The Science of Addiction** Clients often ask me “why” they drink, use drugs, or behave compulsively with repeated unhealthy coping. There are 6 broad categories that inform the development of a substance use disorder. While “chemical dependency education” does not transform people or create lasting change, it is a necessary part of the treatment journey and it’s needed for lasting...[ read more ]
Yea, that’s how I felt when the addiction research industry started - and continued - to talk about trauma. (Now that I think about it, The Brady Bunch is a good reference for this blog post. Those kids were YOUNG when their respective parents died. They had an understood “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule about talking about their grief and...[ read more ]
Party Time! In an older blog post titled “What Do I Do At Parties,” written to support persons in early recovery** navigate social settings in which there will be alcohol, I wrote the following paragraph: “Finally, let’s be honest about the “how can I have fun without alcohol?” The answer to that is as varied and individual as there...[ read more ]
But, What Do I Do At Parties? One of the first questions I get asked early and often in working with clients who are trying to change their relationship with alcohol is “But what about parties?” Here are some of the forms that question takes: What do I do when someone offers a drink? What do I say when someone...[ read more ]
"Age of First Use?" What the Hell Does THAT Mean? Go to any intake or assessment for drug and alcohol use**, and one of the questions you’ll be asked is “What was your age of first use?” The question might seem trivial. Because it’s when your use got problematic that is the concern, right? Yes. Right. And no. The age...[ read more ]
Why You Can’t Think Your Way Into Not Drinking I’ve observed a tendency in my clients that they believe because they have achieved so much, they "should" be able to address their substance use disorder themselves. My clients are mostly high functioning persons with an alcohol use disorder** or substance use disorder**, people who are over-using alcohol, drinking too much,...[ read more ]
A Happy and Sober Holiday Season 2020 Version Last year I wrote a series of posts that I called “Your Definitive Guide to a Happy Sober Holiday Season.” It accurately described many of the challenges persons in recovery** can face during the holiday season. Click here for the blog post on an accurate assessment of recovery status. Click here for...[ read more ]
Grief I forgot an assignment last month. Now, that might not seem like a big deal, but I am in in a Doctorate program; I have participated in a LOT of academics. I have 3 degrees and several certifications; I have done an s-ton of assignments, and never forgotten one until last month. Why? Grief. Did you know forgetfulness is...[ read more ]
Your Definitive Guide to a Happy, Sober Holiday Season - People, Places, and Traditions “The Holidays” Those 2 words create feelings, emotions, and begin a series of automatic responses in people. For some, “the Holidays” creates feelings of fun, festive, family celebration. They remember and anticipate laughter, Aunt Jen’s sugar cookies, Dad’s turkey, and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade...[ read more ]
The Science of Woo: Contemplative Movement This is the next in my series “The Science of Woo: How the practices of spiritual disciplines, positive psychology, and other “out there” ideas are backed by science.” You can read earlier posts in the series below: I covered forgiveness. Here you can read about the science of gratitude. And you can LMAO yourself...[ read more ]
