You Are Not Alone!
Sometimes you might feel like you’re the only person in the world who loves someone with a substance problem. The truth is that many millions of people are walking down this challenging and often painful road. As you’re dealing with all of this, you might notice that, on purpose or by accident, you start to […]
The Role of Glucose in Decision Making
When we are helping our clients identify craving patterns (the thoughts, emotions and physical pull back toward a substance or behavior) and the decisions they make in response to them (i.e., do I respond to the craving with use, or do I use other skills to distract and diminish my cravings), we almost always ask […]
SMART Goals – 5 steps to Help Meet your Goals in the New Year
So, how are those New Year’s Resolutions coming along? We thought it would be helpful as we get further into January to provide some tips that will not only help you clarify your goals, but will greatly increase your likelihood of meeting them and maintaining them over the long haul. The good news is that […]
A is for Addict?
As a writer, I wish I could in good conscience use this word. It’s snappy and convenient. It would be so handy. But it is also toxic.
Word Choice and Positive Outcomes
Words matter. Our beliefs about substance abuse and compulsive behavior problems—and the potential for change—are built into the words we use to speak about them. Maybe more importantly in this case is that words are reflective of culture beliefs, and the conveyors of those beliefs and attitudes.
Slip, but don’t Fall!
To learn to play an instrument, sink a foul shot, be a doctor—to learn anything, we must be willing to sound awful, be awkward, miss shots, and not know much in the beginning. Quite simply, when we’re learning something new, we have days when we suck at it. To expect otherwise is a setup for […]
“Catch ‘Em Being Good”: The Magic of Positive Reinforcement
We are all very aware of how emotionally draining it can be dealing with a child involved in abusing substances. We’re all also aware of how much conflict this leads to in families. Today’s focus? Positive reinforcement as an antidote. As our colleague (and father of CRAFT, or Community Reinforcement and Family Training) Bob Meyers […]
A note on “enabling” vs. positive reinforcement
If you are a partner, parent, or child of someone struggling with substance problems, and you live in America, you’ve probably heard this word “enabling” (possibly many, many times). And you’ve probably heard this described as central to your interactions in helping your loved one. Mostly, you have heard “DON’T DO IT”!, and if you […]
Broken Promises – The Abstinence Violation Effect
Have you ever wondered why the gym is so crowded on January 2 and 3rd and has emptied out by about January 10th? Well, there’s actually a scientific explanation behind this phenomenon. Technically, it’s known as the “Abstinence Violation Effect (AVE),” but I’m fond of calling it the “New Year’s Resolution Breaking Effect” because it’s […]
Coping Skills for the Holidays (Part 2)
Last time, we discussed External Coping Skills, or coping skills that are active by nature. These skills are active by nature, and are very helpful when you have time and space to go do them. However, sometimes you don’t have the ability to go for a run (imagine everyone sitting down for dinner and one […]
