The Insanity of a Family Disease

During my twenty-five year career in substance abuse treatment, I’ve frequently heard family members (and clients) insist that "Alcohol isn't his/her/my problem - drugs are!" and "Alcoholism isn't his/her/my problem - addiction is!" as if the same principles of recovery from chemical dependency don't apply to any dysfunctional situation where alcohol either isn't present or isn't present enough to be identified as the primary drug-of-choice.

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Home Is Where The Heart Is

By: Mike Murphy, Manager of Alumni Services First, a disclaimer: I am aware and a believer that there are other ways to get and remain sober outside of the 12 Steps. However, this is what has worked and continues to work for me to this day.  One of the very first things that is recommended to…

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A Change of Pace to Change Your Life

By: Lisa B., Transformations Alumni Coordinator If you have sat in enough recovery meetings, you have likely heard the term “recovery job,” but what exactly is a recovery job, and do you really need one? A recovery job is typically an employment position that supports an individual’s recovery process in the early days. Such jobs often…

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The Importance of Self-Care

Now and then, you may find yourself caught up in the complexities of daily life and forget to take care of yourself. International Self-Care Day serves as a reminder to prioritize your mental and physical well-being and the positive impact that self-care has on those around you. In this blog, you’ll learn the significance of…

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a mental health professional diagnosing a person with symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder

10 Facts Everyone Should Know About Depression

Depression affects millions of people worldwide and is much more than just feeling sad. This article will provide essential facts about depression, helping you understand its types, causes, symptoms, and depression treatment options. By learning these facts, you can better support those affected by this common mental health condition. If you or a loved one…

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Awareness Acceptance Action

By: Keith Berger, Coordinator of Family Integrated Services Awareness…  Acceptance…  Action! Imagine yourself in a dark, foul-smelling room.  Every time you take a step, you trip over shadowy objects littering the floor.  Tired and frustrated from the stumbles and falls, you clear out a corner and try to make the best of the situation by…

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Snowflakes

By: Keith Berger, Coordinator of Family Integrated Services Someone I care about suffers from alcoholism, addiction and mental health challenges and I have been affected.  Even though I have personally never used alcohol or other mood-and-mind altering chemicals compulsively (and I choose not to indulge in any substances for a couple of decades now), I…

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Remembering to Breathe

By: Keith Berger, Coordinator of Family Integrated Services Breathe.   It’s the first thing we do when we get here and begin our human experience.  One deep breath – inhale, exhale – and we’re off and crawling… then walking… then running.  It can be argued that everything begins with breath. Breathe.   Studies show that the average…

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honoring paramedics on the job for international paramedic day

Honoring Our Heroes: Celebrating International Paramedics Day

Paramedics do so much more than save lives. They make a lasting difference in their communities and the healthcare systems they’re involved with. Whether delivering babies, treating burns, or keeping patients calm while in transit—paramedics love what they do, and it shows.  Join us in honoring these brave and selfless heroes on July 8, International…

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Using Music for Therapeutic Recreation

National Therapeutic Recreation Week is here again, and there’s no better time to begin your mental and physical wellness journey. For individuals with mental health issues, National Therapeutic Week raises awareness about the various therapeutic programs available to address their mental health. It also provides an opportunity to explore creativity. One example of such an…

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