The Estate News & Blog

It was the famed British psychoanalyst and pediatrician, Donald Winnicott MD who coined the term "false self" - a universal phenomenon that we all suffer from in a matter of degrees. To function in society we may have to say "please" when we are not pleased and "thank you" when we are not feeling any gratitude. This need to comply with social norms can go way beyond such niceties and can for instance suppress such basic human emotions as anger and sexual desire so that such expressions coming from the "true"self are unable to be processed, digested and made peace with.

The holiday season can be warm and joyful, it can also be challenging and stressful. If there is any anxiety around holiday events for you or your loved one, here are 12 tips to stay sober and enjoy your season! 

We all know that alcoholism and addiction are serious diseases, affecting many people without discrimination, but the conditions that go along with these diseases are just as serious. 

“Staying clean” also known as not drinking or using, is easier while being cared for in a Residential Treatment Center. Although residential treatment teaches individuals the tools they need to succeed, it is said that the ‘real work begins’ once a client leaves rehab.  

What is Alcoholism? 

Being Jewish, having family members in addiction recovery, and now working for a treatment center for alcoholism and addiction, I wanted to learn more about Purim, and the commandment to drink. I had the opportunity to (virtually) sit down and learn with Rabbi Dr. Chaim Meyer Tureff to learn about the roots of Purim, how serious is this commandment, and what does it mean for the recovery community and their and loved ones?  

The team members at Soberman’s Estate enjoy a fun, functional, family work environment. Sometimes, this means bringing your dog to work! Some staff members bring their dogs to work every day! Not only do the pups bring joy to the staff, but they also bring numerous healing benefits to clients. 

In this article, Clinical Director Frank Saverino discusses the holiday season, what it looks like for individuals in recovery and their family members, and what we can do to help facilitate a joyful, healthy, successful holiday season for all.

While there are many issues that are universal in treating addiction, professional men often have specific challenges that must be understood and addressed. The men we treat most often still have their careers and their families. They have been extremely successful in those careers and have done well financially. They often are highly respected by others, especially outside their family. These successes often cloud the reality of their illness and contribute to their denial. Often there are enablers in their lives who do not know how to intervene. They come to us following some type of crisis, be it related to work or their families. Just the act of coming to a rehab and admitting to others that they have a serious problem is difficult for them. They see themselves as strong, stable, intelligent and proud. So, when they arrive here, their defenses are going to be up, and they continue to portray this persona of having it all together. Losing control is abhorrent to them. Control is important to their success in life. Unfortunately, with the disease of addiction, holding on to the notion that you can control it can have deadly consequences.

Captain of Noah’s Ark Found Drunk – now that I have your attention, I wanted you to know that October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.