I’ve worked with people with substance use disorders for many years.  They tell me quitting drugs is painful. Often they feel broadsided by recovery, the holy grail that comes with lots of rules, lectures from well-meaning family members, and mundane addiction treatment manuals. “Newbies” crave motivation. They need sober excitement and humor. Instead, they struggle with futility. The past is too dangerous to visit.  The future is unknown and frightening. The “now” is overrun with obstacles and consequences. Recovery is no easy voyage. It takes strength to survive this journey. Many don’t.

As professionals, we see a high relapse rate. We also lose patients. It’s disheartening. What can we do differently? How can we motivate our clients? How can we spice things up?

I started Outside-the-Box Recovery to help professionals help clients outlive drug and alcohol problems. OTB Recovery walks alongside providers and clients during difficult moments, offering a unique, friendly, and hopeful approach to a challenging task. Together we figure out how to survive the devastation of addiction. Together we laugh a bit and seek joy too.  There’s a place for play, even silliness, because early recovery isn’t necessarily filled with humor. But we need humor, don’t we? 

For more information about me, check out my About page.