ENTRY: Dual Diagnosis

This past weekend while at work I helped out a patient and afterwards we engaged in a little bit of casual conversation. The conversation just happened to get more serious at one point, and he mentioned that he was adopted. Now, this patient has always struck me as a very intelligent, confident, and well-spoken person. …

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MEDIA: Coronavirus PANdemic vs. opioid EPIdemic?

WASHINGTON — The fumbled response to the first coronavirus case potentially contracted within a U.S. community, in California, shows how health professionals on the front lines can be quickly overmatched by the stealthy disease. And the prospect of more widespread outbreaks could put major stress on state and local health departments that are underfunded and …

SHARED: Receiving Gifts — The Banquet Table

Now as adults, I think for the most part we do our best to at least show gratitude for the gifts others give us around Christmas time.  However, we all know a gift we’ve given to a kid that just didn’t make the cut. It gets tossed, or maybe a “this sucks, I don’t want …

ENTRY: Forwardness Forever (Rest of the ‘Journey’ article)

NOTE FROM LOU: Here is another drafting of part of the magazine article I wrote for this month's issue of Journey magazine that didn't make it to print.  I understand completely that magazines only have so much space for content, and they do have to be conscious of their advertisers.  Thankfully, I'm able to share …

FO’REAL!?!: What is Sandtray Therapy?

What is it? Sandtray Therapy: A Practical Manual, written by Linda E. Homeyer and Daniel S. Sweeney, define Sandtray as, “An expressive and projective mode of psychotherapy involving unfolding and processing of intra-and interpersonal issues through the use of specific sandtray materials as a nonverbal medium of communication, led by the client(s) and facilitated by …

FROM-1-2-1: Shedding the Darkness

I aim for redemption by way of self-reflection; we should all do the same.  We all must become willing to explore deep self-reflection in order to become whole. Many of us in this "sober movement" understand that, in order to shed the old, we must become willing to take suggestions (The Steps from AA) #1, …

PODCAST: Continuing the conversation w/ reiki master teacher Erik (Interview, pt. 2)

I sincerely hope you enjoy the second and final part of the interview, as this was so enjoyable to produce.  Erik is a wonderful teacher to me and really everyone else on our "O.H.H." team at the office.  In fact, I hope to conduct more interviews with him and other co-workers as I realized recently …

PODCAST: The holistic approach to addiction w/ reiki master Erik Giguere, RN (Interview, pt. 1)

As a peer specialist, I get to talk to and help some amazing patients.  Another part of the job that I love, though, is my fellow staff members.  One of the most perceptive, resourceful, and truly inspired individuals with whom I get to work each day is Erik Giguere.  He is a registered nurse, but …

ENTRY: My perpetual disdain for cross-talking at AA

Yesterday was tough.  I went to an AA meeting last night, but that was a last-minute decision.  I typically go to the only meeting that my hometown hosts on Friday evenings because it’s nearby and the people there are generally very kind and welcoming.  So, I was planning on attending this meeting, known as “The Outreach …

ENTRY: Patients inflate use history to ensure treatment

Being in recovery myself, I tend to notice certain behaviors of the folks seeking recovery themselves as they proceed through the intake process at work.  In case you weren’t already aware, I work as a peer recovery coach at a treatment center specializing in MAT therapy (we offer both methadone and Suboxone) and mental health …