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Hypervigilance, Trauma, and Addiction: When Your Body Never Feels Safe
Content Warning: This article discusses trauma, addiction, substance use, withdrawal, relapse, abuse, and mental health. Please read with care. 💜 Since September is National Recovery Month, I have been thinking about the pieces of addiction we do not discuss nearly enough. We talk about the substance, sobriety, relapse, and consequences—but not always what someone may…
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Mini Detour – It’s National Recovery Month!
The Numbers Are Going Down. That Doesn’t Mean We’re Done. Content Warning: This post discusses addiction, overdose, fentanyl, drug-related deaths, and emerging substances in the illegal drug supply. Please read with care. 💜 I have been so damn busy the last couple of weeks that I honestly hadn’t comprehended how far into the month we…
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Trying to Earn Today Without Giving Up What I’m Building
I have been writing a different piece, but I have been incredibly hesitant to release it for many reasons. My gut is telling me to wait, and I need to listen. I am not even sure I have worded it in a way that truly encompasses what I am trying to say, so I will…
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A Quick Blog Update 💚💜
I just found out some information, and to be honest, I’m having one of those days when I just can’t focus—especially now. I have a blog post drafted and had planned to finalize and publish it tonight, but I need a little more time. It’s a sensitive subject, and I’m just not in the right…
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Mini Detour on my Monday Route
The Painting I Didn’t Know I Needed *If you look close enough, I realized as I was writing this, I believe there is a woman “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie Things have been a little stressful lately. Between trying to start…
Finding Serenity in Chaos; Surviving Hell
(and making it something beautiful)
In Loving Memory of Dustin Gene Gotham, Forever 32
Mental Health
Domestic Violence
Addiction
Favorite Quote:
When someone says, ” I can’t change”
Some part of them wants to change, but the payoffs for his present behavior, are greater than the payoffs for changed.
Behavior, or his fear of change is too great
Ladies and gentlemen, it takes courage to live your dreams
It takes courage to manifest your greatness
It takes courage to decide to live.”– Les Brown
If you’ve ever felt like life threw a couple, or a hundred too many challenges at you, and you have found it difficult dealing with all the different things that are happening in today’s world, you’re in the right place. My story isn’t polished or pretty — I am an open book. It’s messy, heartbreaking, sometimes darkly funny, and absolutely real. However, it is also about overcoming, rising above, breaking cycles, setting boundaries, and achieving happiness and success after trauma. I decided to start this page to not only get the conversation going on these topics that have too much stigma around them, but also for my own mental health, and hopefully my new career.
Detour From Hell: The Mind of a Hot Mess is where I lay it all out — the raw truth, the ugly cries, the dark humor, the science behind healing, and the wins that keep us moving forward. There will also be a lot of shocking statistics related to MH, Addiction, and Domestic Violence. In this website, you will also find resources, events, a memory board, and more.
Here, you’ll find:
- Personal stories from my journey from the beginning through recovery and mental health
- Honest conversations about addiction, trauma, and domestic violence and the stigma behind it
- Factual insights into what’s really happening in the brain and body when we damage and heal
- And maybe a laugh or two — because sometimes humor is the only thing that keeps us sane!
This isn’t a self-help blog. It’s a self-truth blog. A place for survivors, strugglers, and anyone who’s ever felt like their life took a wrong turn and they’re just trying to find the map again. Even if its just in a part of your life.
So please, grab a cup of coffee (or energy drink 😁 or whatever floats your boat), settle in, and join the conversation. Healing’s a hell of a detour — but we don’t have to walk it alone.
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About the Author
Ashley Alexander, author and creator behind “Detour From Hell”, and I am passionate about sharing real stories, sharing shocking statistics, and providing resources. Read full bio and purpose of blog here.
