Due to input from the podcast listeners, this podcast will deal with how to try to approach and/or help someone who may need it, but doesn’t necessarily “know” it (or who knows it but is very resistant to input from others, usually out of fear, shame, ignorance, or self-loathing). Methods to approach these folks, along with some “dos and don’ts” will be given. Some popular examples, as well as a bit of classic rock and blues trivia and history related to the topic, will be used.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged addictions, Communication, Conflict Management, drugs, Helping Those Who Appear to Not Want Help, Practicing What You Preach, Reaching Difficult People, Role Modeling, substance abuse | Comments Off on 17th Podcast
For the sixteenth podcast, Dr. Mathis will be talking about dangerous and responsible internet behaviors. Given the recent surge of internet-related misbehaviors and unfortunate resulting consequences, it is felt that listeners should be given some basic “dos and don’ts” when surfing the net, chatting online, posting profiles, posting videos and/or pictures of themselves (and others, especially without their consent or knowledge), and/or making “real time” meetings with people they meet on the internet. Suggestions are made to both adults and teens as to what to be suspicious of and what to do (and not to do) when agreeing to meet persons in real time after having originally met them on some internet site.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged adults, At-Risk Behaviors, Dating, IM, Internet, parents, Social Media, teenagers | Comments Off on Sixteenth Podcast
The fifteenth podcast hears Dr. Mathis talking about the very serious problem of adolescent suicide. How teen suicide varies from adult suicide will be mentioned, but the podcast will mainly focus on things such as common warning signs, various myths about adolescent suicide, accompanying psychological and behavioral indices, co-morbid family aspects, and external cues that sometimes result in a teenager opting to kill himself/herself. The difference between genuine suicide attempts and so-called “parasuicide attempts” (also known as “suicide gestures”) will be delineated. Suggestions as to what to do if someone you care about gives you signals that he/she might be seriously contemplating suicide will also be addressed, as will some ideas for the individual contemplating this action. Finally, suggestions will be made for the survivors (e.g., family members, lovers, good friends) of those who successfully complete suicide will be touched upon.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged Adolescent Suicide, Adult Suicide, anxiety disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Cluster B Personality Disorders, co-morbid conditions, Coping Tools, depression, Ethnic/Racial Differences, Family History of Suicide, History of Suicide, Low Self-Efficacy, Low Self-Esteem, Parasuicide, Social Support, Substance Use Disorders, Suicide, Suicide Gesture, Suicide Myths, Suicide Survivors, Teen Suicide, Warning Signs | Comments Off on Fifteenth Podcast
For the fourteenth podcast, Dr. Mathis will be discussing how to find a therapist who is “right” for the listeners’ needs and issues. Suggestions as to what aspects to consider when searching for “the right one” will be made, along with some ideas as to how to effectively conduct the person’s search to be all he/he can be through the matching up of the therapist to the patient. Among the myriad of things to consider that will be discussed include what type of professional to seek, what kinds of questions to ask of the therapist and/or referral agent, how to determine what your insurance policy does and does not pay for, and when to (and not to) potentially use medications (and/or alternative tactics) to assist you with your conditions.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged Addictions Counselor, Christian Counselor, Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Counselor, Ed.D., Educational Psychologist, HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), In-Network Provider, Licensed Professional Counselor, LMFT, LPC, Managed Care Insurance, Marriage and Family Therapist, MD, Out-of-Network Provider, Ph.D., PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), Psy.D., Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Social Worker, UCR | Comments Off on Fourteenth Podcast
For persons who are open to it, a healthy, positive, growth-oriented spiritual or existential orientation can be both a life-focusing force and an advantageous tool to help buttress the “slings and arrows of” life’s outrageous fortunes. Sadly for many Americans, far too many have adopted an unhealthy spiritual or religious orientation and, in some cases, are abusive with it in a manner that mimics addictive and/or abusive behaviors. For many others, Americans have confused “spirituality” with “religious orientation”, which are NOT the same entity. For this 13th podcast, what differentiates a healthy spiritual orientation from an unhealthy, additive, and/or abusive one will be explored. The differences between “religions” and “spiritual orientations” will also be discussed, with various authoritative research studies and/or individuals in the field cited for the listeners’ further study. Ways for the victims of such negative spiritual and/or religious orientations to combat these abusive, addictive, and/or negative religions and spiritual orientations (and persons who follow them) will also be suggested. For those wanting to create a more positive spiritual or religious orientation for themselves, various tactics will also be presented.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged Allport, Arterburn, Booth, Cult, Existential, Felton, Healthy Faith, Negative Spirituality, Oates, Positive Spirituality, Religious, Religious Abuse, Religious Addiction, Religious Orientation, Spiritual Orientation, spirituality, Unhealthy Faith | Comments Off on 13th Podcast
For this 12th podcast, the evils of, erroneous assumptions contained within, and myths perpetrated by the so-called “12 Steps” and the “Disease Model” of addictions are exposed for what they really are, according to Dr. Mathis. Research data that contradicts and exposes the erroneous tenants of the Disease Model and the 12-Steps will be presented, along with more “real” treatment models and alternatives to use in place of these approaches. This presenter’s own methods for helping persons who are suffering from substance abuse and/or dependency disorders (which are almost always accompanied by miscellaneous other co-morbid disorders) will also be introduced. Given that this will most assuredly be a “nothing held back” presentation delivered in a very “non politically correct”, blunt, and sometimes mocking manner, believers in and supporters of the 12-Steps and the Disease Model are strongly advised to avoid listening to this podcast (as they will almost assuredly feel this podcast to be offensive, abusive, confrontational, infantilizing, insulting, and otherwise not to their liking). The potential listener should consider himself/herself warned.
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Suggested Websites to Explore for 12-Step Alternatives
https://rational.org/index.php?id=1 = Rational Recovery Site
http://www.positiveatheism.org/tocaprrwp.htm = Cliff Walker’s Recovery Watch
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-Step Alternatives, AA, Aaron Beck, abstinence, addiction, Addicts, adolescents, adults, Alan Marlatt, Albert Ellis, Bill and Bob, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Comorbid Disorders, Delayed Development, disease model, dopamine, Drugs as Trauma, existential issues, Harm Reduction, Herbert Fingarette, identity, LOC, Nontraditional Treatment, Polymorbid Disorders, Rational Recovery, Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy, recovery, Responsible Thinking, self-efficacy, self-esteem, Sensation-Seeking, Social Support, Spiritual Issues, substance abuse, Substance Abusers, substance dependency, SUD | Comments Off on 12th Podcast
In this eleventh podcast, the topic of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors is addressed. Basic facts about eating disorders, including some basics about assessment and treatment, will be presented. While relatively few people in the population suffer from full blown eating disorders, there is an overabundance of people in America whose eating habits set them up for serious, life-impacting physical and emotional problems as they become older. Suggestions as to how to moderate this pervasive problem and reverse the trend of obesity and poor eating habits are also provided.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged "The Weight of America", Anorexia Nervosa, Anxiety, Athletes with Eating Disorders, Bad Fats, Binging, Bulimia Nervosa, Complex Carbohydrates, Compulsive Exercise, depression, Diabetes, Dietician, Distorted Body Image, Eating Disorders, Essential Fats, Female Eating Disorders, Food Restriction, Good Fats, holistic approaches, Hypoglycemia, Insulin, Kava, Male Eating Disorders, Minerals, Mitochondria, Monounsaturated Fats, Nutrients, Nutritionist, Obesity, Pancreas, Portion Control, Proteins, Purging, serotonin, Simple Carbohydrates, Stress, Sugar, Valerian Root, Vegetables, Vitamin B, Vitamins | Comments Off on Eleventh Podcast
In this tenth podcast, various alternative approaches to various psychological, mental, and/or emotional issues will be discussed. Using a combination approach of alternative and more traditional medical approaches will also be talked about, as will when a more traditional approach alone (or mainly) is considered preferable. Including a variety of practitioners and approaches (i.e., chiropractic, massage therapy, aromatherapy, herbal therapy, vitamin therapy, counseling/psychotherapy, meditation, exercise, dietary changes, hypnosis, acupuncture) in the treatment paradigm, the main disorders discussed will be ADHD, Depression, Substance Dependency, and Anxiety. Listeners are encouraged, in most cases, to use a genuinely Holistic Approach that includes a plethora of coping tactics of both alternative and traditional natures. Whatever the listener does to assist with the issues befalling him/her, it is always recommended that the individual in need use the most competent professional person(s) possible to help him/her reclaim his/her life.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged ADHD, Alternative Medical Approaches, Anxiety, Chiropractor, Complex Carbohydrates, Counseling, depression, Diet, Eating Habits, Exercise, Existential Support, Herbalist, holistic approaches, Hypnosis, Life Coach, Massage, Meditation, Nutritionist, Psychotherapy, Relaxation, Simple Carbohydrates, Social Support, spirituality, substance dependency, Traditional Medicine, Vitamins, Wellness | Comments Off on Tenth Podcast
Dr. Mathis will be giving a presentation in Savannah, GA, at the annual Georgia School of Addiction Studies Conference, on Thursday, August 30th, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
Title: ADHD & Addictions: Biochemical, Assessment and Treatment Issues with Teens and Adults
Description: This continuing education workshop will primarily focus on the difficult challenges that are inherent when diagnosing and working with teenagers who suffer from dual diagnoses, one of which is an addictive disorder. Since the most statistically common other diagnostic categories that are involved with this population include either a mood disorder, an anxiety disorder, a conduct/oppositional-defiant disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), learning disorder (LD), or a personality disorder, these will be the ones most focused upon.
The conference is being held at the Savannah Hyatt Regency; passes for the class only are $75, day passes are $150, and all presentations grant accredited CEUs. More information on the conference is available at http://www.thegeorgiaschool.org
Posted in News | Comments Off on Presentation at Georgia School of Addiction Studies — Savannah, GA — 8/30/12
Once again, due to questions from the podcast listeners, the ninth podcast will be focusing on the requested area of mood disorders, with an emphasis on the various forms of Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. As with the previous podcast focusing on Anxiety Disorders, various biological precursors/markers, common co-morbid conditions, assessment issues, and treatment options will be examined. Ways to select a good professional who understands these disorders will also be commented upon.
Posted in Podcasts | Tagged ADHD, Adler, assessment, Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cyclothymia, Cyclothymic Disorder, depression, disorders as behavior excuses, dopamine, Dysthymic Disorder, life challenges, Major Depressive Disorder, major depressive episode, mania, manic episode, mixed episode, MMPI, Mood Disorders, natural and logical consequences, personal power, personality disorders, picking a therapist, responsibility, serotonin | Comments Off on Ninth Podcast