Beyond the Two Pillars of Recovery
24 episodes Last Updated: Dec 20, 24
The Two Pillars of Recovery® serve as reminders to individuals with addiction/serious substance use disorders of how nature works and how to work with nature to establish recovery. If someone with addiction wishes to prevent undesired substance use, Keep your distance! reminds them that talent and good intentions do not guarantee behavior, and lifestyle changes are often necessary. Ask for help! reminds them that lasting recovery from addiction is far more likely when they continuously cultivate healthy connections with others.
Beyond The Two Pillars of Recovery® reinforces the message of hope and practical action delivered by the original two pillars while speaking to the much larger group of people in our communities who do not meet criteria for serious substance use disorders, inviting them to reflect on risks inherent in their use of substances and other behaviors in light of their personal risk tolerance.
Episodes
Dec 20, 2024
Episode #24: Peace and Social Justice Will Follow Once We Better Distribute “Nutrients for the Human Soul."
Guest Maria Kontarini, as a diplomat for the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the early 2000s, helped restore stability in Bosnia after the Bosnian War—a conflict known for human-to-human atrocities. Years later, with a person-centered understanding of people and the powerful influence of social context on behavior, she believes humans’ potential for good will outshine their potential for violence, as long as we create communities of listening, empathy, and shared responsibility.
Tobacco users in every state in the U.S. can connect with well-trained helpers who listen—not lecture—and provide encouragement and resources to individuals who want to leave tobacco behind. On request, some states, including Vermont, send free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as patches, gum, and lozenges. Guest Dana Bourne MPH manages telephone and online “quit” services for Vermont residents and describes how call centers operate locally and nationally. Many individuals quit tobacco simply because they keep at it and don't go it alone.
Dr. Theresa Moyers, Professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico, has collaborated on the methods, research, and dissemination of motivational interviewing since the early 1990s. In this episode, Terri describes therapist attitudes and skills that promote successful addiction treatment and deeper connections in relationships. Recommended video: The Confirmed Smoker https://vimeo.com/457308021 Recommended book: Effective Psychotherapists: Clinical Skills that Improve Client Outcomes (Miller & Moyers, Guilford Press, 2021) Also mentioned: Bill Miller on Social Dominance https://vimeo.com/281421233
Oct 16, 2024
Episode #21: Discomfort, Balance, and Deconstruction: Buddhist Psychology in Psychotherapy Practice
Paul Rodrique—psychotherapist, teacher of insight meditation and self-compassion, and serious bicyclist— converses with Geoff and Erin about how Buddhist psychology informs his work with clients and shares his view that references to an “authentic self” can distract us from awareness of a greater whole.
Content warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide at the end of the podcast. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 911 in life-threatening situations. Addiction medicine physician Dr. Cara Poland is a lively educator who advocates person-first language in healthcare—and recognition that patients hold leadership positions. One of her priorities is helping early-career professionals relate to individuals with substance use disorders with respect, understanding, and kindness.
Sep 18, 2024
Episode #19: SUDs Require Socioeconomic Remedies as well as Individualized Clinical Care
Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar applies her background— family medicine, public health, and addiction medicine— to conscientious, respectful, individualized clinical care to people with substance use disorders, including their medical complications. She reminds us all, however, not to stop there. For lasting change, we must also think about and intervene on the “broader social and economic factors” that initiate harm “upstream” from our hospitals and clinics.
Guest Jessica Kessler is a licensed clinical social worker so attracted to the energy and idiosyncrasies of teenagers that, for 15 years and counting, she has served middle and high school students (parents and staff as well) in a small Vermont town. Jess describes the importance and satisfactions of connecting with youth, how her school system provides essential resources to kids when resources are limited at home, and how a foundation grant enabled her to visit other schools in Vermont, Puerto Rico, and Norway to explore ways to further promote the agency and independence of young people.
Guest Kevin Diakiw, a recovery coach trainer and mindfulness practitioner near Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, serves people experiencing tremendous hardships—at times traveling to remote Indigenous communities to do so. He expresses deep appreciation and respect for those he serves, and he looks forward to when well-intentioned service providers spraying water on raging social fires will stop accusing one another of “using the wrong hose."
Some cisgender men, both gay and straight, inject testosterone to increase muscle mass. Dr. Eric Kutscher, researcher and specialist in primary care, addiction, and HIV medicine, describes how he helps men committed to this practice limit their risk of complications such as high cholesterol, heart problems, infection, excess blood cells, and stroke.
Jul 10, 2024
Episode 15: Providing Meaningful Belonging in Portugal: The Power of Caring and Comprehensive Resources
Guest Maria Joao Cunhal was there in 2001 when Portugal decriminalized the possession of drugs for personal use and created strong incentives for entering addiction treatment. Dramatic improvements followed, but expensive interventions are difficult to maintain.