Paradigm Change

I have been a therapist for over forty years and have specialized in two areas of treatment, one of which is substance abuse/addiction treatment. I have met many remarkable people and I have been privileged to assist them in their journey of recovery. As I prepare for retirement, it occurred to me that I have the knowledge shared by my clients that could be of value to others. Over the years I have passed this wisdom from one client to the next. I have come to call this knowledge "Collective Wisdom," an assortment of insights, tips, and practical advice that many have found useful in their own journey of recovery. This book is my attempt to pass on this information to a larger circle of people who might benefit from this collective wisdom. For nearly two decades I taught newly licensed social workers about chemical dependency treatment. Often, they were at a loss as to how to assist clients who had just stopped using, and/or were attending Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), SMART Recovery, or another support group. To be truthful, they sometimes overwhelmed their new clients by focusing prematurely on their childhood or other relationships rather than focusing on the here and now, step-by-step, cognitive/behavioral aspects of recovery.
Much of what I have learned about addiction has come not only from successes but from engaging with individuals who lost their battle-either permanently or temporarily-with alcohol and other drugs. It is my hope that in relating their experiences, we can extract something worthwhile that would be of benefit to others. I strongly believe that we must remain open to new research and treatment information. The field of addiction medicine is changing as we learn more about the brain and the role of chemical processes. The most important piece of "Collective Wisdom" I have learned as a therapist is that "NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL." Treatment should be tailored to provide options to clients depending on a variety of factors. New and effective advances in medication provide new resources that once were not available. There are also a number of support groups in addition to A.A., such as SMART Recovery, that deserve to be respected and promoted in treatment settings. Further, many individuals can benefit from managing and reinforcing their recovery with therapy long after initial stabilization has occurred. I hope this book will prove useful to whatever options you choose to consider.