Roland Achtau

A question that can often get floated around by prospective clients seeking therapy is “what is the role of the counselor in addiction recovery”? This is an important question since it can be a factor in which one decides whether to enter into a therapeutic relationship with a counselor. Lots of myths and misinformation can … Read more

In the American way of life, work is seen as a defining attribute of an individual’s status in society. One learns from a young age the value of work and the importance it has on an individual’s ability to navigate through life. From media to government to family discussions, work is a focal point in … Read more

In over the last 50 years, there has been a societal push to rid the stigma of addiction so that addicted individuals can seek help without fear of judgment or reprisal. In 1975, a landmark federal law known as 42 CFR Part 2 was passed by Congress in an effort to increase confidentiality standards by … Read more

“I don’t what to involve my parents in the recovery process,” said a client of mine. “I just get triggered when they talk and they have a way of putting me down without realizing they are doing it!” For many individuals, the family can be a source of stress, trauma, and indefinite frustration which can … Read more

As it is often said in recovery circles, “relapse is not a requirement for recovery but the experience of many.” Unfortunately, relapse is not a stranger to many people who are striving to recover from drugs and alcohol; the National Institute on Drug Abuse places the rate of relapse for individuals anywhere from 40% to … Read more

A common question that many struggling addicts ask themselves is “Can I recovery from addiction on my own?”. In a society that places value on self-efficacy, autonomy, and independence, it is natural for such a question to be asked. However, asking such a question can portray a lack of understanding as to the severity of … Read more

For those who are inquiring about addiction treatment, a question that may be asked is why therapy is essential in treating addiction? That is a fair question since in this day and age, there are lots of resources that are available to assist addicts in their recovery process. From 12-step meetings to online publications to … Read more

Perhaps you have asked yourself this same question in the course of everyday life. It comes as no surprise that as we advance in many different areas in modern society, we also advance in creating innovative ways to experience pleasure; hence, wherever pleasure is found or experienced, so lies the possibility of addiction. The term … Read more

Addictions are often greatly misunderstood for a variety of different reasons. Some people believe that addictions can simply be “stopped” if you have enough willpower, and others think that breaking an addiction requires the help of specialized drugs. While there’s a bit of truth to each of these, the reality is that addiction doesn’t have … Read more