When clients present with alcohol dependency at The Whitehaven Clinic™ it’s not uncommon to see that the client initially used alcohol as a way to ease tension or nerves or to help lower inhibitions in social settings. However, as they can often discover, using alcohol...
'Now that I'm older I can see everyone was my teacher.'-Mike Tyson Mike Tyson is undoubtedly one of my most favourite redemption stories (type 8). One of the mostformidable and feared heavy weight boxing champions of all time now spends every opportunitytalking about how he used...
It took me about 27 years to realise that goal setting was bad for me. Every New Years Eve I would dutifully put together the most immense set of goals you’ve ever seen. Then I would break it down into 90-day plans and monthly and...
“Get so fixated on what you want, that you drown out any vibration or reverberation that has anything to do with what you do not want” Abraham Hicks As I think about the new year and new habits, I’m also reflecting on what worked well for...
One of the saddest moments I experienced in recent years was witnessing the heartbreaking impact of the death of my son’s best friend due to accidental overdose. He had suffered with mental health issues, including anxiety, for several years and had consulted with over 7...
If you think one person can’t change the way we do things, then let me tell you about a client I will call GM. I met GM during a one-day course that I used to deliver at Hakea, about 7 years ago. During the course,...
At The Whitehaven Clinic we use personality profiling to help identify underlying root cause contributors to addiction. And a key focus during treatment is relationships and creating and building meaningful connections. For a bit of fun, here’s how we each personality type would match up to...
For families, the subject of boundaries is an inevitable topic that will arise when dealing with a loved one in recovery. However, all too often boundaries are used as a form of punishment rather than as a communication tool or as a way to establish...
A question I’m frequently asked is, ‘what increases the likelihood of a client getting better during treatment’? Although there are several factors to take into consideration, the one clear leader is having a solid family-based support network. Ensuring that a clients’ support network is aligned...
In the face of addiction, maintaining healthy eating habits may seem insignificant. The impact of alcohol and other drugs can have a significant effect on an individual’s appetite and ultimately affect their health and well being due lack of nutrients and increased stress on the...