers marking this time of year with caps and gowns and plans for college, a recent Andover High School graduate is trying to draw attention to those young people who […]

The post The Other Side of Andover Massachusetts appeared first on Jen Smith.

By Joseph Markman. The Enterprise. Posted Mar. 24, 2015 at 2:24 AM Updated at 2:43 AM Paul grew up in a middle class family and earned a college degree. He has worked as a professional on the South Shore for the last 20 years. His story, by now, is familiar. In his early 30s, Paul […]

The post End Stigma against Medically Assisted Recovery appeared first on Jen Smith.

Why I wrote SICK. by Jen Smith. After years of debauchery, addiction, bad choices, and confusion I found recovery and began a life consistent with someone who is considered a productive member of society.  This was painfully weird for me at first and still is a bit awkward.  In pursuit of a legal means to […]

The post Why I wrote SICK appeared first on Jen Smith.

I like to consider myself well versed on drugs and recovery. My knowledge of both of these contradicting topics comes from self-discovery and exploration. I know drugs from doing them and I know recovery through the study and participation in the 12-step recovery programs along with more recent study of other people’s recovery paths through […]

The post Neuroscience and addiction appeared first on Jen Smith.

by Jen Smith: I’ve been reading Joe Vitale’s new book ‘The Awakening Course’.  I’m always up for a new trick or two to help me be happy.  Happiness and feeling good has been a life long endeavor for me.  Drugs and alcohol used to be my only source of feeling good, ‘Better living through chemistry’ […]

The post No Complaining appeared first on Jen Smith.

By: Jen Smith In the last few years I have been asked if I was interested in becoming a recovery coach on more than one occasion. Since my plate was full with a demanding job, family, and service commitments to my twelve step fellowship, I easily declined. This past year I have been mostly unemployed […]

The post What is a recovery coach? appeared first on Jen Smith.