It’s hard to believe that summer is already drawing to a close. Hopefully you are still finding time for last-minute BBQs and beach trips, and savoring the long days and balmy evenings with family and friends. While we are sad to see summer go, our fall calendar is rapidly filling up with many exciting events that we can’t wait to share with you.
Top on our list is celebrating National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in September. The official Website, www.recoverymonth.gov, explains:
“The Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. The observance also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective substance abuse treatment for those in need.”
Events to share and celebrate hard-fought recovery can be found throughout the country; go to www.recoverymonth.gov to find one near you.
Speaking of closer to home, this issue covers the gamut in addictions treatment and recovery topics. Dr. Kevin Fleming debunks common myths about how the brains’ wiring affects successes and failures in recovery.
And if men are from Mars and women are from Venus, will they both understand how to get to recovery the same way? According to Bud Williams, probably not. He explores the most effective treatment approaches for men – and it involves parasites.
A complete departure from the creepy-crawly is Leo Booth’s personal journey in recovery with spirituality. His need to redefine his spiritual connection in the context of traditional religion is perhaps one many can relate to as they rely on their “higher power” to provide strength and grounding in sobriety.
Also opening his heart, Dr. Alan Downs shares his deeply personal and moving account of 25 years spent grappling with mortality and the existential questions of why we’re here and what we’re meant to do with the time we’ve been given.
New regular contributor, Sherry Gaba, expounds on the principles of what she has coined the “Laws of Sobriety”, based on the popular Laws of Attraction, and how they can be implemented into addictions treatment.
For many living with chronic pain, managing from one day to the next is only about focusing on the present to get through. Dr. Steven Grinstead examines why the one-day-at-a-time approach is a double-edged sword, and advises how to avoid getting cut.
Dr. Tian Dayton encourages us to not just face our fear of feelings, but make friends with them so they won’t derail our best attempts at sobriety. In his View from the Hill, Andrew Kessler informs us about the newest developments in President Obama’s National Drug Policy, and what we can expect from Washington in the next couple of years.
We hope you’ll jump into this issue with that back-to-school hunger to learn and excitement to embark on new adventures. And don’t forget to check out our events calendar for plenty of ways to bid summer farewell and autumn hello!
Best,
Jim and Josie Herndon
