An Invitation to Freedom by Jack Kornfield

Have you found that there are certain thoughts or sensations or feelings that keep coming back when you meditate? This thoughtful piece by invites us to consider that those "stuck places" may require a bit of additional attention, a slightly different approach than we'd use with  the usual "train of thoughts". Even if you're a beginner in the realm of meditation, this short piece is worth the detour.

Do I Really Have to Start Spying Again?

After inpatient treatment, and two serious episodes of pancreatitis related to drinking, her Loved One seems to be slipping back to using alcohol. His wife hates the idea of having to spy on him again. She can also feel his motivation for recovery, for instance AA attendance, dwindling. Help! 

Podcast #77 — How Considering 'Identity' Can Improve Things with Your Loved One with Addiction

When we're too attached to a role we've been playing, or think we should play, this often puts blinders on us. We are much less able to take an honest look at the dynamics between ourselves and our loved one.  And why do we want to have a clearer vision of the dynamics? In order to change things up. Even though, as Kayla says, "changing your identity is the scariest things in the world."  We hope that listening to this episode will help you see why it's still important to consider shifting some parts of your identity that simply aren't serving you or anyone else.

David Scherer, CRAFT Expert & Researcher

David Scherer, PhD has been a collaborator on the Allies team from the start. He is a retired clinical psychologist and professor emeritus in the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He worked with adolescents and families for over 35 years, doing research and publishing articles on adolescent development and how to most effectively treat troubled adolescents. Here is a selection of his publications.

Toxic Moods

We hear a lot about Serenity in recovery programs. For me personally, developing Serenity meant no longer being codependent to four dynamics when they show up around me: Jealousy, spitefulness, moodines and rudeness.