http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/rss http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/the-man-who-walks-beside-me/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 281px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage281200-Jason-Isbell_2.jpg" alt="Jason Isbell" title="Jason Isbell" width="281" height="200"/><p class="caption">Jason Isbell - image via flickr user nffcnnr</p>
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<p>Jason Isbell is a singer-songwriter from Alabama. He's also been sober for one year and five-plus months. In an interview with Melissa Block on NPR's <em><a href="http://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/" target="_blank">All things Considered</a></em>, Jason and his new wife Amanda Shires <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/20130601wesat08.mp3" target="_blank">openly shared</a> about their collective songwriting as well as Jason's bottom from alcoholism. "I didn't care if he was mad at me," Amanda stated. "I didn't care if that meant it was the end of our relationship. I mean, it was, 'This person needs help.'"</p>
<p>What really struck me, and what I often hear from people in early recovery, is Jason's exquisite musical description of what I'll term "the shadow self." It is the part of an alcoholic that possesses enough virtue or "attraction", as Jason calls it, to propel perfectly lovely people towards the alcoholic in spite of his/her enmeshment in the disease. What Jason masterfully explores is the fear that the drinking part of him may have things the sober part won't.</p>
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<p>There's a man who walks beside me / He is who I used to be / And I wonder if she sees him and confuses him with me / And I wonder who she’s pining for on nights I’m not around / Could it be the man who did the things I’m living down</p>
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<p>"I worried about what parts of me would go along with the bad parts, because it's not cut and dried," Jason explained. "It's not like you make the right decision, and everything's great, and you're a better person for it. You are, you know, at least 51 percent better. But there are some things that are lost forever, and that's just a fact of it."</p>
<p>The question is a good one, and one that will change over time and in the course of recovery. Check out the <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/20130601wesat08.mp3" target="_blank">interview</a>, and check out Jason's <a href="http://gardenandgun.com/media/live-oak-jason-isbell" target="_blank">new album</a>. FI advocates for people to share their stories when they feel safe to so do, and we always appreciate an artistic expression of the recovery experience. When someone like Jason sings it, well, sometimes that's even better.</p> Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:17:58 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/the-man-who-walks-beside-me/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/national-conference-on-mental-health/ <p>On Monday the White House launched a day-long symposium on all matters related to mental health. President Obama took to the podium to confirm his administration's support of the growing national conversation on mental health. "You see commercials on TV about a whole array of physical health issues; some of them very personal," quipped President Obama. "And yet, we whisper about mental health issues and avoid asking too many questions. The brain’s a body part, too. We just know less about it."</p>
<p>According to the White House, the conference is only one part of the Obama administration's commitment to raising awareness of and improving treatment for mental health issues. Here are a few more items of note from the day:</p>
<ul><li>The <a href="http://www.nab.org/" target="_blank">National Association of Broadcasters</a> (NAB) headed by former Republican Senator Gordon Smith, who lost his son to suicide 10 years ago revealed a new initiative to raise awareness of mental health through a TV ad and social media campaign. </li>
<li>The White House also launched <a href="http://www.mentalhealth.gov" target="_blank">MentalHealth.gov</a>, a resource center containing the latest facts, figures, and stories of hope. </li>
<li>In his address, the President cited veteran mental health care as a continued priority, and reported that 22 American veterans commit suicide every day. </li>
<li>The Affordable Care Act promises to bring mental health care coverage to an additional 60 million Americans. </li>
<li>In 2014 insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage for a pre-existing mental health condition.</li>
</ul><p>Freedom Institute has no political affiliation, but we do like awareness campaigns, innovative websites, commitment to our veterans, and increased health coverage for mental health services.</p>
<p>"What helps more than anything," said the President, "what gives so many of our friends and loved ones strength, is the knowledge that you’re not alone. You’re not alone. You’re surrounded by people who care about you and who will support you on the journey to get well."</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4PssaoGx9aE" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"><span class="mceItemHidden">&<span class="mceItemHiddenSpellWord">lt</span>;/p> &<span class="mceItemHiddenSpellWord">lt</span>;p>shocking&<span class="mceItemHiddenSpellWord">lt</span>;/p> &<span class="mceItemHiddenSpellWord">lt</span>;p>&<span class="mceItemHiddenSpellWord">lt</span>;<span class="mceItemHiddenSpellWord">br</span> />&<span class="mceItemHiddenSpellWord">lt</span>;/p></span></iframe></p> Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/national-conference-on-mental-health/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/5-easy-stress-busters/ <p><em>Originally <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-tian-dayton/stress-busters_b_3178358.html" target="_blank">published</a> on HuffingtonPost.com 5/2/13. These are excellent techniques for the sober management of triggers and/or signals that recovering alcoholics used to relieve through self-medication. Dr. Dayton discusses self-mediaction at length in her post: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-tian-dayton/self-medication_b_3236724.html" target="_blank">Why We 'Self-Medicate' Our Own Depression or Anxiety.</a></em></p>
<hr/><div class="captionImage left" style="width: 266px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage266200-relaxsky_2.jpg" alt="Relax" title="Relax" width="266" height="200"/><p class="caption">Relax via flickr - Taylor Burnes</p>
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<p>How does environment and behavior actually become biology? Our mind's response to stress sends out body signals as to whether or not to rev up or ease up. We were probably not designed for the kinds of constant stressors that are part of most modern lives. Daily traffic, beeping, tapping, buzzing, to say nothing of 24-hour news, can chip away at our resolve to stay calm and leave us feeling edgy or drained. Then we overreact to normal stresses of the day and spurt out more adrenaline than is required -- after all, we're not really staring down a charging elephant (usually), and we lose those calming chemicals that we need in order to keep our moods and our minds smooth and our thoughts, feelings and behaviors integrated and intelligent. Prevention can allow us to build up little moments of calm throughout our day that we can draw from when we feel ourselves tensing up or revving up. Try taking revitalizing little breaks to increase that pool of calm inside of you and remind you that life is not a race, that most things actually will get done, and that some of what we worry about really solves itself.<br/><br/><strong>When you have one minute</strong></p>
<p>Place your hand just beneath your navel so you can feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly as you breathe. Breathe in slowly. Pause for a count of three. Breathe out. Pause for a count of three. Continue to breathe deeply for one minute, pausing for a count of three after each inhalation and exhalation.</p>
<p>Or alternatively, while sitting comfortably, take a few slow deep breaths and quietly repeat to yourself "I am" as you breathe in and "at peace" as you breathe out. Repeat slowly two or three times. Then feel your entire body relax into the support of the chair.</p>
<p><strong>When you have two minutes</strong></p>
<p>Count down slowly from 10 to zero. With each number, take one complete breath, inhaling and exhaling. For example, breathe in deeply saying "10" to yourself. Breathe out slowly. On your next breath, say "nine," and so on. If you feel lightheaded, count down more slowly to space your breaths further apart. When you reach zero, you should feel more relaxed. If not, go through the exercise again.</p>
<p><strong>When you have three minutes</strong></p>
<p>While sitting down, take a break from whatever you're doing and check your body for tension. Relax your facial muscles and allow your jaw to fall open slightly. Let your shoulders drop. Let your arms fall to your sides. Allow your hands to loosen so that there are spaces between your fingers. Uncross your legs or ankles. Feel your thighs sink into your chair, letting your legs fall comfortably apart. Feel your shins and calves become heavier and your feet grow roots into the floor. Now breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly. Each time you breathe out, try to relax even more.</p>
<p><strong>When you have five minutes</strong></p>
<p>Try self-massage. A combination of strokes works well to relieve muscle tension. Try gentle chops with the edge of your hands or tapping with fingers or cupped palms. Put fingertip pressure on muscle knots. Knead across muscles, and try long, light, gliding strokes. You can apply these strokes to any part of the body that falls easily within your reach. For a short session like this, try focusing on your neck and head.</p>
<ul><li>Start by kneading the muscles at the back of your neck and shoulders. Make a loose fist and drum swiftly up and down the sides and back of your neck. Next, use your thumbs to work tiny circles around the base of your skull. Slowly massage the rest of your scalp with your fingertips. Then tap your fingers against your scalp, moving from the front to the back and then over the sides.</li>
<li>Now massage your face. Make a series of tiny circles with your thumbs or fingertips. Pay particular attention to your temples, forehead, and jaw muscles. Use your middle fingers to massage the bridge of your nose and work outward over your eyebrows to your temples.</li>
<li>Finally, close your eyes. Cup your hands loosely over your face and inhale and exhale easily for a short while.</li>
</ul><p><strong>When you have 10 minutes</strong></p>
<p>Try imagery. Start by sitting comfortably in a quiet room. Breathe deeply for a few minutes. Now picture yourself in a place that conjures up good memories. What do you smell -- the heavy scent of roses on a hot day, crisp fall air, the wholesome smell of baking bread? What do you hear? Drink in the colors and shapes that surround you. Focus on sensory pleasures: the swoosh of a gentle wind, soft, cool grass tickling your feet, or the salty smell and rhythmic beat of the ocean. Passively observe intrusive thoughts, and then gently disengage from them to return to the world you've created. This entirely internal process can really slow down the mind so that the stress response gets interrupted before it can wreak its havoc on our bodies.</p>
<hr/><p><em class="blue-text">Dr. Tian Dayton is the author of The ACoA Trauma Syndrome, How Childhood Pain Impacts Adult Relationships, Emotional Sobriety: From Relationship Trauma to Resilience and Balance and twelve other books and numerous articles. She has been a national speaker for twenty years doing keynotes on a variety of subjects related to addiction, psychology and psychodrama. Her work in psychodrama has been featured on film, TV and documentaries. She is the director of The New York Psychodrama Training Institute. For more information on Dr. Dayton log onto <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://tiandayton.com" target="_blank">tiandayton.com</a></span>.<br/><br/> Dr. Tian Dayton, has a doctorate in clinical psychology, an M.A. in educational psychology, and is a fellow and "Scholar's Award" recipient from the American Society of Psychodrama, Sociometery, and Group Psychotherapy as well as the Mona Mansell Award and the Ackerman/Black Award for contributions to the addictions field.She taught psychodrama at NYU for eight years and is a regular guest expert on TV and radio appearing on MSNBC, CNN, CBS, John Walsh, Ricki Lake, Montel and Geraldo.</em></p>
<p> </p> Thu, 06 Jun 2013 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/5-easy-stress-busters/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/adolescents/adhd-medication-in-childhood-not-linked-with-addiction/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 301px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage301200-precription-pills.jpg" alt="Prescription pills" title="Prescription pills" width="301" height="200"/><p class="caption">Prescription pills - jsrcyclist via flickr</p>
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<p>Here's another reason to attend our <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/[sitetree_link id=368]" target="_blank">candid discussion</a> with Child Mind Institute on Tuesday, June 11: According to <a href="http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1691781" target="_blank">new research</a>, ADHD medication neither increases or decreases the risk of addiction and alcoholism. This is big news. Freedom Institute has consistently <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/[sitetree_link id=65]" target="_blank">reassured parents</a> that following a medication regimen for children diagnosed with ADHD can be beneficial in managing symptoms, as well as mitigating the possibility of addiction in the future. Apparently, and is often the case with scientific findings of the brain, we might need to reconsider our arguments.</p>
<p>This new data was culled from 15 separate studies which included over 2,500 children. It is a critical change in thought on the subject and the first sizeable contradictory study of its kind in the last ten years. As noted neuroscience journalist <span>Maia Szalavitz</span> <a href="http://healthland.time.com/2013/05/30/adhd-medication-in-childhood-does-not-increase-addiction-risk/" target="_blank">points out</a>, the last meta analysis on this subject served as the base for clinical reasoning for quite some time, in spite of opposing independent studies here and there. Yet, two of its researchers were "later disciplined by Harvard for taking millions of dollars in pharmaceutical industry funding without disclosing it."</p>
<p>With the <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/[sitetree_link id=338]" target="_blank">dramatic rise of diagnoses</a> of ADHD in school-aged children, this latest data may go far to assuage worried parents who are apprehensive to medicate their children. We encourage any and all parents to <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/[sitetree_link id=368]" target="_blank">join us for our joint discussion</a> next Tuesday to hear the latest pros and cons.</p> Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/adolescents/adhd-medication-in-childhood-not-linked-with-addiction/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/families-in-recovery/martha-and-ken-grimes-filling-the-emptiness/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 132px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage132200-Double-Double_3.jpg" alt="Double Double" title="Double Double" width="132" height="200"/><p class="caption">The Grimes' jointly-written book</p>
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<p>Best-selling mystery writer Martha Grimes and her son Ken Grimes sat down with NPR's <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/20130601wesat08.mp3" target="_blank">Weekend Edition Saturday</a> host Scott Simon to discuss their new, jointly-written book, <em>Double Double: A Dual Memoir of Alcoholism</em>. It is a fascinating interview.</p>
<p>Clearly, mother and son have wildly different experiences of recovery. Martha says she only gave up drinking "because when I tried to stop, I couldn't." Alternately, Ken is of the camp that without his recovery he would be dead. There's even an interesting tension as they attempt to precisely define what alcoholism is, where it comes from and who, if anyone, is responsible. But neither Grimes seems compelled to convince the other of their own experience or understanding. This is something that Freedom Institute often promotes within our clients: to be clear on your own story is what's most important. What someone else thinks, or how someone else understands your recovery, is really none of your business. Here, that dissent is part of the unity.</p>
<p>People obviously stop drinking for any number of personal reasons, and they stay sober in as many various ways. Somewhat refreshing is Martha's public admission of her ambivalence regarding her own sobriety. There is no mention or intimation that she wants to drink again - it just <em>is</em>. Her ambivalence reportedly lessened, however, when she saw the movie "<em>Flight</em>" with Denzel Washington starring as an alcoholic pilot. Why? "Because [drinking] took so much of his time." And <em>that</em> is enough for her.</p> Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:36:33 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/families-in-recovery/martha-and-ken-grimes-filling-the-emptiness/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/model-minorities-and-mental-health/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 301px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage301200-Asian-mental-health.jpg" alt="AAPI Mental Health" title="AAPI Mental Health" width="301" height="200"/><p class="caption">AAPI Mental Health - image via istock photo</p>
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<p>May is both Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. I happen to be Asian American (or a Pacific Islander, I can never decide) and a mental health care professional.  I’ve read about the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/10/raising-awareness-about-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-aapi-community" target="_blank">initiatives</a> being lobbied for in Washington on behalf of the AAPI community and several blog posts/articles about <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/us/in-california-gardening-for-mental-health.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">depression</a>, suicide prevention, and substance abuse treatment. As this month comes to an end, the lack of mental health parity in this community, and all the reasons for it, gives me reason to reflect on my experiences as a clinician <em>and</em> as an Asian American. </p>
<p>About a year and a half ago, a dear family friend was in need of a referral for a family member struggling with severe alcohol dependency.  The hurdle was that the person seeking treatment only spoke his native language. I knew it would be near impossible to find any clinician – regardless of specialty – that spoke the same language.  Recently, he passed away due to medical complications related to his alcoholism. It’s a tragic loss, and since I found out I’ve kept thinking, “If only I could have found someone.”</p>
<p>Yet, there may have been no one to find.</p>
<p>This experience is not unique to me. The lack of mental health care resources for the extremely diverse AAPI community is a silent plague impinging on our universal well-being.  This community, my community, is the fastest growing ethnic group in America according to the 2010 Census[see num=1].  AAPI’s are often identified as the, “model minority,” since popular perception is that AAPI are well-educated, law abiding, and gainfully employed, thus contributing to society at large. Yet, this conceptualization of AAPI’s masks underlying concerns: immigration laws that inadvertently contribute to family trauma, crime, and poverty, and a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health care services.  According to the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, only 1.5 % of psychologists, 2% of social workers, 0% of psychiatric nurses and .01% of marriage and family therapists are of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island decent. There is no data on bi-lingual clinicians[see num=2]. Furthermore, among persons in need of alcohol or illicit drug use treatment, Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders were less likely than persons of other racial and ethnic groups to receive treatment at a specialty facility in the past year (5.3 vs. 10.4 percent)[see num=3]</p>
<p>What does this mean for mental health care professionals? We must make a concerted effort to train and hire culturally competent clinicians. We must also work with advocacy groups to educate the Asian American community about mental health to alleviate the shame that so often prevents AAPI’s from seeking appropriate treatment. Often, and this is especially true of first generation immigrants, AAPI’s somaticize mental health concerns like depression. Thus, they may seek medical treatment from a primary care physician as opposed to a qualified mental health care practitioner. Lastly, sensitivities to the particular psycho-social stressors that affect second- and third- generation Asian Americans must come into the consulting room. As is the case with many hyphenated Americans, straddling two cultures with opposing worldviews can create challenges that lead to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. </p>
<p>We see this in the students of color we work with in the Independent Schools: there is often an unspoken added stress of being “other” on top of traditional school stresses. Interesting, in the Independent School population I often encounter students who are AAPI and have been adopted by non-AAPI parents. These students have candidly shared the obstacles they have encounter as they navigate their social worlds. For many students of color, the greater imperative to belong to a racially homogeneous social world increases their susceptibility to alcohol and/or drug abuse.</p>
<p>Complicating this issue further is inherent individualism engrained in American culture which directly opposes the family-centric sense of self found in Asian cultures.  For many Asian and Asian Americans, one’s own personal struggles (albeit with depression, anxiety or substance abuse) are direct reflections of their family’s self-worth. The desire to protect the family from humiliation, AAPI who are in need of treatment will not seek it out. As we see this with the AAPI adolescents we work with, education about what substance abuse is and how to appropriately treat it are often the first treatment goals. At Freedom Institute, our clinical focus on family treatment to address substance abuse enables us to work in a manner that is culturally attuned to the AAPI population.</p>
<p>The breadth of challenges related to AAPI’s underutilization of mental health treatment is far too intricate to delineate in this post. “The overall health and well-being of the Nation is improved by the extent to which the entire population has access to substance use treatment when it is needed. Understanding whether Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders seek and receive specialty treatment may help improve outreach and treatment programs for this population[see num=4].” Raising awareness about these challenges to all Americans is vital, the more we are aware of these issues, the more we can do to solve them regardless of race, color or creed.</p> Fri, 31 May 2013 11:03:42 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/model-minorities-and-mental-health/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/there-s-a-new-app-in-town/ <p>The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has a reputation as one of the toughest regulatory agencies in the country on the state level.  Heavily invested in abstinence programs for youth, their messaging is loud and clear: teens and alcohol don't mix. Now they want to put some of their regulatory power back into the hands of its citizens.</p>
<p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tabc-complaint-reporting/id638774931?mt=8" target="_blank">The TABC Complaint Reporting App</a> was designed to increase public buy-in to agency initiatives around illegal activities taking place in public establishments. Users can discreetly report violations like selling alcohol to minors, illegal drug use and/or prostitution. The TABC is notified of the complaint and pledges to follow up on all entries. The commission also promises to notify the complainant when each case has been closed.</p>
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<div class="captionImage leftAlone" style="width: 600px;"><img class="leftAlone" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600275-TABCscreenshots.jpg" alt="TABC Complaint App Screenshots" title="TABC Complaint App Screenshots" width="600" height="275"/><p class="caption">TABC Complaint App Screenshots</p>
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<p>But reviews are mixed. Engaging the public to engender their own safety is smart, and thousands of neighborhood watch groups would call it a good move. Of course, the flip side is that anyone with a smartphone can record a complaint. This has bar owners and operators <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/[sitetree_link id=]" target="_blank">up in arms</a>. Some fear that vitriolic patrons, or even ex-employees, will take their ire to the app bringing the force of a legislated agency down on what are, in fact, personal issues.</p>
<p>Another thing to note is that because information submitted to the TABC is accountable to the Public Information Act, all users are required to provide an email address. The language on iTunes reads: "If you wish to remain anonymous, do not provide any identifying information other than your personal e-mail address."</p>
<p>In other words, unless a user wants to face the exasperation of alleged law-breaking bar or restaurant operators, he or she would be best served not to use firstname.lastname@gmail.com. It's a new age, for sure.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts? Would you want an app like this for your community?</p>
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</div> Fri, 31 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/there-s-a-new-app-in-town/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/fi-goings-on/celebrating-change-and-forging-ahead/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 300px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage300200-Familyfor-web.jpg" alt="Family" title="Family" width="300" height="200"/><p class="caption">Family image via istockphoto</p>
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<p>It’s spring, and celebration and change are in the air. Last week at the Mona Mansell Award Dinner, Freedom Institute honored Jerry Moe, the Director of Betty Ford’s Children Program, for the innovative and inspiring work he does with young children and families.</p>
<p>Everyone wants to help a child.  I remember, after my first daughter Lily, now 24, was born, I went to an infant CPR class, like every anxious first mother. (So anxious I dutifully went home immediately after the class and cut off all the cords to the venetian blinds. Unfortunately, they were up at the time, which made them completely useless for the next ten years that we lived in the apartment). But the teacher of the class offered a piece of advice that has stayed with me to this day. He said, “If there is an emergency such that you need to call 911, tell them that there is a baby involved. They’ll get here faster, because <em>everyone wants to help a child</em>.”</p>
<p>Increasingly at Freedom Institute, this is what we do. We have always helped the family members of the addicts we treat (Mona was way ahead of her time in recognizing that addiction affects the whole family), but until fairly recently that meant the spouse or “significant other” of the patient, not his or her children. And while we offered counseling and prevention services to children through our Independent School Program, we didn’t treat them.</p>
<p>All of that has changed.  Treating families and adolescents is now a significant part of our business and the fastest growing piece of what we do. Our adolescent services have increased over 33% in 2013 from 2012. This is a big, and worrying, jump especially because, as Chairman Bob Miller reported at the Gala, 90% of adult addicts begin using drugs or alcohol before the age of 18.</p>
<p>Fortunately, the vast majority of adolescents that we see do not have an addiction problem. They have other problems- anxiety, depression, social anxiety, undiagnosed learning issues, diagnosed learning issues, or strained family relationships. If we can treat these problems, and we do, we can often prevent high-risk adolescent substance use from escalating into substance abuse. </p>
<p>So how do we help these adolescents? We treat them in our Family Program, which combines forty years of experience in addiction treatment and new evidence based treatment modalities like Motivational Interviewing and DBT, and a family system model.  This cutting-edge approach to adolescent treatment is unique to Freedom, and as far as I know, we are one of the only Outpatient Addiction Treatment Programs that combines Family Systems work in the country. We strongly recommend our Family Program to every patient that comes through our doors, but in the case of adolescents, we insist upon it.</p>
<p>This means that when an adolescent comes to Freedom Institute, he or she is always seen with his or her family. They meet with two clinicians. An adolescent counselor assesses substance use, and a family therapist observes the family system, reframes the problem, and helps the family become part of the solution.</p>
<p>One of the most interesting things we have observed over the past year since implementing this model is that most adolescents like family therapy.  We didn’t expect this, but it makes sense when you think about it, because when offered family therapy, adolescents think, 1) these people are telling me that it’s not all my fault, and 2) they are going to help me deal with my parents. What teenager can resist this message?</p>
<p>As you can probably tell, I am no different than most first responders, in that what I am really passionate about is helping children.  And as many of you know, I am stepping down as Executive Director of Freedom Institute at the end of this month, because I want to be a clinician again, and do this more directly, by working with parents. As I’ve said many times; I strongly believe that the single best way to help children is to help their parents.  </p>
<p>I will continue to be a consultant at Freedom for the Family and Adolescent Program. I accepted this job because I knew that Freedom Institute had a group of dedicated, dynamic, and deeply committed counselors.  I was confident that they could execute my vision and strategic plan for the future of the Institute, and they have, surpassing my most ambitious expectations. I will be honored to be a member of this team.</p>
<p>As a result of my time at Freedom, I will return to my clinical practice a very changed therapist.  After Freedom, I will look much more closely for signs of substance abuse, because I have learned that 1) it’s everywhere, and 2) if you aren’t at least considering the possibility, it’s easy to miss.  Perhaps most importantly, I have seen, over and over again, how alcoholism and substance abuse affects the whole family, in ever widening ripples, often across generations.  And I have also witnessed the tremendous potential that families offer for healing.</p>
<p>So I leave Freedom Institute changed for the better, a wiser and more compassionate clinician. And the Institute itself is poised for growth and development, as the Family and Adolescent Program continues to expand and new evidence based treatments are integrated into the Clinical Program.</p>
<p>Change offers growth, life and hope, as does Freedom Institute. This spring, I celebrate and offer thanks for both.</p> Thu, 30 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/fi-goings-on/celebrating-change-and-forging-ahead/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/clinician-prejudice-toward-sex-offenders/ <p>Rob Weiss, one of the country's foremost experts on sex addiction, treats and advocates for a largely unpopular population within the recovery community. Committed to bringing recovery from sexual addiction into an active part of the community's vernacular, Rob is a pioneer, and to many, a hero. Because of his work in the field, his transparency regarding his personal experience, and his boundless generosity in helping others, Rob easily makes our list of #heroesofhope this week.</p>
<p><em>This article was originally <a href="http://blogs.psychcentral.com/sex/2013/04/clinician-prejudice-toward-sex-offenders/" target="_blank">published April 24, 2013</a> on </em><em>PscyhCentral.com</em><em>. </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<hr/><p><strong>Perverts and Rapists and Creeps, Oh My!</strong></p>
<div class="captionImage left" style="width: 301px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage301200-agreedisagree.jpg" alt="Agree Disagree" title="Agree Disagree" width="301" height="200"/><p class="caption">image via istock photo</p>
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<p>A couple of weeks ago my colleague <a href="http://www.jennerbishop.com" target="_blank">Jenner Bishop</a> posted an open letter on the IITAP (International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals) listserv about clinician prejudice toward sex addicts and sex offenders. Jenner had just come from a “suite meeting” for an office she’d recently rented, at which she’d been bombarded with angry questions from the other therapists about how they were supposed to protect their clients from her “unsupervised” sex addicts and offenders. She had explained that she doesn’t work with violent offenders, and that the offending behaviors of her clients were typically something along the lines of hiring prostitutes and/or looking at illegal pornography – which the other therapists’ clients were probably also doing, even if the therapists weren’t aware of it – but Jenner’s fellow professionals just wouldn’t let it go.</p>
<p>She writes:</p>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I was shocked. Eventually someone admitted that – despite the landlord sending around an advance email informing tenants the potential new renter is a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist – they wish they’d further investigated what a CSAT does, because they’d have informed the landlord that my practice is incompatible with theirs. You know, I just forget. We’re on the front lines of healing such a grossly misunderstood population. And it’s not just the masses, it’s fellow clinicians with these massive prejudices and blind spots.</p>
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<p>Jenner is absolutely right. The world is filled with sexual prejudice of all types, and even highly trained professionals are not immune to this bias. I face this fact every single day both in my educational efforts and in my practice. Honestly, even the most basic and factual of my blogs is likely to draw “friendly fire” from certain colleagues. And only a year ago I had to host a three-day staff training session at one of the addiction treatment facilities I work for, the sole purpose of which was to calm <em>the staff’s fears</em> about working with a sexually addicted, potentially offending population. And their concerns – their prejudices if you will – were exactly the same as what Jenner recently faced. In other words, they were convinced that the facility’s sexually addicted clients were monsters who were going to be molesting and raping all over campus. Never mind the fact that they’d been treating these same people for years as part of the chemical dependency population.</p>
<p><strong>Ignorance = Fear</strong></p>
<p>The good news when it comes to clinicians is proper education can help to alleviate concerns. While it is true that some people’s prejudices toward sex offenders are simply too deep to overcome, for the most part therapists are open-minded individuals who respond well to unbiased, factual information. And that is my goal with this blog – to present the facts about who sex offenders are and the risks these men and women do and don’t present.</p>
<p>For starters, many clinicians don’t fully understand what sexual offending is. Oftentimes therapists, like the general public, are of the opinion that there is a one-size-fits-all definition. In reality, there is a clinical definition, along with multiple legal definitions. The <em>clinical definition</em> of sex offending is <em>nonconsensual sexual activity</em>. Essentially, a person’s carnal activity is nonconsensual (offending) if one or more of the following occurs:</p>
<ul><li>The activity is forced</li>
<li>The other person is incapacitated and can’t consent (drugged, drunk, passed out, etc.)</li>
<li>The other person is mentally unable to consent to the activity (developmentally disabled, psychologically disturbed, etc.)</li>
<li>The other person is too young to consent</li>
<li>The other person has been subjected to a non-forcible sexual experience that he or she did not invite or agree to (exhibitionism, voyeurism, frotteurism, etc.)</li>
</ul><p>The <em>legal definition</em> of sex offending is sometimes quite different, and it varies from state to state and nation to nation. Consider, for instance, a fully cognizant 19-old-male and a fully cognizant 17-year-old female who engage in consensual sex after dating for nearly two years. In one state this might be a crime, while in a neighboring state it might not be. And in the states where it is a crime the caliber of the offense and the potential consequences might vary significantly. Even more confusing is the fact that laws sometimes change. Behavior that was illegal last year might not be today, and vice versa. Either way, from a clinical perspective this behavior is unlikely to be considered sexual offending. Another interesting example is same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults. Such behavior was illegal in most of the United States until the late 20<sup>th</sup> century, and it is still illegal in several countries. So even though consensual gay sex was (and in some places still is) by law a sex offense, it does not now nor did it ever meet the clinical standard. In other words, from a legal perspective sexual offending is subjective, based primarily on the collective moral code of a specific community at a particular time.</p>
<p>From the clinical perspective, sexual offending typically involves one or more of the following behaviors:</p>
<ul><li>Exhibitionism – illegal in-person, legal online</li>
<li>Voyeurism – illegal in-person, legal online</li>
<li>Frotteurism (rubbing against a non-consenting person for sexual gratification) – illegal</li>
<li>Sexual harassment – can be either illegal or legal, depending on circumstances</li>
<li>Incest – illegal</li>
<li>Viewing, downloading, or creating child pornography – illegal</li>
<li>Sexual activity with a minor or mentally disabled adult – illegal</li>
<li>Rape – illegal</li>
<li>Abuse of a professional role to obtain sex – can be either illegal or legal, depending on circumstances</li>
</ul><p><strong>Categories of Sex Offenders</strong></p>
<p>Much of the clinical prejudice toward sex offenders stems from the fact that in addition to not knowing what offending is, some clinicians have very little factual information about who the perpetrators actually are. Generally speaking, sex offenders, regardless of age and/or gender, fall into one (or more) of the following four categories:</p>
<ol><li><strong>Violent sex offenders: </strong>Violent sex offenders are the least prevalent type of sexual offender. Nevertheless, they (along with fixated child offenders) get by far the most media attention. These are people who commit forcible rape and “snatch and grab” child molestations. They are unlikely to enter treatment outside of incarceration, and they usually do not respond positively to treatment if and when they finally receive it. Unfortunately, the public has a tendency to perceive all sexual offenders as falling into this category, even though these individuals are in fact a small minority of the overall sex offender population.</li>
<li><strong>Fixated (dedicated) child offenders: </strong>The primary and often sole sexual orientation of fixated child offenders is toward children – either prepubescent (pedophiles) or adolescent (hebephiles). They have little to no interest in sex with adults. Approximately 10 percent of the men and women who commit sexual offenses against children fall into this category. These individuals sometimes set up their lives so they have access to and can become emotionally (and later physically) intimate with minors. Often they relate to their victim as a peer or equal, adapting their interests and behaviors to the level of their victim(s) and experiencing themselves as children. Typically their sexual interest in kids has nothing to do with childhood sexual trauma or early abuse. They were born with this orientation. Ever since they became interested in sex their thoughts were about children. Attempts to change a fixated child offender’s orientation will almost certainly be unsuccessful, no matter how hard the therapist and client try. Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky is a classic example of a fixated child offender, in that he set up his life so he could have ready access to victims (founding a child-oriented charity and even adopting a son).</li>
<li><strong>Regressed (situational) child offenders: </strong>With regressed child offenders the sexual interest in kids is not exclusive. Approximately 90 percent of child offenders fall into this category. Usually regressed child offenders are equally or even more aroused by adults than minors. Many have adult sexual and romantic relationships, though others find adult sexuality threatening and avoid it or abandon it. When these people offend against children the behavior is opportunistic, meaning they don’t set up their lives so they can have contact with and offend against minors. When under stress, the influence of substances, or both they sometimes turn to a child/teen relationship as an unhealthy way to meet their need for intimacy. Their sexual offending is nearly always driven by life stressors and/or underlying psychological issues such as depression, severe anxiety, attachment deficit disorders, low self-esteem, etc. Typically these individuals see their victims as pseudo-adults. Because of this fantasy/misperception, they may feel as if they are not actually victimizing the child with whom they are being sexual. Regressed child offenders usually respond quite well to treatment.</li>
<li><strong>Sexually addicted sex offenders: </strong>Sexually addicted sex offenders (SASOs) comprise anywhere from 55 to 75 percent of the sex offender population. That said, <em>not all sex addicts are sex offenders</em>. In fact, most are not. SASOs, like other sex addicts, use sexual fantasy and ritualized sexual behavior patterns as a way to dissociate from uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, including seemingly benign feelings like boredom. In other words, their behavior is driven by life stressors and underlying psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, attachment deficit disorders, and unresolved trauma. Anecdotal evidence from clinicians working in the field indicates that most sexually addicted sex offenders don’t start out offending. Rather, their behavior escalates over time from “vanilla” activities like legal pornography, webcam sex with adults, and casual adult sexual hookups to offending behaviors like prostitution, public sex, voyeurism and exhibitionism, viewing illegal pornography, inappropriate sexual behavior with minors, etc. Typically, SASOs respond well to treatment.</li>
</ol><p><strong>The Clinical Reality</strong></p>
<p>In the clinical community there are two highly destructive beliefs about sex offenders.</p>
<ol><li>No sex offender is treatable.</li>
<li>All sex offenders are treatable.</li>
</ol><p>These two opposing opinions, neither of which is accurate, have caused a great deal of confusion, the wasting of valuable resources, and harm to the offender population, the therapists who treat those men and women, and society as a whole. The simple fact is some sex offenders can be successfully treated, while others cannot. Generally speaking, violent sex offenders and fixated child offenders do not respond well to treatment, while regressed child offenders and SASOs usually benefit greatly from proper clinical intervention.</p>
<p>These latter individuals, the “treatable” sex offenders, are the people that I see in my practice, and that Jenner sees in hers. They present little danger in a therapeutic setting. The odds of such a client taking advantage of another vulnerable person while sitting in the waiting room of a clinic are infinitesimally small; it’s about as likely as a recovering drug addict robbing his or her therapist’s office as a way to pay for his/her next fix. It’s possible, sure, but it doesn’t happen. In other words, we have every reason to treat these individuals, and little to no reason not to.</p>
<hr/><p><em class="blue-text">Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT-S is Senior Vice President of Clinical Development with Elements Behavioral Health. A licensed UCLA MSW graduate and personal trainee of Dr. Patrick Carnes, he has developed <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.recoveryranch.com/treatment-programs/sexual-recovery/">clinical programs</a></span> for The Ranch in Nunnelly, Tennessee, Promises Treatment Centers in Malibu, and The Sexual Recovery Institute in Los Angeles. Mr. Weiss has also provided clinical multi-addiction training and behavioral health program development for the US military and numerous other treatment centers throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. He is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Robert-Weiss/e/B001JRXGGI/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1364226491&sr=1-1">author</a></span> of Cruise Control: Understanding Sex Addiction in Gay Men, and co-author with Dr. Jennifer Schneider of both Untangling the Web: Sex, Porn, and Fantasy Obsession in the Internet Age and the upcoming 2013 release, Closer Together, Further Apart: The Effect of Technology and the Internet on Sex, Intimacy and Relationships, along with numerous peer-reviewed articles and chapters. An author and subject <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.robertweissmsw.com/about/">expert on the relationship between digital technology and human sexuality</a></span>, he has served as a media specialist for CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Network, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Today Show, among many others.</em></p> Tue, 28 May 2013 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/clinician-prejudice-toward-sex-offenders/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/adolescents/cdc-reports-one-in-five-children-has-a-mental-disorder/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 266px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage266200-childhood-mental-disorders.jpg" alt="childhood mental disorder" title="childhood mental disorder" width="266" height="200"/><p class="caption">summer via flickr - theodoritsis</p>
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<p>One in five American adolescents experience a mental disorder in any given year, according to <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/features/childrensmentalhealth/" target="_blank">findings</a> released last week by the CDC. The report was part of a federally-funded collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The data, collected from various sources from 2005-2011, reflects that children of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic status are affected. It also mirrors the numbers <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/datatable25.pdf" target="_blank">released</a> by New York City's Department of Health (DOH) in March.</p>
<p>Childhood mental disorders is an umbrella term for diagnosable mental disorders that begin in childhood. These include attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Because these illnesses are chronic, if left untreated or undiagnosed, they can create otherwise preventable, life-altering challenges for children. As they grow, these children may have developmental challenges as well as relational difficulties.</p>
<p>Of particular interest was data that reflected ADHD as the most prevalent mental disorder in children aged 3-17. In addition, while boys were more likely than girls to have a mental disorder in general, girls were more likely to suffer from depression or a substance use disorder. This confirms FI's anecdotal evidence gathered from our prevention and education workshops in the Independent Schools. Further, a recent <a href="http://www.metro.us/newyork/news/national/2013/05/20/mass-general-study-finds-college-women-binge-drink-alcohol-than-men/" target="_blank">study</a> out of Harvard also indicates female college students are more likely than males to drink past the nationally-recommended guidelines set by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.</p>
<p>Here are suggestions from the CDC on what you can do to help:</p>
<p><strong>Parents:</strong> You know your child best. Talk to your child's health care professional if you have concerns about the way your child behaves at home, in school, or with friends.</p>
<p><strong><em>(This is our favorite) </em>Youth:</strong> <em>It is just as important to take care of your mental health as it is your physical health.</em> If you are angry, worried or sad, don't be afraid to talk about your feelings and reach out to a trusted friend or adult.</p>
<p><strong>Health care professionals:</strong> Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment based on updated guidelines is very important. There are resources available to help diagnose and treat children's mental disorders.</p>
<p><strong>Teachers/School Administrators:</strong> Early identification is important, so that children can get the help they need. Work with families and health care professionals if you have concerns about the mental health of a child in your school.</p>
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</div> Fri, 24 May 2013 10:30:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/adolescents/cdc-reports-one-in-five-children-has-a-mental-disorder/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/fi-goings-on/freedom-institute-s-2013-mona-mansell-gala-huge-success/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 313px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage313200-Bob-MillerJerry-Moe.jpg" alt="Jerry Moe and Robert Miller" title="Jerry Moe and Robert Miller" width="313" height="200"/><p class="caption">Jerry Moe and Robert Miller</p>
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<p>This past Monday May 20, 2013, Freedom Institute hosted its 29th annual Mona Mansell Award Gala at the St. Regis in New York City.  FI's largest annual fundraiser, the event pays tribute to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on the field of substance abuse prevention, treatment and education.</p>
<p>This year’s gala focused on the importance of treating adolescents and their families, an urgent priority for Freedom Institute as drug use among young people in this country is soaring to epidemic levels. Nearly 200 people attended the intimate dinner to support and celebrate the work that Freedom Institute does to help families in crisis seeking to learn about, prevent and treat substance abuse and addiction.</p>
<p>Gala co-chairs of the evening were Robert L. Miller, Chairman of the Board of Freedom Institute and son of the founder, Mona Mansell; Connie Murray, former President of Freedom Institute; and Irene Shaw, a long time supporter of Freedom Institute and friend of its founder.</p>
<p>Mr. Miller’s opening remarks set the stage. “The median age of initial drug use is 14, and 90% of those who become addicted begin using before the age of 18.”  He then cited <a href="http://www.freedominstitute.org/[sitetree_link id=356]" target="_blank">CLEAN</a>, David Sheff’s recently published book on addiction.  “First, most drug use isn't about drugs; it's about life.  Second, addiction is a disease.  Third, it's preventable. Fourth, it's treatable.  Fifth, as with any other illness, the prevention strategies and treatments most likely to work aren't based on tradition, wishful thinking or faith, but on science.” Mr. Miller continued, “We at Freedom Institute focus on the third through fifth precepts.  That's the prevention, treatment and integration of science into the treatment process.”</p>
<p>This year’s event honored Jerry Moe, Vice President and National Director, Children’s Programs and Training Academy, Betty Ford Center. Jerry Moe has been developing programs and facilitating groups for children from addicted families since 1977.</p>
<p>In his acceptance speech, Mr. Moe told a story of more than 35 years ago when he was first starting his career. He asked his professional mentor who  the people were to whom he should speak if he wanted to make a difference in this world through his work. “There were five names on that list…and one of them was Mona Mansell.” Jerry Moe spoke about the work he does to give a voice to children who are growing up in families devastated by addiction and of the work that Freedom Institute has done as pioneers in the field of family counseling where addiction is concerned. He praised Freedom Institute for stepping up its work with adolescents and addiction.</p>
<p>Donna Wick, who as Executive Director for the past two years has been instrumental in the growth of Freedom Institute’s focus on today’s youth, talked about “How everyone wants to help a child.” “Treating families and adolescents is now a significant part of our business and the fastest growing piece of what we do,” said Dr. Wick. “The vast majority of adolescents that we see do not have a substance abuse problem…yet. They have other problems - anxiety, depression, social anxiety, undiagnosed learning issues, diagnosed learning issues, or family problems, that are at the root of their substance use. If we can treat those problems, and Freedom Institute does, we can often prevent high-risk adolescent substance use from escalating into adult substance abuse.”</p>
<p>The evening included two moving presentations by Pamela Hanson, the world renowned fashion photographer and director of the film, “I thought I Knew” of which an excerpt was shown, and Robin Kellner, a spokesperson for substance abuse and addiction and the founder of the website Zoe’s Story, both of whom have lost children to drug overdoses.</p> Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/fi-goings-on/freedom-institute-s-2013-mona-mansell-gala-huge-success/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/glenn-close-is-serious-about-mental-health/ <p>Glenn Close is not one to shy away from a challenge. Her body of work as an actress contains some of the most versatile and haunting portrayals in American cinematic history. Unsurprisingly, her commitment to eradicating the stigma around mental health is equally as passionate.</p>
<p>After both her sister and nephew were diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, respectively, Ms. Close founded <a href="http://bringchange2mind.org/" target="_blank">BringChange2Mind</a>, a national organization dedicated to educating the public and eliminating misconceptions regarding mental illness. "The most powerful way to change someone's view is to meet them," <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2013/05/19/bringchange2mind-schizo-mental-illness-stigma-glenn-close/2157925/" target="_blank">says Ms. Close</a>. "People who do come out and talk about mental illness, that's when healing can really begin. You can lead a productive life."</p>
<p>And come out they have. Enlisting her loved ones, Ms. Close and BringChange2Mind released their new PSA "Schizo" earlier this month. For doing their part in "starting the conversation", Glenn Close, her sister Jessie Close, and her nephew Calen Pick are on this week's list of #heroesofhope.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zn6yw2KUIwc" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></p> <p>Here's the first BringChange2Mind PSA from 2010.</p> <p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WUaXFlANojQ" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WUaXFlANojQ" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0"></p> <p>fff</p></iframe></p>
<p>Here's the BringChange2Mind PSA from 2010.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WUaXFlANojQ" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0"></p> <p>#heroesforhope</p></iframe></p>
<p>#heroesforhope</p> Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/glenn-close-is-serious-about-mental-health/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/an-affirmation-a-day/ <p style="text-align: center;">We've been working on our Pinterest "Affirmations" Board <br/>and this was too good not to share here as well.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">[pin id="126945283219219086"]</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">What affirmations do you use and/or love?</p> Wed, 22 May 2013 11:13:23 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/an-affirmation-a-day/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/families-in-recovery/ending-the-secrecy-of-a-child-s-addiction/ <p><em>This article was originally <a href="http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/ending-the-secrecy-of-a-childs-addiction/?src=recg" target="_blank">published May 19, 2013</a> on </em><em>NYTimes.com</em><em>. It is being reprinted here with permission from the author and the editor, KJ Dell'Antonia. For sharing his family's truth, and for lifting the veil on addiction and its toll, Bill Williams makes our #HeroesofHope list this week. </em></p>
<hr/><div class="captionImage left" style="width: 299px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage299200-Grieving-Family.jpg" alt="Grieving family" title="Grieving family" width="299" height="200"/><p class="caption">image via istock photo</p>
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<p>Almost two years ago my wife and I became aware that our 22-year-old son, William, was using heroin. At the time he was already seeing a psychotherapist. Over the next two years we added an addiction psychiatrist, out-patient treatment, treatment with Suboxone, in-patient detox, in-patient treatment, out-patient treatment, out-patient detox, treatment with Vivitrol, more out-patient treatment, another in-patient treatment, more out-patient treatment, a revolving door of well over a dozen trips to and from the emergency rooms of at least four different hospitals, an attempt to work with another addiction psychiatrist, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and a home life fraught with tension, despair, sometimes hopeful during intermittent periods of sobriety, and always filled with the apprehension of misfortune.</p>
<p>That apprehension became fact when William accidentally overdosed shortly before his 24th birthday. Six weeks of comatose and/or heavily medicated hospitalization followed before the ultimate realization that William was consigned to a persistent vegetative state.</p>
<p>As family members, we struggled from the beginning to find both our own support system and ways to engage and encourage William in recovery. In the beginning we kept William’s and our battle to ourselves, in the interest of protecting his privacy and ours. He still had career goals and ambitions that could be thwarted with heroin use on his “résumé.” While it’s harder to admit, we also kept quiet out of some sense of embarrassment or shame. How could we possibly explain the corrosion in the midst of our well-reared, respectable family?</p>
<p>Over the course of time, with the help of addiction counselors, and sharing our circumstance at Al-Anon in particular, we came to understand that we were not alone. There were, in fact, many families like us, negotiating their response to addiction: discovering what they were powerless over, battling for the courage to confront what they could control. And, at least in our case, fighting desperately to distinguish between the two. There was and is relief in knowing that others suffer the same struggle, zigzagging along a tortuous path, enduring dead ends in hope of a solution, bravely putting in the work to realize a more promising and serene future. And yet, their stories and ours remained anonymous, pit stops at an emotional leper colony, quite separate from a world racing on.</p>
<p>Bit by bit, perhaps because we had to explain to neighbors why EMS was arriving at our door with some regularity, or why we suddenly had to cancel plans, or as we sought solace in narrating our sad situation to trusted friends, we began to experience a recurring phenomenon. People would recount their own harrowing tales of a family member, a dear friend, or even their personal contest with addiction.</p>
<p>Out of choice and necessity, as we surrendered to his lot and ours, when we chose to remove William from life support, we offered his story to virtually everyone we knew in the days just prior to his death and in the interim before his memorial service. In return, more and more people surrendered their personal horrors to us. From even the most reserved and private came narratives of heroin overdoses, cocaine abuse, weeks and months in rehab, alcohol relapse, addiction to pills.</p>
<p>Addiction is, as we have learned, a family disease. The number of stories we’ve heard of wives, daughters, fathers, sons, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters – not in counseling or therapy scenarios, but from people who recognize our pain and somehow want to comfort us, or to comfort themselves through us, is staggering.</p>
<p>We were heartened at William’s memorial service by an overwhelming turnout to honor a beautiful young man and to console his family. I knew when I gave a eulogy for William that there were addicts in varying stages of recovery among us. Fellow sufferers there to pay tribute. Perhaps hearing about William’s struggle and our ordeal was useful to them. I hope so. What I do not know, and can only wonder about, is how many more stories remain untold. They need to be told. Secrecy and anonymity are part of the disease, for addict and family alike.</p>
<div><em><span class="blue-text"> </span>
<p class="blue-text">Bill Williams is a theater teacher and freelance writer. Read more on his <strong><a href="http://billwilliamsblog.blogspot.com">blog</a></strong> or follow him on Twitter: <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BillEduTheater">@BillEduTheater</a></strong>.</p>
</em></div> Tue, 21 May 2013 10:25:21 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/families-in-recovery/ending-the-secrecy-of-a-child-s-addiction/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/dr-nora-volkow-nida-and-drug-free-kids/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 329px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage329200-Nora-Volkow_2.jpg" alt="Dr. Nora Volkow via Child Mind Institute" title="Dr. Nora Volkow via Child Mind Institute" width="329" height="200"/><p class="caption">Dr. Nora Volkow via Child Mind Institute</p>
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<p>If you have questions about the science behind addiction, or words like limbic, plasticity, stressors, glucose imaging, etc., then have we got a find for you. <strong>Nora Volkow, MD</strong>, the director of the <a href="http://www.drugabuse.gov/" target="_blank">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a>, "stopped by" Child Mind Institute last week and led a web-cast entitled "Raising Drug-Free Kids: How Can the Science of Addiction Help Us?"</p>
<p>You should watch the replay <strong><a href="https://event.webcasts.com/viewer/event.jsp?ei=1015559" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.</p>
<p>Why? Because Dr. Volkow makes the process of addiction and, specifically, how it relates to teenagers simple to understand. "While it may be a voluntary behavior when you start taking the drugs," she explains, "with repeated use, as you become addicted, you lose the capacity to regulate and control the intense desire to take the drugs." She breaks down how nature incentivizes us to do certain things through the use of a highly-evolved pleasure center, and then she demonstrates how drugs "hijack" that system. She is also adamant that prevention should aim to make teenagers aware of the effects of drugs in objective ways and without exaggeration.</p>
<p>Her brief lecture is designed for both adolescents and adults, and she even takes questions at the end. Clearly passionate about her work, she lights up when an adolescent asks how he can be an effective leader in prevention efforts amongst his peers. "When it comes to prevention with teenagers," she beams, "the best ones to deliver the message are other teens."</p>
<p>For de-mystifying the process, and for bringing joy to oft-vexing work, Dr. Nora Volkow (and Child Mind Institute for having her) are, most certainly, #heroesofhope.</p>
<p> </p> Fri, 17 May 2013 21:32:47 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/dr-nora-volkow-nida-and-drug-free-kids/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/christine-quinn-on-bulimia-and-alcoholism/ <div class="captionImage left" style="width: 200px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage200250-Christine-Quinn.jpg" alt="Christine Quinn" title="Christine Quinn" width="200" height="250"/><p class="caption">Christine Quinn via flickr - david_shankbone</p>
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<p>Christine Quinn makes our list of #heroesofhope this week. In a candid <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/nyregion/council-speaker-opens-up-about-her-struggles-against-bulimia-and-alcoholism.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">interview</a> with the New York Times, Ms. Quinn revealed her past struggles with an eating disorder and alcoholism. Much like another hero of hope, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/opinion/my-medical-choice.html" target="_blank">Angelina Jolie</a>, Ms. Quinn says she shared her experience so that others might know they can get though their "stuff", too.<br/><br/>It started for Ms. Quinn when her mother became deathly ill, both mentally and physically. Ms. Quinn decided to become the “perfect daughter”, in the hope that it would somehow lessen her mother’s struggles. After "hearing the solution" from classmates in the ladies' room at school, Ms. Quinn experimented, and found that bingeing and purging did, indeed, offer the illusion of control and a moment's respite in an otherwise tumultuous adolescent existence. For ten years, she used food to mollify feelings until, through a trusted friend, she found recovery at a rehab center for eating disorders. “It was the first significant time in my life that I had asked for help, and I think up until that point in my life I associated asking for help with defeat,” Ms. Quinn said in her interview.<br/><br/>Years later, working with a food plan and an addictions specialist, Ms. Quinn stopped drinking too. A self-proclaimed alcoholic, Ms. Quinn says that all of these pieces, not the least of which is her relationship to her wife, contributed to an overhaul in self-image and general well-being. “Asking for help, going to the rehab, dealing with bulimia, cutting back on drinking, getting drinking out of my life altogether — all of that helped me put the pieces back together,” Ms. Quinn said. “And then when I met Kim, she was the final piece that really put me in a place where I was to some degree whole and could be happy.”<br/><br/>A front-runner in the NYC mayoral race, Ms. Quinn currently serves as the speaker of the New York City Council. Her very public and joyful marriage to another woman in 2012 was heavily lauded in the gay community. Ms. Quinn discovered then that elements of her personal life were exceptionally important to her constituency. She says that experience was part of what led her to disclose these other struggles.<br/><br/>Shame. Self-consciousness. Defeat. Asking for help. For putting a recognizable face to these words, for disclosing the truth, and for owning her link in the chain to mental health awareness, Christine Quinn definitely belongs to #heroesofhope.</p> Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/christine-quinn-on-bulimia-and-alcoholism/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/alcohol-industry-benefits-from-marijuana-remaining-illegal/ <p><em>This article was originally <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-schrank/alcohol-industry-benefits_b_3056391.html" target="_blank">published April 10, 2013</a> on </em><em>HuffingtonPost.com</em><em>. Because of his tireless efforts as an advocate on behalf of the recovery community, and for joining the early conversations regarding the criminalization of addiction, Joe Schrank makes our #HeroesofHope list this week.<br/></em></p>
<hr/><div class="captionImage left" style="width: 350px;"><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage350200-alcohol-industry.jpg" alt="Alcohol Industry" title="Alcohol Industry" width="350" height="200"/><p class="caption">Brewery via flickr - mozzercork</p>
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<p>I have spent my life in and around alcoholism. A recovering alcoholic myself, I worked at Promises in Malibu before founding Loft 107, the first sober living facility in New York City. I'm the cofounder of TheFix.com, a web site about addiction and treatment. I'm also an interventionist, the guy who gets called in when a family is at their wit's end. While I deal with clients in recovery every day at Loft 107, my work takes me everywhere, from schools to court and even into prisons. It was in the last of these where I found myself last week.</p>
<p>The scene: visiting day at Fishkill Correctional Facility in Beacon, NY. As I sat with a client, I watched a family playing Uno. Everyone was there -- two boys, aged 8 and 10, their mother, and their grandparents. As visiting hours wound down, the boys had tears streaming down their faces at once again having to leave their father, who is in prison serving a marijuana distribution charge. Were marijuana legal, this man might have been called an entrepreneur instead of a criminal. But it's not, and he's not. Is it his fault that he is where he is? Of course it is. But all the devils are here, including the alcohol lobby. Money from big booze is protecting a monopoly, and society is paying the price. The solution: It's time to legalize weed. Why? Because not only could legalized marijuana provide a tax revenue stream for funding treatment and recovery programs, it could also eliminate the high cost of incarceration and the emotional toll it takes on families.</p>
<p>People often wonder why someone in my position would advocate for diversified legal intoxication. After all, I'm an advocate for total sobriety, not just the state of being booze-free. My reasons are many, but the most notable is what the alcohol monopoly is doing to our communities and our families. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous intoxicants in existence -- it is estimated that it costs <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/18/excessive-alcohol-consumption-us-economy-billion_n_1017223.html" target="_blank">$200 billion a year</a> to repair the destruction it wreaks. But you won't hear about that if you asked the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a powerful lobby with the singular goal of keeping taxes on alcohol low. On their Facebook page, the council touts its many "achievements," among them the suggestion that they contribute <a href="http://www.discus.org/economics/" target="_blank">more than $100 billion</a> to the economy a year. While that may be true in the simplest sense, I asked them whether they'd thought of doing the math on the contribution minus the cost. "Don't you owe the taxpayer $100 billion?" I wrote. They unfriended me. (Credit where credit is due: The Council is very good at what they do. Many states haven't raised taxes on alcohol in generations.)</p>
<p>According to the World Health Organization, there are more than <a href="http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/facts/alcohol/en/" target="_blank">2,500,000 worldwide annual deaths</a> caused by alcohol. Given the challenge of accurate reporting about impairment, I would guess it's even higher than that. What's more, a simple death toll also takes no account of the life-altering disabilities caused by alcohol abuse or the many diseases that are fueled by its use. So let's compare. How many annual deaths are directly related to the use of marijuana? <a href="http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death#sthash.7qpuXcuY.FTwmesaK.dpbs" target="_blank">Zero</a>. Yes, zero. A stoner may not always be so, but the data is clear: Marijuana is a far safer method of intoxication than alcohol.</p>
<p>Yes, alcohol is legal. No one is trying to change that. Which means that the alcohol industry, such as California Beer and Beverage distributors, can focus on <a href="http://www.republicreport.org/2012/marijuana-lobby-illegal/" target="_blank">quashing all attempts</a> to expand the methods of legal intoxication. There's a huge benefit, after all, to being the only one of its kind: the business is recession-proof. And somehow culturally acceptable, despite all the evidence of its insidious effect. The war on drugs hasn't been a failure as far as they're concerned, but a total victory.</p>
<p>Don't get me wrong. I think drug abuse is a terrible thing too. At the moment, the country is rightfully focused on prescription painkillers and the high rates of overdose. I support that. But I'm also well aware that it is the mix of prescription pills with alcohol that is often the lethal cocktail. In other words, we're going after one suspect in crime committed by a team of two (or more). Keeping marijuana criminalized makes sense for nobody except the alcohol industry. Because of it, they keep their monopoly on legal intoxication.</p>
<p>Chatting with those grandparents during the check out process at Fishkill, I found out that they've been somewhat shocked to find themselves caring for two little boys instead of enjoying their retirement. But they're dedicated to keeping their son involved with his children and they therefore make the two-hour drive every week to bring those boys to visiting day. They're showing signs of their age, but they're steadfast in their determination to hold their family together.</p>
<p>It's easy to dismiss this fractured family and easy to blame their father for their plight. After all, he broke the law. But did anyone stay sober because of this family's plight? Did the community benefit? No. So who is this good for? No one but the Distilled Spirits Council. But don't ask them about it on Facebook. Because they'll probably unfriend you if you do.</p>
<p><em class="blue-text">Joe Schrank has spent his life in and around active alcoholism. After stabilizing his own post-undergrad depression and alcoholism, he returned to school and studied clinical social work at Iona College and the University of Illinois. Following a tenure at Promises in Malibu, CA, Joe established the first sober living facility in New York City, Loft 107. Frustrated with the lack of media attention on the recovery community, Joe then founded <a href="http://thefix.com/" target="_blank">TheFix.com</a> with Maer Roshan. Most recently, Joe founded ReboundBrooklyn, an innovative treatment program, with Dr. Scott Bienenfeld, a prominent psychiatrist specializing in addiction. His hobbies include obsessing over the Yankees, overheating, and avoiding human contact. He's been intoxicant free for sixteen years.</em></p> Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/alcohol-industry-benefits-from-marijuana-remaining-illegal/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/celebrity-and-sobriety-eight-of-our-favorite-tweets/ <p><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage150150-twitter-bird-blue-on-white.png" alt="Twitter" title="Twitter" width="150" height="150"/>Rob Lowe celebrated 23 years of continuous sobriety on Friday. He said so on Twitter. Gossip rags picked up the story, and soon, the masses were reminded that one of their favorite TV actors was not only an alcoholic, but a sober one.</p>
<p>Excited by Rob's transparency and the extent of coverage his honesty earned, we dug for more public Twitter celebrations. Here are eight of our favorites <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>(Editor's note - make it nine because our friend, Kristen Johnson, just gave us one that's fit to print!)</strong>:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Celebrating 23 years sober tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23ItWorksIfYouWorkIt">#ItWorksIfYouWorkIt</a></p>
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobLowe/status/333079783460204544">May 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>@<a href="https://twitter.com/freedom10022">freedom10022</a> I'm being honored in Wash for being a loudmouth about addiction! I've now officially become the Susan Sarandon of drunks.</p>
— kristen johnston (@kjothesmartass) <a href="https://twitter.com/kjothesmartass/status/334032503667044355">May 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Well I never thought this was gonna happen 10 years ago. <a title="http://twitter.com/MrJackO/status/326089678749057025/photo/1" href="http://t.co/zc7jCzuqvy">twitter.com/MrJackO/status…</a></p>
— Jack Osbourne (@MrJackO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrJackO/status/326089678749057025">April 21, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Tim talks Faith, Family, and why he quit drinking in this sit down interview with @<a href="https://twitter.com/katiecouric">katiecouric</a><a title="http://bit.ly/18tGArA" href="http://t.co/q0XVxuES7I">bit.ly/18tGArA</a></p>
— Tim McGraw (@TheTimMcGraw) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTimMcGraw/status/332143478668656640">May 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>10 years clean today. Thanks for all your messages of love. Thanks @<a href="https://twitter.com/schullerinc">schullerinc</a> for the film. Anyone can get clean, one day at a time.</p>
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/279232646008156161">December 13, 2012</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I'm 20 years clean and sober today. You're welcome law enforcement agencies.</p>
— Craig Ferguson (@CraigyFerg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CraigyFerg/status/170951165520003074">February 18, 2012</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I've had a love hate relationship with myself all my life. Today as I looked in the mirror I loved who I saw.</p>
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) <a href="https://twitter.com/OscarDeLaHoya/status/274388073050144768">November 30, 2012</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23jackasslive">#jackasslive</a>The stupidest thing I ever bought was probably the gold Rolex watch that I lost in a PCP blackout.</p>
— Steve-O (@SteveO) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveO/status/76059278175240193">June 1, 2011</a></blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Things have certainly changed! <a title="http://twitter.com/MatthewPerry/status/320668142475034624/photo/1" href="http://t.co/lEbPdFiifY">twitter.com/MatthewPerry/s…</a></p>
— matthew perry (@MatthewPerry) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewPerry/status/320668142475034624">April 6, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p>#heroesofhope</p> Mon, 13 May 2013 12:06:57 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/celebrity-and-sobriety-eight-of-our-favorite-tweets/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/david-sheff-s-clean-shines-important-light-on-treatment-industry/ <p><img class="left" src="http://www.freedominstitute.org/assets/_resampled/resizedimage200276-cleanwhole.jpg" alt="Clean by David Sheff" title="Clean by David Sheff" width="200" height="276"/>David Sheff’s 2008 book, <em>Beautiful Boy</em> is a harrowing account of his son Nic’s drug addiction, and his own anguished attempts to understand it. A decade in the making, Sheff’s new book, <em>Clean</em>: <em>Overcoming Addiction and Ending America’s Greatest Tragedy </em>is an examination of evidence based treatment (EBT) models for addiction, as well as a comprehensive analysis of how and why we so frequently fail to use them.</p>
<p>Sheff, a journalist, begins with an argument that will surprise no one in the field, namely that addiction is a treatable disease, not a moral failing. However, he also elucidates how much <strong>the language with which we describe addiction reveals a judgmental bias, as if addicts were weak, selfish or immoral</strong>. <strong>Sometimes we in the substance abuse treatment field are the worst offenders.</strong> Sheff describes his visit to an inpatient treatment facility, where he witnessed a counselor dismissing a patient from treatment with these words:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><em> He’s not ready to be sober. His ego is in control<strong>. I’ve seen a million like him. He’s cocky, thinks he’s above the steps, thinks he knows better than all of us.</strong> He isn’t ready to do what it takes. He’ll be back when he is.   <br/></em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>As Sheff intelligently asks, if this counselor truly believed that addiction was an illness, why would he kick a patient out for displaying a bad attitude? Do we dismiss cancer patients who complain about chemotherapy? In Sheff’s words, addiction is the only disease for which patients are refused treatment for showing their symptoms.</p>
<p>Presumably, the above example does not reflect the prevailing attitude in the field, but as Sheff reports, the great majority of rehab treatment plans are based on the Twelve Steps. And while Sheff includes a description of how well AA methodologies mirror valid evidence based treatments, he also points out that in many Twelve Step-based rehabs, this can harden into orthodoxy. The Twelve Steps are viewed as the <em>only</em> way to get and stay sober. Patients who resist the Program are “not ready”, “haven’t hit bottom”, or are “not committed to recovery”. As Sheff points out, these are exactly the sort of judgments that stigmatize addicts in the first place.</p>
<p>This is old-fashioned addiction treatment and, frankly, I’m astonished that Sheff seemed to encounter so much of it. While there is no doubt that AA has helped millions of people, there are millions of others for whom it doesn’t work. The most optimistic estimate is a 30% success rate after one year, while Sheff argues that it’s more likely 18%. If the field of addiction treatment is founded on these kinds of success rates, it’s hardly surprising that addiction is more prevalent in America than cancer, stroke, HIV/AIDS, or Alzheimer’s disease.</p>
<p>So what <em>is </em>the answer? How can Sheff argue that addiction is a treatable disease? Fortunately, there are many substance abuse programs, Freedom Institute among them, that offer alternative, evidence based treatments for addiction. <strong>While we always recommend AA/NA and/or Alanon to our clients, we don’t base our treatment plan on the Twelve Steps. For one thing, as Sheff points out, AA is not designed to treat underlying psychological problems that may have contributed to addiction. </strong> Unlike most inpatient rehab facilities, we typically retain our clients for much longer than 28 days. As a result, our focus is not only sobriety, but true emotional and psychological recovery. (It is worth pointing out that for some people, this can be achieved by actively working all Twelve Steps).</p>
<p>Secondly, while we consolidate a healthy respect for AA into our treatment approach, we rely on evidence based addiction treatment models that have been tested and proven to work: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, therapeutic groups, and Motivational Interviewing. We recognize that some clients require medication, not only during detox, but also through treatment. And while we don’t yet have complete evidence to prove it (look for this in the future), we know that involving the whole family system in treatment, rather just education, offers the best outcome.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Sheff’s book made me think hard about what we do, why we do it, and the language we use to describe both addiction and addicts.  It’s rare a book prompts the level of self-reflection and conversation that <em>Clean </em>did at Freedom Institute. I am inclined to agree with <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glenn-c-altschuler/clean-book_b_2947812.html" target="_blank">Glenn Altschuler</a>, who described it as the best book on drug abuse and addiction to appear in years.  </p> Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/addiction-and-recovery/david-sheff-s-clean-shines-important-light-on-treatment-industry/ http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/david-foster-wallace-life-before-death/ <p><span>Believers that we are in the power of words, we gratefully discovered the following gem through <span>Facebook</span>. David Foster Wallace, </span><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-wallace14-2008sep14,0,7461856.story" target="_blank">hailed</a><span> as "one of the most influential and innovative writers of the last 20 years", committed suicide in the fall of 2008, allegedly after the return of his severe clinical depression. <br/></span></p>
<p><span>In light of National Mental Health Awareness Month, Wallace's untimely demise and these, his generously spirited and candid words, delivered in a commencement address to Kenyon College in 2005, resonate loudly. Here, Wallace gracefully unveils the subtle narcissism that absorbs so many of us, threading through our everyday lives. He exhorts the power to choose an experience outside that narcissism but most importantly, the daily event that choice must become.</span></p>
<p>He is on our list of #heroesofhope this week, not for his abandonment of life, but rather for his earnest search to live before death.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xmpYnxlEh0c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></p> <p>hasgdjahs</p></iframe></p>
<p>#heroesofhope #getthekleenex</p> Thu, 09 May 2013 12:55:02 -0400 http://www.freedominstitute.org/blog/wellness-and-relapse-prevention/david-foster-wallace-life-before-death/