How to Make the Most of IOP
So you’re stuck in Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP, for short). The top complaint I hear about IOP? That it’s boring, stupid, and a waste of time. Then why do therapists keep sending their clients to IOP? I will share a secret with you that most people don’t know, including the other people in your program:…
Read More3 Strategies Women Can Use to Reconnect to the Intuitive Self and Reduce Problem Drinking
How many times as women are we told to “calm down?” stop overreacting?” Stop being so “dramatic?” You’re being crazy. It’s all in your head.” Messages like these are constant and disproportionately directed at women. This is the false cultural narrative of the “Irrational Woman.” As women, we’re seen as “emotional”, “reactive”, “unstable” and are…
Read MoreHabits, Addictions, and Power – Podcast with Benjamin Ritter
Ever wonder why you feel compelled to have a beer after work? Check out the enlivening conversation between Sarah Suzuki and Executive Consultant Benjamin Ritter in a podcast where they talk about the REAL reasons men feel compelled to engage in problem drinking behavior. In this podcast, they discuss the following: How self-destructive habits are…
Read MoreAsk Anything: Does Butt Chugging Reduce Calories Consumed?
Bottoms Up, BC! For your benefit, I will now review the history of butt-chugging The alcohol-enema (fondly referred to as butt-chugging) became a media sensation in 2004 after the death of one 58-year-old Texan, Michael Warner, who, with the help of his wife, anally administered sherry. He allegedly chose to butt-chug in order to avoid…
Read MoreTransform Performance Anxiety into Performance Enhancement
Big presentation coming up? If you’re like most people, you will feel a little bit nervous. You might even drink at the end of the day leading up to your performance, thinking this will help you “unwind.” The problem is that alcohol hinders peak performance when the event arrives. The good news is that this…
Read MoreAm I an Alcoholic?
The term “alcoholic” not only is confusing – but it can also be harmful to those who really need help but don’t seek it out due to shame and stigma. Labeling someone as an “alcoholic” or an “addict” defines a person by their behavior, creating the illusion that the problem drinker is powerless and cannot…
Read MoreWhy You Should Have a Relapse Prevention Plan
It’s clear that the ideal time to intervene is when you notice the onset of an alcohol Prelapse – a shift in your mindset that indicates you are working towards a regression back to old habits. However, most people who are starting the process of behavior change are simply trying to prevent a full-blown alcohol…
Read MoreWhy Therapists are in Denial About Denial
Ah, denial: the hallmark of addiction. “He’s in denial,” a therapist will say to me, usually with a raised eyebrow and heavy sigh. The field of substance abuse was built on a professional foundation of breaking through denial. “Therapeutic communities” like Synanon in California (basically a treatment cult) would break through the denial of their…
Read MoreHow to Un-F*ck Yourself After Being a Drunk F*ck
Hey bro: Did you get drunk and f*ck up? If you’re reading this, then hey – at least you’re alive. At a minimum you should feel good about that. Yay! Now, let’s get your shit back on track. These simple steps will help you develop an action plan for minimizing hurt feelings and negative consequences…
Read MoreThe Shocking Truth About High Functioning Alcoholics
People make jokes all the time about how they are “functional alcoholics.” Owning that label, and making it humorous deflects any potential concerns that people have, who may wonder how much you really drink. Calling yourself an HFA can be a way to dodge the elephant in the room when you’re with all of your…
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