Blog

The Science of Woo: Service and Volunteerism

a heart volunteer graphic with words that support service as a recovery from substance abuse tool

The Science of Woo: Service and Volunteerism The Greek philosopher Aristotle summarized that the essence of life is “To serve others and do good.” It’s Memorial Day in the United States, and I thought that would be a good day to publish the next in my series “The Science of Woo: Service and Volunteerism. You can find the beginning of...[ read more ]

The Science of Woo: Laughter

kermit the frog on a couch laughing to reinforce the idea that laughter is a powerful recovery tool in substance abuse recovery

The Science of Woo: Laughter Before I went to sleep last night, I laughed so hard tears were rolling down my cheeks. When I woke up this morning, my sides hurt. The same thing happened yesterday. This is a special and delightful weekend for the Recovery Therapist. My daughter graduated from college yesterday. That is, of course, one of my...[ read more ]

The Science of Woo: Gratitude

a simple decorated place setting with "thanks" on it to reinforce the idea of gratitude as a tool in substance abuse recovery

The Science of Woo: Gratitude “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson   It was 1991 and a pleasant enough day. I was not employed, but had been...[ read more ]

The Science of Woo: How the practices of spiritual disciplines, positive psychology, and other “out there” ideas are backed by science

a sign that says whatever it takes to speak to the need to build habits in recovery from substance abuse that are beneficial

The Science of Woo: How the practices of spiritual disciplines, positive psychology, and other “out there” ideas are backed by science I am introducing my series on “The Science of Woo: How the practices of spiritual disciplines, positive psychology, and other “out there” ideas are backed by science.” One of the struggles I have as a treatment provider to persons...[ read more ]

One Small Happiness: The Power to Change the Things You Can

a picture of a seasonally decorated part of my house to support celebrating small joys

One Small Happiness: The Power to Change the Things You Can It’s the end of Spring Break. I’ve spent the day refreshing my home. And reflecting – mostly reflecting that my Spring Break wasn’t as productive as I had planned. Many of you reading know that I have a job role as an Administrator/School Counselor at a small private school...[ read more ]

What is Normal Drinking?

What IS Normal Drinking? Holidays Today is a culturally normative day of drinking; long before Day Drinking became codified into our social structure as a meme, it existed as a ritualized event or expectation. The culture of celebration and the (over) consumption of alcohol has a long history in the United States; Super Bowl, New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July,...[ read more ]

Who, Me? 3 Unlikely Over-Drinkers

a stethoscope to symbolize the text about a nurse who overdrinks but denies he has a problem

I Can’t Have A Problem With Drugs or Alcohol... Even though stereotypes and stigma have been amended significantly, the ideas of who can be a person with a substance use disorder ** still outdated, limited, and provides “cover” to persons who are using defense mechanisms to avoid looking at their relationship with alcohol or drugs. Below are 3 composite vignettes...[ read more ]

Resentment and Forgiveness: Which Brain Are You Building?

“Your resentment trains you to see evidence of your rightness.” Briana and Dr. Peter Borten (The Dragontree)   The above quote was part of my meditation material this morning. In 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) identified resentment as a significant issue for persons with a substance use problem, and science has since produced significant research supporting the need for healthy habits...[ read more ]

Threatening, Blaming, Shouting, Defiance (Defense Mechanism Series – Addiction)

a man with his hand in front of his face, covered in smoke to depict defiance regarding quitting substances

Defense Mechanisms Threatening, Blaming, Shouting, Defiance This is the next in my series on Defense Mechanisms used in substance use disorder**: drug, alcoholism, or behavioral (also known as process) addiction. Defense mechanisms are the behaviors that persons with a SUD use to protect their use by keeping those close to them away. These methods can be passive, aggressive, cooperative, or...[ read more ]

Defense Mechanism (series) – Manipulation, Accusing, Judging, Projecting

a projector used to reinforce the function of the defense mechanism of projecting onto a family member when a person abusing substances doesn't want to be confronted

Defense Mechanisms (Denial Series) Manipulation, Accusing, Judging, and Projecting We have been introducing and delving into various defense mechanisms that persons with a substance use disorder (SUD)** use with family members, friends, and even themselves. The introduction to the series is here featuring denial, lying, silence. The post discussing the use of humor, compliance, and minimizing is found here. Our...[ read more ]



24618 Kingsland Blvd 2nd Floor, Room 8
Katy, TX 77494
On the left hand side of the CLS building

recoverytherapist@joanneketch.com
(281) 740-7563


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