St. Louis Addiction Counseling

02/02/2024

This week in group we discussed the reality that recovery doesn’t promise a life without problems. However, sobriety offers new clarity and a “soundness of mind,” that makes solving or tolerating those problems much easier.

01/03/2024

Happy New Year! One of the best feelings in the world is waking up New Year’s Day sober. If that was you this year, congrats! If you would like it to be you next year, there is hope. Wishing you peace/gratitude for the past, joy in the present and hope for the future.

11/24/2023

11/20/2023

Tips for Recovery during the holidays! ❤️ These are tools I share with my clients and wanted to share with those who are sober, maybe just wanting to avoid the holiday booze or are supporting someone in recovery.

1) Bring your own “getaway car.” Most newly sober people find they like to be at social events for a good time but not necessarily a long time. Once there, you may find that you want to linger, but having your own transport will allow you to be in control. It’s ok to stay a few hours and be done.

2) Have an accountability partner. One supportive person who knows you aren’t drinking can help you feel supported as you navigate the occasion.

3) Having a craving? Get busy! Find something to do. Help clean up, take a quick walk, go play with the kids. Movement and distraction can help.

4) Bring your own drinks and make it fun. It’s your holiday too. If you never allow yourself a cold Coca Cola in a glass bottle… bring it! Look up some fun mock-tails and make them in a beautiful glass. These substitutes will help you feel like you are a part of the festivities.

5) Set boundaries. If certain parties, dinner or people feel unsafe to you, then guess what? You don’t have to do it. You can always say no in order to protect your physical, spiritual, emotional and financial health.

Enjoy experiencing the holidays fully present.

10/30/2023

“I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life. I'm still working through it personally, but the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me?' I will always say, 'Yes, I know how to do that. I will do that for you, even if I can't always do it for myself! So I do that, whenever I can. In groups, or one on one.

Also I created the Perry House in Malibu, a sober-living facility for men.

I also wrote my play The End of Longing, which is a personal message to the world, an exaggerated form of me as a drunk. I had something important to say to people like me, and to people who love people like me.

When I die, I know people will talk about Friends, Friends, Friends. And I'm glad of that, happy l've done some solid work as an actor, as well as given people multiple chances to make fun of my struggles on the world wide web...
but when I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if Friends were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people.
I know it won't happen, but it would be nice."

~Matthew Langford Perry
(August 19, 1969 - October 28, 2023)

10/11/2023

It’s world mental health day. Remember, suffering with mental health issues doesn’t make you weak or broken. Everyone will experience seasons of life where they need support and sometimes professional support. If you are suffering, please don’t do it alone. There are a wealth of community resources and people who have walked through grief, addiction, panic attacks, etc… that would love to remind you that shame dies in a community of safe people where the most healing words you might hear are, “I have been there too.”

04/07/2023

"I’m proud of you, buddy,” the former "West Wing" star told his son as the pair shared an embrace on "The Drew Barrymore Show."

09/14/2022

❤️

07/18/2022

Great new resource for mental health crisis.

988 is available across the U.S. today. It is the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline, which is a free, anonymous resource available 24/7.

You can call, text or chat to be connected to trained counselors that will listen, provide support and connect you to resources.

07/12/2022

It’s easy to believe that recovery will be the thing that makes your world small and isolated. But the reality is that addiction is really the prison. In order to remain in active use, your world needs to become small, because every moment of it revolves around your substance.…. “When will I use?” “How will I use?” “How will I get away with it?” Recovery allows you to live a life you love. “Giving up one thing for a chance at everything.”

01/31/2022

"I don’t drink because I don’t like the effects of alcohol, but I like being social," said Lively.