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.…
It’s easy to be distracted and lose sight of what’s important. When that happens, it is common to rationalize and excuse the missteps of…
Over the years, I’ve noticed that people often want approval and affirmation. They want it, yet rarely receive it or can’t believe it when…
Underneath the Addiction Managing your emotions is key to achieving long-term sobriety. Giving up on the addiction is only the starting point. People use…
Many people that start a treatment program see it as an awkward in-between place. They have mostly left behind the old life but have…
I’ve spent the better part of the last 30-plus years helping people recover from substance use and mental health disorders. For me to say…
Permit me to start with an automobile analogy. In the old days before fuel injection systems, when cars had carburetors, engine flooding would occur…
Let’s Be Reasonable The confusing influence of addiction is often referred to as “cunning, baffling, and powerful.” The nature of addiction distorts insight into…
The task of recovery is enormous. Between you and your long-term sobriety stands a massive wall preventing your progress. It looms large and is…
How you see yourself is an important concept in recovery. There may have been many people around you who did not believe in you.…
Troubles come in every shape and size. Depending on how you define it, trouble may visit uninvited, stay too long, and then stubbornly refuse…
Resisting Over-Protection Today, I want to examine several ways to repair relationships damaged by mental health or substance use disorders. At first glance, being…
Assertive traits include being confident, straightforward, and honest. Assertive people express their ideas, feelings and desires without second guessing or apology. They speak firmly…
Yesterday I began discussing strategies to live above trying and difficult circumstances. Although difficulties and turmoil cannot always be prevented, I still can control…
Do you ever have difficult weeks where every walk seems uphill, every stroke of the paddle is upstream, and every ride is against the…
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…
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,…
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…
Anticipating enticing and tempting situations and carefully managing them is an essential skill in a successful recovery program. Some circumstances and situations should simply…
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…
A Robust Recovery To keep your recovery strong, there are numerous things you should not continue to do. There would be places and people…
Several years ago, while in a mental health intensive outpatient group, a client unpacked a whimsical truth: “If you learn to laugh at yourself,…
Someone recently told me to take some time off. For me, the daily grind has a way of piling up unimportant pieces and polluting…
Many who struggle with co-occurring depression and substance use disorders carry a mindset of negativity, pessimism, and hopelessness. This becomes one of the primary…
Treatment of co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders often involves using counseling and medication. Studies continue to reveal that using medication and counseling…
Years ago, I had a finger that began to throb. It turned pink and ugly and was highly sensitive to even the slightest bump.…
Many clients describe a constant avalanche of thoughts that rush into their minds. For those with substance use and mental health disorders there is…
When people are overwhelmed and frustrated, friends and family are often understanding and supportive, at least at first. Soon after, as some recovery progress…
I met a man the other day who was back in treatment again for the 15th time because of his methamphetamine disorder. After so…
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Commonly Attributed to Winston Churchill When the decision to enter recovery is made, the addiction is…
I Can’t Decide When making decisions you might notice you are more unsure, insecure, and hesitant than you want to be. Being filled with…
Looking back over past behavior has some value, I suppose. The consequences of past behavior tell me I need to change, and hope tells…
What is Perfectionism? Perfectionists aspire to achieve, but do not allow themselves to make mistakes. They search for imperfections or weaknesses in themselves and…
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…
Living in a negative world can sometimes take its toll, but you do not have to be at the mercy of a negative environment.…
Psychiatric Access is Important Medications for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders often provide substantial symptom relief and can be an effective part…
When people enter a relationship, it is common to ask “What is in it for me?” or “What will I get out of it?”…
Many people have a difficult time during the holiday season. Throughout the year, but especially from mid-November to mid-January, managing your mood, attitude, and…
A Time to Celebrate Holiday celebrations can be much-loved occasions, filled with family, friends, and fun. They often come with laughter, family time, parties,…
Why Be Grateful? Today we know that an attitude of gratitude has many benefits, including improving psychological health and sleep, reducing toxic emotions, increasing…
Embrace Another Chance Clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders often arrive at a treatment center feeling discouraged. Mistakes and failures of…
Addressing Emotional Problems It is vital for clients to understand the signs and symptoms of mental illness and address worry, stress, anger, anxiety, depression,…
Identify Faulty Thinking Evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) help clients recognize past cognitive errors and…
The Need for Specialized Interventions Chronic drug and alcohol use and abuse can cause physiological and neurological damage. It can compromise intellectual functioning and…
Complex Problems Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders are extraordinarily complex. The drug and alcohol addiction is often used to manage the symptoms…
It is my philosophy that successful recovery must tackle substance use and emotional issues at the same time. Effective treatment programs help clients recognize…
Boundaries help you sustain your resolve, protect yourself, and maintain emotional stability. Yesterday, I began discussing some basic guidelines to boundary setting. Today we’ll…
Setting boundaries and living within limits can be difficult. To restore damaged relationships or establish new ones, it is essential to set personal limits…
I began a discussion yesterday about aggressive traits. Today I want to examine seven tips to reduce your aggressive attitude and actions. These ideas…
Doing Too Much Codependent relationships are filled with helping, rescuing, and enabling behaviors. In an effort to help a loved one, we often cringe…
Understanding Aggressive Behavior Being annoyed or frustrated is an experience common to us all. Anger, too, is a common emotion and it could be…
