Mindfulness

Dream Journal Volume XLVII / March 2017 Note From Dr B. I created the “3-7-3” philosophy as part of my commitment to holistic, evidence-based treatment that is both all-inclusive and highly effective. Patients are required to examine their progress introspectively throughout their stay at Two Dreams and spend every day working to complete the three…

Dream Journal Volume XLVI / February 2017 Note From Dr B. I created the “3-7-3” philosophy as part of my commitment to holistic, evidence-based treatment that is both all-inclusive and highly effective. Patients are required to examine their progress introspectively throughout their stay at Two Dreams and spend every day working to complete the three phases…

Our patients participate in yoga classes weekly as part of the Two Dreams commitment to achieving the three crucial outcomes we work on with each client: Mental Peace, Physical Well-Being, and Personal Productivity. Yoga and other mindfulness techniques help reconnect clients with their bodies. This mind-body connection is an important part of recovery because substance…

Have you made the decision to quit drinking alcohol but keep finding yourself back at it again? Do you find yourself saying, “Why can’t I stop drinking?” You’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to quit drinking alcohol. Alcoholism is a complicated disease that often requires people to change their entire lifestyle to eliminate…

Dream Journal Volume XLV / December and January 2016 Note From Dr B. In 2011, researchers from Case Western Reserve University published an article in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly indicating that volunteer work and service to others are integral to the recovery process. This finding is consistent with the stated purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous, to stay sober…

Life is full of stress. In fact, your body is programmed to make you feel stressed every time it wants you to do something; this natural response to stressful stimuli is called the “fight or flight response.” Some stressors are easy to handle, for example eating satisfies the stress of hunger and drinking satisfies the…

Dream Journal Volume XLIV / November 2016 Note From Dr B. Addiction is a disease of learning, memory, motivation, and choice that results in biological, social, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual alterations. In this edition of the Dream Journal, I want to focus on the spiritual aspect. One of my favorite definitions of spirituality comes from a…

Process groups are a form of group therapy that comprises an essential component of addiction treatment therapy. They allow people to learn the skills needed to navigate social networks and stress, and reduce the inducements to use mood altering substances again. Learning the skills offered from process groups can be a long progression, but the…

Dream Journal Volume XLIII / October 2016 Note From Dr B. Before I was officially sworn in as Deputy Director for Demand Reduction in the Office of National Drug Control Policy under the Executive Office of The President, I went through a period of indecision and stress. In short, the President announced that I would be…

Going to therapy and establishing a trusting relationship with a therapist is the key to overcoming drug and/or alcohol dependence and resolving drug-related issues. Drug and alcohol addiction are inextricably related to a person’s psyche and other concrete problems (social, financial, or health-related issues). A therapist can work with an individual to help him/her tackle…