About DocDawn

Dawn V. Obrecht, M.D., is an expert in the field of Addiction Medicine. DocDawn is a frequent speaker on addiction and recovery and has published 3 award-winning books.

Bring Olympic Qualities to Your Life

This year’s winter olympics are only about 100 days away.olympicrings

Besides being entertained by the Olympics and enjoying those adrenalin rushes from watching speed skating, downhill, mogul and halfpipe events, there may be more to be learned from these exceptional athletes. Obviously physically gifted, what else do they have going for them? What allows some individuals to become Olympians or simply to feel good about their lives, while others land in jail, divorce court for the third time, or are brain dead from a drug overdose…or just have that knot in their gut that prevents genuine satisfaction and joy in everyday living? Continue reading

Suicide: Sadly, A Permanent Solution

This column is dedicated to the memory of those who have succeeded in taking their own lives, to those who have considered or attempted to do so, and especially to those who feel the loss of their loved one.

Is there anything worse than to not want to go on living? Seeing no end to unbearable pain,suicide unable to imagine joy, peace or simply absence of anguish, the suicide victim is desperately isolated. Last week another friend succeeded in suicide. His pain is gone and his friends and family are grieving, each one wondering how he or she could have possibly made a difference. Continue reading

Christianity Fits Well With 12 Step Programs

Christianity fits well with 12 step programs. In fact, much of the content of the 12 steps is directly from the Bible. We don’t tell people this in early recovery, as so many have resentments against religion, especially Christianity. Sadly, many individuals have been damaged in the name of religion. Parents, teachers and religious leaders sometimes use religion, or “God” as a way to demean, blame, and intimidate children.

Christianity and 12 steps

Christianity and 12 step programs

Many children feel threatened by the concept of a critical and punishing God. In addition, abuse, including sexual abuse, by clergy is all too common, often doing irreparable harm. Continue reading