News and Updates

By definition, a “functional alcoholic” is someone who appears to handle their work and personal responsibilities despite drinking daily. You may know someone who drinks every day and still manages to get to work and take care of their responsibilities. Alcohol doesn’t appear to be harming their family, friendship, or job at this point. This… Read On »

  While the holiday season may look different this year, many people will find the challenge to stay sober hasn’t changed. Relapsing when alcohol is a big part of celebrating a holiday isn’t uncommon, particularly for people who are newly sober or people who are not actively engaging their recovery disciplines. Just like any other… Read On »

Meghan Brooks, Director of Admissions Waiting for a ticker-tape parade or a shooting star to indicate a good time to get sober historically does not work out “as planned,” not to mention it can be a dangerous game for everyone involved. The same can be said for a specific time of year, special event, or… Read On »

Terry Shapiro MS,CAC| Vice President and Executive Director As I write this on December 8, 2020, we are about to enter the third night of the Jewish Festival of Lights called Hanukkah. The story of this celebration details two reasons to celebrate—the first being freedom from oppression by defeating an army of many with an… Read On »

  Deb Kuzmin, LCSW – Vice President of Clinical Services for Origins Sitting upright yet looking defeated, one of the most influential CEOs in this region told me, “I built an entire empire! I took risks, worked endlessly, built relationships, and made folks successful. I can do anything! But for some reason, I cannot stop… Read On »

Dr. John Dyben, DHSc, MCAP, CMHP – Chief Clinical Officer The cannabis plant has myriad chemical compounds (literally hundreds), and various cannabis strains tend to have these compounds in different amounts.  Perhaps the most well-known chemical in cannabis is Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, most commonly referred to as THC.  This is the primary psychogenic compound that causes the… Read On »

Imagine sitting in rush-hour traffic and suddenly feeling an overwhelming desire to take off your seat belt and open a window or door. Or sitting with coworkers at lunch when a sense of panic takes over and drives you away from the table. The next move becomes a critical one, and for some people with… Read On »

  Opioid Addiction in 5 Days: Process and Recovery The term “opioid addiction” or “opioid use disorder” refers to when individuals are unable to stop the use of the opioid after the prescribed amount of time by a medical professional. In most cases, opioids are prescribed to treat high levels of pain that occur after… Read On »

Terry Shapiro, MS, CAC – Vice President and Executive Director of Hanley Center and Florida Programs When you get to be my age, the question starts to be asked a little more frequently: “What are you going to do when you retire?” Since my dream of becoming a major league baseball player is probably out… Read On »

For many, talking about mental health is extremely uncomfortable. However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 43.6 million people have experienced some form of mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, within their lifetime. Transparent conversations are the key to ending the stigma surrounding mental illness. When we openly share our… Read On »