Action is in italics. What one lacks is held in circles. One asks for what one lacks.
Author: Brian Coon
The Change Process
Why consider the change process, and what is the application of the ideas I will present? Clinical addiction professionals are trained in sequential change (Stages of Change, 12 Steps, etc.) rather than continuously wholistic, organic and dynamic change processes.Should we always assume and work within a staged approach?Clinical addiction professionals are trained in symptom reduction … Continue reading The Change Process
“One-Kind-Fits-All” Denial, All the Time
Anil Seth is a neuroscientist whose main research interest is consciousness - a vast topic beyond the intent of this writing. I once attended a conference lecture Anil gave on consciousness during which Anil described a phenomenon I found very striking and I have never forgotten. To skip my verbal description of what Anil showed … Continue reading “One-Kind-Fits-All” Denial, All the Time
Is It Too Late to Ask, “What Is Empathy?”
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?”
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?