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Addiction to Alcohol/Questions Answered by Expert Todd
| Subject | Date Asked |
| meds | 3/10/2011 |
| Q: I am a schizophrenic in recovery. In the past, sponsers have pressured me into stopping my ... A: Let me start by telling you about a professor in school who talked about how his mom was dying..she ... | |
| My Son is an alcoholic | 12/13/2010 |
| Q: and thank you for your time and guidance. My son, age 25, is an alcoholic and pot user. He does ... A: I certainly appreciate your question as I have been where you are. I want to be able to support you ... | |
| Your advice to Steve, 2004. | 9/24/2010 |
| Q: I've re-read your answer several times. After 20 years, I too am at THAT threshold. I've done ... A: I sense that you might want reinforcement versus feedback about what you want or should do. It has ... | |
| Recovering Friend | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: My best friend, whom I have known since college, has just completed a 28-day alcohol program. He ... A: It seems that it's important to note that people in early recovery can have very black and white ... | |
| Family and recovery | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I have been alcohol free for 290 days. Never thoughtI could. My husband and 2 children are very ... A: I appreciate your question - you remind me of me when I was newly sober. Rather than being upset at ... | |
| Nyquil | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: If you took some Vicks Nyquil ( 25% alchol by volume ) would it show up in a drug test? A: Alcohol is eliminated by the body at a certain rate - the usual half-life independent of any family ... | |
| Alcoholic relationship | 9/4/2009 |
| Q: I am a 49-yr old female that has been sober now for 5 yrs. and love it. My significant other, who ... A: ,, Thanks so much for the question - I can see you really want to move past this. I sense that you ... | |
| Need rehab | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: I have searched numerous databases (samhsa and others)for a 30 day rehab that makes use of ... A: I have a suggestion, which is the furthest thing from 12-step: Schick Shadel Hospital ... | |
| moving past the Alcoholic Boyfriend | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: looking for self help I found your site, just read some petty powerful letter you wrote on the ... A: . In my many years as a counselor I have come to understand that every approach doesn't serve ... | |
| social drinking OK for recovering alcoholic | 4/1/2009 |
| Q: Should I trust that recovered alcoholic can drink nightly and not suffer negative effects. My ... A: . I can certainly see your frustration and anguish...it seems to me that the behavior of this man ... | |
| Husband in rehab 6 times Relapse again! | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: My husband is an alcoholic. Prior to marrying him and having two little girls together, I was never ... A: I received your comments,,,thank you. I am glad you found them helpful. I usually don't respond to ... | |
| Husband in rehab 6 times Relapse again! | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: My husband is an alcoholic. Prior to marrying him and having two little girls together, I was never ... A: I'm thinking you already know the answer. It's not so much "will my situation change" rather, how ... | |
| Newly sober partner | 7/23/2007 |
| Q: My boyfriend of 7 years has been sober now for about 4 months. He was a very social person and loved ... A: and thanks for being willing to ask this question. It let's me know you'd like to move past where ... | |
| am i? | 6/11/2007 |
| Q: i may drink excessively (2 bottles wine every night) but im never violent, abusive, or in any way ... A: I can't tell you if you are alcoholic as I haven't done an evaluation on you, however, your stated ... | |
| sponsors role in personal relationships | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: my (now) ex is being sponsored by someone (not directly through AA). this person told him he could ... A: I think what you are discussing is one of my biggest pet peeves about various tenets of 12-step ... | |
| Believing in an Alcoholic | 5/3/2007 |
| Q: I am new in recovery and I am giving it all my all. I'm in out-patient program. I was just ... A: My sense is that most alcoholics, even those new in recovery, don't have what I call money in the ... | |
| Worried... | 3/12/2007 |
| Q: I'm very worried about somebody I know. She's been a heavy drinker/smoker/substance user for almost ... A: I am NOT a doctor in any way shape or form, so you will need to seem medical attention.... What you ... | |
| Help my friends understand | 1/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a friend who entered rehab for his problem with alcohol. He hhs gotten 2 DUI's in one year, ... A: I am swamped as I am a counselor and life coach but wanted to respond as this question is close to ... | |
| alcoholism | 10/12/2006 |
| Q: 1)do you think that it is hard for alcoholics to give up their problem? 2)what do you consider to ... A: it tells me that you want to do well in your studies. 1) I think that a great many people are able ... | |
| alcohol and alanon meetings | 9/23/2006 |
| Q: Is is appropriate for a recovering alcoholoc who is attending ananon meetings to come to the meeting ... A: . To answer your question, I would say no. The preamble of AA is that the meetings are for anyone ... | |
| Pre shave and Alcoholism | 9/15/2006 |
| Q: Hello I have a year and 5 months with out taking a drink while I have not been drinking I shave with ... A: First of all I want to let you know that relapse has to do with the intent. If you intend on ... | |
| What to do about alcoholic loved one | 7/22/2005 |
| Q: First I'd like to thank you for your help in advance. My Girlfriend/Fiance, whatever she is, I ... A: If your sweetie has been to treatment I will assume she is alcoholic--drinking after a person ... | |
| driven to divorce I think | 11/6/2004 |
| Q: I have told my wife that I want a divorce. She is a confirmed, severe alcoholic for about 4 years. ... A: I know you might feel disconnected and or isolated, so I appreciate your willingness to put yourself ... | |
| Alcohol Info | 11/27/2003 |
| Q: You may not be able to answer my question but I need some infromation on alcohol for a school essay. ... A: There is no way to slow down the process by which alcohol is metabolized into the system. Alcohol ... | |
Answers by Expert:
Todd
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I sense it's important to let you know (upfront) that I don't have a 12-step orientation. I also want to let you know that this system won't allow us to make paragraphs, so I am using ** to separate my thoughts into paragraphs I can answer questions related to getting/staying sober, queries related to support for loved ones, questions on support groups, relapse prevention, communication skills, alcohol and drug pharmacology, spirituality, and finding ways to increase joy within sobriety. I see sobriety as a skill, understand that recovery looks different for everybody, and encourage people to find a sobriety mentor. **It has been my experience that in 12-step groups many people are seen to fail under the guise of a lack of willingness. When I used to attend meetings I'd see many people who were shamed and bullied over various medications they needed to take...telling people they can't take various medications is akin to playing God. I have yet to understand how taking MH meds is any different than taking any other medication which you need to thrive and support your health. **As there is so much shame, stigma, myths, and misinformation in this culture around CD (many of my clients will tell you that it is easier to be mentally ill than it is to have any sort of chemical dependency issue - in some way people are seen to be able to control their alcohol/drug using behaviors..not so with mental illness) folks first need to come to a place where they move beyond the stigma they internalize. **There is a term in social psychology called 'introjection'.....that is, when this culture views something in a certain way, we take on the facets of that stereotype...think about CD or folks who are gay/lesbian...this culture views these things in a negative way...we internalize this and feel poorly as a result.....as a mentor said, our culture fails gravely at being humane
Experience
I've been working in the field of addictions for nearly 27 years, within the inpatient and outpatient setting, as well as working in the Department of Corrections, the Director of Counseling for a large chemical dependency hospital, to where I'm currently employed doing in-home mental health and chemical dependency engagement with (mostly) seniors. I also have a contract gig running the entire CD program for a long-term transitional program to support people to overcome homelessness. As I've been doing this work for many years I am currently teaching a college class: intro to chemical dependency. It's been neat to see my students 'get it' and understand that they can have a huge impact on people and how they navigate their recovery.
I've been sober for over 29 years and have a sense of what is required to maintain long-term sobriety and abstinence, and engage lasting change.
**I am a huge fan of various anti-craving medications. In some recovery circles this is taboo, however, it's been my experience that there is no reward for suffering.
**I also understand that as recovery looks different for everybody, perhaps someone's program could be riding a bike, spending time with family, doing yoga, swimming, writing in a journal, spending time with friends, therapy, playing with a pet, reading spiritual literature, etc....it seems to me that many paths have merit.
Organizations
National/state organizations relative to chemical dependency and addictive disorders.
Education/Credentials
Degree/certification as a chemical dependency counselor, and state certification as an addiction professional.I'm working towards further graduate studies in clinical psychopharmacology.
Awards and Honors
Last year I was invited to do a five-hour presentation on various facets of addictive disorders as a very large behavioral health hospital. I was somewhat resistant as I was a bit nervous to speak in front of 2000 people. I had no idea my approach would be so welcome. I sense that it's hard to remember how much we know.
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