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: This Recovery Life

Check out the online version of my article in the nation's VERY FIRST recovery magazine produced by folks IN RECOVERY!  I love the idea and general inspiration by this project, and when I was asked to write something up for it earlier in the year, I just leaped at the chance.  It came out very …

PODCAST: Sitting down with employment specialist Emma Young

A brand new part of my job as a peer coach is to work alongside a real-deal employment specialist, and I'm super excited about it.  This will only bolster the services that patients will be receiving in the way of various guidance that can be applied to their own lives.  Her name is Emma Young …

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 …

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 …

ENTRY: Absorbing the Big Book, before you even start it

The Big Book is a very useful tool; in fact, it's probably more useful than a new package of guitar strings would be for me…  (Yeah really, 'tis that useful.)  I would never encourage any person in recovery to live and breathe by the Big Book, just like I don’t really think a Christian person should encourage another Christian …

POETRY: Just Beneath the Surface

"Just Beneath the Surface" by Dean B. [circa 2000] Just beneath the surface of her pleasant, winning smile, Pompous and indignant, it’s been there quite a while, Comforting, reliable, it keeps her in the dark, At least a million reasons and subtle quirks remark: “Sure it makes a lot of sense!” she’ll deal with it …

FROM 1-2-1: Redefining Rehab

I have always been big on using inferences to explain concepts. So far, I believe that everything in the world is tied to everything else. That the simplest concepts can explain the most complex ideas. This way, I find it easier to understand how some things work without necessarily breaking a sweat. It’s all about …

sizzlin’STORIES: Opioid Rx misuse higher in LGBTQ people, study finds

A new study on prescription opioid misuse rates by sexual orientation confirms what earlier, less comprehensive studies suggested: Lesbian, gay and bisexual people are at a higher risk for misusing opioids, according to researchers. But the study also raises questions about a worrisome trend in one subset in the LGBT community. If opioid abuse rates …

ENTRY: Praying the Way You Want to

I love crafting my own prayers.  It's a special, sacred way of communicating with Higher Power, or God in my case.  Of course, the prayers must be written down, so that I can keep revisiting them.  They then serve like journal entries, as well.  So, these homemade devotions make for very detailed and colorful time …