If you are on the pathway to drug recovery, then you may have heard of cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT. This psychotherapeutic approach is based on changing negative thought patterns and thereby changing negative emotions and behaviors. The thinking behind cognitive-behavioral therapy is that if you interrupt negative thinking, you break the cycle leading to negative… Continue Reading CBT Techniques
Xanax addiction and family health. The two don’t seem to go together, but I was left with an impression of just how devastating addiction can be on a family after I had a significant experience sitting with one particular family during a session. For the sake of confidentiality, we will call the couple Mike and… Continue Reading Xanax Addiction and Family Health
One thing that we have come to understand about addiction is that it is a lifelong disease. No one is cured of addiction; they simply are always in a state of recovery from it. Someone who has been sober for ten, twenty, or thirty years can still relapse, which is not failure but a chance… Continue Reading Top Ways to Help Long-Term Recovery & Sobriety
“I have a dream…” Many people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol have seen the destruction their addiction has done to themselves, their lives, and the people who love and care about them. They see the negative side of addiction and yet still cannot find the strength on their own to fight their addiction,… Continue Reading Freedom From Addiction
Everyone has heard of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Most people also know of PCP, ecstasy (MDMA), and prescription drugs. However, what is kratom? Something that most people do not think of or consider is the fact that these drugs, at some point were unknown. Simple plants were discovered, chemicals added together, and manipulated to… Continue Reading What is Kratom?
Sports have been an integral part of my recovery and life to this point. I grew up learning to play numerous sports…golf, lacrosse, soccer and ice hockey to name a few. There is nothing like making a pass in soccer that sets up your teammate to score a goal or in golf when you hit… Continue Reading Sports and Recovery
Recently I received an email from a patient describing how a mindfulness walk changed their day and led to a discussion about how to manage triggers. With permission, I am sharing part of the story, to show how mindfulness can help manage triggers: “I wanted to just share a little experience that took place less… Continue Reading How Mindfulness Can Help Manage Triggers
Drug addiction and substance abuse have many associated myths and false claims. Many of which give treatment and recovery negative connotations. These myths perpetuate attitudes that addiction treatment is simply a matter of will power, or that it’s a disease that no-one can do anything about. The only way we can correct these false allegations… Continue Reading 5 Myths about Drug Addiction and Substance Abuse
Not Everyone Looks Like an “Addict” David was in his 50’s and didn’t look the part. He had a great job, a loving wife and a happy family. But like an estimated six million Americans nationwide, he abused his prescription medication. As a successful college football player, David was exposed to a stock supply of… Continue Reading The Accidental Addict
Both cocaine and crack come from the coca plant and are used in rock and powder form. The powder form of the substance is commonly referred to as cocaine or coke. The rock form is often referred to as crack or crack cocaine. The main difference between crack and cocaine is in its form, as… Continue Reading What is the Difference Between Crack and Cocaine?