by drsnipes | Mar 15, 2017 | Mindfulness
The Serenity Prayer may serve as a reminder of what steps you need to take to live a happier life.  While the term “prayer” may turn some people off, I encourage you to think about it more as a plan. The first part talks about staying focused on your end goal. The...
by drsnipes | Nov 16, 2016 | Anxiety, Depression, Mind-Body Connection
Your brain is the main control center of the body. You experience the world through your senses. When the sensory input reaches the brain it figures out what the information means, based on prior learning experiences, and what to do about it. For example, when you are driving and you see a yellow light, based on your prior experiences, your body sends the signals out to either slow down or speed up.
by drsnipes | Nov 16, 2016 | Motivation
Now that you have started to identify the problem, have identified some of the causes and consequences of addiction and mental health issues you want to change (and identified those things you are powerless to change) you need to get motivated. Part of getting...
by drsnipes | Nov 16, 2016 | Motivation
 In order to do the work required for change, it is necessary to identify why you are doing what you are doing, how it is affecting you and what you could do differently. Doing this is kind of like taking the bandage off an infected wound, in order to figure out what...
by drsnipes | Nov 16, 2016 | Addiction
Sometimes it is helpful to relate your experiences to something else, in order to more clearly understand it. The movie, “Pinocchio,” can be used as a metaphor for addiction, Jiminy Cricket as their “sober selves” or conscience, and becoming a real boy without “strings” as ultimate recovery.
by drsnipes | Nov 16, 2016 | Addiction
Not everyone is in a bad place when they start using. Some people use drugs, gamble or engage in other behaviors recreationally. As the “happy chemicals” in your brain got used up, and other coping skills became overwhelmed, the addictive behaviors were used to help...
by drsnipes | Nov 16, 2016 | Addiction
Some people are still not convinced that they may have a problem. “I am not as bad as______” or “I only drink on the weekends.” The point is not how bad someone else is, or how often you are engaging in the behavior. The point is that you are experiencing problems...
by drsnipes | Aug 15, 2016 | Mental Health, Self Help
Now that you have learned about your “issues” and have started to develop an action plan, let’s help you learn more about yourself as an individual, so you can make your plan even more successful. In order to live mindfully and purposefully,  you need to consider how...
by drsnipes | Aug 15, 2016 | Addiction
Not everyone is in a bad place when they start using. Some people use drugs, gamble or engage in other behaviors recreationally. As the “happy chemicals” in your brain got used up, and other coping skills became overwhelmed, the addictive behaviors were used to help...
by drsnipes | Aug 15, 2016 | Addiction
Addictive substances and behaviors cause a release of pleasure chemicals that temporarily numb or distract from current feelings of depression, anger, anxiety or physical pain. It is one way people survive unbearable pain, until they learn what is causing it and...