Summer Jeirles 

So last week my blog was about finding balance in reference to going outside…having those spiritual moments with nature, and enjoying that nature connection with family. This week, I am reminded by hanging out with my closest group of female friends, the importance of maintaining long term friendships outside of family.

One of the most difficult things for me to practice outside of my work environment; is remembering to be present/mindful. Actually, it’s not the remembering part, it’s the being part. For whatever odd reason (and good thing), I have no trouble being present with clients. It’s outside of work that I’m talking about.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have been an integral component of many people’s sobriety. So much so, that many residential addictions treatment facilities have a 12 step component to them, requiring clients to attend daily meetings, find sponsors, and start creating a network.

I know that this probably seems like an odd title, but bear with me for a second. A few years ago, a philosophical discussion came out of a psychoeducation group I was doing. We were discussing the thought processes behind low self-esteem—and how those tie into codependency.

One of the things I have found surprising is how many counselors I come in contact with that have very little addictions training. With the (ever increasing) heroin problem in this country, I find it disconcerting that those that need help, are potentially being treated by counselors who are not versed in addictions. It’s even possible that those counselors had the same amount of graduate classes on addictions that I did—1.