This is Your Brain on Drugs
For many people, there is an iconic commercial from the 1980’s about the influence of drugs on your brain. A man holds an egg, which is meant to represent your brain, has a hot skillet, which represents drugs, and he cracks the egg into the pan, which begins to sizzle and cook as he says […]
Your Body’s Built-In Alarm
Imagine the following scenario: You are driving home from work at night, you pull into your driveway, and no lights are on at your house. It’s darker out than you’d expect, and as you walk to your front door, you hear something rustling in the bushes by the front door. In a moment, your whole […]
Holiday Planning and Coping
The holidays are back! And, just like every year, they can be alive with joy, friends and family, and a whole slew of issues to navigate. Conversations about politics, too much time with extended family, endless holiday parties and constant advertisements for drinks and jolly times, can make the holidays a difficult time for everyone. […]
3 Truths About Change
If you or someone you love struggles with substances, how you understand the problem matters a lot! If you approach it from the perspective that substance problems are the result of a weak will, a shaky moral compass or an innate set of character flaws, you are going to face unnecessary obstacles like shame and […]
When The News is Triggering: Coping with Trauma in the News
“No news is good news.” It’s a familiar enough phrase, and one that I’ve heard in increasing numbers over the last few weeks. Between accounts of natural disasters, sexual assault, child abuse and maltreatment in detention centers and violence against racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation and gender minorities, there is more than enough going on […]
Shedding Light on Shame
Sometimes it’s a small nagging voice, “I shouldn’t be drinking so much” or “I know I’m gaining weight and should go on a diet”. Sometimes it’s a thundering judge, “I have completely screwed up my life” or “I’ve spent all my money on gambling, what kind of person does that?!?!” If you are trying to […]
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 […]
What to Do When You’ve Forgotten Who You Are
When I think about who I want to be in the world, I have a pretty clear sense of what that looks like. I want to be helpful to those around me. I want to stand for something that is important not just to me, but to many people. I want to be a good […]
Anxiety and Avoidance – A Difficult Combination
Are you worried you are drinking too much? Do you worry about your weight but can’t stop yourself from eating your comfort food favorites? When you try to quit smoking, do you find yourself restless and worrying about the future? If the answer to these questions is yes, you might want to explore whether or […]
The Opioid Crisis in New York State
New York State is witnessing an epidemic of opioid-related medical emergencies and opioid overdose deaths, stemming from the use of both prescribed and illicit opioids and heroin. It is critical that New York State uses the full range of medical, psychological, social, and harm reduction methods and treatments to curb this epidemic, reduce harm to […]
