Let Values Motivate You To Change
We are often motivated to make a behavioral change because we want a bad feeling or a negative behavior to go away. If someone is drinking too much and getting into fights with their friends that they regret, maybe they will want to drink less or stop altogether. If someone is having panic attacks or […]
Natural Consequences: The World’s Way to Give Feedback
If you are someone who would like to help a loved one change their relationship with substances, there are 4 essential tools you can learn. First, Helping through Understanding or thinking about issues of addiction differently using the science we now have available. Second, Helping with Self Care as you need to be able to survive […]
Trauma: The Wounds We Don’t See
“I’m always on edge. I feel shaky inside. I’m so easily startled.” “I feel numb. I don’t know what I feel. I’m not sure I can even feel at all. “ Emotional and/or physical trauma can impact a person’s thoughts, emotions, relationships, sense of self, and views of the world. A person who has survived […]
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an offshoot of Taoist and Buddhist practice which focuses on putting yourself in the present moment. While there is no one accepted definition of Mindfulness, one common one (and the one we will be using in here) is this: Mindfulness is being completely and utterly in the present moment, in a non-judgmental way. […]
Learning Requires Practice
Fall is back to school time. Summer is over and students everywhere are making the transition to new routines and the anticipation of learning new things. Even though “learning new things” is the point, this is a great time of year to remember that learning news things is often difficult. Whether it is learning how […]
Remember . . . You Are Not Alone!!
If your partner or loved one is using drugs or alcohol, you are likely facing a very complex problem in your family. One that is affecting everyone and causing you to feel overwhelmed and doubtful that anyone will understand. Unfortunately, there is also usually an immense amount of shame associated with substance use problems, both […]
Finding Your Balance
Every wonder what it means to be a balanced person? Does it mean being in control all the time? Being calm all the time? Able to handle anything? Moderate in all things? Able to stay composed when everyone else is falling apart? Being someone who manages to always eat right, work out, spend time with […]
Encouraging Change Talk
When you are trying to help someone decide to make a behavioral change, it’s more common than not to experience a back and forth process of openness and resistance to the change being considered. Change is hard and ambivalence is normal. As family members, friends, and treatment providers we can contribute to the change process […]
Why Are We So Afraid of Choice When It Comes to Substance Use Problems?
Stigma and judgment continue to persist when it comes to substance problems and it’s time the conversation changed in this country from moralistic judgment and pessimism to compassion and understanding. For a variety of complicated reasons, our culture does not have a track record of treating people with substance problems and the families around them […]
Improve Communication Through Greater Awareness of Triangulation
We’ve all been there. You get in a fight with your mother and immediately call your sister to tell her all about it. You and your sister commiserate on how horrible your mother is, you start to feel better, and you’ve got an ally against your mother. Sound familiar? What you’ve created in this situation […]
