Dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy, and it's even more difficult when you're also struggling with mental health problems. Dr. Kurter says one of the main components to really helping those with addiction is addressing those mental health issues.
Psychiatrist Judson Brewer studies the relationship between mindfulness and addiction in his TED Talk. He explains the processes involved in habit formation and proposes a profound approach to removing the connection between thought and behavior through the use of mindfulness. Although Brewer utilizes smoking and eating as examples during his talk, the underlying mindfulness process is readily adaptable to all forms of addiction. Watch below!
Thomas N. Pfister, B.S.
For family members, setting boundaries with a loved one who struggles with an addiction may be difficult at times. Dr. Fran Simone Ph.D. discusses the difference between setting boundaries versus building walls with family members. Dr. Simone gives scenarios that demonstrate how difficult setting boundaries can be for family members and how difficult it is to remain consistent with those boundaries. She even shares examples from her own life during a time when she had trouble setting boundaries with her adult child who had been in and out of recovery. At the conclusion of this article, Dr. Simone encourages us to continue to be flexible and to remain open. If you find it difficult to set boundaries, then you’re not alone and hopefully the examples offered in this article will help. Here’s to new discoveries!
Sara Saunders, SAC-IT
This article, written by David Susman, discusses the ten keys to recovery and he identifies the ten keys as the following:
finding hope
asking for help
getting informed
engaging in treatment
seeking support
developing a plan
taking action
reconnecting with life
sticking with recovery
helping others
Wherever you are in your journey of recovery, we here at West Grove Clinic, believe that there is hope in recovery and hope is exactly what we try to instill in our clients whether you are a participant in our Intensive Outpatient Program, our aftercare support group, or are seen individually we are here to help you along your journey to recovery.
Check out the full article here.
Sara Saunders, SAC-IT & Intern
In the Ted Talk below, Johann Hari shares his personal journey, one that took him around the world, where he surveyed novel perspectives of factors that can influence the development of addiction, and provides examples of how addiction can be treated. Hari discusses the need for humans to bond and the way in which this can lead to the development of addiction. He also offers alternative means for treating addiction, through compassion, love, and understanding.
Listen to Hari speak here.
Tom Pfister, Graduate Intern
Last weekend, West Grove Clinic, participated in Free Spirit School's "Spring into Wellness" event along with other local practitioners, health care specialists, and holistic health care individuals. Spring into Wellness offered participants an opportunity for self-exploration of the mind, body, and spirit. Many thanks to the Free Spirit School for hosting this enlightening experience, and allowing so many like-minded individuals to connect and grow together!
Individual receiving sound therapy.
West Grove Clinic's booth.
