Addiction Recovery Blog | Daniel J Callahan, MSW

Never Take Yourself Too Damn Seriously

by Daniel 15 January 2010

“The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one’s work seriously and taking one’s self seriously. The first is imperative, the second is disastrous.” – Margot Fonteyn I was out of work and sober for the first time in my life. It was 1990 and I had lost my [...]

The Risk of Recovery

by Daniel 14 January 2010

“Our lives improve only when we take chances – and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.” – Walter Anderson The risk of recovery! People often balk at step one, we admitted we were powerless over alcohol and our lives had become unmanageable. They get hung up [...]

How to Detox from Opiates

by Daniel 11 January 2010

Opioids such as Heroin, Oxycontin, Vicodin and many other prescription medications are extremely addictive. As a matter of fact they are truly one of the most addicting substances known to man. Anyone who has been caught up in an opioid addiction can tell you, opioid withdrawal symptoms can range from very uncomfortable to so [...]

Down in the Dumps?

by Daniel 10 January 2010

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – Francis of Assisi One of the the first things I learned while I was living in Panama Central America is that people there repair stuff and do not throw it away. If your blender breaks you take it [...]

Ways to Help with Lortab Addiction

by Daniel 9 January 2010

“The… patient should be made to understand that he or she must take charge of his own life. Don’t take your body to the doctor as if he were a repair shop.” — Quentin Regestein When I was younger I had this idea that there was a better life through chemistry. ETOH, Benzos, barbuituates, amphetamines… [...]

The Signs of Drug Abuse

by Daniel 8 January 2010

Although the symptoms of abuse vary somewhat according to the specific substance and frequency of being abused, there are often behaviors that can be noticed by those close to the individual such as family and friends. One of the keys to successful treatment is early detection, the sooner the better. That being said, here is [...]

Success Rate of Alcohol Rehab

by Daniel 8 January 2010

There are three kinds of lies, Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics! Mark Twain. Whether I am speaking with a salesman, a parent of an addict or alcoholic, the individual seeking help or a professional seeking info on our program they all ask the same question, “What is your success rate”? Researchers, the media and our [...]

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Rehab?

by Daniel 7 January 2010

Congress almost certainly will pass a bill that compels every American to have medical insurance. Sheldon Richman The short answer is yes. With a huge “BUT”. For folks looking to use medical insurance for addiction treatment there are several factors to consider before taking that plunge. First is that most policies require that an individual [...]

What is the Cost of a Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

by Daniel 6 January 2010

Price is only an issue in the absence of value. Hector LaMarque. When it comes to the cost of drug or alcohol rehab the value of recovery can not be measured in dollars and cents. Of course it is possible to quantify the value in terms of health issues, missed or lost employment, jail or [...]

The Cure for Addiction

by Daniel 5 January 2010

“The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them.” – Bernard Baruch I have been asked on several occasions is there a “Cure” for addiction or alcoholism? If I was attempting to sell a book, an exclusive high dollar rehab, or a course on addiction I think it could be [...]

Is it Possible?

by Daniel 4 January 2010

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “I Can’t” is dis-empowering. I lived in “I Can’t” for a very long time. It was not until I began to live in “I Can” that my life began to change. But [...]