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173 - Nicole Bifano, LCSW - The Therapeutic Process and AL-ANON

Real Recovery Talk

Release Date: 04/08/2021

604: Get and Stay Sober: Focus on These 5 Areas! show art 604: Get and Stay Sober: Focus on These 5 Areas!

Real Recovery Talk

Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBCLASS!  If you want to get sober and STAY sober there are certain areas that we needs to focus on! In this episode I break these down into very achievable steps and hope that you can start to empliment these today! 🔗 Join our Family Reconnect Program:  📅 Free Family Webinar — Every Monday at 6:30PM Eastern: 

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Real Recovery Talk

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Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBCLASS!  She got sober at 18 years old — before she ever had a legal drink. In this episode, I sit down with Anna, a 19-year-old who went through multiple treatment attempts, residential, PHP, IOP — the whole process — and came out the other side with a year and a half of sobriety, a job in treatment, and a life she's actually proud of. We talk about what finally made it click, what her parents did right (and what they struggled with), and why waiting for someone to "hit rock bottom" might not mean what...

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Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBCLASS!  Is your husband's alcoholism affecting your family? You're not alone — and you're not overreacting. In this video I'm going to give you three things: clarity on what you're actually dealing with, a real strategy based on who your husband is, and permission to start taking care of yourself. We cover the difference between problem drinking and alcohol use disorder, the 11 clinical signs from the DSM-5 in plain language, what actually works when talking to your husband (and what makes things worse),...

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Do you have a family member/loved one struggling with addiction? Join Our FREE WEBCLASS!  Don't miss our FREE WEBINAR to learn more about patient care and avoiding common mistakes families make.  Want continued support/guidence for you and your loved one? Consider joining our FAMILY RECONNECT FAMILY!   

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“This disease does not discriminate and it’s really hard to get sober.” -Nicole Bifano

Today, Ben and I are chatting to Nicole Bifano, a primary worker at Rock Recovery Center and an LCSW, about the therapeutic process, the steps of detoxification, and the details of AL-ANON membership.

Why Nicole Chose to Work with Recovering Addicts

Nicole felt called by God to work in the realm of addiction treatment. Working at a treatment center was her only option when she graduated. Although Nicole didn’t plan on working in an alcohol and drug rehab center, she fell in love with her job. “I was able to discover who I was in the process as I had an attachment to this disease since I grew up around it.” 

Nicole’s Perspective on Counseling Addicts

She realizes that it’s not about the substance; for addicts, it’s the underlying emotional imbalance that brings them into addiction. “For me, it’s about identifying with people on a human level.” Nicole looks to connect with those in recovery to show them that they are loved and cared for as human beings. “Connecting with people on their level gives you the ability to help them.”

Breaking Through the Addictive Mindset

Clients have a range of issues, and sometimes they are still in the party and drugging stage. By looking at their past life history and experiences, Nicole can get a good insight into the source of their addiction and work with them to move past their emotional grief. Many of her clients don’t feel loved or that they don’t belong, and addiction to drugs gave them a feeling of inclusion. 

Listen in and find out the multiple facets of addiction, how Nicole facilitates the healing process, and how she guides her patients through the recovery process.

Check out our new website where you can download any episode along with other useful information for those in recovery.

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Show Notes:

  • [04:14] Why Nicole chose to work with those recovering from addiction.
  • [06:15] Her approach to counseling those with addiction issues.
  • [10:30] Nicole's treatment approach with her counseling.
  • [12:51] Common elements across patients with drug addiction.
  • [18:45] How time is spent working with clients during counseling.
  • [20:27] Creating connection through a relationship built on trust.
  • [25:05] Resources to support your loved one through their healing process.
  • [32:55] Tangible Al-Anon takeaways and why Nicole uses them as a resource.
  • [39:33] The importance of relinquishing control as an addict.

Episode Links and Resources