Is Spirituality Still Relevant in Recovery from Addiction?

by Allen Nohre

Many of you read the title and have probably already answered with, “Of course it is!” because the spiritual component of recovery is vitally important. Some may wonder why bother with an obvious topic, after all, the partnership of spirituality and addiction recovery has a long history for many recovering people.
But, I was curious about the transformational process. I wanted to talk to people who are enjoying the rewards of recovery and hear directly from them how important aspects of spirituality may, or may not, be core in their heroic journey from ...Read More

Stigma has ‘a long way to go’

Former First Lady reflects 40-plus years of  fighting stigma 

Some months ago, Lori Ashcraft, Ph.D., an editorial board member and longtime contributor of the popular “Tools for Transformation” column, suggested that Behavioral Healthcare ought to interview Rosalynn Carter, wife of former President Jimmy Carter and one of the world’s most prominent mental health advocates. The exclusive interview that follows, along with other stories about the 28th Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health in Atlanta last November, are proof of what a good idea and a ...Read More

The New Generation of Recovery, By Cathie Hartnett, Executive Director of the National Youth Recovery Foundation

Social change comes when we reach a critical mass of people who are affected negatively by a public policy, social stigma, a disease, or discrimination that demands a reaction.

In the 70’s, most people in treatment centers were middle aged and drug addicts were separated from alcoholics. And in the 80’s, we were still in denial about dual diagnosis. In the last two decades a generation of professionals have come into the field of treatment having found recovery in their 20’s, or they have come from other professional fields. More ...Read More

Trust Your Talent

By Alan Cohen


Many years ago a young Kansas City artist struggled to get his cartoons published in city newspapers. His offerings, however, were met with rejection after rejection. “Forget it,” editors told him. “You have no talent. Get a real job.” But the artist felt that he did have talent and he refused to compromise his career.

Finally the artist found himself holed up in a mice-infested garage, penniless. Bored, he began to sketch his environment, especially one little mouse who ran back and forth on his window sill. Over time the artist made friends ...Read More