The place where Juan Blea writes about all that is good and strong and beautiful!

Tag addiction

An open letter to an addict's enabler

Dear Enabler, Look, I know your intentions are good.  I KNOW that you think all of your “helping” is leading someone back to you from the abyss in which they swim. I get that your rescuing comes from the absolute… Continue Reading →

There's nothing you can do to force a change in someone else

When people ask me questions about the addict in their life, the only thing I hear is, “How can I make my Addict behave in ways I can understand?”  And the response to that question is: Seek to understand your… Continue Reading →

Historial Trauma, Addiction, and student success podcast PLEASE SHARE

Hello — this morning, Emily Stern,the Director of Santa Fe Community College’s Diversity and Integrative Center, and I were on the Richard Eeds show which is broadcast out of Santa Fe, NM. We discussed the symposium we are having at the Santa Fe… Continue Reading →

My prayer for addicts and their families on Holy Thursday

My heavenly Father, As you enter your passion, please allow me to share your walk, as I try to share the suffering of those who struggle with Addiction.   I don’t have the answers, but I am certain that with your… Continue Reading →

Really, the "heroin epidemic" is NOT Big Pharma's fault. It's all of ours.

Here’s the thing: There’s a mythology being propagated that suggests there’s a natural progression from pharmaceutical opioid addiction to heroin addiction. This mythology suggests that it’s Big Pharma’s fault that heroin addiction is “an epidemic.” But, and I say this… Continue Reading →

Why metaphors are great treatment tools

The reality is that there are hundreds of ways to treat a substance abuse problem. The challenge for practitioners is which is the best? For me, approaches that focus on client empowerment and establishing meaning through the client’s perspective tend… Continue Reading →

You're invited to a VERY important symposium! PLEASE SHARE!!

On April 5th, in partnership with the Santa Fe Community College’s Center for Diversity and Integrative Learning, I will be presenting on Historical Trauma and how it informs mental health and addiction in New Mexico. More importantly, I will discuss… Continue Reading →

As long as payoff is high and harm is low, an addict WON'T seek recovery

There is a simple truth when dealing with Addiction: As long as the payoff for using is of high value AND as long as the negative outcomes are either insignificant or meaningless, there is absolutely no reason for an addict… Continue Reading →

No one can fix somebody else, but there is comfort in understanding.

During a recent consultation phone call, a mother of a young woman who was binge-drinking argued that her daughter was a full-blown alcoholic and needed intense treatment. “But,” I said. “Is she using alcohol compulsively?” Her brow furrowed and her… Continue Reading →

Understanding Addiciton's payoffs can help relate with Addicts

If someone asked me to play a game of tennis, there’s absolutely no way I could accept.  I’ve never played tennis; hell, I’ve only held a racket once or twice.  There’s no way I could play someone with even a… Continue Reading →

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