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Self-Image, Destiny, and “A Sense of Epic Hope”: The Grandfather of Self-Help Books Really Does Have Something to Offer

rredick March 30, 2022
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woman stretching in sunlight

Why do some people enjoy an improved sense of self-worth when their circumstances improve, while others do not? Sixty years ago, a plastic surgeon came up with an theory of unconscious, lifelong messages to the self. His book exploring that theory has a vast following to this day. 

If you’re dubious about anyone eager to declare that YOU TOO CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE!—well, you have a lot of company. Historian Mitch Horowitz is right there with you. But in this post, he makes a sober, persuasive case for exactly that sort of book: the 1960 bestseller Psycho-Cybernetics: A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life, by the groundbreaking plastic surgeon Maxwell Maltz.  

Click here for more.

Horowitz’s concise summary of Maltz’s theory is better than any I can offer, so I’ll just note that we’re definitely not in the realm of auras and tarot cards: Maltz’s program is secular, non-mystical, and demanding. It’s never been out of print, has sold millions, and has given hope and help to generations of readers, including celebrities from Salvador Dali to Nancy Reagan. Have a look, and see if it speaks to you. 

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Related Posts from "Resource Supplement"

Anger: Why Talking About It With a Purpose (And Not Just Venting) Can Be Healing

Anger evolved with the human brain. Though it may not seem so today, its original function was to keep us safe. Unfortunately, for most of us, anger is a deeply unpleasant experience, one that can damage our relationships and sense of wellbeing. The good news is that we can change this dynamic. This article offers a science-based guide to regulating anger and returning it to its constructive purpose.

rredick May 28, 2024

Eating Disorders: Myths, Realities, and Recovery Paths Explained

Finding a health professional who truly understands eating disorders is no easy task. And for those who suffer from them, it can be just as hard to avoid the judgments and unhelpful comments of friends, family, or coworkers. This interview with one of the world’s leading experts on eating disorders takes a broom to those old and stigmatizing ideas. It also offers pointers for standing by a Loved One suffering from an eating disorder.

rredick February 13, 2024

Needles In The Ear Can Help With Addiction? You Heard That Right

You’d be forgiven if ear acupuncture isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when talk turns to substance use disorder. Numerous studies, however, are documenting the efficacy of a specific procedure (the NADA protocol) for help with craving, withdrawal, and other aspects of addiction. As this article points out, however, the key to success with NADA lies in the details.

rredick November 14, 2023

Naming and Understanding the Symptoms of Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma of any kind leaves its mark. Severe or sustained trauma generates certain telltale symptoms in survivors. Licensed therapist and life coach Patrick Teahan, himself a survivor of childhood trauma, breaks down three of the most prominent symptoms. By reaching a deeper understanding of what’s occurring inside us, he argues, we’re in a far better position to overcome the challenges that result.

rredick October 31, 2023

Substance Use Disorder: A Guide For the Family

The Recovery Research Institute, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of addiction. This page on substance use and the family is an extremely well-designed information hub. It’s a great place to start your journey to deeper understanding—or to remind yourself of the basics.

rredick March 8, 2023
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The CRAFT Approach: An Introduction From Verywellmind.com

Verywellmind is a health website that takes pride in its quality, professionally-reviewed information. In this article, they make it clear how the CRAFT approach differs from old-school “interventions,” and why its outcomes are so much better overall. This is also a great general overview of the CRAFT approach, hitting the highlights of the skills and resources you can access through Allies in Recovery.

rredick September 5, 2022
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“So Many Pathways” To Recovery: A Sister’s Message After Losing Her Brother

A brave and loving look back, and a plea to others to think broadly about options for their Loved Ones. Jaclyn Brown lost her brother Marc to heroin in 2018. While she and her sister tried to support him, the clarity of hindsight is making it painfully clear to her the steps she might have taken, if only she’d known they were possible. But her essay is not about self-judgment; it’s about reaching out to others with a message of hope.

Dominique Simon August 8, 2022
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David Scherer

David Scherer, CRAFT Expert & Researcher

David Scherer, PhD has been a collaborator on the Allies team from the start. He is a retired clinical psychologist and professor emeritus in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He worked with adolescents and families for over 35 years, doing research and publishing articles on adolescent development and how to most effectively treat troubled adolescents. Here is a selection of his publications.

isabel February 26, 2021
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SUPPLEMENT- MAT

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)*

MAT (medication-assisted treatment) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD). Research shows that when treating substance use disorders, a combination of medication and behavioral therapies is most successful.

isabel December 30, 2020
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hands holding couple

Behavioral Couples Therapy

Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT) is an evidence-based approach , also known as Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy, or Behavioral Marital Therapy. BCT is designed for married or cohabiting individuals seeking help for alcoholism or drug misuse. BCT sees the substance using patient together with the spouse or live-in partner. Its purposes are to build support for abstinence and to improve relationship functioning. 

isabel November 20, 2020
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brain cognitive therapy

Managing Difficult Emotions (CBT)

Unlike traditional Freudian psychoanalysis, which probes childhood wounds to get at the root causes of conflict, CBT focuses on solutions, encouraging patients to challenge distorted cognitions and change destructive patterns of behavior.  CBT treats problems and boosts happiness by modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts

isabel September 11, 2020
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DSL speaking engagements

Dominique Simon-Levine: Speaking Engagements

Here is a list of Dominique Simon-Levine's speaking engagements over the last few years including up to the present date. Upcoming talk at the Recovery Community Summit organized by Oregon Recovers. Dominique will be speaking with Cordelia Kraus, LPC, CADC-I, certified CRAFT clinician, Senator Lew Frederick whose daughter is in recovery and with Jennifer Stratton, LPC and Lynn Emmons, LCSW, both trained in CRAFT. 

 

isabel July 16, 2019
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SUPPLEMENT-DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a compassionate and evidence-based treatment for those suffering. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a cognitive behavioral treatment that was originally developed to treat chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and it is now recognized as the gold standard psychological treatment for this population. In addition, research has shown that it is effective in treating a wide range of other disorders such as substance dependence, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.

isabel November 22, 2018
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SANCTUARY - meditation in subway

Meditation & Relaxation

Here are some awesome online resources for those who want to explore relaxation or meditation techniques, or go deeper with their practice. Self-care is a KEY part of the CRAFT Method: a family member who is centered and self-aware is a family member who can be vastly more effective in helping their addicted Loved One. Check out these resources!

isabel November 9, 2018
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opiates pills & syringe

Signs & Symptoms of Drug Use

A detailed list of signs and symptoms of drug use, withdrawal, dependence—for each type of drug. This is essential information for families implementing CRAFT at home: recognizing the signs of active use help you know when to reward, and when to step away.

isabel October 12, 2018
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dial 911

Crisis Resources: Hotlines & Websites

DISCLAIMER: Allies in Recovery does not directly recommend or endorse any of the resources listed. We have simply gathered a listing of resources that move prove helpful to you. We leave it up to you to determine if they offer you support or a service(s) you need, as well as, if they are appropriate for your situation. 

isabel June 20, 2018
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SUPPLEMENT- EFT

Emotional Freedom Techniques

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is an easy-to-learn self-help technique that combines three ingredients:   Tapping on acupressure points,  Focusing on the identifying problem, and Affirmations. Tapping, as it is sometimes called, calms the emotions around an issue, so that you can think more clearly about the problem. EFT can help you gain emotional freedom so that you can begin doing more of what you really want in life. This simple technique often provides rapid relief from physical and emotional issues, relief from traumatic memories, phobias, persistent grief, anger, guilt, anxiety, addictive cravings, and physical discomfort. EFT Research This link provides a meta-analysis of 51 studies that looked at EFT   Clearing Fear and Worry Here is a demonstration using “scripts”: Clearing Fear and Worry – Tapping with Brad Yates:  

isabel June 12, 2018
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Hands Candles Hope

Compassion, Hope & Happiness

  TED Talk With Brené Brown This is a 20:20 minute TED Talk presenting Brené Brown’s research on empathy, belonging, and love. In a poignant, funny talk, Brené Brown shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. TEDX Talk With Louie Schzartzberg & Brother Steindl-Rast This is a 9:56 minute TEDx Talk presenting Louie Schwartzberg’s stunning time-lapse photography, accompanied by powerful words from Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast. The video serves as a meditation on being grateful for every day.     Zen Habits With Leo Babauta This is an ad-free website created by blogger, journalist Leo Babauta. Babauta discusses his experience with things such as simplifying, living frugally, parenting, happiness, motivation, eliminating debt, saving, eating healthily, successfully implementing good habits, and achieving goals. The blog also shares some helpful tips for self-care and habit breaking. Radical Acceptance with Tara Brach This is the website of Tara Brach, a leading western teacher of Buddhist meditation, emotional healing and spiritual awakening. Her website offers free audio and video talks and guided meditations. She is also the author of the books Radical Acceptance, Radical Self-Acceptance, and True Refuge: Finding Peace and Freedom in Your Own Awakened Heart.

isabel June 12, 2018
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Angry steam coming out of ears

A Special Focus on Anger

  The American Psychological Association Here's the scoop on anger from the American Psychological Association     The Mayo Clinic on Anger Here are 10 tips on how to deal with anger from the Mayo Clinic   Managing Your Anger 10 more tips on managing your anger

isabel June 12, 2018
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Coercion

Information, Support & Resources

  Al-Anon Family Groups This is the official website of Al-Anon Family Groups is an informational website for friends and families of problem drinkers. The National Alliance on Mental Illness This is the official website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is an organization that is dedicated to building better lives for individuals and families affected by mental illness. This is an informational website.

isabel June 12, 2018
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Library warm light & lamps

Category: Resources

  ►  AiR's Resource Finding Methodology  ►  Information, Support & Resources ►  Pregnancy, Early Parenting & Recovery ►  Self-Help Resources for Your Loved One ►  Substance Abuse & Asperger's ►  Teens & Substance Abuse  

isabel June 12, 2018
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SANCTUARY peace candles

CATEGORY: Self-Care for Family Member

Illustration © Eleanor Davis →  A Special Focus on Anger →  Compassion, Hope & Happiness →  Crisis Numbers →  Emotional Freedom Techniques →  Managing Difficult Emotions & Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) →  Meditation & Relaxation →  Self-Care Posts on the Allies Blogs

isabel April 9, 2018
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SUPPLEMENT- teens drinking

Teens & Substance Use

♦  Continuing Care: A Parent’s Guide to Your Teen’s Recovery from Substance Abuse ♦ Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment: a Research-Based Guide from the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) ♦ Understanding Substance Abuse Services: A Quick Guide for Young People & Caregivers (English) – from the state of Massachusetts

isabel April 9, 2018
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drawing-family

CATEGORY: Applying CRAFT

This section contains some specific recommendations for applying CRAFT in particular circumstances (an older Loved One, a Loved One who wants to try moderation, or a Loved One who is always high on something). For detailed guidance on applying CRAFT in more general circumstances, see the Discussion Blog where our experts guides members on applying CRAFT to their circumstances. 

isabel February 2, 2018
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NEWS - can he successfully moderate?

My Loved One Wants to Try Moderating Their Use

Moderation is the practice of learning to consciously limit the amount one consumes of alcohol or drugs. The research on alcohol suggests that moderation may work for those with less severe addiction problems. Where the line is between severe and less severe problem use is not entirely clear. It depends on several things, including the amount your Loved One ingests, the reasons for their use, the context in which they use, and their biology.

isabel February 2, 2018
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