This month, Dr. Tian Dayton gives us all the opportunity to take part in a study she is conducting on Adult Children of Alcoholism or Addiction (ACOA). Just click on the link in her article to take the survey and you’ll receive data once it has been compiled.

Resolutions are something that most people are either making or thinking about making right about now, and none quite so important than the resolution to get clean. Angie Carter knows a thing or two about this and how challenging the following-through part can be. She shares her journey and a few things she learned along the way about Resolve, Relapse and Regret.

Larry Smith provides us with a very user-friendly guide to affirmations to begin the reprogramming of all the negative thoughts that can sabotage recovery – and, indeed, peace of mind and wellbeing in general.

Moving us into a completely separate topic, Catherine Auman begins the discussion about sex addiction: is there such a thing or not? It is currently the addiction de rigueur for many a celebrity caught in an indiscretion, but how accurate a description is it? An interesting and relevant topic, to be sure.

Yet another hot topic in the mental health field these days is ADHD. But a relatively unexamined aspect of it is how it affects girls, which, new research reveals is significantly different from boys. Dr. Jack Hinman breaks down the differences, providing an important and largely unexamined perspective.

Kansas Cafferty shares his personal journey from client to counselor and the lessons he learned along the way, particularly about how one relates to the other. He compares the “tough love” approach to a more gentle, loving approach, addresses the pros and cons and concludes that love may just be all you need.

New RecoveryView.com contributor, Dr. Meghan Marcum, discusses the importance of relaxation on mental health and an overall sense of wellbeing. And she goes one step further to provide a simple guide to meditation to kick off the New Year with a nice, deep breath.

And from another RecoveryView.com newcomer, Dr. Daniel Tomasulo, we learn that expressing gratitude to someone – even if, especially if, that person is not actually a person but God – can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Through the experiential technique of the Virtual Gratitude Visit, a person may experience benefits long after the actual “visit”, making it worth a try.

Our first featured RecoveryView.com member is Connect for Healthcare, a revolutionary but simple way to stay connected with loved ones in treatment centers of all kinds – recovery or otherwise. Founders Neil Moore and Craig Gordon, childhood friends who reconnected after more than 20 years, bring not only their professional expertise to the company, but also their personal experience and, therefore, passion to every aspect of Connect for Healthcare.
Shahan Suzmeyan, Director of Marketing for CRC Health’s West Coast treatment facilities, has walked down an oft-winding and challenging path to get where he is now, which, of course, makes for a really interesting story. His desire to connect people – be it addicts to appropriate treatment centers, or the members of the very community in which he lives – drives him to creative solutions to often complicated issues. We’re excited to connect you to his story in this issue.

Our book club highlights frequent RecoveryView.com contributor, Dr. Stephen Grinstead’s book, Freedom from Suffering: A Journey of Hope, which is packed with valuable information about his long-standing work and research into chronic pain. We also selected to highlight Jennifer Storm’s memoir, Blackout Girl. An unflinching view of her struggles with drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, and her eventual freedom from it, her story will no doubt touch a chord with many readers, as well as inspire them and give them hope.

Please enjoy our New Year’s gift to you, and be sure to give yourself the gift of a more peaceful, saner existence through positive choices for you and your family. All the best!

It goes without saying that we are so tremendously grateful for the generosity of our contributing authors and members this year. Your commitment to sharing your wisdom is invaluable not simply to RecoveryView.com, but to the thousands and thousands of people for whom it reaches and makes some impact in their lives.

Beginning this issue is Dr. Tian Dayton and a more in-depth article on her Relationship Trauma Repair technique for working with clients who have experienced significant trauma. Her gentle approach provides an extremely useful tool for therapists in all settings working with trauma.

Andrew Kessler informs us about the latest fad drug, Bath Salts, that has recently been banned by the DEA. From what it is – most definitely not a trip to the day spa – to its effects and prevalence in the U.S., this is cutting-edge information for every clinician…and parent, for that matter.

The Craft of Compassion is both a book and an approach to healing from addictions – and all life challenges – that encourages, of course, compassion, but also acceptance and empathy in the path to emotional freedom. Author Michael Ortiz Hill shares his insight into how The Craft of Compassion has helped so many reach a more loving view of themselves and others.

Prosperity and abundance are two things nearly everyone would like but do not have. Larry Smith believes that this is not necessarily true breaks down the journey he went on in search for these seemingly illusive qualities.

Robert Collie brings his unique perspective of recovery from PTSD, in which he found links from the modern-day embodiment of the disorder to biblical times and characters. The revelations from this connection, Collie believes, can point us to a better understanding of ourselves today, and the different forms healing can take.

Mark Dorian Webber believes that the natural high elite athletes or artists describe as “The Zone” just might be tapping into something he calls Quantum Love, wherein it “calms our nerves, thereby energizing the body and brain as a result of released stress”. He posits that when this ultimate mind-body connection is made, healing of all kinds – physically, mentally and emotionally – can naturally occur. A fascinating read, to be sure.

As the cold winter winds begin to blow, physical sickness becomes more common – colds and flu viruses abound. Sheri Laine lends her holistic approach to bolstering our immunity, as well as treating it naturally, should we fall ill. Recipes included!

Angels are a common sight this time of year, typically gracing the tops of trees or adorning decorations of all kinds. Connie Miller also believes they are living and breathing creatures we interact with every day, often unaware of their presence. Be it the your best friend, your child or a kind stranger, opening your eyes to the presence of love and grace all around you may just shift your whole perspective on life.

Our featured member, David Likens, CEO of ABC Recovery Centers, has had a busy four years. Under his leadership, ABC has seen phenomenal growth and the addition of invaluable community resources. His story is inspirational to us all.

Our featured Book Club titles both center around the theme of spirituality in all its many forms. In Soul Silence: A Unique Approach to Mastering the 11th Step, Peter Amato describes how prayer and meditation were his salvation from addiction and filled him with the gifts of “peace, passion and purpose”. Our Q&A with him sheds more light onto his personal journey writing the book and what he hopes you will take away from it.

Sheri Laine’s book, The EnerQi Connection: Demystifying Acupuncture, is an easy-to-understand guide to acupuncture and Chinese medicine, as well as harnessing the power we all have within us to heal and live more fully and vibrantly.

We hope you will be inspired and encouraged by our holiday issue and wish everyone the most peaceful, joyous and blessed of holiday seasons. See you in 2012!

We also wanted to take this time to thank our sponsor for this issue, Recovery Summit, which will be held at Loyola Marymount University on October 15, 2011. (Find more information at www.soberhousing.net/summit.)

Leading our Recovery Month issue is Dr. Judi Hollis, whose personal experience in treating Betty Ford at the U.S. Naval Center all those years ago provided her with a unique perspective on not only the First Lady’s passing, but on the impact of her legacy and the many ways in which modern-day addictions treatment has evolved – and in Hollis’ mind, not always for the best. It’s a fascinating read.

Dr. Tian Dayton gives us a healthy dose of inspiration, encouraging us to replace our negative thoughts with positive ones and be pleasantly surprised by the results. Of course, this is often easier said than done, so Dayton provides us with specific and easy-to-follow steps for incorporating affirmations into our daily lives.

Our View from the Hill returns just in time to inform us about how Washington, D.C. has already and will continue to commemorate Recovery Month. Andrew Kessler provides us with encouraging statistics that prove we’re on the right track – the Recovery Month You Tube channel has increased viewership by 1,485 percent in just two years! That kind of success speaks volumes for where we are headed in this field, and Kessler has his finger firmly on the pulse of our nation’s progress.

Sherry Gaba’s wildly successful book, The Law of Sobriety, has inspired many people since it first came out one year ago, and Gaba explains to us how she developed this principle based on the equally popular Law of Attraction. The ideas are simple yet profound and can make a positive impact on anyone’s life – not only those in recovery.

As we find ourselves at the beginning of the school year, we also focus on our children, many of whom currently struggle due to the impact of their parents’ divorce. Dr. Jack Hinman offers practical tips for parents to help minimize the negative and increase positive interactions with their children through the course of divorce-related issues.

Dr. Charlotte Reznick, an education and children’s psychologist, taps into every parent’s Achilles heel: how to effectively and lovingly discipline our children. She advocates time-outs for Mom and Dad – not just for the kids – to provide time to calm down, collect ourselves and remind us that we actually love our kids. Do yourself – and your kids – a favor: read this article.

Many people think that creativity is the exclusive realm of artists – painters, designers, writers and musicians. But Carol Teitelbaum believes each one of us have a creative well just waiting to be tapped, particularly in relation to our mental and emotional wellbeing and recovery, and she details how we can discover that creativity within ourselves.

Our book club features Sherry Gaba’s The Law of Sobriety, including a Q&A about her process of writing the book. We hope you’ll find it as interesting as we did.

We also highlight Dr. Kimberly Young’s book, Internet Addiction: A Handbook and Guide to Evaluation and Treatment, a valuable tool to help maneuver our way through this relatively new, yet fast-growing addiction.

As always, we are so very grateful to you, our readers, and every single person who contributes to RecoveryView.com. The recovery community is unique in its sincerity and personal commitment to its shared goal of helping save lives and promote hope and health – we are proud to stand alongside you all.

Appropriately, our August edition is full of articles on health and wellbeing. Dr. Tian Dayton deconstructs the effects of trauma and addiction in the family on a child’s developing identity. Indeed, the groundwork for whole-person wellbeing is made or broken during this crucial phase. Fortunately, the tools to make the repairs are also available.

Penelope Richards shares her experience of healing and recovery through the power of dance and yoga. Her story is inspiring and her enthusiasm infectious.

Stuart Birnbaum offers us his perspective on “The New-Age Drug Dealer”, a thought-provoking look at the role pharmaceutical companies play in the growing scourge of prescription medication addiction.
Flexibility of mind is just as, if not more, important than flexibility of body, according to Sheri Laine. Her concept of EnerQi promotes this brand of adaptability as an integral component to overall wellbeing. Learning to go with the flow and laugh even during difficult times can ward off bouts of depression and anxiety, as well as make life a little more enjoyable in the process.

New RecoveryView.com author Jennifer Storm shares her personal recovery story where duct tape played a very strong supporting role (pun intended). No doubt many others will relate to her life of personal chaos and “quick fixes” that becomes a fast track to self-destruction. However, like all stories of recovery, hope and fresh starts are always just around the corner as a promise to true peace and happiness.

Jack Hinman disseminates the facts about alcohol and drugs’ impact on the developing brains of adolescents. As a new school year begins, the fact of adolescent substance abuse is very real; learning how to address it is essential.

Our member profile centers on Rod Mullen, President and CEO of Amity Foundation, a role he fills with personal passion and dedication to the many lives he impacts. From implementing similar programs in far-flung locales, such as Japan, to overseeing the building of a new campus for women in recovery and their children, Mullen’s work is truly never done. And he likes it that way.
Don’t forget to check out our Book Club selections for the month – perhaps you can use it as a reading list for your much-needed break.

While relationships are ideally mutually beneficial for its participants, we know that the reality is often far from that. In “Relationship Trauma Repair”, Dr. Tian Dayton reveals relationship patterns that reach far back into childhood and creep into the daily goings-on of current relationships – a must-read for anyone who’s ever been in a less-than-perfect relationship.

Regular readers of RecoveryView.com are well-versed in the “typical” addictions of drugs, alcohol, sex and eating disorders. But there is a whole spectrum of what Sherry Gaba calls “soft addictions” that begs a closer look. Could it be that drinking coffee while checking your email or Facebook account could place you in this category? Read on for an enlightening perspective on the little white lies of addiction.

Dr. Jack Hinman offers his view on the impact of our overly sexualized society on its most vulnerable members: young girls. Though we are all familiar with the images and portrayals of women and girls in the media, its far-reaching effects may not be fully understood, until now.

Once in recovery, many people want to jump into all the activities they may have avoided or sabotaged while in their addiction – namely, dating. But this path could lead you straight back into your addiction without the proper awareness, tools and support. Dr. Nancy Sobel offers all of this and more in her article, “Maneuvering the Minefield of Dating in Recovery”.
Finally, Marcel Schwantes explores the concept of detoxing the mind, something he deems essential for long-term recovery. In addition to emphasizing the importance of truth and choice, he provides several affirmations to aid in the cleansing process.

Our member profiles begin this month with Mike Nolan of Avee Laboratories, who is committed to changing the general perspective on the pharmaceutical industry. His insight into what Avee does and the great strides it is taking toward more accurate and efficient drug testing offers a more positive view on the industrial giant.

Dr. Nancy Sobel is a psychologist and educator with a fascinating resume and life story that spans the globe, from Hawaii to Israel. Most recently, her travels have focused on Haiti, and the adolescents who were orphaned in last year’s devastating earthquake. Sobel  co-founded of the non-profit organization, Global Adolescent Program, which provides education, mentorship and job training to Haiti’s youth. Hers is truly a story of inspiration and triumph over tragedy.

In recovery, this last point cannot be emphasized enough. On a journey that is often marked by setbacks and frustration, fresh starts and second chances are the breaths of fresh air that bring hope back into our experience and give us strength for the new day.

We also want to embrace this season of new creation by letting you in on a project we are very excited about. Coinciding with our June issue, RecoveryView.com will also launch its newly created Book Club. Our stable of talented, experienced and wise authors is a source of constant blessing, but it is certainly not limited to our humble newsletter. These writers also have books that are inspiring, hopeful, brutally honest and often the perfect companion for wherever you are in your journey. We can think of nothing better than to highlight these works in one place, which is precisely what we will do when we launch a new Web page dedicated to these works.

While this project is still in its formational stages, we have visions for reviews; insightful interviews with the authors about their personal process in the creation of their publication; information about how to purchase them; and access to supplemental products and seminars from these authors. We are letting other exciting ideas simmer while we gather information and structure for the Book Club, but in the meantime, we hope you will catch some of our excitement.

Leading this issue, as always, is Dr. Tian Dayton with her timely and insightful perspective on the media maelstrom that is Charlie Sheen, and the consequential discussion now swirling around substance abuse and mental illness and their treatment.

New RecoveryView.com author, Jerry Moe, shares a personal and touching example of the impact of addiction on the children of the addicts. Moe works with the Betty Ford Center’s program for children and reminds us how important it is to treat the entire family in comprehensive addiction treatment.

Dr. Gabor Mate beautifully examines and compassionately unwraps the experiences and predispositions that lead to someone becoming addicted to a substance or other harmful behavior in the first place. This article is at once informative and touching – a real gift from a leading expert in our field.

Judge Jim Gray, a former Superior Court judge in Orange County, California, presents an historical perspective on laws prohibiting alcohol and the resulting troubles. He lends his experience as an integral part of our country’s legal system and gives us insight into his perspective regarding our current issue with the legalization of marijuana – thought-provoking and intriguing.

In “A Relationship of a Different Sort”, Angie Carter sheds light on the function of denial in sustaining an addict’s bond with his or her substance. The negative effects of the addiction are apparent to most people, including the addict, but it is often the (albeit-harmful) lifeline to which the addict clings when nothing else in life seems to make sense or work. Carter provides practical and useful steps toward breaking through the denial and replacing the toxic relationship with healthier ones.

Dr. Stephen Grinstead’s work in the field of pain management has put him on the front lines of prescription medication addiction. He explains the intricacies of appropriately managing chronic pain without crossing over into the dangerous territory of addiction on the very substances that provide legitimate relief.

The concept of triggers in addiction is all-too-familiar, but if we were to break it down, most of us couldn’t tell you what makes a trigger a trigger. It is into this topic that Bob Tyler delves, both deconstructing the concept of what a trigger is and suggesting that it is even possible to recover from one.

Sheri Laine is something of an expert on the concept of working toward that elusive quality of balance that everyone wants. In her 25 years of practicing Oriental Medicine, her clients often look to her to illuminate the path to that seeming nirvana where every aspect of life is perfectly aligned. She shares what she has learned in her substantial career, based on an original concept she has dubbed, EnerQi. Intrigued? Read on.

We know that drug addiction has evolved and assumed new forms today than its previously understood concept. Stuart Birnbaum presents an excerpt from his new book, The New Age Addict, providing a glimpse into the life of the everyday-person addict who just may be living next door.

Bipolar disorder has come to the forefront of our general consciousness again, thanks, in part, to the bizarre antics of Charlie Sheen. However, an important subset of this disorder rarely receives acknowledgment: bipolar disorder in adolescence. Dr. Jack Hinman clearly outlines what to look for and how to appropriately treat this serious mental illness in our children.

Marcia Ullett returns this issue with Part 2 in her series, “Life in Balance”, this time focusing on the nuts and bolts about how to make this concept a reality, including asking insightful and penetrating questions that we must be brave enough to answer honestly.

hat is a clinician to do when the go-to approach for substance abuse – a 12-step program – just isn’t working? Sherry Gaba encourages us to be open to other approaches, inventive in the methods that can break through to a client who needs outside-the-box treatment.
And, finally, we present two RecoveryView.com member profiles: Michele Garcia of Serenity Malibu and Greg Hannley of Soba Recovery Centers. Both share their personal stories of recovery and following their higher purposes to impact their community for the better – truly inspiring.

We hope you can implement the spirit of Spring – renewal and growth – even if the almanac is not cooperating. Blessings to you all.

We particularly love (see how we sneaked that in?) this time of year. The hectic holiday schedules are over, the weather is still chilly (in most of the country, anyway), so we’re able to focus on our loved ones, settle into the warm comfort of our homes and reflect on the coming year, with spring’s arrival just on the horizon.

At RecoveryView,.com, we have reflected on how blessed we’ve been with a wonderful outpouring of love and support from our members and contributors. Speaking of which, we have a number of new contributing authors to this edition, for whom we are most grateful. We would really love to continue to build our stable of writers (though, being a “writer” is most definitely not required). The breadth of interests and experience each author brings expands the RecoveryView.com voice to one that can be heard by so many who need to hear the messages they have. Please contact us if you are interested in joining our team.

This time around, our issue starts with the ever-inspiring Tian Dayton, who connects the similarities to narcissism and addiction and what it means to live with someone who embodies traits of both. She also detangles the confusion that the tenet of self-care creates for those prone to narcissistic behaviors.

One RecoveryView.com newcomer, Dr. Steve Davidson, shares the very useful technique of motivational interviewing (M.I.) for those of us who counsel people with drug and alcohol addiction. Even if you are already familiar with M.I., it’s a great refresher course on what works and what doesn’t.

Jasmin Rogg, MFT, also a new, featured author, brings her very compassionate voice to the subject of chronic relapse and how frustratingly difficult that can be for the person struggling to maintain sobriety. She injects hope through both personal experience and what we know about the brain’s ability to re-program even the most difficult of traumas.

The parade of new writers continues with Dr. Kathy Willis’ informational article about the biological and genetic component of addiction, and how understanding more about this aspect can inform our choices on how we treat both the addict and the family of the addict. Fascinating stuff.

RecoveryView.com member Jim Coddington joins our team as an author and shares his personal experience as a new social worker in a sober living home and the invaluable tools Choice Theory provided in the process.

Andrew Kessler returns with his View from the Hill, this time breaking down the ins and outs of the current Substance Abuse Policy before our sitting Congress, including proposals for changes in healthcare policy; staffing and budget cuts to mental health organizations; and the future of grant approvals for important mental health research. An incredibly timely and important article for all professionals working in mental health.

Dr. Jack Hinman continues to provide insight into the current state of our adolescents, this time focusing on the frighteningly popular trend of cutting or self-harming. He presents the facts about the hows, whys and what-you-can-dos. Parents and treatment providers alike will benefit from the information he presents.

Marcia Ullett writes part one of a two-part series on “Living Life in Balance”. It is something most people probably say they strive for, but secretly have no idea how to accomplish. Fortunately for all of us, Ullett breaks it down into practical, manageable steps.

For families of someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, Carole Bennett offers “6 Signs Your Loved One May Be Relapsing”. Often just knowing what to look for is enough to empower a family to help, and Bennett equips them with exactly the tools they will need.

Herb Kaighan generously shares his personal journey of spiritual recovery, noting that implementing the 12 steps is not so self-explanatory. His candor and insight will undoubtedly strike a chord with anyone who can’t quite seem to “get” the spiritual side of the process.

We are thrilled to offer this latest edition to you as an expression of our love and passion for those struggling with addictions of all kinds and the amazingly gifted and caring souls who work with them.

Many of our authors have given their perspective on a how to have a healthy, happy holiday season. Dr. Tian Dayton reminds us to focus just as much on our emotional sobriety as our physical this time of year. CC Nuckols looks back at the origins of Christmas and notes how we can apply the intention and themes into bringing peace and joy to others.

Dan Griffin explores the gender differences in recovery, and suggests what men need, specifically, to be successful in maintaining long-term recovery. Andrew Kessler’s View from the Hill focuses, this month, on California’s proposition to legalize marijuana, taking a closer look into what it involves and how it may affect drug policy and even addiction in the future.

Single parenting is difficult enough throughout the year, but when the holidays arrive, a whole new set of emotionally charged issues surface. Preparing yourself for a holiday without a child can be heart-wrenching, to say the least. Sherry Gaba offers her personal experience and professional expertise on how to survive and – dare we say it? – even enjoy the holidays as a single parent.

Carole Bennett offers sage advice to families of those suffering with addictions. They are often forgotten when the holidays roll around, but are frequently the ones who pay the price for their addict family member’s issues. She outlines practical tips on maintaining loving and healthy boundaries for these friends and families.

Dr. Jack Hinman brings to light the unique issues those who are adopted encounter when entering residential treatment. He outlines appropriate approaches by both the adoptive families and the staffs of the residential treatment center to ensure those needs are thoughtfully addressed.

Much has been made of sexual addiction, with celebrities making infamous headlines. However, these are primarily men, and the fact is, women also wrestle with sexual addictions. Alexandra Katehakis and Caroline Frost educate us on what it looks like and how to effectively treat the addiction in this population.

Dr. Stuart Finkelstein and Dr. Carol Workman bring to light another unrecognized and under-served population: seniors and prescription medications. This informational article describes how addictions can begin and how they are often unwittingly maintained by the seniors’ own doctors.

Dr. Kevin Fleming is curious about what predisposes the brain to addiction in the first place and delves in deeper in his article, “What’s Really the Addiction?” Finally, Maureen Felker goes into detail about the necessity and effectiveness of interventions with eating disorders as a truly life-saving step.

We hope you enjoy our holiday edition, and delight in Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with child-like joy and wonder.

Happy Holidays!