Given the four-part article on alcohol abuse and its implications, thought I would share some of my own insights regarding alcohol abuse, whether it is in Colorado or elsewhere in our world. It was critical that The Denver Post write this series, as I have known anecdotally for years that alcohol abuse is the most common negative addiction out there. I see evidence of this everyday in my office. Here are some numbers reported in that four-part series:

Given the federal government’s recent announcement of the first major update to methadone treatment regulations for over two decades, thought I would share my insights and knowledge. The government hopes the updates will help patients access treatment and avoid stigmatization for their treatment. It will also expand the ability to take medication home and the dosage offered to combat high-strength opioids such as fentanyl. Methadone is one example of harm reduction; this blog with share more about that model of care.

Now that we are all past the one-year mark of the pandemic we are reflecting on our lives and the greater communities at large. The past month we all have heard endless reflection articles on how lives changed, on how we all adjusted, and how different countries around the world have suffered. Much suffering led to languishing rather than flourishing.

1. If one partner refuses to follow safety protocols (mask wearing, social distancing, etc.) how can the other person address this problem?

Belina's latest interview with Romper.com regarding hobbies for parents is linked below.

Belina's latest interview with Romper.com regarding parenting is linked below.

Please follow the link below to the interview on Romper's website

The last 24 hours I have been contemplating how fragile life is. I have always been keenly aware of this, as random, unpredictable events occur every minute of every day. However, when this happens to you, several potent feelings arise.

Last night as I sat uncomfortably and unexpectedly on my hospital cot with my teen son in the patient bed by my side, I thought “ahh, the childhood toy the boomerang.” The boomerang is a thrown tool originally made in Australia for hunting, typically...

Preface: My hope is that you will ponder and seriously ask yourself these questions below, it may give you hope. In honor of the new year, let’s face our fear(s). Many of us do not pursue our dreams nor passions due to fear. What better time than now to face fear...

1-1-18 Recently I became intrigued by an article I read by Dr. Chris Donaghue titled Is Sex Addiction Just an Excuse for Bad Behavior? As a therapist working in the mental health and addictions field for about 25 years, this article stopped me in my tracks....

A Tribute to Louise Hay, 1926-2017 By Belina Nassi Fruitman Few people change the world by creating a ripple effect in their years on this planet. However, in the 90 years of her life, Louise Hay managed to not only build a business empire from only one thought, a...

For years I have heard my yoga teachers say “leave your ego at the door”. In other words, don’t push your body too much, don’t compare your practice to others, and ultimately, be you, accept your limits. So today, I had to recite that repeatedly, “leave your ego at...

Mark Twain said “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.” He understood existential social work or the critical role meaning plays in our lives. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker I am often in the role of a...

When we ask ourselves repeatedly “why”, we often get an answer that is not helpful or beneficial. Yet end up cycling back to asking again, “but why?” Typically when we ask ourselves “why” it is a perpetual question that leaves us in the past. Being stuck in the past...

In Honor of Thanksgiving By now you know all the benefits of gratitude. You hear about it in the media probably daily. Countless experts have demonstrated that it leads to greater happiness, longevity, feelings of being present and...

By now we all have heard about interventions, the process by which someone or a small concerned group such as a family, come together to hire a professional to “intervene” and motivate someone into treatment. That treatment usually centers on some kind of addiction:...

Connection: What does that mean to you? The comedian George Carlin said “we can put someone on the moon but most of us can’t walk across the street to meet our neighbor”. Like minded Johann Hari, author, said “we have more square footage in our homes than ever but...

Signs of Addiction: Where is it? Your tall boots, under the toilet cover, in your daughter’s old doll house? If your answer is “yes, I do hide my stash of booze (or drugs),” or if someone you love is demonstrating this concerning behavior, please read on. If your...