Empathy Expressive Arts Healthy Habits Healthy Thought Processes Substances

Quit Like a Woman, Alia’s Spring Book Review 2024

                “The goal here is to create a situation you no longer have to escape, or a life you don’t have to numb. The achievement of sobriety is not the point, it’s a by-product of the work. The work is the point. Addiction is the hook that gets you in the door, and quitting is the catalyst to heal deeper wounds.” Holly Whitaker writes in her powerful non-fiction book, Quit Like a Woman: The Radical…

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Substances

Quitting Smoking: One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health (and Mental Health!)

               I’m not sure if it’s the policy of the hospital I work for, a New York State campaign, or if it’s because I’m overseen by OMH (the Office of Mental Health) but as a LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) at a community clinic, I am required to ask about my clients’ cigarette smoking status the first time we meet. If they do identify as smokers, my job entails assessing how much they smoke and…

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