May 6, 2022

The Natural Difference…

Posted by Bill Anuszewski in Recovery

When addicts and alcoholics seek help for their disease, they likely expect the Hollywood movie depiction of sterile hospitals and cold, clinical settings. In a lot of cases that is what help looks like. Such settings can be tremendously helpful, especially for those who are suffering acute physical symptoms. Then there are those who have tried staying in such places but slipped after a bit. A less stereotypical setting may prove effective in helping many of those who slip through the cracks in other types of treatment settings – and that is where Jaywalker Lodge comes into the picture. The Role of Mother Nature in Recovery Fresh air, beautiful scenery, and open spaces make a natural difference in the recovery process. In fact, embracing and incorporating the peace and power of nature can have reverberating positive effects on an individual seeking to recover. The disease of alcoholism and addiction plagues…

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April 20, 2022

We Can’t Go It Alone…

Posted by Bill Anuszewski in Recovery
Going at it alone

There’s an old proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” In recovery, this proverb holds true – although if you travel alone, the only place you go fast is into a relapse. In our lives prior to getting sober, we likely spent a lot of time alone, whether by choice or because we’d driven people away. When we come to recovery at Jaywalker Lodge, we find a thriving community ready to welcome us in. We quickly learn that brotherhood and fellowship are a vital piece of the recovery tapestry. We can’t go through the 12-Steps alone. We can’t have a meeting alone – we’d just be talking to ourselves! We can’t fellowship alone. If it had just been Frodo by himself, they wouldn’t have called it the Fellowship of The Ring – it would’ve just been the lonely…

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April 13, 2022

Why Do I Need a Sponsor?

Posted by Jaywalker in Recovery
Why do I need a sponsor

Starting the journey to recovery can be a confusing time for anybody. As we make the transition from our previous life enslaved to the disease into a bright new life clean and sober, there is a lot to learn. Every day in recovery brings new lessons, new adjustments, new opportunities to grow and serve, and even new challenges to navigate. Going it alone makes the road harder than it ever needs to be. Nestled in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley, Jaywalker Lodge is a community of recovering people – staff, volunteers, and clients – who are firmly rooted in the 12-Steps. We all have mountains to climb. Sponsors are the sherpas that make sure we are equipped to climb the mountain and reach the summit. Just like every man who scaled Mount Everest had a sherpa with them, we will need a guide of our own on the…

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April 5, 2022

Looking Forward to Today…

Posted by Bill Anuszewski in Treatment
Looking Forward to Today

In our disease, it can seem almost impossible to look forward to the day ahead. Today is just another grind to appease our domineering addiction – just a struggle to survive, to get the next drink or drug. The past is a blur of pain and regret. Tomorrow is a source of worry and fear and more struggle. There is little hope in our future when we are drowning in alcoholism and addiction. In fact, the only hope there might be is that someday we will get clean and sober. That hope is real, and it’s our best bet. It is vital that we hold on to the hope of sobriety. If you’re reading this, then that day is here – or it has already come, or it will soon. Hope and perspective are just a few of the great gifts of entering recovery. We are given hope, which is…

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April 4, 2022

Jaywalker Lodge Welcomes KC Gooding as Chief Marketing Officer

Posted by Bill Anuszewski in News

Jaywalker Lodge is pleased to announce that Kenneth C. Gooding (“KC”) has joined the senior leadership team as Chief Marketing Officer. In his new role, KC reports to CEO Bill Anuszewski, and will oversee Jaywalker’s strategic partnerships, brand development, and clinical outreach. Based in Carbondale, CO, KC will also supervise the admissions, marketing and alumni relations teams at Jaywalker. “We’re thrilled to welcome KC to our team,” said Anuszewski. “KC brings so much to the Jaywalker community, just as he does to the field at large. He’s collaborative, creative, and above all, KC walks his talk as a man in recovery.” KC began working in behavioral healthcare in 2015 and has held roles of Business Development Executive at 449 Recovery in Mission Viejo, California, National Director of Business Development at New Method Wellness in San Juan Capistrano, California and as a National Business Development Representative with Burning Tree Programs in…

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March 25, 2022

Letting Go of Shame

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

Shame is a common emotion associated with addiction because of a strong stigma attached. If you feel ashamed of your addiction or things you have done in the past because of your addiction, it is vital to learn how to let go. Recognizing Inner Shame Shame is not always an easy emotion to identify as it can feel a lot like guilt. You might find yourself feeling awful for things you have done in your past. You might wish that you could go back and change those actions. You might even view yourself entirely in a negative light. This emotion can affect your self-image and make you feel less deserving of love and empathy. Shame is an uncomfortable emotion and can cause you to internalize your feelings. To move on from shame, you must first identify where and what it stems from. Combating the Stigma When using substances and suffering…

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March 24, 2022

What the Seventh Step Can Teach About Humility

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health

The Seventh Step of AA, “Humbly ask your higher power to remove your shortcomings,” gives a lesson in humility. Learning how to ask humbly requires the acknowledgment that you are not the center of the universe. You are not more, and you are not less important than any other person. This lesson in humility can become an important step in recovery, giving you the perspective you need to heal. The Seventh Step: The Beginning of Action In AA, NA, and other 12-Step programs, Steps 1-6 set you up to address your addiction head-on. They ask you to confront the things that could get in the way of sobriety, like ego, denial, and a need to be entirely in control of your life. Now that you have broken down the layers that keep you from addressing core issues, you can take the actions needed to begin the process of becoming a…

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March 24, 2022

When Your Client Continues to Put Up Walls

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health
When Your Client Continues To Put Up Walls

Sometimes, a client might start to put up walls, especially if they are discussing a subject that is difficult for them to talk about. Even if you have built a rapport with your client, they still might shut you out. There are many reasons why your client has stopped opening up. Why a Client Might Put Up Walls There are many reasons why a client might start to put up walls, even if you have established a rapport of trust. An hour-long session is only a glimpse into what your client is experiencing daily. There is a chance that outside events might influence your client’s sense of security, ability to be emotionally vulnerable, or energy they can put into a session. A client may also be shutting down because they are not ready to tackle a particular subject. Take note of what topics cause a client to shut down or…

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March 23, 2022

Will Trauma Always Result in PTSD?

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Recovery
Will Trauma Always Result in PTSD?

PTSD is relatively common if you had a traumatic experience, but not every trauma will result in PTSD symptoms. You may not experience any symptoms after a traumatic experience, while others might not experience symptoms of PTSD until later. This article will cover how common PTSD is and who is the most at risk. What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a condition that develops after exposure to a traumatic event or experience. You can develop PTSD from directly experiencing trauma, witnessing someone experience trauma, and even hearing that a loved one has experienced a traumatic event.  You may also develop PTSD from repeated exposure to negative details of a traumatic event. This experience can be common for therapists learning about abuse that happened to a child or first responders investigating a traumatic situation. What Do PTSD Symptoms Look Like? It is possible to develop PTSD from an…

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March 18, 2022

Planting Seeds: The Beginning of Goal Completion

Posted by Jaywalker Lodge Staff in Mental Health
Planting Seeds: The Beginning of Goal Completion

You might have already forgotten your New Year’s resolutions, but it is early in the year, and there is time to get back at it. Whether your goal is to maintain sobriety, become or stay physically fit, or master a new hobby, there is always a critical starting point.  It Isn’t Too Late to Start Your Goals Even though it is already March, it is not too late to start your New Year’s resolutions. Many might feel discouraged because they slacked on goals they established earlier in the year, but there is still plenty of time left in the year to accomplish what you set out to do. Since many New Year’s resolutions and goals focus on bettering yourself, it is a fantastic idea to hop back on that wagon and get started—after all, getting started is the key. Taking that first step might feel intimidating, especially if you struggle…

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