Driving down the street, trees whose branches were previously bare have bloomed with that particular shade of Spring green that is so bright and vibrant, you can almost hear it. Flowering trees offer their blooms in a riot of pinks and whites and leave a floral dusting on the ground like a city-wide bridal procession. Few sights are so inspiring and instill so much hope as Spring wakening and stretching its arms to welcome back warmth and new growth. We’re (figuratively) bottling this magic elixir, drinking deeply and letting it stir hope, inspiration and renewed desire for growth within our hearts. It’s the best medicine, to be sure.
We also want to thank Brad Lamm, our sponsor for this issue. His unique style of interventions empowers the person with the addiction to choose his or her own treatment, and also offers Lifestyle Intervention Engagements for six months after the initial interventions. He currently offers intervention trainings on the West and East coasts, as well as in London (http://interventionspecialists.org/intervention-training/) – we’re proud to join forces with him and support the work he does.
This month, Dr. Tian Dayton provides us several practical exercises for forgiveness, including step-by-step instructions to take your clients through. She also offers us her new app based on her book, Forgiving and Moving On – a veritable banquet of forgiveness skills.
Change takes many forms, and Larry Smith presents the four psychological skills he associates with lasting transformation in sobriety. Using equal parts 12 Step principles and his personal experience, Smith’s approach looks at long-term recovery from a different angle that is bound to resonate with many.
New contributor, Jeffrey Cohen, offers his legal experience to the subject of referrals in the addictions community. This is a must-read for any clinician, in the interest of maintaining best practices.
Charlotte Reznick returns to the pages of RecoveryView.com with eight simple, easy-to-teach and use imagery techniques for children. These coping skills are great for adults, too!
It’s no secret that trauma is often the launching point for all sorts of addictions, due to its ability to transport the addict to a less-painful place. The origin of this state of mind is actually the disassociation that very often takes place at the point of trauma. Jasmin Rogg eloquently explores this topic in her article, as well as how to find healing and reintegration of the self.
Adolescents are a notoriously difficult lot to treat. More so when alcohol or drugs is involved. New RecoveryView.com author Josh White tackles this particular challenge with wilderness therapy, a unique approach to an obstinate population that proves extremely effective.
Enjoy our Spring issue – perhaps outside near some blooming trees or flowers – and breathe deeply the spirit of hope and renewal.
Blessings,
Jim & Josie
