Recovery Coaches have become important new professionals working in the fields of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Alternative names for this new profession are; Peer Support Specialists, Peer Mentors, Peer Leaders.

These new professionals receive a certification from either a Mental Health or Substance Abuse credentialing body upon completion of Peer Coaching Training. Some of the topics which Peer Mentors learn about are; Ethics and boundaries in working with clients or patients, the disease and recovery concepts which are defined by a variety of entities, family systems and awareness of sharing one's own experience, strength and hope in a therapeutic context.

SAMHSA has some good resources which define ROSC-Recovery Oriented Systems of Care and definitions of Recovery from both Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA09-4454/SMA09-4454.pdf

If you are in Recovery from a Behavioral Health issue, please explore the possibility of becoming a Recovery Coach to aid someone else in achieving a new health way of living.

Joan Leary offers training for Peer Recovery Coaches through the University of Alabama Training Institute. www.uab.edu/medicine/substanceabuse/training

Heroin overdoses kill.

If you know someone who uses heroin or opiates and is at risk for overdosing, buy a Naloxone kit.

This may save a life.

Recovery is possible! Treatment works!

12 Step Recovery

AA

NA

CA

ALANon

NARANON

Families Anonymous

Codependency Groups

Fire in the Belly: def. emotional stamina, vigor, passion, inner drive to achieve something or take action.

This sounds like RECOVERY. The clients I see who are working towards recovery and optimal health and well being exhibit all of these attributes.

Emotional stamina- people in treatment or therapy for substance/alcohol issues work diligently on identifying their emotions, by embracing positive ones while disputing negative/irrational thoughts. Hard work.

Vigor- clients work diligently with gusto on the 12 steps, contacting sponsors and trusted others, attending support meetings and vibrantly and enthusiastically participating in healthy new behaviors. Energy.

Passion- have you ever spoken to a person in new-found recovery? They're passionate, feel healthy and well and try to share their gift with others. Folks in long term recovery are somewhat more humble yet passionate about teaching and reaching out to newly recovered people. Inspirational.

Inner drive- recovery calls one to constantly be aware of triggers, possible pitfalls yet one sees people focused on health, well being, embracing their inner strengths to encourage them to achieve their life goals and objectives. Powerful.

As a therapist, being a part of another's recovery journey is a blessed gift. I have truly been touched by other's Fire in their Belly to achieve what they've dreamed of.

You too can light your fire towards self-care and optimal health.

Heroin, spice, meth, cocaine, benzodiazepines, opiates, marijuana, and on and on.

Drugs elevate one's mood to euphoria. People like to feel euphoric.

Dependent use of drugs and substances leads to pain and suffering.

Euphoria is short lived and pain and suffering a prison which seems impossible to overcome.

It's not. Treatment helps. Treatment works. Treatment can give addicted people a new, bright life.

I spoke with a young man last week who told me he had attended ten rehabs and had continued to relapse. This man finally found a rehab center in Florida which utilized a different approach.

This young man finally found something which worked for him and aided in his journey toward wellness.

His enthusiasm and excitement about finding a new way to live was contagious.

There are many pathways to recovery. Finding the right rehab, timing and client willingness to engage is challenging.

But when a young man finds recovery from a serious addiction, it warms my heart.

Recovery is possible. Recovery is real.

Everyone deserves optimal health and well-being.

Contact Joan Leary for a referral suggestion for appropriate drug/alcohol treatment. 205.529.5565

Life seems unfair. My friends and family members drink. They don't have a problem with alcohol.

Why am I different? There have been many years when I convinced myself that I did not have a drinking problem. Yet each time my drinking got out of control. All I have ever wanted to do is drink in moderation like others do.

Does this sound like you?

You are finally experiencing recovery and sobriety and holidays roll around which create temptation. Do you have days when you feel stronger in your new healthy life? Do you have a recovery plan?

As an addiction and recovery therapist I encourage those in recovery to "set themselves up for success during holidays." What is that for you?

Some tips;

1. Ask for help.

2. Have a safety plan.

3. Play out the tape in your mind.

4. Attend a meeting or support group.

5. Call a trusted other/sponsor.

6. Leave any tempting situations.

7. Pray and meditate.

8. Give yourself kudos for not drinking.

9. Breathe.

10. Avoid HALT; hungry, angry, lonely, tired.

11. Help someone less fortunate than yourself.

Recovery is possible!

I'm ok if you're ok. But I'm not ok when you're not ok. What is wrong with this?

Do your emotions vacillate according to the well-being of an addicted loved one? Do you ride the roller coaster of addictive disorders? Do you hope and pray and wish that your addicted loved one will "just stop using drugs or drinking?"

Out of loving care, family members often get into this addictive cycle themselves, riding the ups and downs of their loved one's active addiction. This can be debilitating and exhausting. Enabling doesn't cure or solve the addicted person's illness, it can actually contribute to the disease.

Is there a way out? How does a loving mom, dad, brother, sister, boyfriend, girlfriend extricate themselves from a codependent relationship?

The answer is self-help, detachment with love and ALANON.

Living one's own life is important and fulfilling. Capture your own life today and start living peacefully and calmly and detach from the actively addicted person in your life. It may be the healthiest thing to do for both yourself and the addicted loved one.

Drugs, alcohol, pills, food, sex, internet porn, gaming, gambling, cellphone, IPAD, computer... What do all of these have in common?

One can become addicted to anyone of these substances or behaviors.

Do you know someone struggling with addiction? Do you know what to do about it? If not, you may want to seek the help of a trained addiction and recovery professional.

There is help and hope for a healthy way of living.

Change is possible.