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Self-Care for the Care Giver: Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It, Part 1

The Sober Chicks attended the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders this month and while there we figured it was a great place for us to record a couple of podcast episodes focusing on the importance of self-care for the caregiver. Let’s face it, as clinicians we are great at giving advice but not always as good at applying to ourselves. In the first episode in this two part series, titled, “Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It” we had the privilege to interview our friend and colleague,  Alan Budd, Program Director of the Dentist Health and Wellness Committee of the Massachusetts Dental Society.

Alan & The Sober Chicks discuss some of the risk factors for professionals in the medical and mental health field and breakdown some of the reasons why those in the field of dentistry are sometimes at higher risk for addictive disorders. Dentists, more so than other healthcare professionals, tend to establish private practices; which can be an isolating experience, compounded with the financial burden they take on to start their business. Check out this episode of Straight Talk for some tips on how professionals can seek help if they are struggling with addiction and some of the key factors that contribute to addictive disorders in the dentistry and other medical professions.

For more on the Dental Health and Wellness Committee, check out their website here: www.dhwcma.org

If you need a professional to assist you with finding the best treatment option for an addictive disorder or any other mental health professional, and you live in Connecticut, you can contact Insight Counseling through email at [email protected], or call: 203-431-9726.

Remember to take your sobriety seriously, but not yourselves too seriously!

– The Sober Chicks, Liz & Sarah

Have a Question for the Sober Chicks? Want a straight answer from Liz or Sarah? Send us your question or topic you want us to discuss and we might feature it on one of our upcoming episodes of “Straight Talk from the Sober Chicks.”

 

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Take What You Like & Leave the Rest:

The Buffet Style Approach to Addiction Treatment

 

Everyone loves a good buffet; you have a wealth of options to choose from, but only you get to decide what appeals to your appetite most. Whether it’s chicken cordon bleu (which Liz has an excellent recipe for, if you’re interested, just ask!), lasagna or roast beef and mashed potatoes, there is something for everyone and sometimes it’s roast beef and lasagna! In this episode of Straight Talk, the Sober Chicks break down why sometimes lasagna all day everyday might not work for everyone and how you can choose what works for you!

“The Buffet” Approach

There isn’t one approach to addiction treatment that works for every person in recovery; sometimes it’s about finding what works for you and sticking with it and more often it’s about finding several treatment options that suit you best. Fundamentalism is in addiction treatment field can be dangerous and can deter many individuals from getting help. Treatment and the healing process is very personal and no one solution is a right fit for every person.

12-Step Programs

12-Step programs like, Alcoholics Anonymous are often misunderstood to be an extremist approach to addiction treatment. In fact, AA Literature states that if you have outside issues, to seek treatment for those issues. 12-Step Programs offer an important level of peer support and can be an important part of an individual’s path to sobriety. What concerns us Sober Chicks is when it becomes the “ONLY” way to get sober. We have both seen, firsthand, program members, therapist and other treatment providers express fundamentalist and extremist views surrounding the 12-Step Programs. While they might mean well, sometimes it results in deterring someone who is seeking help away, because they feel the approach might not be the best path to recovery. 12-Step Programs are incredibly valuable in helping people live a sober life, but more often than not, they are just one part of a treatment plan that helps you find balance and sobriety.

If you live locally you are welcome to check out Insights Peer Support Groups. For more information check out our available  Programs: https://insightcounselingllc.com/?page_id=377

For more information on AA or to review the program literature, visit their website at: http://www.aa.org/

The Effectiveness of Treatment Teams

Having more than one cook in the kitchen can be very helpful when it comes to determining the right treatment for an individual. The ability for your doctor, therapist and other specialist to consult with one another is a great step in finding the treatment plan that’s a right fit for you. Sometimes having a second option can ensure that you are on the path to sobriety. We’ve heard from clients here at Insight Counseling that have struggled for years with their sobriety, often questioning why 12-Step Programs weren’t enough and after seeking our help, discovered an underlying issue keeping them from enjoying a healthy, balanced, sober life. Sometimes that means a treatment plan that includes peer support from 12-Steps groups combined with meditation or yoga and meditation.

Avoid The Extremes:

No matter what form of treatment you pursue, just remember that too much of one thing is never a good thing! Addiction is about extremes whereas healing and recovery is about finding balance.

How Do I Know What’s Right For Me?

Just like you would at a buffet, GO WITH YOUR GUT! If something doesn’t fit right with you, explore other options, mix and match. If you don’t find the option that works for you then sobriety will be hard to come by. Remember, healing and recovery is a very personal process so find the balance for what’s right for you!

Want more? Check out Sober Chick, Sarah Allen Benton’s blog post on Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-high-functioning-alcoholic/201509/not-just-one-way-get-sober

If you need a professional to assist you with finding the best option for your path to happiness and healthiness, you can contact Insight Counseling through email at [email protected], or call: 203-431-9726.

Remember to take your sobriety seriously, but not yourselves too seriously!

– The Sober Chicks, Liz & Sarah

Have a Question for the Sober Chicks? Want a straight answer from Liz or Sarah? Send us your question or topic you want us to discuss and we might feature it on one of our upcoming episodes of “Straight Talk from the Sober Chicks.”

Podcast (straight-talk-from-the-sober-chicks): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

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