What's new in this issue?
Addiction & Narcissistic Shame
By ROBERT WEISS LCSW, CSAT-S
I used to think that I was the problem. Now I understand it was my behavior and how I conducted my life that was the problem. Despite the bad choices of my past, I now understand I am a man who is worthy of love and a good life, simply because I exist. Understanding this fully has not made day-to-day recovery easier, but it sure helps me get through the rough spots and gives me hope about life, and for myself as being a useful and good man.
— Damien, a former Sexual Recovery ...Read More
When IOP is Not Enough
By Jaime Vinck, Program Clinical Director North Ridge CounselingDanny successfully completed a great residential treatment program, extending his stay from the traditional 30 day to 45 days. He moved into a reputable sober living home, began an Intensive Outpatient Program, attended 12 Step Meetings and worked with a sponsor. In spite of his best efforts, he relapsed before he got his 60 day chip. When asked about his biggest triggers for use, he immediately responded “boredom” and “stress ...Read More
AZRHA Sober Living Section
Recovery Housing in Arizona
By Duane Mantey
For those new in recovery having a sober living environment can be critical to long term sobriety. It offers the ...Read More
For Young People Addicted to Painkillers, the Path Less Taken
By Stephen J. Pasierb & A. Thomas McLellen PH. D.Abuse of prescription (Rx) medications, particularly of Rx opioids (medicines that treat pain), continues to be one of the nation’s most concerning health problems. Mistakenly, many adolescents believe that Rx opioids are safe because they are prescribed by a doctor. But when abused, they can be as potent and as deadly as heroin. In fact, many teens and young adults who abuse Rx opioids move on to heroin abuse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls prescription drug abuse an “epidemic,” and we see it as a ...Read More
How to Cultivate and Disseminate Misery to Alienate Family, Friends, Acquaintances, and Strangers
Complain about situations you created.
TIP: These complaints will be even more effective if you can think of someone unrelated on which to ...Read MoreNavigating the Way from Despair to Hope How Community Bridges Navigators are Helping Others & Giving Back
By Kristen L. Polin, MAEd, Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI)When Kelly Denman was just 9 years old, she faced the loss of her father under no ordinary circumstance. After struggling with alcoholism for many years and losing everything, Kelly’s dad was found dead at a bus stop in Phoenix with a bottle in his hand at the age of 37. He was homeless and disconnected from all those who cared about him.
This is a childhood experience forever imprinted to Kelly’s memory and today she finds herself wondering if things could have been different with the right help and the right ...Read More
Project Purple
Chris Herren’s high profile fall from the pinnacle of his professional basketball career was a well-documented media story that focused on drug use while in uniform, multiple arrests and a near-death overdose.Interviewers still focus on how he threw away his basketball career with drug abuse. Herren asks them why they don’t mention his kids, his wife, and how he nearly threw them away? “Basketball should be last on the list,” he says.
In his 2011 book, Basketball Junkie: A Memoir and the ESPN movie, Unguarded, we learn about his descent and eventual overdose due to ...Read More
Elements Behavioral Health Acquires Journey Healing Centers’ Network of Addiction Treatment Centers in Arizona and Utah
Elements Behavioral Health, a leading nationwide provider of addiction and mental health treatment programs, announced on December 18, 2013 that it has acquired Journey Healing Centers’ network of drug and alcohol treatment centers in Arizona and Utah.
Dry Drunk Syndrome
How does it happen and what can we do about it
By Dan Stone, MSW, LCSW, LISAC
When I had a few years of recovery, my family and I went on a Caribbean cruise. One day I decided to catch some sun on one of the decks. The majority of the people were drinking but I was not triggered as I heard the servers announce special drink deals like ...Read MoreStaying Sober During the Holidays
If you or someone you love is in recovery, the following tips can reduce the stress of the holidays and help you or your loved one stay strong and sober while still enjoying the season.
The holidays are a time of celebration, filled with family get-togethers, social events and gift exchanges. For those recovering from alcohol problems, however, the season may make refusing alcohol and staying sober more challenging than usual.
In addition to the abundance of alcohol, many people in recovery may feel more depressed or lonely during the holidays. Even if they are in a good ...Read More
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Guest/Monthly Columnists
Bobbe McGinley MA, MBA, CADAC, LISAC, NCGC II, is a nationally known speaker, author, presenter and trainer.
