Addiction Prevention is About the Same as Recovery
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. We spend ample time opining on how addiction treatment can be improved. We don’t talk as often about what helps prevent addictive problems in the first place. Interestingly, what helps people overcome addictive problems is essentially the same as what helps prevent addictive problems. In this article we’ll take a look […]
Fortune Favors Adaptation Over Control, in Life & Addiction
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Human Adaptation and Adjusting to Change Humans are masters of control. We push a button for the exact temperature we want, the exact food we want, the exact gift we want, the exact date match we want, the exact everything we want. God forbid the one-click purchase sends the grey headphones […]
We Can’t Feel Safe All The Time
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Feeling safe is a monumental component of mental health and well-being. However, a focus on feeling safe all the time is a setup for failure because it is impossible to feel safe all the time. Furthermore, feeling safe all the time would be detrimental in some ways. Feeling safe is […]
Research Chemicals May Accelerate Psychedelic Treatment
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Research chemicals are commonly associated with things like ‘the dark web,’ ‘silk road,’ ‘the amazon of drugs,’ and other, slightly shady and un-salubrious sectors of society. However, research chemicals earn their family name because there are some actual scientific researchers investigating true therapeutic and clinical potential. Recently, one such scientific researcher, […]
I Can’t Help It, I Was Triggered: How the Language of Powerlessness Can Inhibit Recovery from Addiction
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. We know that self-efficacy is vital to successful recovery from addictive problems. We know that feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are cornerstones of depression. We know that underlying issues like depression tend to fuel addictive problems. Yet, mainstream addiction treatment continues to promote language that encourages and reinforces feelings of helplessness […]
Simple Truths Still Not Accepted About Addiction: People Who Use Drugs Are Not Bad People
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Drugs are bad, therefore, people who use drugs are bad, or so the faulty groupthink of our epoch goes. For people who seek decency and efficacy in addiction treatment, obtaining results in the realm of positive change often feels like beating one’s head against a wall of misstatements, misinformation, and misanthropy. […]
The Beauty of Basic
by Thaddeus Camlin, Psy.D. Lifestyle impositions stifle our sense of freedom and challenge us to get back to the basics in order to maintain psychological and emotional wellbeing. Restriction conjures rebellion. Rarely is the spirit more determined than when caged. The essence of finding the feeling of freedom amidst extreme limitation lies in reconnecting […]
APA Encourages Harm-Reduction & Telehealth During Pandemic
by Thaddeus Camlin, PsyD The American Psychological Association (APA) recently published an article offering advice from leading professionals on effectively treating and preventing addictive problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our own Dr. Horvath is quoted multiple times in the APA article, speaking about the value of telehealth during pandemic and the importance of fostering resilience […]
Four Tips for Getting Sober During Coronavirus Pandemic
Coronavirus Update: We are still seeing and accepting new clients via online rehab. Sessions and groups occur by video or phone. Call 858-546-1100 for details and to schedule. We are presently authorized to work in some other states (in addition to California). Call to find out about your state. Need intensive treatment, but fearful about […]
COVID Crisis Highlights Value of Long-Term Rewards
by Thaddeus Camlin, PsyD Some experts argue that it takes about 10,000 hours to build mastery, others disagree. Few would disagree that building mastery requires discipline and a significant sacrifice of immediate pleasures over time (aka work). Sacrificing right now for later is not something humans are particularly well equipped to do. Sheltering-in-place during the […]