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Shelley Osterloh ReportingA new form of therapy promises to make it easier for addicts to stay sober by learning to let go of their negative, self-defeating image and focus on living life. Its called "Bridging" and Shelley Osterloh spoke with those who say it has transformed their lives.
Many who walk into the "Recovery Bridge" in Midvale carry with them years of self-doubt, worries, and destructive behavior that have led them to addiction. One man's back pain and depression led to prescription drug abuse. Another was addicted to cocaine for more than 25 years. Now both are able to let go of their troubled past though a treatment program called "Bridging."
Recovering Addict: "When you use drugs that’s my escape that’s the way I try to make myself feel better because things don't go right. A little problem would turn into a giant problem. It would ruin my whole day. Now big problems come up and they are not problems."
‘Bridging’ was developed by Dr. Stanley Block, a psychiatrist who says people have an identity system --- negative thoughts that can trap them into destructive patterns of anxiety, addiction, anger or impaired thinking. By focusing on your senses, like sounds and touch, you focus on the present and let go of those nagging, troubling thoughts that tear us down.
Stanley H. Block, M.D. Author, "Come to Your Senses": “And when we come to our senses our identity system rests and our natural function flows and we have access to all the vitality, healing goodness, wellness and strength that inside all of us."
Joe Boberg LSAC, Counselor, Recovery Bridge: "Now that we practice bridging principles and just label our thoughts, we no longer experience the damage that would come from our identity system.”
Recovering Addict: "That’s what gets us back to healing. For me anyway, is that touch, the sights and the sound, the things that happen in the moment."
And for some, living in the moment is helping them get beyond a troubled past.
Dr. Stanley has written a book about his treatment called ‘Come To Your Senses’, and is lecturing here in Salt Lake.
Lectures:
Performance 24/7
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Recovery Bridge 7679 South Main Street
Midvale, UT
6:00 PM
Seating is limited. Register early. Call 801-255-5999. No Charge.
Living Your Beauty, Strength and Wisdom, 24/7
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Shriner’s Children’s Hospital Auditorium
Fairfax Road and Virginia Street.
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Seating is limited. Register early 801-355-2846
Pre-registration $20; Registration at Door $25
