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…
Throughout life we are often irritated by people, annoyed by delays, and frustrated when things do not go our way. We too often display…
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…
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…
Change is Possible Out of respect for yourself and others, you can change yourself. As life becomes unmanageable our thinking becomes distorted and behavior…
Your recovery plan has two vital components. 1. Reduce the symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders and 2. prevent relapse. There are…
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 message 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 halftime. Concentrate on winning the second half.- Paul Bryant In the sport of football, each game has four quarters with…
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 IntegrityLiving with an addiction in an addicted lifestyle compromises integrity and changes your direction in life. What had been important to you has…
Making progress in recovery is important. Over the years, I developed a saying that sets forth reasonable expectations. “I am doing a few simple…
