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I was recently gifted with a wooden toolbox used by my grandfather and my father. Grandpa McCann, a proud Irishman, built it 100 years ago from cast off wood. It has a sturdy handle with plenty of room for...

Since the start of spring I have been at war with a family of  woodchucks. And the woodchucks are winning. They have dug their way into my vegetable garden feasting on parsley and kale, despite my best efforts to keep...

Unpredictability. There’s a whole lot of it in the family systems illness of substance use disorder. The unpredictability includes: escalating substance abuse, lying, denial, cravings, anger, physical illness, depression, isolation, risk-filled behavior, sadness, guilt and remorse.  The combination of any of...

Mental health affects every aspect of your life. It’s not just this neat little issue you can put in a box. Shannon Purser There was a time in the recent past that those suffering from mental illness were basically...

Mother’s Day. How is it for you? The family systems illness of substance use disorder has a way of upendingThe Day. That’s the insidious nature of this disease: it is an equal opportunity destroyer of self-esteem and happiness.  We can...

Patience, prayer, and silence … these are what give strength to the soul. Saint Faustina Kowalska There are times living in the family systems illness of substance use disorder that the noise is too much.  The noise created by the...

At a time when the world is keenly focued on the desperate  plight of the innocent victims of war and aggression, marking days of profound spiritual significance can carry great meaning in our lives. These days leading to Easter and...

Isolation is the worst possible counselor. Miguel de Unamuno There is a vicious parallel pattern that can happen witnessing our loved ones’ struggle with the progressive illness of substance use disorder. As they become more deeply encased in the...

The recent news that five West Point cadets overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine is the latest bull’s eye for this fact: substance use is an equal opportunity destroyer. This destroyer cuts across all lines. It doesn’t care about zip codes, SAT...

Prayer did not immediately change the circumstances our family faced. But prayer changed me. I spent a lot of time praying when our family was smack in the middle of the perfect storm created by the illness of substance...