First Offenders

Many of us often have the idea that because it’s been years since we’ve been to treatment or started recovery or therapy, we shouldn’t have the “negative feelings” that we do.  This can start us down the “shame spiral” or what some have referred to as “feeling bad about feeling bad”. 

           “That’s just the way I am”.  How many times have we heard ourselves or someone else justify behavior with this statement?  A more accurate statement might be “I don’t know how to act any differently”.  The first proclamation smacks of an acceptance of personal qualities or behavior no matter their efficacy or value.  In contrast, the latter assumes responsibility, optimistically creating th

 The other day I ran into a friend who is also in recovery.  We started talking about the ever-elusive idea of a life in balance.  We recognized our tendencies to go toward one extreme or the other, to see people and events as either all good or all bad.  This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as black and white thinking and many people who are in recovery struggle with it.  In a way, this cognitive style can be useful.  It may provide us with a sense of c

Arrests for driving under the influence during the holiday season don’t just happen to people with a drinking problem. As we inch closer to the start of a new calendar year, state and local law enforcement will begin to ratchet up the emphasis on DUI patrol and enforcement. For many years, law enforcement has allocated extra resources to patrolling the streets and highways in an attempt to crack down on holiday drunk driving. This year will be no different.