Carole Bennett M.A.

About

For over twenty years, Carole Bennett, M.A., has been deeply enmeshed in the world of addiction and recovery with her own family's alcohol and drug dependency. Professionally, her Master's in Clinical Psychology has afforded her work as a treatment counselor for the Salvation Army and the Council of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

A decade ago, Carole founded Family Recovery Solutions; a counseling center geared toward the families and friends that are struggling with their loved ones addiction issues. Here, in a safe, confidential environment, Carole works with the family members as they learn about their own healing process and the important role they play in their loved ones' recovery - or not.

Carole is a blogger on addiction and recovery for the Huffington Post's Living Section, has written numerous articles for recovery newspapers, lectured and presented commentary for KCBS in conjunction with the television movie about Lois Wilson; the co-founder of Al-Anon.

Carole's first book Reclaim Your Life - You and the Alcoholic/Addict, has become an invaluable guide for the family members and friends, clinicians, recovery centers as well as the alcoholic/addict themselves. It is endorsed by the President/CEO of the National Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies, Inc and is displayed and referenced at the Betty Ford Center. Carole will be the featured counselor for Al-Anons yearly magazine Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism in 2012. Carole has done numerous radio interviews across the country promoting her book and is developing programming for reality based television based on her counseling experiences.

Carole's practice in Santa Barbara, California stretches globally as she counsels by phone as well as in person.

Books by Carole Bennett M.A.

Recent Posts

Resentment toward the alcoholic-still after all these years?

Resentment is an experience we all have at some time in our lives. It can be healthy to keep us from participating in the same mistake with the same situation again, or it can control our everyday life. Neither extreme is healthy, but a little dose of both is good for the soul.

Five drug myths on campus

As parents, we rarely know what happens on our college and university campuses today. Here are some thoughts first hand from a young woman who shares her findings on drugs and alcohol,

Addiction on our college campuses

College campuses seem to be hot beds for our youth to explore the world of alcohol and/or drugs. With no real supervision these kids only have themselves to answer to and some do with great respect and dignity, while others run rampant thinking they are invincible.

Too Smart For Recovery?

Robin Williams died of apparent suicide stemming from depression and drug addiction. It is a vicious circle as one feeds the other. If depression and addiction represent the door, the door frame and accoutrements then ego represents the key and lock and it can stay closed forever or opened to another world.

Should One Reward for Clean and Sober Behavior?

We all want to be supportive when our loved ones come out of a residential rehab program or are clean and sober for an extended period of time, but it's important not go over board on that gift. I think that being clean and sober is a gift in and of itself, so share something meaningful for all to enjoy and not just the one in recovery.

The Importance of Checking In With Yourself

Taking time to check in with ourselves twice a day (morning and night) is a great way to process the little annoyances and large ones. Processing what is in our control and not, what is important and what is not is a good way to keep things under control and not to fester and build resentments.

Choosing the Right Residential Rehab Program

Your loved one is finally going to a residential rehab. Due the diligence in finding the right program together. Don't get caught with a spur of the moment decision because everything comes to a head quickly.

Are we afraid of our children?

Our kids today seem to have more freedom than ever before. The world of social media is great, but has it trumped the old fashioned ways of healthy and proper behavior from our youngsters?

The beauty of getting older...and lovin' it

if we are lucky, we can't avoid getting older. Embrace that time of your life with new challenges, friends and opportunties. Work jobs you only enjoy and become creative and bold with your own budding business. HAVE FUN! YOU'VE EARNED IT!!

Mother's Day 2014; painful or pleasant?

Most holiday's are difficult, sad and challenging when a loved one is strill struggling with addiction, but somehow Mother's Day can be particulary tough. I received a moving and heartfelt poem from a reader dedicating it to Mother's all over the world that are facing a day that is empty due to their child's current addiction livestyle.