Author: Stan Dokmanus

Substance abuse counseling help includes… Cognitive Behavior Theory.

Stan Dokmanus Updates

Cognitive Behavior Theory is the gold standard of treatment for drinkers and druggers. A useful behavior tool is avoiding slippery people. Social distancing is the only thing you and I can control. We cannot control other people or events like the Coronavirus Pandemic occurring.

Some reports say that “the curve” is flattening. Why is it flattening?

It could be because of your (our) beliefs about this event and what we can do about it.

Flattening of the curve could reflect fewer admissions. Yet – deaths continue to rise.

It just makes good sense to wear face masks and avoid grouping. I will not be out dining at restaurants no matter who tells me it’s safe. No sports gatherings either.

My health is more important to me than getting my money back into the economy. Choice is better than no choice. It’s pure CBT. Which do you choose?

Knowing you have done the right thing to control your environment will help you to be more calm, relieve stress. You do know that we create our own stress – right?

Yes. We choose how to feel about any situation.

Times like this are perfect situations for relapse: going back to thinking about or using alcohol or other drugs. This is how we dealt with our stressors, feelings and emotions in the past. Drinking is an example of self-medicating. So are drugging and overeating.

Social distancing from our old using slippery people, places and things is a good idea too.

Good luck everyone. Stay home, Stay safe. Social distancing is working to our advantages. Or you wouldn’t be reading this. Give yourself credit for doing the right thing even when nobody is looking. 4/17/20

Substance Abuse Recovery.

Stan Dokmanus Updates

Avoiding slippery people, places and things is a great first step. You’ve heard this before. If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you always got. That includes “old you” choices.

If you are currently in treatment or have ‘graduated’ and are now out, in-community, in recovery, you need to avoid all those things that got you the things you didn’t want. Maybe things that got you in trouble with your partner, family, employer or the law.

This is what I mean by slippery people, places and things. You know the people you should not be with. You can see their faces as you read this. If you can’t, take a time out now and consider who it was that you were with when you took your first ‘hit’ of alcohol or other drugs. See the faces of your using buddies. See your dealer’s or liquor store merchant’s faces.

Those are the slippery people to avoid. Likewise, you can flashback to where you were when you used. Make a picture of those places. Avoid them.

Slippery things too can cause repeated problems for you. Stop doing the things you did that contributed to your problems. These can create what are called relapse (thinking about or using) and recidivism (thinking about or going back) to criminal activity.

Thinking you can do those things again and get better outcomes is what? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. You can fill in that blank.

At the time of this post Covid-19, Coronavirus is a deadly, Pandemic problem. Social Distancing and face masks are just common sense. Going out when you don’t have to is also about slippery people, places and things.

This type of risky behavior can kill you. So can relapse and recidivism. We can all be tempted by irrational thinking. What do you do when that happens?

“Catch it. Check it. Change it.” I got this from Psychology.com. Catch the limiting thought. Examine it. Where did it come from? Maybe a friend called and said “let’s go for a walk.” “Let’s have ‘a’ beer.” Whoops!

Check it. Stop the behavior and examine the positive intent. Why would you consider it? Would it make you feel better? Independent? In charge? “It’s my body and my life. I’ll do what I want.” Sound familiar?

Change it. Choose another behavior that will get you the same satisfaction. It’s just more healthy.

So whether it’s remaining abstinent (not drinking or drugging), sheltering in place at home, wearing a face mask to avoid C-19, do the right thing even if no one is looking. Avoid slippery people, places and things.

To do anything else is i n s a n i t y.

Help with “Exercise, Diet and Weight Loss.

Stan Dokmanus Updates

Cognitive Behavior Theory addresses how beliefs, thoughts and feelings affect behavior choices. How do this relate to substance abuse or Substance Use Disorder?

We can look at food as a substance used to provide fuel for the body. The proper food choices and amounts consumed can get us healthy outcomes.

If we work with a balanced diet based on our height, weight and metabolism along with an effective exercise regimen we have a better chance at a healthy and perhaps happy life. This involves goals and planning.

Too much food, especially the wrong kinds can create weight and health problems for us. No or not enough exercise compounds the problems. These could be Hypertension, heart disease, Diabetes, kidney problems and more.

These can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and loss of limbs and life. If you are reading this post you are probably interested in how to change or get “unstuck.”

Based on lab work my doctor ordered for me I learned that I needed to make some changes too. One of these was weight loss. I thought with a good exercise program I can reduce my health risks. Diet too needed to be addressed: my food choices.

I decided that I would use Nutrisystem to help me with the food choices, diet and correct portions. It’s working for me. I’m eating smaller portions, losing weight and saving money. See nutrisystem.com for more information that could help you.

If you would like to learn more about Exercise, Diet and Weight Loss Anchoring strategies you can find those at https://www.amazon.com/Exercise-Diet-Weight-Loss-Anchoring%C2%A9-ebook/dp/B083PX7R5Y/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=exercise%2C+diet+and+weight+loss+anchoring&qid=1586650283&sr=8-1

The Criminal Justice and Addictions Counseling program in my catalog could work for individuals too with maybe a little coaching on the side. It was written with counselors and therapists in mind. If we used that together to address your goals it will work fine. Click on the catalog to see more. If you buy this I will throw in a couple coaching sessions for you at no extra charge.

I’m not a physician and am in no way prescribing. You can decide for yourself if all of this makes sense. Or, you could check this out with your doctors.

Substance Abuse and Stress.

Stan Dokmanus Updates

Worry about your family, layoffs, work, income loss and your health due to C-19 can wreak havoc on your thinking. This post will not protect you from the virus. Only science, doing what the professionals tell us (shelter in place – isolate) and time can do that.

You do have the strengths and resources to manage your beliefs, thoughts attitude and fear about this. Let’s just focus on your visual resources first.

  1. Make a picture of the stress C-19 is causing. It’s right in your face. It feels scary. It’s a ten, the worst of a scale of 1-10. Let it go. As you let that go, look away, think of your phone number backwards. Take a deep breath and…
  2. Now, make a picture of five things in your life that you are grateful about. See pictures of people in the family that you love and who make you happy. Maybe it is the object of your affection. See that person right in front of you with a big, happy smile. How does that feel? Make the picture a little bigger, a little brighter, a little closer, a little warmer. How does that feel? Better, right?
  3. Okay. Now you have a choice. You can see how one helps you with the other. You have a choice of which one to think about.
  4. Repeat as needed. You can do it ten times to condition the new response. You can use this for anything in the future.
  5. As you consider the future, visualize where you might need this skill again. What picture will you use to give you the strength you will need to overcome that feeling? Focus on that positive, happy picture. See it in rich detail. Is it in color? Is it near, far. Is there any sound? Is it warm?
  6. Now, lightly press your right thumb and forefinger together to “anchor” this feeling for 10 seconds or as needed to capture that feeling.
  7. Let’s test this. Think of a situation where you ordinarily would feel stress. “Fire” your anchor – press your thumb and forefinger together. When you do that your brain gets the message that you want that positive feeling again. What do you see, hear and feel that helps you feel better?

When you think about this – don’t you think you could use this as a relapse prevention skill if you have exercise, diet, alcohol and other drug problems too?

Help with Substance Abuse (SUD) and Work Performance

Stan Dokmanus Updates

Do you need help with alcohol, other drug or behavior problems? You, your family, employees or employer will benefit from these services.

The same problems that keep you stuck in the substance abuse rut are hurting your work performance.

Employers can use these training methods to improve performance and the bottom line.

These are the same methods clinicians learn to help clients improve their lives. Employers will see and understand how this will help their businesses too.

Counselors and therapists will benefit from using this program. You can use this for professional development, CEUs or both.

NAADAC Approved CEUs are available for all clinicians. NAADAC Approved Education Provider #192679, Expires 3/1/2022

Call me now at 808 385 4550.

Help with “Criminal Justice and Addictions Counseling.”

Stan Dokmanus Updates

“Criminal Justice and Addictions Counseling with Rapport, Communication and Transformational CBT Work” for CEUs.

Content/Purpose: Participants will be able to describe and use new and different methods to help clients explore and resolve SUD issues due to cognitive errors. In addition, participants will be able to identify, explore and resolve treatment issues, preferred learning styles of clients, be able to use 12 deletion, distortion and generalization communication errors. Participants will be able to use Socratic Questioning to create new belief and behavior change models.

Target Audience: Counselors, therapists and other clinicians. Check https://www.naadac.org/naadac-ce-acceptance. Counselor I or II (CADC, CRADC, CSADC, CAADC) Preventionist I or II, CARS I or II, MISA I or II, PCGC II, CCJP I or II, CAAP I, CRSS I or II, MAATP I or II, NCRS II, CFPP II, CVSS II, CPRS I or II  IC&RC Certified Substance Abuse Counselors (CSAC), Certified Criminal Justice and Addictions Professionals (CCJP), applicants, etc. NASW members should check with their local affiliate. 

NAADAC Approved Provider #192679, Expires 3/1/2022 has replaced IAODAPCA, Nevada and CCAPP CEU opportunity.

Date: Self-paced, home study.

Location: This is a self-paced program for home or office with a test module included.

Instructor: Stan Dokmanus, CCJP, CSAC (Tax ID: GE-093038796801)

Cost: PDF, check $140.00/credit card – PayPal $145.00

Contact Hours: Six-34 CEU. $25.00 minimum order – six CEU

Registration Form

Rapport, Communication and Transformational CBT Work 6-34 CEU.

(Please Fill Out)

Name: _____________________________________Email_____________________________

Address____________________________________ (And address for credit card)

City__________________________State__________Zip______Phone___________________

Please Check Choice: PDF_______Booklet_______Allow seven business days mail service

For more information contact Stan Dokmanus, Ph: 808 385 4550 – standokmanus1@outlook.com

Check # and amount ______________, Charge: Name on Card________________
Credit Card: Mastercard/Visa #___________________, Expiration Date: ______,

3 or 4-digit code#: ______ Zip Code: __________

Mail payment to: Stan Dokmanus,  P.O. Box 695, Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793

HELP WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Stan Dokmanus Updates
It’a time out for some simple thruths. Families, friends and survivors are hurt deeply by the ravages of AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) use disorders. In short, by alcoholism and addiction problems of their loved one.
 
As mentioned before, the reason people use is to feel different. They want to feel more up or more down. Anything but the way they feel.
 
Having made a choice to use AOD once, twice or more times they learned about the effects of drugs and too often paid the price of addiction. These can be poor health, family problems, relationship problems, employment problems and legal problems. And – then there is death. Death by overdose is a common problem. Columbus Ohio had to add a second morgue to accommodate all the bodies of those who overdosed on Opioids.
 
Who was once a model child, student and significant other is now taken over by the drug(s) of choice. Everyone pays the price for this behavior. Death is the ultimate price for all concerned.
 
The taxpayers and society pay too.
 
It’s a shame because the brain is a powerful pharmaceutical organ. It is capable of producing incredible highs and lows. And we can learn how to control our emotional states naturally without illegal, unhealth or deadly consequences.
 
Want to learn a way to feel better at the speed of light? Youtube Chris Rock or some other comedian or comedy show and watch that. In moments you’ll be laughing outragiously.
 
But you may have depression problems and could benefit greatly by getting therapy. And,’yougottawanna’ as a friend was known to say often. Comedy can be a great way to deal with depression in the moment. Long term your best bet may be legal medication prescribed by ethical practitioners along with psychotherapy. There is no shame in being smart about how you handle your problems.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT for ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS.

Stan Dokmanus Updates
Let’s be clear. If you are a first time explorer for a first or one time substance abuse problem then one on one concierge counseling can work for you. I won’t sell you dreams.
If you have had serial chronic problems and you find yourself in trouble with your spouse, partner, family, friends, employer and the law you just may need a full time-out. A quality residential program may really be what you need regardless of your vanity or shame.
“I’ve tried and tried to stop, but I’m stuck. I keep going back to the bottle, pipe or needle.” If this is you – get into a residential program or call me for a Individual Intensive Outpatient Treatment protocol.
Hazelden may be for you. Betty Ford and Hazelden are connected. You may need to be isolated from your people, places and things that take you there and are contributing to your cognitive and behavioral problems. Go far away if you can. https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/
Limiting permission-granting beliefs, values and irrational thinking lead to negative feelings and emotions. It is these feelings and emotions that pretty much predict your behavior outcome choices. Being away from your negative influences is a good idea while you work out your other challenges. This includes romantic relationships while in  treatment.
Negative thinking leads to depression, anger and all sorts of not good responses. If you think that by some miracle all this will change with no work on your part you are selling yourself dreams.
I will not sell you dreams. Don’t fool yourself either. “You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years and get pats on the back as you pass. But your final reward will be heartache and tears if you’ve cheated the Man in the Glass. (Author unknown)

RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE IS A PROCESS.

Stan Dokmanus Updates
Recovery is a journey. If you have been following each blog post in order you have covered a lot of information. It could all be new to you. For someone new on the “Trail to Transendence” (beyond the road to recovery) for the first time it could be information overload.
A good idea would be to take a time out to review
this information so you can really “put all the pieces together.”
If you have a question, problem or need help just email or call me: standokmanus1@outlook.com, or, 808 385 4550.
If you don’t ask you may never know or learn – on time. You are in a contest with time.
Be certain that you understand the CBT Map image at the beginning of the blog post. Just as a computer has an operating system, so do you. The CBT Map image is your operating system.
Have you ever been logged on to your computer and trying to find a page or image when all you get is the buffering or initializing image? Maybe you are getting a recovery ‘No Wi Fi Connection” error message. How frustrating!
You could feel the same way trying to answer the ‘how to change or recover’ question. You could feel lost, confused and just going around and around.
You have a vague idea about what you want but you just can’t get there. You just keep on buffering.
You can’t get a clear image of how to transcend because that recovery page just will not open. You may just be stuck deleting, distorting or generalizing what you think are facts about the world based on your limiting beliefs, values and attitude. Who? Me? Yes – you.
So – go back and review. Then we will continue with your map of reality, your strengths and resources and how to get the outcome you truly desire.

CBT – SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY.

Stan Dokmanus Updates

So far I have been adding pieces of the recovery puzzle that will make your journey easier to understand and achieve. Let’s put all the pieces together. Once you master or fully understand the concept illustrated by the CBT Map at the beginning of this blog and how it relates to the 14 Recovery Themes you will notice that you have discovered how your operating system works.

It all starts with your beliefs/values system. You think about these things. You get what you think about. If you think about using you will eventually use – your addict behavior. Your reticular activating system will get it for you because that is how you are programming it. Garbage in – garbage out, GIGO as the original computer programmers called it.

You’ve been creating disempowering or limiting neural pathways. If you want different results you should do something different. Changing your thinking s not enough. You must explore and resolve your permission-granting, limiting core beliefs before you can expect long lasting change of behavior.

This is a good time to address a basic truth. You will have a very difficult time of it if you keep hanging with the same slippery people in slippery places thinking about or doing slippery things. Yes. This could be your friends, significant other partner (boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, lover, etc.) and family.

Now, away from all the harmful elements in your life you will get a chance to reprogram your brain and reticular activating system creating new empowering neural pathways. Think about sobriety, recovery and Transcendence.

A few other things that you will need to know and understand is how you navigate or make sense out of your world. Are you visual, auditory or kinesthetic (a see, hear or feel person?)? These are three major senses that we use exploring our realities. Use your primary preferred learning style first to create new images, sounds or feelings.

It’s important too to realize that all behavior has a positive intent and we do things to move away from pain and toward pleasure. The Pain-Pleasure Cycle is the result of how we create our mental or emotional states. We are all capable of changing our emotional state in a flash – in the blink of an eye. Some say instantly.

Try this. Think of a situation that is mildly upsetting. Maybe a 4-5 on a 1-10 scale where 1 is mild and 10 is extreme. Make an image of that situation. See what you see, hear what you hear and feel what you feel. Be in it fully.

Now – with your eyes closed if you can, jump up and down and around turning in a circle and with a smile on your face (you need the smile) say out loud – I’VE GOT A WIENER NOSE AND STINKY FEET! Repeat it. WIENER NOSE AND STINKY FEET! Lol, can you believe it? You changed how you felt in an instant.

What did you learn in this post? Beliefs and values lead to thinking, feelings, emotions and behavior. You know about the 14 Recovery Themes and you know that you have a preferred learning system (VAK) in addition to smell and taste. You learned that you are in control of your thoughts, feelings and emotions. You can change how you feel in an instant.

Now – some people looked at the wiener nose idea and just blew it off without trying it. Why? Because of their beliefs. They believed it was silly or not possible. But that’s the whole point. It starts with your beliefs. If what you are doing isn’t working you must do something different: ANYTHING! More on this in the next post.