“Addiction is a family disease. One person may use, but the whole family suffers.” — Common saying among addiction recovery circles Chapter 8 of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book turns its focus away from the effects of alcoholism on the alcoholic, examining instead the effects of alcoholism on those who care about the alcoholic. Although…

While women and men are more alike psychologically than they are different, each gender is faced with unique social roles and expectations. We’ve discussed in a previous post how gender differences can affect what a person needs during addiction treatment, but we’ve only scratched the surface on the unique ways women and men experience addiction.…

Jennifer Parker, BSW, LAC, ACRPS, has been with Tara Treatment Center since 1997. She became Clinical Supervisor in 2018. Treatment. Recovery. Therapy. Counseling. Detoxification. Rehabilitation. The process of overcoming and healing from addiction has many parts, but the terms we use to describe each part aren’t always explained clearly. This can make recovery seem confusing…

“The mass of men lead lives of quite desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.” — Henry David Thoreau, philosopher and writer Chapter 3 of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book uses a number of powerful words to define alcoholism. Obsession. Illusion. Insanity. All of these can be found within the very first paragraph of…

The 10th Anniversary of Our Symposium—in Case you Missed It! This year’s Ann Daugherty Symposium has come and gone, and it was another great success! We are very grateful to our expert speakers and to everyone who came out to join us. Whether you were there with us or couldn’t make it this year, here’s…

Did you know that illegal drug use is the number one cause of incarceration in the United States? According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, 45% of all federal inmates were in prison for drug offenses in April 2019. That’s 27% more than for the second-highest reason for incarceration.  Substance use and addiction are also…

Jamie Johnson: Recovery Advocate Originally from Milan, Indiana (the town featured in the movie:  Hoosiers) Jamie Johnson became a popular bluegrass artist, performing to huge audiences and working with famous artists like Dolly Parton.  Then, his alcoholism took everything away. “It starts as one moment at a time, to one minute at a time, to…

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.” — Alexandre Dumas For those with substance addictions, one of the greatest struggles can be finding the strength to fight…

More on Substance Addiction from Dr. Quinn Chipley In our last two posts on the science of the “pleasure principle” and abstinence-based addiction recovery, we’ve featured many wise insights from addiction specialist Dr. Quinn Chipley. Dr. Chipley is one of five expert speakers who will be presenting at our 10th Annual Ann Daugherty Symposium on…

“We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker. These allergic types can never safely use alcohol in any form at all;…

The Science of Addiction with Dr. Quinn T. Chipley “The pleasure principle long persists, however, as the method of working employed by the sexual instincts, which are so hard to ‘educate,’ and, starting from those instincts, or in the ego itself, it often succeeds in overcoming the reality principle, to the detriment of the organism…

Diet, Mental Health, Addiction Recovery: H.A.L.T.S. by Matthew Chouinard What does recovery look like? Whether you’re in recovery or not, life hands us all stressful situations which require a clear, calm head.  Addiction separates us from our emotions and feelings, and those in early recovery have difficulty reconnecting with them.  When you’re feeling overwhelmed by…

Treating Trauma with ‘Theater Therapy’ In the last chapter and epilogue of The Body Keeps the Score, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Expert Bessel Van Der Kolk posits that Theater began with the ancient Greeks in the form of spiritual exercises and “communal movements” like yoga. When we do things together, we become greater than the sum of…

Ann Daugherty Symposium 2019 Tara’s Annual Ann Daugherty Symposium is coming up this May 22nd.  If you enjoyed our expert speakers last year, check out this year’s lineup!  We look forward to seeing you at the Symposium, don’t forget to sign up here! Thomas Farley Tom Farley is the brother of the late actor and…

The Chris Farley Show Thomas Farley, President of the Chris Farley Foundation will be featured at this year’s (10th Annual!) Ann Daugherty Symposium. Tom is the brother of late actor and comedian Chris Farley, who died in 1997 as a result of substance abuse. While Chris’ kind, generous nature and charismatic wit will always be…

Highlighting the Collaborative work of the Recovery Network Alliance (RNA) The RNA is a very valuable resource for Tara and our staff, who deeply appreciate the support from others who work in this field.  Progress House’s Jimmy T shares the belief that by working together, we can achieve better outcomes for the people we serve. Jimmy T. Jim Tolgaroglou…

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Valentine’s Day is Over!   Mike Denton is a big believer in gender-specific treatment, explaining that “Early in anyones recovery, we can’t help but be distracted by the opposite sex.”   Over the course of Mike’s long-term personal recovery and career as a professional in the field of addiction, Mike has observed the profound relationship between sex,…

On Anonymity Mike Denton isn’t just a highly-respected professional in the field of addiction, he speaks openly about his own story of recovery–and encourages others to do the same. “Did you know that the original Alcoholics Anonymous cover wasn’t the dull blue we picture today?  Rather, it was bright orange and yellow to catch the…

an Unofficial rule for newfound sobriety… There is an unwritten rule regarding relationships for those in early recovery… When newly sober and in early recovery, don’t date.  Focus on finding yourself. To be fair–it’s not a formal rule, and not directly addressed in the 12 steps.  But addiction counselors agree it’s a good idea. Mike Denton…

Beating Burnout this year Whether you have found your career vocation or not, employment burnout is a very real threat to continued recovery.  Fulfilling work in a supportive environment can nourish our resolve and promote personal growth.  On the other hand, many of us continue to ‘grind’ through jobs that feel unpleasantly stressful.  Here are…

Truth or D.A.R.E. with sergeant Christine Rapp Last week we featured addiction and relapse expert Lawrence Pender’s poignant criticism of the D.A.R.E. program.  For the sake of good reporting, we reached out to Abbey Norris at D.A.R.E. Indiana who referred us to an expert local D.A.R.E. leader, Sergeant Chris Rapp. Sergeant Christine Rapp is a…

Drug and Alcohol resistance programs As we prepare for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week this January 22nd-27th, let’s take a closer look at the longstanding preparation program D.A.R.E. In recent years the D.A.R.E. program has been criticized, with some evidence suggesting that the program may even encourage curiosity regarding substance use.  Lawrence Pender passionately…

Modern addiction prevention programs in school are ineffective. What do we do Instead? National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® links students with scientists and other experts to counteract the myths about drugs and alcohol that teens get from the internet, social media, TV, movies, music, or from friends. It was launched in 2010 by scientists…

How Becky Mann Handles Holiday Stress with Yoga Though we seldom acknowledge it, this time of year is always sure to bring some holiday stress.  Visiting home with family and old friends can seem to pull us back into unhealthy states of mind and old habits.  At the same time, isolation isn’t a very good…

To commemorate December as National Impaired Driving Awareness Month, we’ve interviewed recovering addict Tim Ryan on his personal experiences getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.  Tim shares his story in the hopes that he can persuade others to learn from his mistakes. Tim Ryan Tim Ryan was a successful businessman before hitting his ‘rock-bottom’. We…

December is National Drunk Driving Awareness Month MADD: Mother’s Against Drunk Driving Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a nonprofit organization seeking to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, and strive for stricter impaired driving policy, whether impairment is caused by alcohol or any other drug. There is at least one MADD office in every state,…

Drunk driving and drugged driving prevention month Every president of the United States since 1981 has shown a commitment to preventing impaired driving by proclaiming December as National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month or, more recently, National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. What has prompted presidents from both sides of the aisle to make such…

The Season of Giving Tara Treatment Center’s superior level of care has recently been recognized by the state of Indiana, allowing for donations to be reimbursed at a considerably higher rate through tax credits. There is no better way to ‘pay it forward’ than to help your fellow man kick an addiction.  It’s the time…

A Recovery Coach, Restaurant Manager, and Marine Veteran who work for the same (higher) purpose One of the many benefits of sobriety is gaining the mental clarity to refocus on life’s goals and find a new purpose or meaning.  Here are three examples of successful professionals who found their ‘calling’ in life by working to…

Tim is a Twenty-year Marine Corps Veteran Tim (Far Right) notes that a third of the men in this picture lost their lives to suicide               In honor of Veteran’s Day, Tara Treatment Center interviewed a Marine named ‘Tim’.  Tim served our country from 1991 to 2010.  Upon his…

Developing Careers November is National Career Development Month, which has a special meaning in the context of Tara Treatment Center.  Here, recovery can mean restarting life completely.  Recovery presents unique challenges to those with career ambitions.   As they complete rehabilitation, Ann’s Restaurant can act as an essential first step to gain new experience, impress new…

The Red Ribbon Symbolizes Sacrifice After his military service, Enrique Camarena became a police officer in his hometown and then a specialized illicit substance agent.  His family knew how passionately he cared, but worried that his determination may get him into trouble.  His mother tried to talk him out of it. “I’m only one person”,…

Red Ribbon Week 2018 Red Ribbon Week is a drug awareness and violence prevention campaign which takes place annually in the last week of October.   As the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country, “Red Ribbon Week serves as a method and opportunity for communities and individuals to take a stand against drug…

Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, and “Character” When she started as a case manager for Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, Nicole Emerson‘s favorite clients were the ones who successfully left their abuser and gained their own financial stability.  Nicole is quick to add that the clients’ definition of success isn’t always the same as her own.  She…

Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’re reflecting on the ways that intimate-partner violence may be linked to substance abuse.  We contacted Caryn C Burton of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  She explains, “Substance abuse intertwines with intimate partner violence in two different ways. There is, overall, a…

It can be tough to tolerate manipulative behavior in an addicted loved one.  At times it is difficult not to let anger show–this is where boundaries come in.  The Meaning of Manipulative The first advice Sarah Stillerman gives is to attend Al-anon or Nar-anon for families in recovery. There, they can learn how they may be…

Addiction is a disease.  Like other diseases, this can mean a mix of recovery and relapse.  Instead of arguing whether relapse can be a part of recovery, we should remember that taking a step back is not a moral failing. Relapse expert Lawrence Pender recommends that we should simply consider this an indicator that our recovery…

Family, Love, and Boundaries This blog entry is in response to demand for resources on co-dependence/ boundaries from our facebook page!  Thank you for your feedback! Addiction feeds off of co-dependence.  As Diane Buxton explains, “It’s a family disease, isn’t it?  [See Diane’s personal story here]“. This begs the question, ‘What tools can we use to…

Meet Mandy Johnson, coordinator of Annual Tara Alumni Celebration Mandy Johnson is dedicated to  Tara Alumni.   She oversees  Tara’s Annual Alumni Celebration, and has a personal connection to addiction. Why is Mandy so dedicated to addiction recovery? “After working at Tara for 13 years, I’ve gained a new understanding of what it means to love…

Sarah Stillerman has devoted the last decade to doing battle with her alcoholism. “The biggest influence to my addiction was the lack of consequences. I knew where I could go and what I could get away with. I was introduced to the party scene as a teenager, where alcohol became my best friend and my…

Want to know what inspires us? Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  So many of us fail to see our own personal greatness.  Recovery stories like Robert Downey Jr.’s show that any of us can improve ourselves, but too often we assume a person is only ‘great’ when they make national headlines.  At Tara Treatment Center, a…

Recovering can sound like a fairytale to those still suffering in addiction. Recovering is possible with this simple sanity-saving strategy. A Closer Look At the H.A.L.T.S. Strategy The H.A.L.T.S mnemonic device is a great tool for recovering individuals.  The truth is, ‘triggers’ are everywhere in life.  We must develop finely-tuned coping skills in order to…

Slipping into Slumber is a Necessity Feeling tired?  First of all–If you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, you’re letting waste products build up in your brain. Secondly, “Slipping into slumber is a necessity”.  Dr. Vyga Kaufmann speaks on the advantages CBT (that is, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) has in treating insomnia, and the relation of…

H.A.L.T.S: Feelings of Anger and Loneliness in addiction In addiction we use substances to avoid pain and seek pleasure. In recovery it can be difficult to reconnect with emotions like anger and loneliness. In H.A.L.T.S, ‘A’ is all about Anger “You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger” …

What does recovery look like? Whether you’re in recovery or not, life hands us all stressful situations which require a clear, calm head.  Addiction separates us from our emotions and feelings, and those in early recovery have difficulty reconnecting with them.  When you’re feeling overwhelmed by life, take a step back and ask yourself a…

DIFFERENT INTERVENTIONISTS, DIFFERENT INTERVENTIONS: COMPARING APPROACHES When working with a professional to prepare for an intervention, families go to great lengths to prepare the meeting with their struggling loved one.  Scott Watson has different views from professional Nick Sahaidachny, interviewed in our previous post in this series. Nick focuses on helping families rationally detach from their loved…

Intervening with Nick Sahaidachny The goal of an intervention is to hold a mirror up to your loved one.  Unfortunately, “No one experiences spontaneous insight”, as Nick Sahaidachny explains.  Intervening is seldom pleasant, but can save the life of your loved one and restore peace to your family. With years of personal and professional experience…

How to have an intervention with less conflict than you’d think   Many think of A&E’s television show when they think of an intervention–but shows like this tend to focus on  conflict for the sake of entertainment. Bruce Perkins says it doesn’t need to be this dramatic.  With ample experience in the field of mental health and…

Things Every Family in Addiction Recovery Should Know Addiction recovery is a process for the whole family, yet many feel that the family often goes unsupported.  What should the family know? Below we’ve asked experts with personal or professional experience in the field. PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) Facilitator Kathy Baker-Heckard speaks on the…

Relapse Prevention Anyone who has fought addiction understands that reaching sobriety is tough, but remaining sober is even more difficult. Relapse prevention starts with planning. When you plan, you’re more likely to understand the challenges you’ll face–hopefully enabling you to spot warning signs before things spin out of control. A plan often outlines what to do in case…

Tax Credit Opportunity The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority awarded Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Tax Credit to Tara Treatment Center, as an added incentive for you to support the cost of counseling services that Tara provides to its residents. The NAP tax credit means that 50% of the amount of your donation greater than…