With the help of several hard-working volunteers, we have created a first draft of a New Canaan Therapist Listing. Please download to view in Excel.
6th Annual Community Addiction Awareness Vigil set for September 1st
For the sixth time, we unite for an evening of understanding, healing and hope at our 6th Annual Community Addiction Awareness Vigil. Each year, we do more to emphasize that recovery is possible and there are many resources out there to help you. Our in-person event will include: 3 speakers in recovery who will share their lived experiences; a candlelight …
It’s illegal to sell THC in New Canaan
I visited the local “Your CBD Store” located at 7 Elm Street this past week. I was curious how they could have a sandwich board advertising Delta-8 THC when I knew it was illegal under the 2021 law that passed the CT Assembly legalizing marijuana and THC products. What I found was that the store manager not only offered me …
Pathway Session with Brenda Zane a Success
Our June 8 Pathway Session with Brenda Zane was a great success, as attendees learned that talking to your loved one about relapse actually reduces the chances of it happening. Brenda, a parent coach and host of the popular Hopestream podcast, knows from experience that relapse happens. She discussed the 5+ year journey she had with her son, who relapsed …
DBT Skills Pathway a Success
Our May 18 Monthly Pathway Session on DBT Skills was well-attended and highly informative. Silver Hill’s Ryan Wade, MD, an addiction psychiatrist who leads the treatment program for Co-occurring Disorders, started off by covering the key concepts behind DBT, or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Then we heard from a woman in long-term recovery who courageously told her story of hope, which …
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May 2022–Mental Health Awareness Month–marks a critical moment as youth mental health disorders had been rising before the pandemic, and COVID-19 pandemic has only made depression and anxiety, substance misuse, and suicidality and suicide attempts worse. In my opinion, there is momentum from all corners to change these trends as we all work together, from the federal government to the …
National Fentanyl Awareness–Testing is Key
March 10 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Fentanyl is the #1 cause of death for those aged 18-45, and is tied to about 2/3 of all drug fatalities. While many who are addicted to opioids seek out fentanyl on the “street”, other times fentanyl is included in cocaine, meth and fake prescription pills like hydrocodone and Xanax. It is incumbent …
Fairfield University’s Lisa Arnold on Collegiate Recovery
Late last month, Jacqueline, Mary and I virtually met with Lisa Arnold, Clinical Director of the Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) at Fairfield University. I consider Lisa one of NCPSG’s key partners, because of her enthusiasm for recovery in general and collegiate recovery in particular. It was great to get an update, as it had been 2 and a half years …
Recovery Blog
In Honor of My Mother My mother was a beautiful woman. She had a laugh that could make even the saddest soul grin, a smile that felt like a field of sunflowers, and an ability to make anyone feel safe when in her arms. This was my real mother, the one before the drugs took over. The mother before I …
UConn’s Recovery Program with Sandy Valentine
Earlier this week, I had a great virtual visit with Sandy Valentine, Leader of UConn’s collegiate recovery program which they call URC (UConn Recovery Community). Our Social Media Intern Mary and parent Jacqueline joined me. We “met” at the Cordial Storrs House, a centuries-old building dedicated to all things student recovery. The goal of URC, as Sandy described it, is …
A Berkeley Center for Psychedelic Research?
Recently, the cover of Berkeley’s Alumni Quarterly magazine caught my eye. I love the pop art from the 60’s and 70’s, but why was it being used? Because Berkeley has decided to reestablish–perhaps in tribute to the free spirits of the past like Timothy Leary–a center to encourage and encourage the use of psychedelics to “enhance well-being and deepen spirituality”. …