Monthly Archive for: ‘July, 2012’
Pasadena Recovery Center Counselor Butch Warner’s Writings
Pasadena Recovery Center Addiction Specialist, George “Butch” Warner, who works four days a week at PRC as a psychotherapist and group facilitator, doubles as a writer on a wide-range of topics for many local newspapers. His boundless knowledge, openness, and vast experience make him a must-read columnist as well as a well-liked and much appreciated PRC staffer. Residents rave about Butch’s ability to connect with them one-on-one and find his methods life changing.
The below represent a sampling of Butch’s articles over the years:
“Got a new drug?” (March 1, 2012) – humans have been finding ways to chemically alter their consciousness since the beginning of time and here Butch explores some newer drugs like Bath Salts, Opana, Suboxone, GHB, Ketamine, and Spice.
“The Magic of music” (May 6, 2010) – takes a comprehensive look at the rhyme, rhythm and love of the universal language and evidences that Butch’s expertise goes beyond addiction.
“How my addiction saved my life” (July 23, 2009) – looks at potentially good addictions, like running. “As far as the brain is concerned, a reward is a reward, whether it comes from a chemical or an event.”
“Bad Medicine” (November 26, 2008) – takes on Big Pharma, which wants to put as many drugs in as many households as possible, whether they’re needed or not.
“Cellies, survivors and knuckleheads” (April 17, 2008) – a must-read autobiographical piece about his road to recovery after doing a stint in jail for “crimes associated with addiction to Xanax and speed”. Butch recalls, “I made many mistakes, but one of the things I did right was join a 12-step support group immediately after my release.”
Meet Yoga Therapist Raquel Urey
Raquel Urey (Yoga Therapist)
PRC Employee Since: 2004
Bio: Raquel, who earned her certification from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, leads classes at the Pasadena Recovery Center on Tuesday (9 pm), Wednesday (3 pm), and Sunday (2 pm). The sessions, which normally run about an hour, start with a wide-ranging discussion on subjects like the ‘power of positive thinking’ and ‘forgiveness’. After which, the class moves into light stretching, expands to regular stretching, and often ends with guided meditation and relaxation. Raquel also practices music therapy and aroma therapy in her classes at PRC.
Raquel has a special bond with the Center and calls PRC founder, Dr. Lee Bloom, her “muse and her inspiration”. She adds, “Dr. Bloom was a visionary, a father figure, who touched my life like he did the lives of so many others.”
When she’s not at PRC, Raquel can usually be found teaching Vinyasa Flow Yoga at LA Fitness. She also hones her craft and subs at the Golden Bridge Spiritual Village.
Quote to live by: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” — Charles Darwin
Quotes about Raquel:
“I just want to thank you for all you’ve done. You as a person & the yoga you’ve taught me have been such a huge party of my recovery. I can’t even begin to describe it. Not only are you a great instructor – patient, understanding – but you have a great accent, and your personality & kind spirit were a bright ray of sunlight in what was a very dark world, when I first came to PRC.” — J. B.
“One of the things I will be leaving with is a new found love of yoga. Raquel is a great teacher, and her classes have helped me control my anxiety, which I had a lot of, especially in my first two weeks or so. Not only do I plan to continue learning yoga, I feel it should be required for everyone who is here to try it, at least once.” — Anonymous
PRC Alum Jennie Ketcham Interview On The Daily Beast
The Daily Beast has an excellent interview with Pasadena Recovery Center alum, Jennie Ketcham. Here’s the first question and answer:
Was there a specific moment during shooting Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew that it clicked for you that it was real and you embraced being a sex addict? How idd you know that you had to quit porn as a result?
I don’t know that I’ll ever “embrace” being a sex addict. I think that’s probably one of the most difficult things about addiction; I must reaffirm that I am an addict all the time. No matter how much I know it’s true, there will come a day where I think, well… maybe not. The day I knew I had to quit porn was when we started talking about checking out of the Pasadena Recovery Center. I’d been ensconced in the wonderfully safe rehab bubble — no phone, no Internet, no rent, no closet filled with vibrators or talk of real life. Once we started discussing what we would need to do “on the outside” to stay sober, it was a little bit of a white light moment. I remember thinking, I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know I can’t do porn anymore.
Read the entire Daily Beast interview.
Jennie Ketcham will be speaking at the Pasadena Recovery Center on Wednesday, August 8, 2012.
Pasadena Recovery Center Family Outing To Dodgers Game
The Pasadena Recovery Center staff is like a giant close knit family. In fact, we just welcomed our newest member - 45 day old Lance - to the PRC family. As such, we not only work together but also enjoy hanging out outside of the facility. Back in June we visited Dodger Stadium where the home team beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 and we got a shout out on the big screen!
A Poem From A Resident To A Pasadena Recovery Center Employee
The beautiful poem below was written by Pasadena Recovery Center resident, Shawna Luloff (in photo), to longtime PRC Director, Carol Mack:
Dearest Carol,
Thank you for not giving up on me
For seeing something in myself that I don’t see
You always make me feel special & loved
And for that I thank God from up above
I know I can tell you anything and you’ll never judge
And when I’m sad & depressed you’re always there to reassure me & give me a hug
I know you’d never lead me wrong or give me bad advice
And that’s what I mean when I say “you saved my life”
Your words are kind, true and genuine
You give me faith in trying the program again
When I feel hopeless & just wanna run outta here
Your always there to listen & help & I know you’re sincere
When I needed you most you jumped in your car
You came & picked me up even though I lived far
Words can’t describe how much I thank you
Carol, with all my heart I truly love you
Love Always,
Shawna
