Houston Sports Legends in Recovery
The word is out – our speaker series will return in-person with Houston Astro and Baseball Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell as the keynote speaker at our 2021 Fall Luncheon on October 15, 2021. Along with Craig Biggio, Derek Bell and Lance Berkman, Bagwell was part of the “Killer B’s”, …Read More »
Recovery is for Everyone: A Recovery Month Message from our President & CEO
This blog post was contributed by Mary Beck, LMSW, CAI, President & CEO of The Council on Recovery Friends, This National Recovery Month, we celebrate and honor our friends, family members, coworkers and colleagues who are in recovery from addiction and other mental health disorders. Recovery is not a single …Read More »
Announcing Mary Beck as President & CEO
The Council on Recovery is pleased to announce that Mary Beck, LMSW, CAI, has been selected to serve as its next President & CEO. Beck, previously the Executive Vice President for The Council, will succeed Mel Taylor, MSW, who is retiring after three decades in the role, and a lifetime …Read More »
The Impact of Family Roles on Addiction
This blog post is contributed by Lori Fiester, LCSW-S, MAC, CIP, CDWF, Clinical Director for The Council on Recovery Have you ever wondered why some families seem to have roles in their family? I’m not talking about the roles of mom, dad or siblings, but roles people assume throughout their …Read More »
Five Little-Known Facts About The Council
The Council on Recovery is Houston’s oldest and largest non-profit provider of addiction prevention, education, treatment and recovery support services, having served our community for 75 years. Here are five little-known facts about The Council that briefly illustrate its longevity, growth, and commitment to the Houston community. The Council’s origins …Read More »
Changing Lives with Discovering Choices
Discovering Choices is The Council’s new outpatient treatment program, made possible by grants from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. This program allows us to expand access to our world-class outpatient treatment services and continue our promise to turn no one away. It includes specialized tracks for women and …Read More »
How Can We Fix Texas’ Mental Healthcare Crisis?
This blog post is co-authored by The Council on Recovery’s President & CEO Mel Taylor, MSW, and Executive Vice President Mary Beck, LMSW. Substance use is a primary driver of readmission to the hospital and/or criminal justice systems. If we addressed substance use disorders in conjunction with mental health disorders, …Read More »
The Importance of Treating Substance Use & Mental Health Disorders Together, with Dr. Kimberly Parks
This fall, The Council launched the Center for Co-Occurring Disorders, a groundbreaking initiative designed to address substance use and mental health issues together. Substance use and mental health disorders often go hand-in-hand, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimating that about half of those who experience a substance use …Read More »
A Special Announcement From President & CEO Mel Taylor
Dear Friends, I wish to inform you of my intention to retire as President and CEO with The Council, effective August 31, 2021. Although this retirement will be effective in August, I have been asked to remain in an “emeritus” position working for the Foundation for the next three years to ensure …Read More »
The Council reflects on a year of COVID-19
Almost a year has passed since COVID-19 reached our own backyard. Within this year, we lost more than 500,000 lives, experienced historic social and political unrest, and most recently, endured a traumatic winter storm. Our community has faced a staggering amount of adversity within a relatively short timeline, so it …Read More »
Celebrating the Story of The Council
Over the last six months, the communications team has been combing through The Council’s archives in preparation for our 75th Anniversary, poring over thousands of photos, mementos, newspaper clippings, board minutes, flyers, planning documents, and notes. Our goal was simple: to celebrate the story of The Council. Throughout the coming …Read More »
Expanding Outpatient Treatment with ‘Discovering Choices’
The Council on Recovery is excited to announce the launch of Discovering Choices, a new outpatient treatment program dedicated to expanding access to quality treatment services to those in the community who may not have the financial resources to afford it. This program is possible through the Texas Health and …Read More »
Helping Families Find North: A Speaker Series for the Age of COVID-19
We are proud to present a new look and new brand for the speaker series: Finding North. The concept of Finding North speaks to the heart of who The Council is: a trusted Houston institution, always here to help families find their way.Read More »
How COVID-19 Is Affecting Teens’ Mental Health
This post is contributed by CHOICES counselor Joanna Robertson, M.MFT, LMFT, LPC Like most of us, adolescents had their world turned upside down back in March by the Coronavirus pandemic. As teens prepare to return to school, I want to share a few of the ways COVID-19 has affected teens’ …Read More »
How Employers Can Support the Mental Health of their Employees During a Pandemic
The Coronavirus pandemic, economic collapse and historic unemployment are threatening the collective mental health of the United States workforce. Barriers to mental health treatment such as stigma in the workplace will only intensify this mental health crisis for American workers. According to a poll by the American Psychological Association, only …Read More »
Maintaining Community During COVID-19
By Lori Fiester, Clinical Director of the Center for Recovering Families As the last week wound down and settled, my staff and I made it through the trials and tribulations of integrating telehealth into our services. The reward – we are able to connect with our clients, see their faces, …Read More »
Where to start?
The continuum of care has many opportunities for someone to stay sober. Research indicates that the longer a person is in treatment services, the less risk they have for relapse.Read More »The Council on Recovery Responds to Rising Trend of Adolescent Vaping with Specialized Services for Teens and Parents
In response to the dramatic rise in adolescent vaping, The Council on Recovery is excited to announce the launch of specialized services specifically designed to deliver education, early intervention, and clinical treatment for adolescents experimenting with or abusing electronic cigarettes. Lori Fiester, LCSW, MAC, CIP, CDWF, Clinical Director, says “With …Read More »
Grateful Client Gives Back
This guest post is written and graciously shared by Janel, a grateful client who found recovery through The Council Seven years ago I was trapped living a nightmare with no way out. My addiction took me to the darkest place imaginable. I was literally battling for my soul. I could …Read More »Discrimination, immigration, treatment expectations, and family stigma are among barriers to Latinos seeking treatment
The following article was recently published on the research page of the Recovery Research Institute website. It explores a new study that indicates Latinos have the lowest treatment seeking rates compared to people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS STUDY ADDRESS? National studies have shown that individuals who …Read More »
Do You Know the Signs & Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder?
The term “substance use disorder” is frequently used to describe misuse, dependence, and addiction to alcohol and/or legal or illegal drugs. While the substances may vary, the signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder are the same. Do you know what they are? First a few definitions: Signs are …Read More »
Guide: 11 Indicators of Quality Addiction Treatment
How to identify high-quality addiction treatment programs. The Council on Recovery recommends the following guide published by the Recovery Research Institute, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. We suggest using it to evaluate addiction treatment options for you or your loved ones. [The Council meets/exceeds all 11 quality indicators.] Intro …Read More »
Baby Boomers and the Alarming Increase in Alcohol Use Disorders
Baby Boomers are the fastest growing segment of the population. They’re also the group with the most dramatic increase in harmful alcohol use. According to a research published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, increases in alcohol use, high risk drinking, and alcohol use disorders (AUD) among adults 65 years and …Read More »
Sobering Facts About Holiday Drunk Driving
This is the season for celebrating with family and friends. But, when it comes to drunk driving, this most joyous time of year is also the deadliest. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every holiday season, hundreds of lives are lost due to drunk drivers. Drunk driving …Read More »
The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 45
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 45 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. In the aftermath of the fall of Rome in the 5th century and the loss of …Read More »
Alarming Increase in Adolescent Vaping and Nicotine Use in 2018
An alarming increase in the prevalence of vaping among adolescents has raised public health concern, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Research into vaping among teens was conducted by the University of Michigan. It indicated a sharp increase in the prevalence of nicotine …Read More »
Debunking the Myths About Holiday Drinking & Driving
Celebrating the spirit of the holidays often includes drinking holiday spirits. Most people celebrate responsibly. But during the holiday season, people are more likely to drink beyond a safe limit than at other times of year. And when driving is involved, the resulting consequences can be tragic. Despite all the evidence …Read More »
9th Annual Run for Recovery Raises Money for The Council on Recovery
The 9th Annual Run for Recovery took place Sunday, November 2nd. One of Houston’s largest recovery events, the race attracted more than 400 people of all ages. Runners, walkers, and other supporters of recovery participated in the 5K run/walk (timed and untimed) and Kids Race along scenic Memorial Drive next …Read More »
The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 43
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 43 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. In the multi-season show, Stargate SG – 1 and its offshoot, Stargate Atlantis, there is a …Read More »
New Study: Hangovers Impair Thoughts & Performance Even After Alcohol Leaves the Bloodstream
According to a recent study, the effects of a hangover from heavy drinking on our thoughts and performance may last longer than originally thought. The study, published in the journal Addiction, indicates that impairments in cognition observed in drunk individuals still occur the day after a session of heavy drinking, …Read More »
The Council’s Speakers Series Luncheons 2000-2018 – A Galaxy of Stars
The Council on Recovery’s 2018 Fall Luncheon with Alice Cooper was the 36th Luncheon in the The Waggoners Foundation Speaker Series. Since 2000, the Waggoners Foundation along with, more recently, the Wayne Duddlesten Foundation, have underwritten the production of a Spring and Fall Luncheons. These luncheons have raised millions of …Read More »
The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 42
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 42 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. In an earlier note, I talked about the Greek experience of hieros gamos, the idea of …Read More »
Rock Legend Alice Cooper Helps The Council on Recovery Raise $495K to Fund Addiction Prevention, Education, & Treatment Programs
Alice Cooper, the Godfather of Shock-Rock and Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer thrilled an audience of more than 1100 with his personal story of recovery from alcoholism and addiction this past Thursday at the Hilton Americas-Houston. In the process, he helped The Council on Recovery raise more than $495,000 to provide addiction …Read More »
Senator John Cornyn Visits The Council to Host Roundtable Discussion on Opioid Addiction in Houston
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) visited The Council on Recovery on October 30th to host a roundtable discussion on opioid addiction in Houston. The discussion came a week after the President signed into law legislation that was originally introduced by Cornyn and U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA). The new law, …Read More »
The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 41
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 41 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. There is a literary device that was originated in classical literature and theatre known in Latin …Read More »National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Takes Place Oct. 27, 10A – 2P
Semi-Annual event provides safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs The Drug Enforcement Administration is hosting the semi-annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 27. The goal of the event is to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, …Read More »
Methamphetamine Abuse: The Other Drug Epidemic
While the opioid epidemic continues to dominate the national headlines, methamphetamine addiction has emerged as a major crisis in Texas. A big problem Methamphetamine, known as “meth”, killed 715 Texans in 2016 compared to 539 heroin deaths. During the same period, U.S-Mexican border agents seized seven times more meth than …Read More »
News Release: Texas HHSC Receives $46M Grant to Fight Opioid Use Disorders
The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 40
In the parlance of long-running, multi-season TV shows, the term “jump the shark” denotes that point at which the series popularity begins to decline. It usually cites a particular show in which the characters in the show do something a bit absurd, maybe so much beyond the mythos of the …Read More »
<strong>Senate Passes Broad Opioid Package to Address National Crisis</strong>
The Council on Recovery applauds the U.S. Senate’s passage of the final version of a sweeping opioids package Wednesday. Passed with rare bipartisan support by a vote of 98-1, the bill will be sent it to the White House for expected signature. The bill represents Congressional response to the opioid …Read More »
Yale Study: Genes May Explain Why Alcohol Detox is Particularly Hard for Some People
New findings published in journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research Some heavy drinkers suffer intense withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop drinking — some, less so. A new Yale-led international study of individuals with alcohol dependence has identified gene variants that may help explain why “detox” from alcohol is particularly …Read More »
How Drugs Alter Brain Development and Affect Teens
Changes in Brain Development and Function From Drug Abuse Most kids grow dramatically during the adolescent and teen years. Their young brains, particularly the prefrontal cortex that is used to make decisions, are growing and developing, until their mid-20’s. Long-term drug use causes brain changes that can set people up for addiction …Read More »The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 39
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 39 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. In Greek mythology, the heiros gamos is a holy ritual, a sacred marriage of a god …Read More »
CNN Reports Nearly 30% of All Opioid Prescriptions Lack Medical Explanation
This CNN story reported findings of a recent study by the Annals of Internal Medicine that indicated nearly 30% of all opioid prescriptions lack medical explanation: (CNN) How large a role do doctors play in the opioid crisis? Nearly 30% of all opioids prescribed in US clinics or doctors’ offices lack a …Read More »The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 38
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 38 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. In Herman Melville’s classic, Moby-Dick, Captain Ahab was near mortally wounded by a powerful albino sperm …Read More »
The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 37
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 37 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. The story of Homer’s Odyssey, to which we keep returning as a classic Hero’s Journey, ends …Read More »
Time to cut back on drinking? Here’s how…
Written by Felice J. Freyer & published by The Boston Globe, the following article provides excellent tips to those who drink. Timely information for those who use, misuse, or abuse alcohol. Alcohol is deeply ingrained in American life, central to our habits of socializing, celebrating, and relaxing. But the pleasure …Read More »
As School Starts, Know the Facts About College Drinking
As students start the Fall Semester at college, The Council on Recovery urges parents and students to consider the facts about college drinking from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Harmful and underage college drinking are significant public health problems, and they exact an enormous toll on the …Read More »
The Lifelong Quest For Sobriety…The Ultimate Hero’s Journey—Part 36
Guest Blogger and long-time Council friend, Bob W. presents Part 36 of a series dealing with Alcoholism and Addiction from a Mystical, Mythological Perspective, reflecting Bob’s scholarly work as a Ph.D. in mythological studies. In 1993, comedian Bill Murray stared in a film called Groundhog Day. It is about a …Read More »
Magic Mushrooms (Psilocybin) Remain a Popular Hallucinogen
Among the hallucinogens abused by those who have a substance use disorder (SUD), psilocybin mushrooms are still a popular source of getting high. Similar to other hallucinogens, such as mescaline and peyote, and known on the street as “magic mushrooms”, they contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin and are found throughout …Read More »
2018 Houston Opioid Summit Creates Vital Awareness and Cooperation in the Battle Against Opioid Addiction
For two full days last week, nearly 250 leaders from across Harris County gathered at The Council on Recovery’s first Opioid Summit. In keynote addresses, topical breakout sessions, panel discussions, round-table discussions, and interpersonal networking, people on the front-line in battling the opioid crisis exchanged ideas, information, and experience …Read More »
CDC Report: Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women’s Health
Recently reported data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are shedding new light on the links between excessive alcohol use by women and the increasing risks to female health. Here are vital the facts from the CDC. Although men are more likely to drink alcohol and drink …Read More »
The Pace of Guidance: How Do I Recharge & Reconnect After a Natural Disaster?
As people receive the COVID-19 vaccination and cases across the country are in steady decline, daily life is looking more like before the pandemic hit in March of last year. But we know through research and experience that the mental health impact of natural disasters such as the pandemic long …Read More »