Monday, January 21, 2013

Desire as Sacred


Even when it degenerates into addiction, there is something salvageable from the original impulse that can only be described as sacred.

Epstein, Mark (2006-01-05). Open to Desire: The Truth About What the Buddha Taught (Kindle Locations 161-162). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition. 


One of my areas of specialty is Sex, Drugs and Recovery (sounds like a great book title).  I am struck by Epstein’s affirming the core energy of desire as healthy and sacred.  In my opinion, the goal of therapy for those in recovery for substance use and sexual compulsivity is the task of rediscovering the sacredness of desire.  It is good.  It is VERY good!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Drugs, Sex and Recovery: Fitting the Pieces Together

Drugs, Sex and Recovery: Fitting the Pieces Together.

I'm happy to share (with Pride, and a sense of relief) that my newest workbook is available.


Recovery is about living a better life. Picture a life in recovery in which everything fits together like the pieces of a puzzle. Sexuality is a part of that picture--an important piece of the recovery puzzle that many people fail to examine. Sexuality is often fraught with confusion, embarrassment, fear, anxiety, shame, and avoidance.


The goal of this workbook is to help you recognize the positive power and role of sexuality in your recovery, thereby creating hope and personal fulfillment in your life. By breaking the daunting subject of sexuality into smaller pieces, the workbook allows you to address sexuality in a safe and healing approach. Topics include healthy sexuality, healing from trauma, types of intimacy, relationships, disclosure of information, spirituality, healthy touch, cultural messages, sexual expression, mental health, body image, sexual functioning and many more. For many readers, this will be the first time you deeply examine sexuality and its connection to your chemical use.

As you move through the workbook, questions for reflection are posed to help you examine the relationship between sexuality and your chemical use. Creative exercises move you toward an integrated experience of sexual health. I encourage you to discover, accept, and care for your true sexual self by embarking on this work.