Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory functions. While alcohol or drug use is initially voluntary, and sometimes socially acceptable, some can stop with continued usage, and many cannot. The truth about addiction is that it is pervasive in our society. Mental health issues, emotional and physical pain, and stressors, are also recognized as driving factors behind a person’s misuse of drugs and alcohol. Self-medication suggests that there is an underlying cause that leads someone to use drugs, and the intention may be more to relieve dysphoria than to seek euphoria. Join us in this thoughtful conversation, as Jane Dawson, M.A., MFT, and I discuss addiction.
Everybody poops and most of us don’t talk about it. And while it may not be pleasing to talk about our bowel movements, our poop offers us valuable clues to our health. On today’s episode, Jonathan Miller returns to the show to talk about his love of ferments and beans, one of the ways in which we can improve our BM’s. If you’re producing soft, well formed logs that aren’t hard to push out and are very regular, then your bowels are probably in good shape. If not, consider listening to this episode to learn about how ferments and beans can add to your health. It’s a beyond the poop kind of moment. Jonathan Miller is a personal chef cooking for clients in the central coast area. He has been cooking healthful, vegetable-forward, seasonal food for over 15 years, and less healthful but still tasty food even longer than that! ...
Christopher Greer joins the show today to continue our discussion on addiction. Having worked in primary care, and as I continue to work in the hospital, I have witnessed so many people dealing with addiction. Those who struggle with addiction often hide it until it can’t be hidden anymore. I’ve seen people in their worst state, and I would wonder if they had reached their rock bottom. The truth is, no matter how bad the state – could be coma in a young person – you don’t know if they’ve reached that place where they finally choose their life. Only they know. And it’s really hard to see, witnessing someone’s demise because of addiction. There is so much harm that’s done, not only to them, but also to the people who love them. That’s why we continue to talk about hard topics on the show – because with learning and understanding, there can be a possibility for heathier choices and courage for something better. Christopher Greer is a therapist in Santa Cruz, and he earned his Masters in Social Work. He spent the last few years working at a local non-profit providing varying levels of support for people struggling with Substance Use Disorder, individuals with varying mental health disorders, and those who have been involved in the criminal justice system. And he helps his clients with their mental health and well being, to consider the whole person. You can find him at chrisgreertherapy.com. ...
“Everyone’s body has some story to tell.” Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) is a unique set of techniques, approaches, and methodologies that address pain, dysfunction, disease, and disability. IMT achieves health and healing by taking into account the whole body, identifying the primary source of dysfunction or the underlying cause of a problem, rather than just treating symptoms. Practitioners use their hands to diagnose and treat clients, for the opportunity of healing and rehabilitation, as an alternative to or complement of more traditional treatments. Kathy Nuss is an occupational therapist who focuses on self-empowerment, by helping her patients find their path to wellness and identifying underlying causes and needs. You can find her wellnessfromwithinpg.com. ...
