Thanksgiving Reset

Okay, let's get honest.

Guys like me (counselor types) have gotten a lot of mileage out of Thanksgiving over the past twenty-five years or so. We caution and process. We tell our clients all about the stresses, the relapse triggers, the hidden and buried family tensions. We warn about the dangers of expectations, the cycle of perfectionistic exhaustion, the increase in alcohol use and the post-holiday letdown.

By the time we're done we have infused the holiday with more baggage than than Philly International and all the joy of a revisionist history book trashing the Pilgrims.

So, here's a radical thought.

Have fun.

Let go of resentments.

Expect the day to be emotional, like all holidays. Love the ones who are there as much as you can, miss the ones who aren't as much as you can, too.

Let people be who they are, without judgement.

Stay sober. Contrary to popular belief, the holidays are no worse a time for relapse than any other time. People who want to stay clean and sober take care of themselves, those who don't want to stay sober, usually don't, just like any other day.

Think about what you can bring to the day, not what you can get out of it.

But above all, have fun. It's a day all about joy and gratitude. Cultivate them both and you reap a wonderful harvest.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Harwood House has been a fixture in the Upper Darby community for 35 years, providing hope and guidance for addicts in early recovery. Happy Birthday, Harwwod!

Jen DeMarco and Joy Douglas

Harwood House celebrating 35 years of service to clients - delcotimes.com

VOTE!!

It's important. Recovery and responsibility are one and the same, and a big part of both is participation. Like a favorite counselor of mine once said, "There's no audience at this movie." So participate--vote!

But Ma, it's legal!

The downside of "legal' synthetic pot.

Ore. Prevention Group Gets Unexpected Ally to Ban 'K2': Pharmacists

What's Wrong with Binge Drinking? Plenty.

90% of all alcohol consumed by teenagers is consumed binge drinking--and the numbers haven't gone down in 15 years!!

What's Wrong with Binge Drinking? Plenty.

Rough Justice

Drug Court seemed like such a good idea when it came to my little corner of the world.

It took me, and a lot of other people-helper types, by surprise. Delaware County hasn't been known, to put it very mildly, for its enlightened attitudes toward issues of mental health and substance use disorders. But it was a start, right?

The fundamental concept behind Drug Court is that the court acts as a supercharged big brother, empowered to mandate everything from incarceration to rehab, utilizing an in-your-face approach in weekly sessions to make sure that participants are staying on the straight and narrow, as well as compliant with the treatment programs with which they are involved. 

Great idea, isn't it?

Sure, when everything goes smoothly. Which it rarely does in the world of substance use disorders. Then we end up with messes like this:

A 19 year old male is picked up with three of his friends in a parked car, smoking pot. A cop sees one of them throw a blunt out the window, and they are busted. The boy holding the stash gives it up, and the sharp District Attorney realizes that the way the pot is packaged, in little plastic envelopes or "dime bags" means that he can be charged with trafficking, even though the amount is minimal and there is absolutely no indication of any drug dealing going on.

The 19 year old is terrified; a trafficking charge is a felony and carries serious jail time. He doesn't want to go to jail. He pleads guilty to a felony in order to get into drug court and avoid jail time. 

Happy ending?  Not.

Anyone who has worked with young people, knows exactly what I am going to say next. Treatment of young adults is complicated. They struggle, they fail. They take two steps forward and one step back. 

But, you'd figure that a well-trained drug court with a addiction counselor as an advisor would know that and plan accordingly, right?

Wrong. Oh they cut him a couple of breaks, alright. But when that didn't work, the judge decided he had enough, and sent the boy to jail.

To the State Penitentiary at Graterford, for a year and a half.

Six months longer than the District Attorney asked for. 

So, the end result is a boy who is not even legal drinking age is doing a year and a half in a maximum security state prison for smoking pot with his buddies in a parked car.

Enlightened, isn't it?

AA Original Manuscript Shows Debate Over Religion

Fascinating look into the Big Book as a work in progress.

AA Original Manuscript Shows Debate Over Religion