In many occupations, hobbies, sports, and activities performance is of utmost importance. However, in most situations finding a balance between speed and accuracy is…

Because we act and feel according to how we see ourselves, a healthy self-concept is important. If we see ourselves as adequate, influential, and…

Getting along with others is a wonderful talent to have. It is easily applied at home, at work and on the road in between.…

What is Social Anxiety?  Social anxiety disorder is best defined as an excessive fear of social situations and affects between two and thirteen percent…

Designing Successful Recovery  I am involved in several intensive outpatient programs (IOP) that provide treatment and support for those with serious or critical mental…

Years ago, in a counseling session, a client told me that her husband frequently complained that her level of housekeeping was not up to…

5 Advantages of Working in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Field  Every day I interact with drug and alcohol counselors and mental health therapists.…

Substance misuse and abuse can occur at any age, however the majority of those with substance use problems started using drugs and alcohol during…

The field of chemical dependency treatment is rapidly changing. With each passing year we have a greater understanding of how mental health issues impact…

We often judge ourselves on our intentions and judge other people according to their actions. Meaning we have a higher standard for other people…

And the Surprising Power of Recovery  “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling  Ronnie celebrated his 40th…

The seven wonders of the ancient world were astounding man-made displays of human ingenuity and creativity in engineering, art, and architecture. They include the…

“You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness.” – Zig Ziglar  The seven wonders of the ancient world…

Your lifestyle preferences can be both fulfilling and frustrating. A careful look at your own patterns will help you determine which habits you would…

A New Twist on Codependency  Family members of people with substance use disorders are often referred to as co-dependent. They are warned of rescuing…

Self-Talk That Inspires Hope  We continually move in the direction of how we think and what we speak. This is true of how we…

Addiction is an illness that affects the entire family. It is cunning, powerful, and baffling. It can turn love into hate, success into failure,…

Substance use and mental health disorders often combine into a destructive disorder that rapidly intensifies. The illness is pervasive and mean-spirited. It appears intent…

Someone else’s substance use disorder does not exist in isolation. Their addiction affects friends, family, and the community. Here is a list I use…

“People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.” – Peter Senge  Making Changes  I have spent my 30+ year career helping people change. Unfortunately,…

Making a Positive Choice  Life is filled with choices and is often guided by our own beliefs and thoughts. We are always moving in…

There are several different ways to move forward with people in your life who have a substance use disorder. Let’s look at four common…

It’s not easy to extend help to a loved one who has substance use and mental health problems. Concerned friends and family often find…

Throughout life you may have found yourself becoming annoyed and distressed over a small or insignificant matter. These overreactions to minor slights cause ripple…

A victim mentality can emerge following trauma or hardship. This mindset can include despair, lack of energy, and the inability to be proactive in…

Living Haphazardly  Most people spend their entire lives living thoughtlessly and without aim. Your emotional and mental health problems may have caused you to…

Developing Hope and Emotional Healing  Chronic emotional problems and the need for treatment can often leave one discouraged. Difficult situations, failures, and past disappointments…

This is the second of a two-part article on extending help to a loved one who has substance use and mental health problems. Concerned…

This is the first of a two-part article on extending help to a loved one who has substance use and mental health problems. Concerned…

Understanding Helplessness People struggling with substance use disorders, anxiety, and depression frequently complain about feelings of helplessness. They can point to a series of…

I run mental health therapy and psychoeducation groups at a residential treatment center for men. From time to time I’ll take a $100 dollar…

Wow. That’s Huge!  If you hold a magnifying glass over an object, the item appears bigger. Obviously, the object isn’t any larger, it merely…

Trying to Reduce Anxiety  In a co-occurring disorder treatment program, people come with a variety of mental health and substance abuse issues including social…

Negative thoughts influence your feelings and actions and can drive your addiction. Automatic negative thoughts (ANTs for short) are those deeply-held, and often repeated,…

Substance-use and resulting substance use disorders (SUD) are hazardous to your health and come at a staggering cost. Individuals with a SUD have more…

Side By Side Problems  Mental health problems are difficult to face and some people turn to alcohol, drugs, or other behaviors to distract themselves…

It is not always easy to be self-assured and confident. Many people move through life with numerous doubts and insecurities. You may doubt yourself,…

Setting realistic expectations means I am willing to accept responsibility for my own character, disposition, and actions. I am willing to be accountable to…

To all the honorable military personnel, we thank you for your service.  Have a safe & happy Memorial day, everyone!

Negative thoughts influence our feelings and actions. If left unchecked, negative thoughts often become an agonizingly repeated script that drives discouragement and defeat. Negative…

Abstaining from alcohol and drugs is challenging for a large variety of reasons. Temptations often come from the inside and include things such as…

Imperfections Galore  Treatment for chemical dependency or co-occurring disorders does not lend itself well to exceedingly high expectations or a perfectionistic disposition. In treating…

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt  People in recovery often have a distorted view of themselves. They…

Let’s Be Reasonable  The confusing influence of addiction is often referred to as “cunning, baffling, and powerful.” It distorts insight into the illness, decreases…

“If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster.” – Clint Eastwood  We live in an uncertain world. That’s the way it is with picnics,…

Thank you for participating in Insight for the Journey. Due to the recent COVID-19 virus, we temporarily discontinued our daily emails. However, we are happy…

Yesterday, in part 1, I began our discussion of several important external factors that make seeking treatment harder. It’s helpful to understand the various…

There are internal and external variables that make seeking treatment for substance use disorders difficult. Some internal or personal factors might include lifestyle choices,…

The Divided Mind  Whenever I am trying to do two things at once, I struggle with doing either of them well. To be anxious…

Substance Use Disorders Impair Judgment  Alcohol and drugs impair judgment. In the throes of addiction, people often do things under the influence of a…

Every journey, I suppose, has its starts and stops and ups and downs. Even the most successful recovery is not completely linear. There are…

Mental Agony  Many people carry heavy loads of worry, fear, and anxiety. These issues interfere with emotional stability and can create other serious concerns.…

Skewed Perceptions  “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” is an oft quoted statement. It implies that where we…

When Symptoms Return  Treatment for co-occurring disorders focuses on substance use and mental health issues. Relapse can mean a return of mental health symptoms…

Anticipating enticing and tempting situations and carefully managing them is an essential skill in a successful recovery program. Some circumstances and situations should simply…

Refusing an offer to drink or use takes courage, inner strength, and self-confidence. The ability to refuse can be expanded by developing the related…

Looking for Approval  Everyone needs encouragement and affirmation. Many people with co-occurring disorders desperately need encouragement on their recovery journey. For the downcast and…

The Beast  Substance use and mental health issues often combine into a rapidly intensifying and destructive disorder. The illness is mean-spirited, intense, and appears…

What is Negative Thinking?  Thoughts bombard us all day long like the steady stream of uninteresting commercial messages on AM radio. Almost all radio…

Designing Successful Recovery  I am involved in several intensive outpatient programs (IOP) that provide treatment and support for those with serious or critical mental…

If You Want to Go Far  There is an adage that says “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to…

Understanding Blind Spots  When driving a car there is an area that you cannot see called a blind spot. This concealed part of the…

What’s Your Story?  Everyone has a story and people often have tragic chapters that make their stories unique. Many of my clients in treatment…

Successful Recovery  Having long-term recovery success takes time and energy. Many people start their recovery programs with great enthusiasm and high levels of energy…

Having committed yourself to recovery, you’re becoming increasingly dedicated to making it happen. Be willing to prepare yourself for long term success. Roger Maris,…

Willing to Listen  When I was 25 years old and in training for a private pilot license, I did several solo flights. In one…

A Robust Recovery  To keep your recovery strong, there are numerous things you should not continue to do. There would be places and people…

Fearing Disapproval  Doubt and insecurity often come from fear of what people might think of our decisions. This can make us cautious, hesitant, and…

Defining Compromise  Compromise and collaboration are two similar sounding terms yet have an important difference. If I say six, and you say ten, a…

Sometimes we get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stressful challenges on our plate. Think about the stressful things in your life and determine…

Vampire Appliances  We have a limited amount of emotional energy. Getting more energy is probably more difficult than carefully using what you have. I…

Your recovery plan has two vital components. 1. Reduce the symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders and 2. prevent relapse. There are…

Change is Possible  Out of respect for yourself and others, you can change yourself. As life becomes unmanageable our thinking becomes distorted and behavior…

Having long-term successful recovery from any addiction requires that you work your program. This simple thought can provide some remarkable guidance for the journey.…

Looking Forward  When you drive a car, glancing backward in the tiny rear-view mirror is an appropriate way to determine what is behind you.…

Defining Burnout  A simple definition of burnout is “doing too much, with too little, for too long.” One of my hobbies is woodworking. I…

Most people in recovery are extremely motivated to do whatever it takes to stay sober, be healthy, and feel better, at least at first.…

The best treatment is the one you get the most from. It’s not the treatment center that has the best staff, or the one…

As you move through your addiction and maintain sobriety, you have likely noticed the complicated and multifaceted nature of your recovery. Your addiction likely…

"Never, never, never give up!" – Winston Churchill  Plan your course of action and stick with it. My talk today is not about taking…

Defining Co-occurring Disorders  Co-occurring disorders refers to an individual having one or more substance abuse disorders and one or more psychiatric disorders. The mental…

Whenever you go through a hardship or a difficulty there are several important considerations. The first, is the devastating nature of the actual event,…

“Burdens shared are easier to bear.” Jesse Jackson  A Troubled Beginning  Because co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are complex, treatment must be…

Difficulties come in all forms and shapes and are inevitable. However, the size of the difficulty, in my opinion, is largely determined by your…

“Don't give up at half time. Concentrate on winning the second half.” Paul Bryant  In the sport of football, each game has four quarters…

When you lie, cheat, or deceive someone, trust is broken. The quality of the relationship is damaged and the way they see you going…

Compromised Integrity Living with an addiction in an addicted lifestyle compromises integrity and changes your direction in life. What had been important to you…

Making progress in recovery is important. Over the years, I developed a saying that sets forth reasonable expectations. “I am doing a few simple…

Abstaining from alcohol and drugs is challenging for many reasons. Temptation can come from within a person and include such things as a longing…

We use the term happiness to describe a wide range of positive emotions that include contentment and joy. To be happy is not just…

Out of Control  Addiction is often out of control when the decision is made to enter recovery. Life has become unmanageable, affecting numerous areas.…

Never Give Up Today, I’d like to comment on two competing forces that direct and regulate decisions in life. The first is this: Push…

Life is like hockey—you are going to get bumped. Someone on your own team will blindly run into with little concern and no apology.…