Become a member of Allies in Recovery and we’ll teach you how to intervene, communicate and guide your loved one toward treatment.Become a member of Allies in Recovery today.

You’re Invited to a Special Screening of the Film “If Only” in Reading, MA

Dominique Simon September 9, 2015
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if only
You are invited to a special screening of the short film “If Only” – the story of two teenage boys who experiment with, and become addicted to opiods.

this event is finished, but if you are interested, you can watch “if only” by following this link…

The event is *free of charge* but reservations are required. Click here to reserve your spot.

Date:              Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Time:              7 — 9 PM Location:     Jordan IMAX, READING, MA Rated:           Recommended for ages 12 and over

The film is a co-production by the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, Millennium Health, and WAHL St. production. Co-written by James Wahlberg and Michael Yebba and filmed in Tewksbury, including local
residents, with production assistance from Marc Ginsberg of the Tewksbury Country Club. Sponsored by the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse, Mystic Valley Opioid Abuse
Prevention Collaborative of Massachusetts, and their supporters. The intent of the creators is to educate young people on how quickly drug use can spiral into
addiction. Appropriate for ages 12 and up. Join us, guest speakers, and a Q+A panel of professionals during National Recovery Month, September 30th from 7 — 9 PM, at Jordan’s Furniture IMAX theater, (Walkers Brooke Drive, Reading MA). Because of seating capacity, reservations are necessary at http://bit.ly/rcasa or call RCASA at
781-942-6756. Click here to sign up and reserve a spot!
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Dominique Simon
Dominique launched Allies in Recovery in 2003. Her work has been featured on HBO and NPR. She is a facilitator and a trained speaker on issues of addiction and the family. She has worked extensively developing and evaluating federally-funded substance abuse programs for organizations and clinics throughout Massachusetts and New York. With an interest in recovery and substance abuse that spans 20 years, she sees a huge need to help families develop the skills to help a loved one recover fully in a supportive, whole, and lasting way in their families and in their communities. Her mission is to have Allies in Recovery fill that gap.

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rredick May 12, 2023
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Will His Vaping Lead Him Right Back To Use?

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Laurie MacDougall April 28, 2023
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Landmark Legislation To Support Families of Persons With SUD Introduced in House and Senate

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Allies in Recovery April 10, 2023
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Embracing the Uncomfortable: A Life Hack from Annie

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annieunhooked March 31, 2023
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My Son’s in Jail, And I Think It Saved His Life

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He’s Drinking and Trying To Hide It. What Should I Be Doing?

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InnovatorMD Global Summit 2023: Dominique Simon-Levine Profiles CRAFT and the Work of Allies In Recovery

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Allies in Recovery February 10, 2023
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I Meant Well. Did My Words Make Him Start Drinking Again?

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Laurie MacDougall February 3, 2023
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Did the Boundary I Set Make Him Drink Even More?

Jbernard116’s made an impressive start in applying CRAFT to this challenging situation. Unfortunately, the boundary she set didn’t immediately yield the behavior change she hopes for—and she even worries that it could have prompted her fiancé to drink even more heavily. Allies’ writer Laurie MacDougall responds with a careful review of CRAFT-informed options and strategies. Boundaries, she reminds us crucially, determine our behavior—not our Loved One’s.

Laurie MacDougall January 13, 2023
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Allies in Recovery Holiday Schedule & Virtual Recovery Support Resource Directory

In observance of the holidays, Allies in Recovery will not be holding our CRAFT Skills, CRAFT Educational, or CRAFT Family Support Groups for the week of December 26th thru December 30th, 2022. We will return to our regular Live Support Schedule on Monday, January 2nd, 2023. If you’re in need of support, click above to read our member blog for details about supports offered by Allies in Recovery and a host of other organizations during the holidays and beyond. The Allies in Recovery Team wishes you and your loved one’s a safe and peaceful holiday.

Allies in Recovery December 22, 2022
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We’ve Set Our Boundaries. He’s Breaking Them.

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Laurie MacDougall December 5, 2022
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We Keep Paying. He Keeps Returning to Use. How Much Longer?

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Dominique Simon November 26, 2022
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A CRAFT Approach To Verbal Abuse

Provided the abuse isn’t physical, CRAFT can be your guide to a constructive response to negative interactions. Physical safety should come first in all relationships. But even in the absence of physical violence, a Loved One’s verbal abuse can be painful and damaging. As with other complications surrounding substance use disorder, CRAFT offers a clear, straightforward, and proven approach to dealing with harmful talk from a Loved One. Allies’ Laurie MacDougall outlines the fundamentals.

Laurie MacDougall November 18, 2022
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He Won’t Agree to the Care We Know He Needs

Cwfranklin’s adult son smokes fentanyl. With his parents’ active support, he’s gone through various rounds of treatment. His recoveries have been substantial, but so far they haven’t lasted. Now his parents are considering “lines in the sand” to convince him to undertake a longer, multi-stage treatment plan. Allies CEO Dominique Simon-Levine suggests an alternative: CRAFT-informed engagement that returns responsibility to their Loved One, where it belongs. 

Dominique Simon November 11, 2022
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After So Much Hard Work, He’s Slipping. How Can I Help?

Your Loved One’s journey is in their hands. But CRAFT skills can make your vital support most effective. Renee’s son has been struggling with substance use for 15 years. He’s fighting hard for his own recovery, and that includes rebuilding his career. But lately, he appears to be slipping. For his parents, and for Allies writer Laurie MacDougall, this is something of an alarm bell. The good news is that Renee’s there to support him—and reaching out to Allies for the skills and support to do so.

Laurie MacDougall November 4, 2022
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“We Are Absolutely the Worst People” in Her Life: When Mental Illness, SUD, and Blame Collide 

Your CRAFT skills may be put to the test, but they’re still indispensable. Perhaps more than ever. At Allies in Recovery, we’re always impressed by the mutual support our members give each other—and wherever possible, we try to build on it. At the heart of this post is a conversation about how to take care of your emotions while staying connected with your Loved One (LO). It leads to a stark question many of us coping with SUD grapple with: how do you support a Loved One who blames, rages, and is verbally out of control? Laurie MacDougall tackles this vital, thorny issue. 

Laurie MacDougall October 28, 2022
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Does This Level of Violence Rule Out CRAFT?

Nohp’s husband of 48 years is struggling with heavy alcohol use. Recently his behavior has become more alarming, and even violent. Now she’s staying outside their home, and wondering if that violence means the CRAFT approach isn’t right for their circumstances. Allies CEO Dominique Simon-Levine thinks it probably is. While underscoring that no one can decide for her, she advises Nohp to explore the skills training and support resources offered through Allies in Recovery. Quite simply, they work, and have a track record to prove it.

Dominique Simon October 21, 2022
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Please Help Me Improve What I Say to Her

Words matter so much — both the ones we speak or write, and the one we choose not to. Fletcher921’s daughter uses meth and opioids, and was recently suspended from her job. She showed her mother the suspension letter from her employer — an act of real trust. Her mother put effort and heart into her reply, but wants to do even better next time. Allies’ Laurie MacDougall reflects on how CRAFT could help in this effort, and the possible benefits for daughter and mother alike.

Laurie MacDougall October 14, 2022
0 Comments

Don’t Give Up Too Soon On Medication-Assisted Treatment

Elaine’s son is struggling to quit opioids, but the path is hard. He’s had many rounds of detox, and is now trying to self-medicate. An initial attempt at Suboxone treatment made him feel emotionless and flat. But did it have to be that way? Allies’ CEO Dominique Simon-Levine reviews the challenges and great promise of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). MAT therapies often come with a period of adjustment for our Loved One’s.

Dominique Simon October 7, 2022
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It Feels Like Nothing Works With Him

If we focus on what’s ours to control, change is possible all the same. CRAFT skills can help you get there. Elaine’s son is back in the hospital, in a routine that’s become all too familiar to his parents. They’ve tried to help in many ways, but the health crises and the drug use that leads to them don’t seem to be changing, and Elaine’s begun to doubt they ever will. Laurie MacDougall gently challenges this idea. While a Loved One’s life isn’t ours to change, our own words, feelings, and behavior are. Allies in Recovery is committed to helping us learn to take control of these, and thereby give our Loved Ones the most effective support we can.

Laurie MacDougall September 30, 2022
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Do I Want to Have Children With Him?

There’s nothing simple about such a question. But here are some pointers in the search for answers. Whits wants children and loves her partner. But is she prepared to raise children with someone who’s progress with his SUD is uncertain? No one, of course, can answer that for her. But if there is a way forward together, it will require compassionate communication, as well as boundaries and self-care. That’s where the CRAFT approach can be so powerfully helpful.

Laurie MacDougall September 23, 2022
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The Discussion Blog on the Allies Website: Excerpts From One Member’s Journey

An important component of any member’s successful journey on the Allies website is participation in the expertly-moderated Discussion Blog. There, CRAFT/AIR trained staff interact with members by answering questions in both regular replies and in full, expert blog response posts offering guidance that any member can access. Members see other members sharing questions, frustrations, and successes similar to theirs, and also they often see how the Learning Modules are effectively used as referenced by our team experts and by members. We also offer dozens of supplementary podcasts by members of our Allied Team, discussing real situations with Loved Ones and using the CRAFT approach.

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A Message from Founder, Dominique Simon-Levine

Founder & CEO, Dominique Simon-Levine, offers an update about the Allies in Recovery program, including new offerings and activities. Thank you all for being so patient as we navigated through the many hassles and challenges associated with developing and building our new website. We are so very grateful for YOU! (Pictured Left to Right: Nicole Castillo, Andrew Maxwell, Deborah Rodriguez, Sandra Munier)

Dominique Simon June 24, 2022
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You Don’t Have to Live in Manhattan to Access Recovery Services

And if AA isn’t what your Loved One’s after, there are usually alternatives
Kspring has been supporting her son on his recovery journey for years.
He’s come a long way, but the challenges still feel immense, and Kspring
is actively seeking new recovery resources that could offer a hand. Allies’
Laurie MacDougall did some digging. What she found underscores just
how much is out there—much of it independent of Zip code.

Laurie MacDougall April 26, 2022
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