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Few dynamics in life are as subtle and nuanced as the therapist-client relationship, which involves a complex system of boundaries designed to protect both while providing a safe, healing environment.
Most people beginning their journey into recovery enter through the gateway of a 12-step program. Especially in early recovery, the religious connotation of the language in the Big Book can
“We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” – The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 4 “Many people think that making a “searching and fearless moral inventory” means
Therapeutic relationships are intricate, dynamic systems of healing and trust, defined by boundaries. Similar to state lines on a map or borders between countries, however, many boundaries are invisible and,
“We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.” –The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 3 Besides
Last month researchers at Rutgers University cracked a code in their effort to demystify how addiction affects the brain, and their discovery may lead to more new medications for cocaine
“We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” –The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 2 When Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935,
“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” –The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Step 1 The idea of admitting you’re powerless over an addiction sounds
A strong, positive network of support from family, friends, and the community at large is critical to recovery. Without a sufficient support network, someone struggling with isolation—a defining characteristic of
Last week, the U.S. Senate successfully passed the “Opioid Crisis Response Act”— a wide-ranging set of bills that contains many of the same recommendations of the President’s Commission on Combating
Recovery is a lot about who you know. Let me explain…. In a month devoted to the topic of social pressure and its relation to substance abuse, there is great
Drug overdoses, the vast majority of which are opiate-related, are now the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50. It’s a runaway epidemic that more often
Recovery is a battle that is fought in stages. If you’ve already survived the rigors of detox through inpatient or outpatient treatment, are working a 12-step program, and have made
Prescription drugs are among the most popular drugs of abuse among people ages 14 and older. On college campuses especially, prescription drug abuse constitutes a growing trend. For example, the
Yesterday was “World Suicide Prevention Day,” which kicked off National Suicide Prevention Week (September 9-15). The annual campaign, marked by events around the country to raise awareness about suicide prevention
“Learned helplessness” is a term from the world of psychology that has been around for a while. It was first coined during experiments with lab animals that over a prolonged
One common symptom of addiction disorder is becoming “dis-ordered”: missing work, forgetting appointments, neglecting personal grooming. An important part of detox is reorganizing life for new self-understanding, new goals and
If perfectionism had any role in your developing an addiction disorder, you’ve probably harbored fear of learning new skills you weren’t sure you could get “right.” And if you’ve been
“I’m so stupid.” This kind of negative self-talk is familiar to many of us. But thoughts like “no good,” “deficient” or “hopeless” can reinforce feelings of shame and discourage progress
It’s no secret that Americans are drinking more in recent years, but on the heels of last week’s news that “there is no safe level” of alcohol consumption, what’s worth
An active support network, comprising both formal support groups and informal friendships, can make the difference between relapse and long-term recovery. But as with any tool or program, a support
Any life transition—getting married, moving, starting college and of course attaining sobriety—comes with inherent strain on the nerves. Even “regular” transitions such as a change of seasons can catch you
In my previous blog we discussed the health benefits of creativity and the science behind how exploring your creativity can help your recovery. But getting there—channeling your individual creativity and
If you think you’ll be happy when you find the right job/retire/have enough money— you’ll not only miss a lot of fun along the way, you’ll sink into apathy if
If you’re a member of any 12-Step group, you’ve heard many of your fellow members announce: “Tonight I’m celebrating one year of sobriety”—or six months, five years or ten years.
