Hickory Wind Ranch Best of 2011

The Hickory Wind Ranch staff and blog editors have arranged this list as a way to bring more awareness to the online sobriety community, while also paying tribute to those who have been making strong contributions. There is and endless array of resources, blogs, treatments, and facility listings out there in cyber space. We've spent hours reviewing and curating this list of the best sites out there in the sober community. This our way of spreading the word and increasing awareness because in the end, we're all in this together.

Best Sobriety Blogs

Sobriety blogging has really become an offshoot of the 12th step in addiction recovery. Today there are hundreds – literally hundreds – of sober folks out there blogging and writing every day. They talk about their deep personal attachments, failures, and even the perceived indifference of sober life. Blogging has become a means of accountability for both bloggers and readers. Those who write do so to take daily stock of their successes and failures. Those who read do so to be reminded that they are not alone, to stay inspired.


TreatmentTalk.org
Cathy Taughinbaugh, the literary force behind TreatmentTalk.org, offers a great read for families struggling with addiction. Notably, she provides an abundant amount of info on how parents can help their children deal with addiction.


SanitizeYourSoul.org
For many going through addiction recovery, it’s a newfound sense of spirituality that helps them overcome the hard times. Jonathan Okinaga writes about his personal victories over addiction with the help of religion.

Best Equine Therapy

In today’s sobriety world, there are a litany of ways to rehabilitate. You’ve got typical detox programs, sober baby-sitters, even some fringe type activities at top-of-the-line detox houses. However, none seems more beneficial or altruistically helpful than the quickly emerging field of Equine Therapy.


HeartsandHooves.com
This Austin-based Equine Therapy program is run by Veronique Matthews and uses dwarf mini-ponies as way to rehabilitate those suffering from substance abuse addiction, among other afflictions.

Best Sober Resource Directory

Long gone are the days of the yellow pages and in its stead are numerous online directories. But something separates your run of the mill list of businesses in the sobriety industry from those that can truly call themselves sober resources.

Treatment4Addiction.com

Treatment4Addiction.com is really a one-stop-shop for all of your addiction news and needs. With a comprehensive directory, video section, and consistently updated blog, there’s no addiction stone left unturned. You can also dig into sections dedicated to the different types of substance recovery.

Best Adolescent Recovery Center

PhoenixHouse.org
Phoenix House is a leading non-profit provider of substance abuse treatment and prevention services, serving more than 7,000 men, women, and teens each day. In 1983, the organization launched the first of its Phoenix House Academies, residential high schools where teens receive treatment and can recapture classes and credits they may have lost while battling addiction. There are currently 11 Phoenix House Academies in 7 states. Phoenix House’s outstanding adolescent programs earned them a spot on our Best of 2011 list.