Category addiction recovery
In my role as a treatment provider, the most common situation I face isn’t about any particular drug, it’s about hope. There are times when confronting an addiction seems absolutely hopeless. We watch as either we or our loved ones… Continue Reading →
Although there are a couple of well known roles in recovery, namely, the addict and the enabler, there is one that I don’t think I’ve considered. I call this role, the power-getter. I think the reason why this role previously… Continue Reading →
Recovery isn’t about flipping a switch or waving a magic wand. As a treatment provider, I believe it’s part of my mission to build a structure through which recovery is possible. We can pray that addicts simply stop using whatever… Continue Reading →
Over the years, I’ve spent so much time with people struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) that I almost believed that opioids were the only drugs of abuse. Obviously, opioids aren’t the only drugs of abuse. But I have seen… Continue Reading →
Lately, I’ve been having to remind myself that life, in general, isn’t about outcome. Really, it’s about “fighting the good fight” regardless of how that fight makes a person feel. For me, talking with people about Addiction and substance abuse… Continue Reading →
As a substance abuse counselor, I try to stay on top of research. Especially when it covers trigger/anxiety management. Usually, triggers and anxiety are like peas and carrots and are almost always found together. In my experience, if we can… Continue Reading →
When it comes to an addict’s behavior, I hate to say, “things can’t get much worse,” because, sadly, things can, and probably will, get worse. I’ve written and taught, several times, that “rock bottom” means one of two (2) things:… Continue Reading →
After yet another funeral for a young person who died from a heroin overdose, I heard a group of men talking about heroin addiction and its evil impact on their community. I listened as their anger-laced comments flowed from, “We… Continue Reading →
I believe that reflective writing can literally heal a person. Especially when it comes to building leaders: Reflective writing is a powerful tool that allows a person to best learn how to lead his or her life. The challenge is… Continue Reading →
Talking with someone struggling with an addiction can be frustrating. Not for the reasons that you might think, but because they’re so mired in shame that almost every thought he or she utters is a projection of that shame. So,… Continue Reading →
