How to Help When Someone You Love has PTSD
If your loved one is trying to change their relationship to substances while at the same time managing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) it can be difficult to understand what is happening for them and how to be helpful. Substance misuse and trauma have a very unique and interconnected relationship. Studies have found that […]
Responding to Ambivalence
Have you ever wished someone you love would change? Wished they would eat healthier or quit smoking. Wished they would stop spending so much money on things they can’t afford? Wished they would go see a doctor since they are so clearly depressed? If the answer is yes, you probably have some experience interacting with […]
The Willingness to Change
If you or someone you love is considering making a behavior change, you may want to spend some time thinking about the concept of willingness. It’s something you’ve likely heard before, the idea of being willing to change or willing to engage in something that is difficult. The dictionary definition of willingness is the state […]
Drug Addicts Simple Can’t be Trusted?
We are quite sure you have heard the phrase “drug addicts can’t be trusted” in the media, from someone you know as they talk about someone with a substance use problem, or maybe even your doctor or a treatment professional. Have you ever paused to consider the impact uttering that phrase could have on someone […]
Changing Behaviors with Honey
If you loved one is using substance in a way that is causing them problems and negatively impacting your family, you probably just want them to stop! You wish they would get their act together and cut it out. Or you are completely confused and scared by the choices they are making. Or nine million […]
How to Help Your Loved One During the Holidays
While the holidays can be a special time full of warm, happy, reflective moments, they can also be fraught with stress, exposure to family dynamics and high social demands. If your loved one is trying to change their relationship with substances, the holiday season can be an especially difficult time as they have to navigate […]
5 Tools Parents Can Use to Help Their Children (and Themselves!)
Being a parent is hard under the best circumstances. Being a parent of a child who is using substances can feel like you’re being forced to run a marathon with a lead vest on! It can feel like you’re all alone and have to juggle everything in your own life while at the same time […]
How to Support The Process of Change
Are you worried about a loved one’s use of substances? Do you see your partner’s health declining? Do you worry about some of the decisions your sister is making? Do you wish your teenage son would hang out with different kids? Do you think your girlfriend has one too many drinks, too often? Maybe you […]
Can Our Words Impact Change?
Human language is an amazing thing. We humans have become the top of the food chain mainly because we can communicate effectively enough to work together efficiently. We accomplish much of this work through our use of language. In an effort to be efficient however, we have created many language-based “short-cuts” and words end up […]
Behaviors Make Sense (Even the Dumb Ones)
You know the story … you hear about a person who has messed up, again. Everyone starts talking about it. “Why are they so dumb?” “Didn’t they know this was going to happen?” “I just can’t understand why they keep doing this?” Our instinct is to immediately jump on the person for the choices they […]
