Life Management Resources | Alcohol & Substance Abuse Treatment Centers in the Dallas areas of Plano, McKinney & Wylie Texas

Heading in New Directions

Fred — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:06:31 +0000

“LIfe is difficult.” This is the first three words of Scott Peck’s book, “The Road Less Traveled.” He’s right, it is difficult, but the good news is that we don’t have to do it alone. Every time we make a good decision life becomes easier. Many times those decisions are hard to make because it requires us to make changes in ourselves, our behaviors, our attitude and our relationship with others.

Recovery is this way. Lots of people just quit drinking, but never make the changes in their behavior and their life that will give them the quality of life they have always longed for. The wonderful news is that there is so much help out there that you really never have to feel alone or that you don’t have someone to share with.

I have helped so many thousands of people I can’t even keep up with the number. I am so thankful that I have been in a place to reach out to them and help them walk the pathway of recovery. 12-Step meetings abound with wonderful people reaching out to provide support and encouragement. Churches abound and are filled with blessed, devout folks who would love to help you develop your spiritual life.

Wow, that’s a lot of help. If you’re still sittin’ on the fence, take a leap of faith and reach out. You will find that the day you do that will be the most wonderful day of your life.

Dr. Fred

What is Recovery Really About?

Fred — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:57:55 +0000

Today we begin one of the most important weeks in our program. We begin by looking at our behaviors. True Recovery is found in changed behavior. I have known people who haven’t drank or used for decades, but they never changed their behaviors. They are sad, miserable people with little love from others. Changing behaviors is difficult. Some years ago, one of out therapist, Christ Nelson, LCDC, divised a means of looking at behaviors visually. She drew a column on one side and one on the other side of a board. On the left column she wrote Addiction, on the top of the other Recovery. She asked the group to identify the kinds of behaviors found in a life of addiction. Then she asked the same for recovery. The list of behaviors that support the column of addiction is quite different from the set of behaviors that support the column of recovery. So the challenge becomes how do I get from here to there? What changes must be made in my life to get from addictive, compulsive behaviors to rational, thoughtful, productive behaviors in recovery?

Later this week we will look at resentments – the number one offender of our mental health, and the gift we get to get rid of them, Forgiveness. My favorite lesson. I will be teaching this lesson in McKinney this week and look so forward to sharing with our wonderful group there.

Please be in class this week, this is life changing stuff!

Dr. Fred

Martin Beck – In Memorium

Fred — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:51:25 +0000

Martin Beck died this past week. He was my best friend and the Producer and Director of our Award Winnning film about addiction, “Finding Hope.” This film could not have been made without Martin and the thousands of suffering souls that have been reached with the film are a result of his efforts. Martin was a professional movie producer, having produced over 17 major movies and hundreds of commercials for Fortune 500 companies. In his later life he turned to teaching acting and produced many fine actors who have acted on stage and in film. Most notably currently is Molly Quinn the star of the drama series “Castle” with Nathan Fillon.

I saw Martin in Texarkana weekend before last and he looked better than I have seen him in years. He visited with my wife Marieta and our dogs for over an hour. We always kidded that he was an old man, actually 6 days older than myself. Today I am one day older than him. I am thankful God put Martin in my path in life. I will miss him forever. Dr. Fred

Lots of Need in This World

Fred — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:44:44 +0000

My head stays so wrapped around the needs of those suffering from the disease of addiction that sometimes I forget there are many others in great need. Today I have a special favor I would like to ask of you.

Friends of mine have a dog rescue organization, Metroplex Mutts, www.metroplexmutts.org or www.facebook/metroplexmutts. They rescue dogs from the city shelters, individuals who may have been mistreating dogs, etc. I was priviliged a couple of years ago to get a Papillon, Hunter, from them. A little blessing that changed my life.

Recently they rescued about a dozen dogs from the shelters. Had them in a daycare and the daycare closed down. Really need homes for some amazing animals. Want to change your life for the best? Here’s a way to bring into your life a companion that will accept you unconditionally, love you forever, and lick your face and tell you they love you everyday! Try improving on that!

Please take a moment and look at the facebook article, picture of dog and the story of the emergency situation. Blessings, Dr. Fred

This is Serious Stuff

Fred — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:22:02 +0000

I visited the Wednesday AM Plano group and was excited to see so many wonderful faces of recovery. I am so proud of the fine work all our patients are doing. Recovery is difficult but we’re doing it!

Too many don’t take recovery seriously. We mourn the loss of Whitney Houston last week, but have you thought about the other 7500 who have died since from alcohol or drug overdose or diseases related to those substances? It’s not an unusual happening. It is one of America’s great tragedies that we have so many suffering and so few seeking help. I understand the fear of approaching treatment – it is scary. But once you’re in the door, you will find so many who are in the same situation you are in, you can relate to their experiences and together we can find the answer.

We fear the traumas in life that got us here. We are told by family and friends that alcohol and drugs are such a problem. Sadly, we know that alcohol and drugs are not the problem, they are the solution to the problems we have encountered in life. The successful treatment program doesn’t just deal with day to day issues. It addresses the sad, tragic, hurtful events in life that hurt so badly only the numbing effects of alcohol or drugs would release us from the misery.

But there are better solutions. We can find them if we work together. It will be, and I kid you not, the most difficult thing you have ever done. But in the end it is the most worthwhile, valuable thing you will ever do. Pray over it and seek treatment somewhere. There are lots of great programs out there, reach out, someone will take you by the hand and lead you through the process.

Lots of Choices, Where do we begin?

Fred — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:08:35 +0000

Wow, there’s lots of treatment programs out there today, a
good thing for those suffering from the disease of addiction. It creates lots of choices for someone who
doesn’t know which questions to ask. That parts not a good thing.

How do we find our way through the maze of options to find
that which is right for ourselves?
That’s not really too hard a question.
I would suggest watching the film, Finding Hope which takes about
2 hours of time but answers years of questions as to what recovery is all about.

You see, the problem is that a person suffering from
addiction doesn’t understand what “help” actually is. For them, the solution to the frustrating,
difficult and hurtful problems of life IS
alcohol or drugs. So telling them to
simply quit isn’t really a very good answer.
For them, alcohol and drugs have become the “kevlar” suit of armor that
protects them from the hurtful, painful feelings they encounter which creates
the need to drink or use again.

Where do these feelings come from? Why do they cause us to have negative
feelings of anxiety and despair? How do
I reach under the surface of my thinking and begin to unwire these
thoughts? This is the true test of a
treatment facility. Can the program
address the issue, “Why do I drink and use in the first place?” Not just how can I put a band-aid on the
problem today. Finding Hope helps
you understand this question. Finding
Hope will lead you to a better place to find the answers you need to be able to
put this disease in a manageable place so life can return to normal.

Yes, there are many skills and tools we all need to learn
which will enable us to deal with triggering events better. Learning to communicate with everyone,
dealing better with anger provoking moments, handling stress in a better way
will certainly help us reduce the number of times we feel triggered to drink or
use again.

All of these issues are what “help” is all about. Starting the process and overcoming the “fear”
is the hard part. Finding Hope
can help tremendously with that. Please
refer it to your friends, post it on your Facebook. You too can be a part of saving a life
today. Isn’t that a great feeling!

Finding Hope is available at www.sobrietytoday.com or on Amazon.