Stages of Change Series – Part 1: Introduction

Addiction, Recovery

Ever heard of the Transtheoretical Model of Change? How about the Stages of Change? This model is a great way to think about what it takes for any of us to make a change in our lives. The model is usually applied to health-related changes, such as establishing a new...

Relapse is Not Recovery

Recovery

Every so often, we hear people say “Relapse is part of addiction recovery.” It’s not. Relapse is the opposite of recovery. It can be part of someone’s recovery journey but it’s not inevitable. For many, the idea that “relapse is...

Can You Spare 5 Minutes?

Addiction, Recovery, Resources

Got 5 minutes? Here’s a great, short video from Just Five about 4 ways to help someone you care about who is struggling with drugs and/or alcohol: get professional medical help seek trustworthy information and solid facts get support from knowledgeable resources...

The Complex Relationship Between Trauma and Addiction

Addiction, Recovery, Resources

It’s tough to overestimate the overlap between trauma and substance abuse. I’ve seen innumerable instances of people in active addiction and in recovery who have suffered trauma. It can be a very complex, cyclical relationship: someone uses alcohol or...

Family Systems Therapy & Recovery

Addiction, Recovery, Resources

If you think about it for a minute, it’s probably easy to see that family is so important as an influence on drug and/or alcohol misuse and recovery. The impact can be positive or negative, healthy or harmful. There may be nothing more powerful than family in...

How Do I Help If They Don’t Want Sobriety?

Addiction, Recovery

The better question might be, “Who do I help if they don’t want sobriety?” In the last post we discussed someone who was ready and willing to get sober. What if the person I care about isn’t ready yet? Here’s the blunt truth: You can’t make them stop and neither can...