DR. WADSWORTH AND MERRICK..MANAGING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS IN RECOVERY
August 24, 2021
Hosted by Dr. Patricia Halligan
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Guest Information
Episode Description
This unique episode combines a young man's personal story of recovery from a lifetime of negative thinking and subsequent Alcohol Use Disorder with a Clinical Psychologist whose clinical expertise lies in treatment of anxiety disorders. Merrick suffered from perfectionism and obsessive negative, self-attacking thought spirals his whole life. He was a slave to unrelenting negative thoughts. He began to drink in an attempt to quiet the critical voices in his head, but they worsened as the drinking escalated to out of control levels. Merrick describes his journey of recovery and how sobriety has given him tools to manage the negative thinking. Dr. Lauren Wadsworth, a clinical expert in Anxiety Disorders and their treatment, offers insight into negative thinking. She comments on common thinking traps like black and white thinking, fortune telling and mind reading. Dr. Wadsworth offers suggestions on the following: What are these negative thoughts and where do they come from? How do I challenge my negative thoughts? How do I create distance/take a break from the critical voices in my head? How do I manage feelings of shame/ not feeling good enough? How do I break free from a negativity spiral? Dr. Wadsworth describes her favorite CBT strategies to help people manage their negative thinking effectively. She comments on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in working with anxiety. Both she and Merrick discuss the power of Mindfulness and living in the moment. They also share their thoughts on the power of fellowship (connection) and meditation. Dr. Wadsworth offers some helpful resources and explains how to find a CBT trained expert and Merrick shares his rehab and halfway house information.
RECOVERY…THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
RECOVERY: THE HERO’S JOURNEY provides best practice information and support to people struggling with Substance Use Disorders/Process Addictions and Prescription Drug Dependence. We confront the stigma surrounding Opioid Use Disorder and Benzodiazepine Dependence, understanding that both are the direct result of an overprescribing epidemic. We discuss Buprenorphine, a first line, long term treatment for Opioid Use Disorder. We validate people struggling with Benzodiazepine Dependence (ie-Xanax/Klonopin), and offer resources and a recovery plan.
Experts explore Eating Disorders, Sex Addiction, PTSD, and the effects of today’s Cannabis on teens and young adults, offering guidance and resources to individuals struggling with these issues and their families. This podcast gracefully combines interviews with experts in the field and patient stories of recovery and redemption. The show is about connection, reclaiming personal integrity and hope.
Dr. Patricia Halligan
Dr. Patricia Halligan is an Addiction Psychiatrist, who specializes in the treatment of patients diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders, Prescription Drug Dependency and Process Addictions. She completed a residency in Psychiatry at Cornell-The New York Hospital, followed by a Fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina in 1998. Dr. Halligan is double board certified in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry and is a trained CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist). Believing in the healing power of connection, she trained at the Center for Group Studies in NYC and runs modern analytic group therapy for people in recovery.
Dr. Halligan has been prescribing Buprenorphine in her private practice since 2003 and continues to be a strong advocate for patients with Opioid Use Disorder throughout the Opioid Epidemic. She has spent the last two decades in the trenches of two tragic epidemics caused by the overprescribing of both Opioids and Benzodiazepines.
Aware that the lack of addiction training in medicine has largely contributed to both epidemics, she has resolved to devote some time to teaching. She creates CME accredited addiction education videos and training workshops for health care providers. Dr. Halligan decided to create this show to support people who are taking the hero’s journey into recovery and their families. You’ll hear interviews with experts surrounding best practices, and embrace the elimination of stigma.
