In any stage of recovery, the question arises again and again: “How do I just stop doing something that feels like such a fundamental part of my life?” In this illuminating video, Dr. Reid Hester, a leading expert in evidence-based substance abuse treatment, shares his philosophy that all our not-so-healthy addictions and bad habits—including heavy drinking, smoking, overeating, and procrastination—can be changed following the same basic principles.
With the help of a live studio audience in various stages of substance abuse recovery, Dr. Hester walks you through the four steps of behavioral change, starting with setting reasonable goals for change (including cutting back or the “warm-turkey” approach), self-monitoring to see how deeply ingrained those old habits are, choosing rewards for incremental successes, and finally finding new behaviors to take the place of the old ones. Through lively discussion, role-playing, and group and individual exercises, you will learn how to successfully achieve long-term changes to even those bad habits you have felt stuck with for years or decades.
This video is part of the series 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living, and is primarily geared towards people in recovery, as well as their family members and loved ones. It is also an excellent resource for educators and trainers in addiction counseling programs, as well as staff at recovery treatment centers. Therapists in private practice will want this in their library to lend to clients struggling with substance abuse. Other videos in this series include:
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Alternatives to Substance Abuse
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Assertiveness
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Managing Emotions
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Problem Solving
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Social Skills
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Stress Management
