Month: December 2013

Meditation practice

Posted on by kathleenmc1953@sbcglobal.net

In the world we live in it is difficult to take the time to focus within. We have so many distractions and demands upon us. But we can miss something if we don’t take the time to sit quietly with ourselves.

If you choose to start a meditation practice keep it simple so that you are better able to stick with it. You don’t have to be a zen master. Really, all that is involved is sitting quietly while concentrating on your breathing. Or you can listen to a series of guided meditations. Start with 2-5 minutes and increase the time as you feel comfortable. Set a brief period of time aside soon after you wake up. This is helpful for two reasons: it sets the stage for how you approach the day and it doesn’t compete with the many other time demands that tend to accumulate as the day goes on.

Meditation
Contemplate

Everyone has the ability to turn within but it requires discipline. It IS a discipline. Like anything else you would like to achieve, keep at it until it becomes a habit. Don’t be hard on yourself if you miss a few days. Start back up again anyway. It may be hard to believe but at a certain point you will relish this time with yourself.

Once you make this time a priority in your life your practice will evolve and become a foundation upon which your life rests. It can make the ups and downs less extreme and infuse your life with compassion and gratitude.

Resources

Meditation Oasis
http://www.meditationoasis.com/podcast/listen-to-podcast/

DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only and should not in any way be considered a substitute for professional help. If you feel that you need immediate assistance please call your local psychiatric emergency services or the SAMSHA Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990.

Substance abuse treatment a la carte

Posted on by kathleenmc1953@sbcglobal.net

Road to recovery
Road to recovery
It is commonly thought, amoung counseling professionals, that a client with a substance use problem must be abstinent to achieve any therapeutic progress. Although I agree that it can be productive to work with such a client this does not preclude working with those who are still actively using.

Through much trial and error counselors have been attempting to work effectively with substance users. Many theories regarding recovery have evolved from those methods which have gained the most popularity down through the years. The disease model as exemplified by Alcoholics Anonymous is the most prominent example of this; in fact the AA philosophy dominates the substance abuse field. Originating as a grass roots movement, AA has become part of the establishment in a sense and it’s proponents are often viewed as authorities on substance abuse treatment. This authority is based upon the experience of those who have had substance use problems themselves. Their testimony as to what works and what does not has been powerfully essential to building the consensus among counselors regarding total abstinence as a prerequisite to positive life changes.

The unfortunate thing is, as useful as this view is, it is not the total picture. The prevailing view of those in the recovery community, in both lay and professional roles, has ultimately led to the exclusion of those whose recovery does not fit neatly into this box. The reality is that professionals can assist those who are still actively using to use more safely and to move toward abstinence when ready and prepared to do so. In the end we need to be flexible in our approach and provide the right kind of help at the right time. More about this in another post…

DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only and should not in any way be considered a substitute for professional help. If you feel that you need immediate assistance please call your local psychiatric emergency services or the SAMSHA Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990.