Is the person that is speaking relatively known or relatively unknown to us? Do we hear their words, or do we hear them (their person)? As we listen, how do we determine if we hear or neglect their words? As we listen, how do we determine if we hear or neglect their person? As we … Continue reading Is It Too Late to Ask, “What Is Empathy?”
Author: Brian Coon
Older Model 2.0, Newer Model 3.0
When I entered full time clinical work back in 1988, I entered the primary SUD (vs primary MH) side of a relatively large community agency with dozens of units and specialty programs spread across the city, and a dedication to innovative services. One of those innovative programs was a 24/7/365 mobile crisis intervention program called … Continue reading Older Model 2.0, Newer Model 3.0
Addiction Counselors Should Become Familiar with “Recovery”
What are some things an addiction professional can do to become familiar with “Recovery”? Suggestions include: Attend open meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Smart Recovery, etc.)Read the Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book” and the Narcotics Anonymous Basic TextListen to recovery Speakers on online media Read recovery memoirsSit in on a whole program length of a particular … Continue reading Addiction Counselors Should Become Familiar with “Recovery”
Peer Support, or Harm Reduction, or Recovery Coaching?
A few months back I met a Peer Support Specialist who was specializing in Harm Reduction (HR). We had time for them to tell me all about what they do. They gave me a detailed overview of their training, experience, and the supervision they receive. While listening, it seemed to me they had no background … Continue reading Peer Support, or Harm Reduction, or Recovery Coaching?
Reflections on “The Universal Mind of Bill Evans”
My intent in this writing is to provide a fresh (if not unusual) perspective and provoke thought experiments for the reader. My hope is that the reader will look for hints of relevance to our work, opportunities for improvement, and perhaps some more direct challenges. First, I will provide a quotation from Bill Evans that … Continue reading Reflections on “The Universal Mind of Bill Evans”
Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 11: “BUT THAT COULD NEVER HAPPEN”
After I developed the ideas presented in this series, I began to talk about them with people in our field, and started to deliver this as a continuing education presentation. The general response would be validation accompanied with some version of, “But that could never happen.” The three efforts listed below are my reply to … Continue reading Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 11: “BUT THAT COULD NEVER HAPPEN”
Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 10: IMAGINE THE DAY; WHAT CAN WE DO RIGHT NOW?
IMAGINE THE DAY It would be wonderful – imagine the day – when those clinicians working in addiction treatment or recovery support could clearly identify the patient’s normative position in progress related to measures in: neurological/brain structure and functionspecific aspects of initial cognitive clearing and later cognitive flexibility as they move alongemotional self-regulation and later … Continue reading Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 10: IMAGINE THE DAY; WHAT CAN WE DO RIGHT NOW?
Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 9: STAGE THEORIES RELATED TO ADDICTION
We do have previous stage theories in the addiction literature. Substance use disorder-specific stage theories have been presented. Abraham Wikler13 and Shepard Siegel are two that have presented stage theories concerning addiction etiology and progression.Many of you might be familiar with the work of Terrence Gorski14 and of Alan Marlatt15. They are coming from separate … Continue reading Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 9: STAGE THEORIES RELATED TO ADDICTION
Origins of the Opioid Crisis: A little more
Earlier today Jason Schwartz provided an interesting post about the origins of the opioid crisis. It brought to mind some related thoughts I decided to share. I remember in the early 2000's, in the city where I was working at that time, we began to see 18 year olds presenting for treatment (especially methadone maintenance) … Continue reading Origins of the Opioid Crisis: A little more
Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 8: INVITATION TO A THINK TANK
In the early 2000’s I was invited to a “Think Tank” concerning our field. A few weeks before the gathering, we were told, “Look forward in your career, out 20 or 30 years, and come ready to say what you would wish we would have in our field”. When we met, there were two ideas … Continue reading Addiction and the Stages of Healing, Part 8: INVITATION TO A THINK TANK
