Recovery Café

All-or-nothing thinking is a common cognitive distortion that can cause all kinds of problems, including anxiety, anger, depression, and even poor health. It means thinking in extremes. Either something is all good or all bad. It’s similar to perfectionism, but it extends beyond your own sphere to pretty much everything. Thinking in extremes can make… Read On »

If you break the term up into its three parts, Psycho-Neuro-Plasticity, it states a psychological-brain-change. When we practice the principles of PsychoNeuroPlasticity, we change our brains psychologically and sometimes even physically. And guess what? We have 100 billion neurons with the ability to change. “Any man could, if he were so inclined, be the sculptor… Read On »

“You should be grateful for what you have.”   This suggestion is often given to alcoholics, whether in active addiction or during their recovery. The topic of “gratitude” is frequently proposed in 12 Step discussion meetings, and if you have ever been in such a meeting, you know that the dialogue which follows can quickly… Read On »

by Dr. John Dyben, Chief Clinical Officer, Origins Behavioral HealthCare I was once told a story about a little boy living in Guatemala City. Every day, this boy would board the hot, busy, crowded buses trying to sell oranges from a bag he carried with him. The boy would go up to people and say… Read On »

Anyone who’s part of a family knows that when one member of the family is sick or in crisis, the entire family is affected. Those who’ve faced holidays with an addicted loved one know that these effects can be even more pronounced during the holiday season. Holiday Stress, Magnified Hectic preparations, prolonged interaction with family… Read On »

by Connie Motley, Executive Clinical Director, Origins South Padre I was recently asked to represent Origins in Denver and New York City. This prompted me to give considerable thought to what it is that we are doing and just what is the goal of recovery. It occurred to me we are bearers of hope for… Read On »

by Brad Sylvain, Executive Director, Hanley Center at Origins It’s that time of year again where we prepare to celebrate our alumni and their success. Alumni Reunion for Origins is a special time of year, it is a time where each and every one of us has the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate some… Read On »

by Chris Raymer, Vice President of Recovery Services, Origins Behavioral HealthCare “If you believe that feeling bad or worrying long enough will change a past or future event, then you are residing on another planet with a different reality system”. — William James Myers (not the evil twin) and I turned 65 in September. This… Read On »

by Chad Lentscher, Director of Alumni, Origins South Padre  There is a solution, and you probably won’t like it. “There is a solution. Almost none of us liked the self-searching, the leveling of our pride, the confession of shortcomings which the process requires for its successful consummation.” (Big Book, page 25). I don’t like writing… Read On »

by Myers Raymer, Alumni Support, Origins South Padre Howdy y’all and greetings from Texas! I’m so tired of sweating. Come on Fall! It’s a little embarrassing to admit that there are things in Recovery Land that I’ve taken for granted over the years. I just showed up and things were already set up and running.… Read On »