Alcohol & Drug Counseling
The crucial first step towards recovery is the initial phone call to my office. I appreciate your acknowledgment that you need help and are reaching out to say, "I'm in trouble."
I have developed expertise in helping individuals with drug and alcohol problems for the last thirty plus years. My belief and experience is that recovery is both an event (not taking a first drink) and a process (letting this new way of living evolve one day at a time). I would characterize my approach as non-traditional in that it differs from widely endorsed 12-step models. I respect the tremendous help that these programs offer its members, yet I meet large numbers of people for whom the 12-step program is not a good fit.
My approach, which I call Talking Back to Addiction, makes no assumptions about a belief in God or any spiritual orientation. It does make reference to living life on life's terms, finding hope and meaning in the daily journey of life and taking responsibility for all actions. I want to help you develop your own personal program of recovery. This entails helping you to discover how alcohol or other drugs impact your life and what it will mean to make changes. For each person this will be different.
If you are a family member of someone who is in trouble with substance abuse, we may work together to determine what the best course of action might be on behalf of that individual. I have expertise in facilitating a safe, non-judgmental conversation between the family and the person of concern, in order to assess how this family member might be helped. If you are considering my services for an intervention, please call me so we may further discuss my approach.
““Michael’s insight and guidance have been crucial to my recovery, allowing me to break free from my downward spiral of addiction and live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. He continues to give me the tools I need to create a path forward that feels genuine and achievable.””
““I just got through using your “Firewall” exercise from the Talking Back to Addiction worksheets you gave us at the recent training. I had 19 people in my DD Aftercare group, and I want to tell you, “Firewall” livened up the group, and it opened up some very positive work. It was a lighthearted and motivational group, and it was all because of your exercise.””
““After living as a high functioning addict for several years, my life finally began to spiral out of control. My wife, family and career had been overcome by my opiate addiction. My life had become a continuous roller coaster of abuse, withdrawal and the constant search for the next high. After facing an ultimatum from my wife, I agreed to meet with Michael. He helped me to save my life. His nonjudgmental, caring approach has allowed me to release feelings of guilt, shame and self-loathing. I look forward to working with Michael in continuing to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of my addiction and not just the symptoms. It is a long and arduous road, but with Michael’s guidance, one definitely worth taking.””