Sameem Associates, Inc

06/23/2023

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝘼𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙐𝘿 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙨
As summer begins, Sameem Associates always receives an especially high percentage of calls for adolescents, whose school-year programs have ended and who often face a summer of less structure, and hence more risk.

03/07/2022

How to Identify Addiction

There is probably agreement by most of the general population that "addiction" is a problem in our community. Most however, don't understand what "addiction" really means.

If one were to stand on a busy street in downtown Boston with clip board in hand, surveying the opinion of the local population and asking just one question; "When we hear the word "addiction", what do we think that means?; most would agree that the vast majority of people would say, "Abuse of alcohol, co***ne, ma*****na, he**in, etc.. They are not wrong, however, those behaviors are just one of the "symptoms" of a much more complicated disease.

Visualize an open umbrella. The open umbrella represents "Addictive Disease", in other words how an individual with this problem thinks about the world. How their brain works. The spokes that come down from the umbrella represent the "symptoms" of addictive disease. There are several spokes coming down from that umbrella.

Let's take the first spoke. Abuse or dependency of substances like, alcohol, ma*****na, co***ne, he**in, etc.. However, there are many other spokes on that umbrella that signal "Addictive Disease". What are other symptoms?

Spoke #2: Compulsive over-eating or obesity. This behavior leads to other physical ailments some of which may be life threatening. On the other side of this eating problem is, Anorexia - self straving; and Bulemia - binging and purging; all of which are compulsive behaviors - symptoms of "Addictive Disease".

Spoke #3: Compulsive Gambling. Eventhough casinos and other forms of gambling have been legalized; the compulsive gambler has no money left at the end of the month to meet his obligations; another symptom of "Addictive Disease".

A perspective new patient called our clinic not to long ago stating he had received treatment from us 10 years ago for his alcohol problem and wanted to come back . When asked if he started drinking again, he stated that, no, he had been clean from alcohol since he finished treatment from us 10 years ago. So why did he want to come back?
He stated that when he came home from work several days earlier, his wife met him at the door with the news that she wanted a divorce. He was shocked by this because he thought all was well, especially since he had not been drinking for 10 years. She told him it wasn't about the drinking.
She said that now she finds herself all alone in the house because he is working 15 hours a day. She has no relationship with him because he is not around. He replaced the symptom of compulsive drinking with compulsive working. Another symptom of "Addictive Disease".

A current patient at our clinic recently told the story that he was successfully "clean" from his drug of choice for over 9 months. However, on a recent Sunday afternoon, he decided to spend the afternoon watching football on TV. As he was watching, he began to get hungry so he looked in his kitchen for a snack to eat as he watched. He found a family size bag of "Lays Potato Chips" and thought he would have a few as he watched. By the time the first half of the football game was over he had finished the entire bag. He asked the question, "Is this how my brain works? Is this another symptom of Addictive Disease?"

The common thread that seems to run through these examples is the nature of compulsive behavior. Continuing the behavior without regard for the possible negative consequences associated with that behavior .

Helping patients identify and manage behaviors so that they are not self destructive is at the core of treatment for "Addictive Disease"

At Sameem Associates, our goal is to help our patients understand how their brain works so that once they have successfully either eliminated or managed the behavior problem or symptom they came in with, they will not need to return because another symptom has led to self destruction.

These facts are sobering.

We can help.
Treatment works.

www.sosdrugs.org

We are now ensuring proper COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing masks, regularly taking temperatures, thorough cleaning between sessions, and social distancing. We are offering both virtual and in-person services. Individual or group sessions available.

07/07/2020

Research Study Opportunity

Sameem Associates, Inc. has partnered again with the Recovery Research Institute at Mass General Hospital to recruit for a study of behavior change and alcohol problems.

Eligibility Requirements:
Ages: 21-65
Currently in outpatient program treating an alcohol problem
individuals who consider alcohol a primary substance and who have begun a new recovery attempt in the past 90 days or are planning to start a new recovery attempt in the next 14 days
Compensation:
Up to $365 completing 4-6 week interviews and 3,6,9,12 month follow up.
Interested?
Contact :
Call: (617) 643-5927
Email:recoveryhealth@mgh.harvard.edu

07/07/2020

What's happening at Sameem Associates:

Are patients truly honest
about their substance abuse?

Honesty is a core value that helps guide the recovering person in their journey. Honesty is absolutely critical in maintaining sobriety, and in having genuine and long lasting relationships.

Understanding The Mindset Of An Addict

Nearly everyone that is in recovery will agree that total and complete honesty is essential to avoid relapse. Day to day life in active addiction is guided by lies. Lying becomes an automatic and natural mechanism.

Active addicts operate under extreme denial and distorted thinking. Lying enables addicts to create a fantasy life that is far easier to tolerate and accept in comparison to the real world in which they live.

They lie to family, friends and other loved ones to get what they want when they want it.
They lie to the world to avoid the stigma of being an addict.
Ultimately, they lie to themselves in order to preserve their habits.
Addicts keep up the appearance and live out the charade because if their behavior changed they would have to stop using substances and face the fact that they have caused an unbelievable amount of anger and hurt. This becomes a tremendous burden for an addict to bear.

The pain of facing reality enables the double life and further tears apart their life as well as the lives of those who love them.

Honesty Is A Process

Much like the recovery process itself, the journey towards complete honesty is one where individuals will experience setbacks as well as victories.

There are three things to keep in mind:

It will take time to unlearn unhealthy habits and learn new habits. Being truthful takes time and constant practice.
It's important to understand that no one perfect. There will be times where goals fall short and we make mistakes–and that is OK. Try to learn and grow with the help of others.
Finally it is important not to be harsh on yourself. There will always be areas in ones life which need improvement, Harshly being self critical or cruel is not a motivator to improve.

It's important to be reminded of the positive things that are happening in life.

05/15/2020

This is a uniquely challenging time for society today. Though this pandemic presents many obstacles, let us consider how those in recovery have a head start in making it through this:

During this pandemic, self-care is more important than ever. Not only is it essential for each person, but your self-care has a profound impact on those around you. People who are in recovery value their self-care. They know that they must put themselves first before they can help anyone else. By taking extra time to focus on our own needs, whether its a long bath, meditation, or extra hand-washing , we are better prepared to help ourselves and others.

Connecting with others is difficult during this pandemic. It requires a lot of effort! Many people are feeling isolated, anxious and depressed. Strong recovery requires strong connections. People in recovery have an advantage as they already understand the value and importance of making calls to sponsors and loved ones, joining meetings when possible, and finding and maintaining connections in their day-to-day life.

Take the time and use courage to reach out: make a call to a long-time friend, cousin, teacher, teammate, or anyone who you have not spoken with in some time. Many of us can benefit from re-connecting, and successful recovery keeps this perspective uppermost in our minds.

One of the psychological challenges during these unprecedented time is the lack of control we feel and the fact that the timing of a conclusion is unclear. The best we can do is listen to our elected officials and wait it out. This can be daunting. Those of us in recovery are well aware of how to face challenges like this. A common attribute of people who find success in recovery is the ability to “keep it in the day” and accept what is out of their control. If there is nothing we can do, we simply put our best foot forward and let the rest take care of itself. Nothing is promised tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year. Recovery gurus live moment to moment as much as possible, finding appreciation in the time we have in front of us and limiting anxious thoughts about an uncontrollable future.

If you need some guidance or support with your anxiety , depression, or maintaining your recovery, please reach out to us here at Sameem Associates. We are here to help!

04/08/2020

Are you feeling anxious, isolated, or overwhelmed by everything going on? Sameem Associates is offering additional telehealth services during this unprecedented time of social distancing. Contact us using the information below to schedule or learn more about our virtual stress reduction sessions. Sessions can be 20 minutes, 40 minutes, or longer depending on your needs.

Email: sameem34@aol.com
Phone: 617-964-1060

04/08/2020

It is so important to find time and space for relaxation. Sameem Associates is here to help! Using the link below, you can listen to a guided relaxation exercise FREE on Spotify led by our very own Matt Green. Find a quiet place, and leave everything else behind for a short while.

https://open.spotify.com/album/7lEx7oLgoJI0A5kSobpsu9?si=Y9OmZuqnROeVm_At9Ie1IA

Matthew Green · Album · 2020 · 4 songs.

03/31/2020

Welcome to Sameem Associates, Inc.
We are here to help you in these very difficult times.
People are filled with anxiety and it does not feel good at all.

Check out http://bit.ly/sosdrugs to see the latest in wellness treatment . We are telehealth providers and are offering stress reduction sessions for 20, 40 or longer sessions.