5 Dry January Tips to Stay Sober

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Dry January, the practice of abstaining from alcohol for a month, has gained popularity as a health trend, with more people taking the challenge each year. Dry January started in the UK in 2014, serving as a tool to support individuals in moderating or discontinuing alcohol consumption. Research shows the positive impact of short-term alcohol […]

The Benefits of Sober Living Communities

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Sober living communities offer a secure and substance-free setting for individuals undergoing outpatient rehab. Sober living homes are equally beneficial for those who have successfully completed an initial rehab program and are looking to transition less harshly into independent living. Whether you prefer a sober living house close to the rehab facility or in your […]

How to Get into Sober Living

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Many people who complete an inpatient addiction treatment program want to know how to get into sober living. Sober living communities can help those fighting addictions to readjust to their daily routines in a structured and supportive setting, but how can you find one of these communities? Steps to Getting into a Sober Living House […]

What is Sober Living?

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What is sober living is a question commonly asked by those seeking to initiate addiction recovery. After completing an inpatient treatment program, sober living provides a supportive setting for individuals to ease back into their daily routines. Reintegrating into regular life can prove challenging during the recovery process, making sober living a potentially worthwhile choice […]

Addiction Support Groups: What to Know

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For many years, individuals grappling with substance use disorders and their families have sought assistance from addiction support groups. Addiction recovery support groups encompass a wide spectrum, including: What is a Support Group for Addiction? Support groups for addiction are structured gatherings of individuals who come together to provide emotional, social, and often practical support […]

What is a Halfway House?

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After completing drug and alcohol treatment, returning to familiar environments associated with stressors may hinder the recovery process. Transitional or halfway houses play a vital role in streamlining the transition from treatment to independent living and can provide valuable support for ongoing recovery. In this brief guide, you will discover: What is The Purpose of […]

10 Ways to Have a Sober Thanksgiving & Holidays

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Facing life’s everyday stressors can sometimes make it challenging to cultivate a sense of gratitude. This difficulty becomes particularly pronounced during Thanksgiving, which carries an inherent expectation of feeling thankful. For individuals in early recovery from alcohol addiction, the concept of sober Thanksgiving holiday can bring added stress due to these expectations. Beyond this, it […]

What is California Sober?

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What is California sober? The concept of California sober, often abbreviated to Cali sober, involves substituting certain addictive substances with alternatives that are perceived as less harmful. Individuals adopting the California sober lifestyle may replace alcohol and other addictive substances with marijuana or choose to use alcohol and marijuana in moderation while abstaining from other […]

How Long Does It Take to Get Sober?

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How long does it take to get sober from drugs or alcohol? Getting sober is a unique journey for each individual, and the timeline can vary based on several factors. Understanding the general progression can provide insights into what to expect during the process of getting sober from alcohol or drugs, though. Today, you will […]

What is Sobriety? 10 Tips to Stay Sober

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“What is sobriety” is a question that means different things to different people. One meaning of sobriety is the state of abstaining from the use of alcohol and drugs. A broader sobriety definition involves an individual making a conscious decision to break free from the cycle of addiction and embrace a substance-free lifestyle. Today, you […]

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Christopher Glover CDCA

My name is Christopher Glover, and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am currently in school and working to grow in competence to better support our community. As a recovering individual I know the struggles that you or a loved one can go through and that there is help for anything you may be struggling with.

The hardest part is asking for help and we are here as a team to best support you and your decision to start your journey towards a better future. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

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Amanda Kuchenberg PRS CDCA

I recently joined Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers as a Clinical Case Manager. I am originally from Wisconsin but settled in the Cincinnati area in my early 20s.  My career started in the fashion industry but quickly changed as I searched to find my drive and passion through helping others who struggle with addiction. 

As someone who is also in recovery, I wanted to provide hope, share lived experience, and support others on their journey.  I currently have my Peer Recovery Support Supervision Certification along with my CDCA and plan to continue my education with University of Cincinnati so I can continue to aid in the battle against substance addiction. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

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Patrick McCamley LCDC III

 Patrick McCamley (Clinical Therapist) is a Cincinnati native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2019. Patrick received his bachelors degree in psychology from University of Cincinnati in 2021 and received his LCDC III (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2022. Patrick has worked in Clinical Operations, Clinical Case Management, and Clinical Therapy throughout his career.

Patrick has tremendous empathy and compassion for the recovery community, being in recovery himself since 2018. Patrick is uniquely qualified to be helpful because of the specific combination of his academic background and his own experience in recovery.

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Bill Zimmerman CDCA

Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018. Bill received his (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2020.

Bill has worked in Clinical Operations in both support and supervision, and Program facilitating and 12 step recovery support during his career. Bill has a passion for the recovery community, having been in recovery himself since 1982. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn

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Taylor Lilley CDCA, PRS

Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family. A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me. I remember what it was like sitting across from someone thinking there is no way they could ever understand what I was going through.

Sharing my experience offers a credibility and a certain type of trust with clients that only someone who has walked down this road can illustrate. To immerse myself further into the field of addiction, I am currently studying at Cincinnati State for Human and Social Services.  I hope I never forget where I came from, if I can do it, so can you!

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Thomas Hunter LSW

Hello my name is Thomas Hunter. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a licensed social worker.In my scope of practice I have worked in the areas of mental health and recovery for thirty years. The clients I have worked with in my career have ranged in age from seven to seventy.

I strive each day to serve my purpose of helping those in need and I believe I do so by utilizing all of my experiences to accomplish my goal of supporting those who desire to establish their sobriety and maintain it in their recovery. Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn.

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Mary D.Porter,LICDC

 My name is Mary D. Porter. I received my Masters of Social Work in 2008 from The University of Cincinnati. I received My Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure in 2001. I retired from The Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center on April 14, 2014. Currently, I am the Associate Clinical Director for The Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers in Cincinnati.. Due to the fourth wave of the Opioid Epidemic in 2019,  I decided to enter back into the workforce to assist the addicted population.

The overdoses were astounding and I wanted to help.  I consider myself  to be an advocate for the addicted population. My compassion, resilience, empathy, wisdom, knowledge, experience and  love I have for this forgotten population goes beyond words. I consider what I do for the addicted population as a calling versus a “career,” because I too was once an “addict and alcoholic.” Today I am 45.5 years alcohol and substance free.

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Ben Lemmon LCDC III

Hello, my name is Ben Lemmon, and I’m the Vice President and Clinical Director at Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers. I’ve been working in the addiction and mental health field since 2013 and decided to enter the field after overcoming my own challenges with addiction.

When I first meet a client, I always explain to them that the reason we are meeting is because they are not capable of obtaining or maintaining sobriety, and my goal is to create a person that can maintain sobriety. I believe a person’s personality is made up of their thoughts, feelings and actions and my job is to help clients identify the thoughts, feelings and actions that have them disconnected from recovery and provide them with the tools to live a healthy and happy life. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn