Dissolved In Alcohol We feel very blessed to work with those of you who seek us out. We are frequently struck by what an interesting and diverse group you are and we find working with you most enjoyable. But some of the darker similarities you share also strike us. The most obvious, of course, is [...]
Isolation There was an article in the Wall Street Journal the other day about how our always online, always connected, fast-paced 24/7 communications were making us ill. The author made a good case for why we need to slow down and reconnect in person with actual human beings. Reading it reminded us of many of [...]
Context? We spend a lot of time talking about “context” as in “alcohol abuse occurs within a context.” What we mean by that is that it’s not an isolated condition, like an actual disease, and that eliminating alcohol abuse is accomplished by changing the context of your day-to-day life. Mostly you change what you do [...]
After the questions, what are the common complaints? Complaints come from both clients and family members but these frequently have the same basis. It comes down to clients wanting the “problem” to be fixed without actually having to do much of anything, and spouses who don’t want the solution to have any impact on them. [...]
We like getting questions that we actually know the answers to. Here’s one of our favorites, “What’s the biggest factor in determining success?” Nope, it isn’t us. The most important factor is your motivation. Why? It goes without saying that changing your life is challenging – no magic pills, wands, or bullets – and as [...]
Remembering Project Elan Thirty years ago Project Elan closed its doors near the University of Minnesota campus. A long term residential treatment program for young women felon offenders, it had an astonishing success rate according to its final Executive Director, Sue Hastings, and the numerous “Elanies” who kept in touch across the years. How successful? [...]
Why You Want to Banish the Words “Alcoholic,” “Alcoholism,” and “Relapse” From Your Vocabulary. It’s no surprise that we become what we expect. For example,if I spend enough time saying, “Hi, I’m Ed and I’m an alcoholic,” and that’s exactly what I’ll become. Why would I want to do that? Mostly because it would let [...]
What Ex-Smokers Can Teach Us Those of us who are both ex-smokers and former alcohol abusers generally agree – giving up alcohol is a hell of a lot easier than giving up cigarettes. Then why is it that smokers are about five times more successful than drinkers at kicking the habit? Mostly it’s that smokers [...]
What is Real Support? One of common questions we hear is about how family and friends can be supportive when you’re giving up alcohol. It’s not always obvious. Why’s that? Too often family members – especially spouses – and friends have a vested interest in you continuing to drink. So you need to be on [...]
Yesterday was Independence Day here in the U.S. and we think it’s appropriate to take a moment and celebrate not only political independence, but also independence from alcohol abuse and from programs that spread their own brand of dependence. You don’t have to be “in recovery”. You can be recovered, an ex-drinker, and a full [...]