I want to share with you a remarkable music video by very talented musician Rick Hale, titled Descending, about his younger brother’s struggle with heroin addiction. Make sure you watch it to the end as his brother Ryan makes a courageous appearance, putting his life in the public eye in hopes that his story may motivate… [Continue Reading]
Improving Effectiveness of DUII Treatment
This past Friday I had the honor of speaking to the Oregon house and senate committees on Judiciary about the effectiveness of Oregon’s DUII reduction approach. My friend and colleague, Heidi Brockman-Astrue, joined me to also share her experience as someone working in the trenches daily treating DUII offenders. One reason for our testimony, is that… [Continue Reading]
Whose Will: Book on Addiction, Courage, and Hope
I had the recent pleasure of speaking with Willie Harris, the author of Whose Will: Ordinary Person, Extraordinary Life a riveting account of his personal struggle with addiction and path back to a spiritual and connected life. Like most, the roots of Willie’s problems with alcohol and drugs began early in life, in a family awash in… [Continue Reading]
Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)
At a training not long ago on CRAFT, the presenter, Dr. Robert Meyers, told a story that I want to pass on to you. But first, if you have never heard of CRAFT, it stands for Community Reinforcement and Family Training which is an evidence-based approach that family members (or friends) can use to facilitate getting… [Continue Reading]
Sins and Needles Creativity Transforms Addiction
Ray Materson was a straight “A” student, President of his 6th grade class, and a youthful child looking ahead to a bright future. Then a combination of risk factors both in his family and school peer group, led Ray down a dangerous path where alcohol and drugs became his best friends. Before long, his drug-seeking behavior resulted in a twenty-five… [Continue Reading]