Below are a few common questions shared by family members of those with problematic substance use issues. Substance Abuse Support for Families Q&A Do I have to stop loving my family member who has a substance use issue? By Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Earlier this year I wrote a piece arguing that 12-step programs are wrong when they claim that drug use invariably leads to jails, institutions, or death. The piece generated a decent amount of dissenting responses (even more than most of the stuff I write!).

When Tammi was first getting sober, she looked for resources that provided the feelings around each milestone of sobriety. Liv initially recovered in AA, but decided to reclaim her agency and autonomy and lead a self-directed recovery that was fulfilling for her. She now supports individuals in that same process, if they want to leave 12-step recovery. She is also a full-time writer and graduate student working towards an MSW. Olivia Pennelle is the writer behind the incredible blog, Liv’s Recovery Kitchen. Liv is a full-time writer and is in grad school to become a clinical social worker.

Creating Inclusive Spaces And Programs

Just take a sip,” or, “C’mon, just one drink,” to somebody in alcohol recovery. Dawn Nickel at She Recovers is in recovery from alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug addiction; she created an online community “to reach out to other women wanting to recover their lives and their potential”. The site offers information about coaching, retreats, yoga, and more. Also uses his own life experience to debunk the disease model of addiction and emphasize that choices drive addictive behaviors.

By Dan Galant, PhD “The Abstinence Violation Approach” – This ominous sounding term from the relapse prevention literature is perhaps one of the most useful concepts to understand in addiction treatment. I often have clients tell me years after our last therapy session that this was the singular most helpful idea to keep them on track! Think of the problem drinker who has chosen to abstain from alcohol. When that person takes even one drink (”violating” their abstinence), the tendency is to t… In the wake of the tragic death of Robin Williams, we are left to reflect on how somebody who brought so much laughter to so many could actually be struggling with such intense pain. The truth is that depression and addiction do not discriminate based on age, gender, or economic status; these disorders can affect anybody.

What we have come to realize after decades of experience is families are… Up to date Information about addiction and intervention for the journey to life long recovery and sobriety.

Sober Courage

The attention generated by the Hollywood sexual abuse scandals is finally pushing the issue of sexual abuse into the forefront of our consciousness, Alcoholism in family systems which will hopefully manifest change across many levels of society. Sexual Abuse and Substance Misuse At times it is disheartening…

• She is a fresh and diverse voice that advocates for a different conversation on addiction.
• There is no consensus amongst professionals or conclusive research that puts an end to the lively debate over whether or not “addiction” is a disease.
• The Early Years My journey started in 1985 when I began specializing in addiction treatment.
• This website also provides tips to help cut back or stop drinking.
• One significant change to understanding and treating addiction that will continue to gain…
• Alcohol sales are up, way up, during the COVID-19 crisis.

Many are choosing to abstain entirely, others, not so much. Many, many industries are hit hard by the societal shutdowns, however, the adult beverage industry is not one of them. Alcohol sales are up, way up, during the COVID-19 crisis. Nothing like heroic doses of uncertainty and boredom to drive one to drink! For those who may be struggling to adhere to their drinking goals, Smith & Anderson offer tips to help maximize drinking safety. Lack of structure is one of the biggest challenges many people face in the era of shelter-in-place. By Thaddeus Camlin, PsyD The urgent need for drug policy reform cannot be understated.

What To Expect In Acute Alcohol Withdrawal

Others decide to give up alcohol temporarily and do so with short-term success. Tempest is an online alcohol treatment program you can use anywhere, anytime. Through expert-led lessons and a supportive community, you’ll get the tools you need to build an alcohol-free life you love. For people with severe alcohol addictions, withdrawal symptoms will manifest about five to 10 hours after the last drink.

During the retreat, I got to experience profound episodes of mental freedom, and I realized that this is what I’d be searching for all along – it’s what I wanted from alcohol. I continued drinking for another two years following the retreat, but it was a significant turning point for me.

However, a focus on feeling safe all the time is a setup for failure because it is impossible to feel safe all the time. Furthermore, feeling safe all the time would be detrimental in some ways.

Houston Opioid Summit Creates Vital Awareness And Cooperation In The Battle Against Opioid Addiction

They also need some basic information about addiction and recovery. In an effort to boost the confidence of these therapists, below are the principles they would keep in min… We are very excited to bring today’s Sober living houses recovery blogger interview with Julie from the blog, Life Straight Up at SoberJulie.com. Julie is a “imperfectly perfect” 46 year old woman living in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two teenage daughters.

We’re sharing a list of sober musicians who have turned their lives around. Our focus at BlueCrest is on solutions to addiction and mental health challenges, not living in the problem. Our therapeutic approach is grounded in the most reliable clinical practices for substance abuse recovery. Mountainside is proud to be 1 of only 3 addiction treatment centers in the United States Sober companion to hold a 3.7 ASAM certification as well as dual accreditation from CARF International and The Joint Commission. While you may have moved on mentally from consuming alcohol, the taste of the substance and the desire for its effects may reprise from time to time. You have just read that post-acute alcohol withdrawal lasts up to two years, so is that when the cravings will stop?

My Top 12 Recovery Blogs

By Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. In modern, “sophisticated” society we like to believe in our lofty righteousness. We are dignified, upstanding examples of integrity. We parade about in our alcoholism recovery blog chrome-wheeled, semi-electric metal boxes. We adorn ourselves in proper fitting attire from a respectable department store. It is a nice, comforting bubble most of us float around in.

Remember that alcohol decreases inhibitions that may lead to regrettable social interactions and even may impact a person’s ability to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Alcohol also impairs both physical and mental abilities which can produce adverse consequences like hangovers, falls, traffic accidents, blackouts, and even overdoses. Drinking to cope with stress is particularly problematic because when the alcohol wears off, the stress returns with a vengeance.

As the title of his blog suggests, he hones in on the everyday, each average moment, to highlight the beauty and awe that most of us miss. His musings on addiction and recovery are deeply genuine and touching. The individual and family effects of the opioid epidemic were also central to the Opioid Summit as breakout sessions covered addiction treatment modalities and prevention and education programs for children and families. Alice Cooper, the Godfather of Shock-Rock and Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer thrilled an audience of more than 1100 with his personal story of recovery from alcoholism and addiction this past Thursday at the Hilton Americas-Houston. In the process, he helped The Council on Recovery raise more than $495,000 to provide addiction prevention, education, and treatment services in the Greater Houston area.

The Clearing’s Blog was recently ranked one of the ten best rehab blogs on the internet. Facilitates “conversations about addiction, recovery, and everything in between”. The site shares expert resources and research through a weekly podcast. In the early 1970’s I drove a taxi in New York City. One cable measured time, and the other measured distance. If the cab was stuck in traffic, the fare still went up, driven by the “waiting time”.

Print out the list and hang it up at home, keep it in your purse or pocket when you go out, or just take a mental note to remind yourself why you’re not giving into the urge this season. No Embarrassing Behavior Drinking and using too much can bring out our wild side. Skip the table dancing at the company party, the brawl at the bar, passing out at the parents’ house or the number of other embarrassing things we do when intoxicated and celebrate the dignity of maintaining control this year. Build Your Confidence in Your Ability to Pass Up Drugs and Alcohol Take on the challenge of saying no during this time of indulgenc… Addiction and Society Although individuals will view addictive behavior in many ways, based on their own beliefs and situations, society needs a comprehensive view of it. Addiction is one of the compelling problems of modern life. Almost all individuals need to manage desire better in a world increasingly filled with tempting activities and substances, and decreasingly filled with counterbalancing forces.

On the other hand, impulsive use can occur when celebrating something really great. The thinking commonly goes, “I’ll just have one or two drinks , and that will be the end of it. Have you been successful with short-term use in the past? That need for a quick fix, also known as immediate gratification, often drives use for someone with addiction, and the tendency can linger – sometimes for a long time. Part of overcoming the problem is recognizing and appreciating the value of enduring satisfactions versus momentary pleasures.