On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, we hosted Ethan Hershman and Colleen Delaney, co-founders of the nonprofit group Move to Heal (MTH). It was an insightful session about a recovery approach that is growing rapidly from 1 outlet in 2021 to 24 locations by the end of the year. I first became aware of Move to Heal when Ian Parker, in …
A Burning Desire is a gift for those who struggle with the 12-Step programs because of the focus on theneed to surrender to a Higher Power. Kevin Griffin describes his view of a “Middle Way”, where theDharma (teachings of the Buddha) can be understood as a Higher Power. The author draws on hisexperience with addiction and recovery, and how meditation and …
On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, we hosted Jordan Davidson, Government Affairs Manager at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a man in long-term recovery from THC addiction. I first became aware of Jordan because his mom who used to attend our parent support meetings when Jordan was in the early days of his recovery. He a recent graduate of American …
I remember the week that I stopped drinking in 1988. Early in that week, I remember praying. I prayed to a God that I wasn’t sure existed. I wasn’t thinking of recovery at this point, just trying to save myself from loneliness, anger, and resentment. I prayed for an alternative to my bleak future. During that week I had evacuated …
Judith Grisel, PdD became inspired to specialize in neuroscience after ten years of substance use and addiction. In Never Enough, she explains in layman’s terms how every drug can lead to addiction. She describes the 3 features present in addiction: craving, tolerance, and dependence, and the impact on the brain. Using drugs regularly causes the brain to become unbalanced, and …
Before I started using drugs and alcohol, I remember feeling a sense of impending doom and a huge void in my life. These feelings were hard for a nine-year-old girl to comprehend. I remember sobbing to my mom once and saying “I just want to go home” as I was sitting in my bed. Of course, I was home, but …
On Monday, December 11, at St. Mark’s Church, our guest speaker Frank Bartolomeo, PhD, spoke on setting boundaries to promote recovery. Frank is s a nationally-recognized expert in mental health amd substance use. Frank has a private psychotherapy practice in addition to being the Founder and Director of the Well Center for Development, both based in New Canaan. In addition, …
With a title that long, of course the author and former ABC News anchor has an ego. Some would call him a jerk. However, he’s a great storyteller, and talks in a conversational way about his career and how it was getting de-railed by his panic attacks, anxiety, and resulting arrogance. He interviews several self- help gurus like Eckhart Tolle …
In March of 2000, I witnessed the greatest hockey game ever played. Well, I may be exaggerating a little but I was a competitive Dad back then. Although unqualified, I was appointed an assistant coach on my son Evan’s House Hockey team. At the end of the season, there were playoffs and the final two teams played in a championship …
On Wednesday, November 20, we hosted Erika Long, co-Founder of the Community Mindfulness Project (CMP) for a fascinating in-person Pathway Session. During the session, Erika went through a number of concepts about the power of mindfulness. Among the ideas were these: 1) Taking deep breaths sends a signal to the brain that we are safe; 2) We have the power …
