With Betty Ford’s recent passing still fresh in our minds and on our hearts, we wanted to dedicate this issue to her and all the others who selflessly give of themselves to help better the lives of everyone suffering from addictions. The imprint Mrs. Ford has left on our collective awareness for both the heartaches of addiction and the joys of recovery motivates us in our daily lives, both professionally and personally. We are so grateful to everyone who joins us on this journey of education and inspiration – the therapists, doctors, educators, authors and countless others who make the field of addictions treatment so dynamic and rewarding. We hope to give you as much as we are blessed to receive from you.

While relationships are ideally mutually beneficial for its participants, we know that the reality is often far from that. In “Relationship Trauma Repair”, Dr. Tian Dayton reveals relationship patterns that reach far back into childhood and creep into the daily goings-on of current relationships – a must-read for anyone who’s ever been in a less-than-perfect relationship.

Regular readers of RecoveryView.com are well-versed in the “typical” addictions of drugs, alcohol, sex and eating disorders. But there is a whole spectrum of what Sherry Gaba calls “soft addictions” that begs a closer look. Could it be that drinking coffee while checking your email or Facebook account could place you in this category? Read on for an enlightening perspective on the little white lies of addiction.

Dr. Jack Hinman offers his view on the impact of our overly sexualized society on its most vulnerable members: young girls. Though we are all familiar with the images and portrayals of women and girls in the media, its far-reaching effects may not be fully understood, until now.

Once in recovery, many people want to jump into all the activities they may have avoided or sabotaged while in their addiction – namely, dating. But this path could lead you straight back into your addiction without the proper awareness, tools and support. Dr. Nancy Sobel offers all of this and more in her article, “Maneuvering the Minefield of Dating in Recovery”.
Finally, Marcel Schwantes explores the concept of detoxing the mind, something he deems essential for long-term recovery. In addition to emphasizing the importance of truth and choice, he provides several affirmations to aid in the cleansing process.

Our member profiles begin this month with Mike Nolan of Avee Laboratories, who is committed to changing the general perspective on the pharmaceutical industry. His insight into what Avee does and the great strides it is taking toward more accurate and efficient drug testing offers a more positive view on the industrial giant.

Dr. Nancy Sobel is a psychologist and educator with a fascinating resume and life story that spans the globe, from Hawaii to Israel. Most recently, her travels have focused on Haiti, and the adolescents who were orphaned in last year’s devastating earthquake. Sobel  co-founded of the non-profit organization, Global Adolescent Program, which provides education, mentorship and job training to Haiti’s youth. Hers is truly a story of inspiration and triumph over tragedy.