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Recovery For Life

How to live a healthier life one day at a time.

Cognition
Of Poetry And Poets

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on August 31, 2011

Nobody can truly know what an individual is feeling or thinking when it comes to her or his own recovery except the individual. Yet, "the poem" of recovery is offered in the context of a parameter of those experiences that one does indeed share with others

Nobody can truly know what an individual is feeling or thinking when it comes to her or his own recovery except the individual. Yet, "the poem" of recovery is offered in the context of a parameter of those experiences that one does indeed share with others

Fantasies
The Science Behind the Fiction

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on July 6, 2011

When I was a little boy, I loved to read comic books based on science fiction. Indeed, it was the science and the fiction that would always draw me in to these literary sojourns. At once, I could escape my reality and enter a world that did not exist - but perhaps had the scientific "virtue" to exist.

When I was a little boy, I loved to read comic books based on science fiction. Indeed, it was the science and the fiction that would always draw me in to these literary sojourns. At once, I could escape my reality and enter a world that did not exist - but perhaps had the scientific "virtue" to exist.

Career
Our Thoughts Can Work For Us or Against Us

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on June 29, 2011

You don't have to be ruled by "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda!" Empowering thoughts can become automatic.

You don't have to be ruled by "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda!" Empowering thoughts can become automatic.

Addiction
The Concept of Time

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on June 15, 2011

We have always been fascinated with the concept of "time." Certainly it is something that money can't buy and is probably the most important concept known to mankind.

We have always been fascinated with the concept of "time." Certainly it is something that money can't buy and is probably the most important concept known to mankind.

Addiction
Motivating Someone to Stop Substance Abuse

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on May 23, 2011

Since May is Mental Health Month, I thought I would utilize Sigmund Freud to discuss substance abuse. Freud certainly is a name that looms large in the fields of psychology and psychiatry

Since May is Mental Health Month, I thought I would utilize Sigmund Freud to discuss substance abuse. Freud certainly is a name that looms large in the fields of psychology and psychiatry

Spirituality
The Whole of Life

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on May 4, 2011

The saying, "recovery for life," is fascinating for yet another reason - it indicates that an individual should be interested in staying sober for the entirety of their life, but it also indicates that you must have recovery in order to have life.

The saying, "recovery for life," is fascinating for yet another reason - it indicates that an individual should be interested in staying sober for the entirety of their life, but it also indicates that you must have recovery in order to have life.

Alcoholism
Zero Tolerance for Underage Alcohol and Drug Experimentation

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on April 25, 2011

What is normal adolescent "experimentation" with drugs and alcohol versus a process that is unhealthy, addictive, and not normal? My answer is simple: If someone uses illicit drugs it is not healthy.

What is normal adolescent "experimentation" with drugs and alcohol versus a process that is unhealthy, addictive, and not normal? My answer is simple: If someone uses illicit drugs it is not healthy.

Education
We All Need to Take Responsibility

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on February 28, 2011

Have you ever launched into a state of anger about a health condition and asked "Why me? I am a good person and parent, pay my taxes, obey traffic laws, I don't smoke - WHY ME!!!" 

Have you ever launched into a state of anger about a health condition and asked "Why me? I am a good person and parent, pay my taxes, obey traffic laws, I don't smoke - WHY ME!!!" 

Addiction
It's Called Humanity- Folks

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on January 18, 2011

If we took everyone out of society who was mentally ill or had the disease of addiction Fortune 500 companies would fail, show business would cease to exist, governments would grind to a halt and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

If we took everyone out of society who was mentally ill or had the disease of addiction Fortune 500 companies would fail, show business would cease to exist, governments would grind to a halt and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Mindfulness
This Holiday Season – Enjoy the Simple Gift of Being Alive

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on December 7, 2010

This time of year, you turn on any talk show, read many a blog or even a newspaper article, and you hear about stress, sadness and the holidays. This is certainly understandable because it is a stressful time of year filled with pressure and, more than ever, a financial drain.

This time of year, you turn on any talk show, read many a blog or even a newspaper article, and you hear about stress, sadness and the holidays. This is certainly understandable because it is a stressful time of year filled with pressure and, more than ever, a financial drain.

Alcoholism
I am Scared but Hopeful

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on December 1, 2010

Plenty of tweens and teens don't get high or sit around just staring at a computer screen. But for those who do have mental health or addiction issues -- there is hope. But hope only comes about with the help of others: parents, relatives, friends, specialists who care.

Plenty of tweens and teens don't get high or sit around just staring at a computer screen. But for those who do have mental health or addiction issues -- there is hope. But hope only comes about with the help of others: parents, relatives, friends, specialists who care.

Addiction
The State of the Nation: The State of Addiction

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on November 8, 2010

Don't allow your fears of the "state of the nation" to drive you to drink or drug or cheat on your spouse or gamble or go on spending sprees or shop till you drop. These actions only change your mood for a moment - and then they just compound your worries.

Don't allow your fears of the "state of the nation" to drive you to drink or drug or cheat on your spouse or gamble or go on spending sprees or shop till you drop. These actions only change your mood for a moment - and then they just compound your worries.

Alcoholism
Josh Hamilton: A Sober Role Model

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on October 25, 2010

I must admit that as a lifelong Yankee's fan, it's never easy for me to admit something about a player on another team. But Josh Hamilton, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, being named as the American League Championship Series (ALCS) MVP could not make this writer any happier - not even if the Yankees won the ALCS.

I must admit that as a lifelong Yankee's fan, it's never easy for me to admit something about a player on another team. But Josh Hamilton, an outfielder for the Texas Rangers, being named as the American League Championship Series (ALCS) MVP could not make this writer any happier - not even if the Yankees won the ALCS.

Depression
Tips To Chase Away The Fall Blues

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on October 12, 2010

With the summer ending, the weather changing and the signals that vacation is over and that it is time to get back to school and work, many individuals feel sad and dare I say even a little depressed. However, one does not have to give into these feelings. 

With the summer ending, the weather changing and the signals that vacation is over and that it is time to get back to school and work, many individuals feel sad and dare I say even a little depressed. However, one does not have to give into these feelings. 

Addiction
Some Fall Thoughts

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on September 16, 2010

There are myriad activities that take place at this time of year - a starting up of things if you will - that can make one feel exhausted just thinking about them.

There are myriad activities that take place at this time of year - a starting up of things if you will - that can make one feel exhausted just thinking about them.

Alcoholism
A Myth About Alcohol, Drugs and Creativity

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on July 26, 2010

Too many young poets, writers, composers, painters, musicians, etc. get caught up in the self-defeating misconception that alcohol and drugs improve creativity. My observations prove otherwise. 

Too many young poets, writers, composers, painters, musicians, etc. get caught up in the self-defeating misconception that alcohol and drugs improve creativity. My observations prove otherwise. 

Alcoholism
Consistency Is Always The Best Policy

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on July 14, 2010

The results of a new Caron Treatment Centers study show that while parents have great intentions of helping to prevent substance abuse they often inadvertently encourage teenage drinking.

The results of a new Caron Treatment Centers study show that while parents have great intentions of helping to prevent substance abuse they often inadvertently encourage teenage drinking.

Alcoholism
Fertile Ground For Addiction

Harris B Stratyner Ph.D., CASAC on June 2, 2010

Over this past weekend, I could not help but think that individuals with a predisposition toward addictive illness or perhaps those people with a co-occurring disorder which may lead them to self-medicate to the point of addiction are at increased risk these days. Just think about all the psychosocial pressure we are facing in our world at the moment. Oil spills, conflicts around the world, unemployment, etc. These events are fertile ground for people to want to escape the realities of current life.

Over this past weekend, I could not help but think that individuals with a predisposition toward addictive illness or perhaps those people with a co-occurring disorder which may lead them to self-medicate to the point of addiction are at increased risk these days. Just think about all the psychosocial pressure we are facing in our world at the moment. Oil spills, conflicts around the world, unemployment, etc. These events are fertile ground for people to want to escape the realities of current life.